Radio Zürisee in Rapperswil — live webcam online
Radio Zürisee — the voice of Lake Zurich
On the shore of the Upper Lake Zurich, in the very heart of Rapperswil, operates a radio station known throughout the region. Radio Zürisee was founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Zürichsee Medien AG. Initially, the station was based in Stäfa, but on April 1, 1992, it moved to Rapperswil at Bahnhofplatz 1 — right across from the railway station, where it remains to this day.
The station broadcasts on 107.4 FM and offers listeners a mix of 80s, 90s, and contemporary hits. It's not just a music station — it's a media holding owned by Zürichsee Medien AG, which also publishes the Zürichsee-Zeitung newspaper. Radio Zürisee has become an integral part of the region's media landscape, and the webcam in the studio lets you see how the broadcast is created in real time.
Rapperswil-Jona — the city of roses on the lake
Rapperswil-Jona is not just a dot on the map of the canton of St. Gallen. It's a place often called the "city of roses" thanks to the abundance of rose gardens blooming along the promenade of the Upper Lake Zurich. The city is located in southwestern Switzerland and is one of the most picturesque towns in the canton of St. Gallen.
The historic center of Rapperswil is a maze of narrow streets, old houses with frescoes, and cozy cafés. The radio station's webcam offers a view of this old-world charm, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere of a city where the past meets the present. Radio Zürisee is located right in the center, at the station square, just a stone's throw from the castle and the lakeside promenade.
Rapperswil Castle — the medieval guardian of the lake
Above the city rises Rapperswil Castle, built in 1220–1230 by bailiff Rudolf von Rapperswil. The stone fortress on a rocky headland between the lake and the Limmat River was erected to control the water trade route from Zurich. Today, the castle is one of the region's main tourist attractions, visible from many points in the city.
Next to the castle is the Rapperswil city museum in the Breny-Haus building, which tells the story of the "city of roses" from knightly times to the present day. If you're watching Rapperswil through the webcam, look for the rocky outcrop above the lake — that's where the medieval fortress stands.
Lake Zurich and alpine panoramas
The Upper Lake Zurich (Oberer Zürichsee) is the eastern part of Lake Zurich, separated from the lower part by the Hurden peninsula. Rapperswil-Jona is located on the northern shore of this part of the lake, and the panorama of the water surface with alpine peaks on the horizon is one of the region's signature views.
The Radio Zürisee webcam shows not only the studio but also a view of Rapperswil's historic center. In good weather, you can see the Albis mountain range and the peaks of the canton of Schwyz from the promenade. The lake here is shallow and warms up well in summer, making Rapperswil a popular spot for swimming and sailing.
How the Radio Zürisee studio works
The radio station offers "Blick ins Radiostudio" (A Look Inside the Radio Studio) tours, where visitors can see how a broadcast is made. But if you're not in Rapperswil, the webcam lets you peek into the studio right now.
The Radio Zürisee studio is a professional space with acoustic treatment. The walls are lined with vertical light-colored panels that serve as both decoration and sound-absorbing material. In the frame, you can see the host at a professional studio microphone on a boom arm with a pop filter. To the right, there's a window into the adjacent equipment room — that's where the technician works and the broadcast is mixed.
What's on the air
Radio Zürisee is a music station with a focus on 80s, 90s, and contemporary hits. During the broadcast, an information yellow bar appears at the bottom of the screen showing the current track name and weather information for several Swiss cities. It's convenient — you not only see the host but also find out what's playing and what the weather is like in the region.
The radio station broadcasts for the entire Lake Zurich region, covering both Rapperswil-Jona itself and neighboring towns — Wädenswil, Stäfa, Horgen. The station's audience consists of locals and tourists who appreciate a light format and familiar melodies.
Weather and climate in Rapperswil
Rapperswil-Jona lies in a temperate continental climate zone with lake influence. Winters are mild, summers are warm, and the lake moderates temperature fluctuations. Average July temperatures are around 18–20°C, January around 0–2°C. Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with a slight peak in the summer months.
Thanks to its location on the southern slope of the hill, Rapperswil gets plenty of sunlight even in winter. This creates a pleasant microclimate that promotes the growth of those very roses that gave the city its nickname. The webcam lets you assess the current weather in Rapperswil — just look at the lighting in the studio and the activity on the street.
How to get to Rapperswil
Rapperswil-Jona is located about 35 km southeast of Zurich. You can get here by train — the S-Bahn Zürich S7 line runs from Zurich Main Station to Rapperswil in about 35–40 minutes. S5 and S15 trains also run on this route. Rapperswil railway station is a two-minute walk from the Radio Zürisee studio at Bahnhofplatz.
By car from Zurich, take the A3 highway towards St. Gallen, then take the exit for Rapperswil. Parking in the center is limited, so tourists are advised to leave their car on the outskirts and walk through the historic center — this way you'll see the castle, rose gardens, and ancient streets.
What you can see on the camera
The Radio Zürisee webcam broadcasts a live feed from the radio studio in Rapperswil. In the frame is a host with a red beard and glasses, wearing a burgundy polo shirt, working at a professional studio microphone on a boom arm with a pop filter. The studio walls are lined with vertical light-colored panels with acoustic properties. To the right, there's a window into the adjacent equipment room with broadcasting gear.
At the bottom of the screen is an information yellow bar showing the current track name and a weather summary for several Swiss cities. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to watch the radio host at work and listen to the Radio Zürisee broadcast on 107.4 FM. This is a unique opportunity to peek inside a real Swiss radio station studio and see how a music broadcast is created for the Lake Zurich region.
