Sex in Zurich: A First-Timer's Guide

01Is it legal?

Yes, between adults. Street and window work is allowed only in marked zones at set hours (PGVO Art. 7). The minimum age is 18 (StGB Art. 196). Our legal guide has the details.

02The venue types

• Brothels and clubs in the city: Kreis 1, 2, 3 and 11.
• Sauna clubs in the towns around the city: Schwerzenbach, Dübendorf, Dietikon and Volketswil, plus a club in Urdorf.
• Massage studios: Kreis 3, Thalwil and Regensdorf-Watt.
• Escorts, booked through some of the clubs.

A sauna club charges one entry fee that covers the wellness area. The room time is priced on top. Club Dream⁠^{† (one source checked)} and Club12⁠^{† (one source checked)} say on their own sites that they charge no entry. For Villa 166⁠^{† (one source checked)}, one listing says entry is free.

03Where to start: Kreis 3 and the ring towns

Start in Kreis 3 around Weststrasse. Villa 166 and Club Pascha are a few minutes' walk apart there, and two massage studios, about hands and Goldenhearts, are also in Kreis 3.

Globe in Schwerzenbach is about 20 minutes from the centre. Its CHF 95⁠^{† (one source checked)} entry covers the sauna, food and drinks, and it closes at 02:00 Monday to Wednesday^{† (what entry covers and the hours: one source checked)}.

04How a visit works, step by step

• At a club, walk in. For a massage, book ahead: Amrita Tantra, Andana and Goldenhearts work by appointment.
• Bring cash. Most sauna clubs charge an entry fee at the door. Villa 166 says you pay the woman directly. Club Maxim and Club Dream do not publish who takes the room price.

At Globe and Club Swiss each woman sets her own price. At Villa 166 the women agreed their prices among themselves, and you pay the woman directly. The venue figures are guide prices.

Opening hours vary. Villa 166 is open around the clock, every day; its own site and five listings agree. Club Aphrodisia opens from 16:00 and is closed on Sundays^{† (one source checked)}. Club Maxim opens daily from noon to 05:00^{† (one source checked)}.

05Entry fees and what an hour costs

The cheapest club hour is CHF 150 (Villa 166). Half an hour costs ≈ CHF 99⁠^{† (one source checked)} (Club Maxim, Happy Hour 12:00–21:00) to CHF 280⁠^{† (one source checked)} (Club Aphrodisia). A sauna club adds CHF 50⁠^{† (one source checked)} (Saunaclub Elixier) to CHF 95⁠^{† (one source checked)} (Globe) entry. Escort hours start at ≈ CHF 250⁠^{† (one source checked)} (Villa 166). A figure marked ≈ is approximate; one marked ^{† (one source checked)} comes from one page only. Our prices guide lists every venue, with day bands.

06Paying: cash first

Bring cash. One club adds CHF 10⁠^{† (one source checked)} to an electronic payment. One studio takes cash only, in francs or euro. No venue publishes which card brands it takes.

07Respect and consent: the rules that apply

The city asks clients to respect the right to say no, to make clear arrangements, to pay a fair price, and to act responsibly where exploitation is possible^{† (one source checked)}.

Licensed operators must give out free prevention material, including condoms (PGVO Art. 13 Abs. 3). The city police inspect licensed venues at least once a year^{† (one source checked)}.

08Street zones: the law, not our advice

• Niederdorf: street work 22:00 to 02:00, window work 19:00 to 05:00
• Allmendstrasse: 19:00 to 05:00
• Depotweg Strichplatz: Sunday to Thursday 18:30 to 02:00, Friday and Saturday 19:30 to 03:00

09Safety and help lines

• Emergency: police 117, ambulance 144
• Die Dargebotene Hand, crisis line at any hour: 143
• Opferhilfe Schweiz, help after a crime: 142^{† (one source checked)}
• If you suspect someone is forced: Fachstelle Frauenhandel und Frauenmigration in Zurich, or the national ACT212 hotline, anonymously if you want^{† (ACT212: one source checked)}