10 of the best beaches near airports

Switzerland's biggest city may not seem like a natural beach destination. In summer, though, you can explore a number of sandy stretches on the shores of Lake Zurich.

Mythenquai claims to be the original "Strandbad," or swimming beach, having opened in 1922. It boasts a 250-meter beach, sunbathing lawn, diving boards and reputedly the world's first automatic rental for stand-up paddle boards. (Mythenquai 95, 8002 Zurich;+41 44 201 00 00)

Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen on the opposite eastern bank is another Lake Zurich swimming institution. There's no sand, just grassy lawns and a circular jetty into the water (Bellerivestrasse 200, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland; +41 44 422 32 00)

The airport is a 10- to 15-minute train ride north of the city center. A taxi or a brisk walk will get you to the lake.