Old Town Zürich Travel Guide

Zürich
Old Town Zürich
Old Town Zürich
Old Town Zürich
Old Town Zürich
Old Town Zürich
Romantic and charming are apt descriptions of this part of picturesque Zurich. Stroll through this section any time of day, as it never sleeps.

Zurich’s Altstadt, or Old Town, is a whimsical area with Renaissance-period buildings, cobbled streets, quaint bridges and a tranquil river. At night, it transforms into a social spot with many bars and clubs.

Start your visit to Old Town by noticing the landmark twin towers of Grossmünster Protestant Church near the Limmat River, with a 12th-century statue of King Charlemagne, believed to be the church’s founder. Climb the stairs in one of the towers to be rewarded with an unsurpassed view of the city.

Peterskirche is worth visiting to see the largest clock face in Europe after all, Switzerland is famous for its timepieces. View examples of Augusto Giacometti’s works. Marc Chagall made stained-glass windows for the Fraumünster church, a former convent founded in A.D. 853.

In addition to Switzerland’s mastery of watches and fondue, its craftsmanship of chocolate is globally established. Become a temporary chocolatier at the Lindt & Sprüngli Chocolate Factory on the left bank of Old Town.

In 1895 music composer Johannes Brahms inaugurated Tonhalle, a concert hall with superb acoustics. The Zurich Symphony Orchestra has its base here on the left bank, with frequent performances throughout the year.

Hop on a river cruise from a landing point, such as at Old Town’s Bürkliterrasse, to view the interesting architecture and points of interest from the water. The trip takes about an hour as you view the city in any kind of weather from these glass-roofed motor vessels that take you to Lake Zurich.

Shopping is a fun pastime in Old Town, where centuries-old stores are neighbors to chic boutiques. Wander along the mile-long mall on Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe’s most popular commercial districts.

Enjoy vegetarian delights at Hiltl, the world’s oldest restaurants of its type. To accompany the tasty food, you’re always close to one of about 1,200 water fountains in the city. Forego bottled water as the fountains have fresh-tasting, crystal clear water that flows straight from the nearby mountains.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Town Zürich

citizenM Zürich
citizenM Zürich
4 out of 5
Talacker 42, Zürich
The price is ฿4,732 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
฿4,732
฿5,186 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Nill"

Reviewed on 20 Nov 2024

citizenM Zürich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
4 out of 5
4 Beatenpl., Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿6,571 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
฿6,571
฿7,095 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Dec - 23 Dec
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,097 reviews)
"Such a perfect little hotel! Smells AMAZING and is in perfect location to dining, trains, shopping, etc."

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

Ruby Mimi Zurich
Hotel Scheuble
Hotel Scheuble
3 out of 5
Muehlegasse 17, Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿7,552 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
฿7,552
฿8,113 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Great location, easy walk from the train station. Staff extremely friendly and welcoming. Very comfy room and bed. No negatives. Would easily stay here again."

Reviewed on 20 Nov 2024

Hotel Scheuble
Hotel Limmathof
Hotel Limmathof
2 out of 5
Limmatquai 142, Zürich
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿5,020 per night from 15 Dec to 16 Dec
฿5,020
฿5,485 total
includes taxes & fees
15 Dec - 16 Dec
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (305 reviews)
"Nice staff"

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2024

Hotel Limmathof
Central Plaza Hotel
Central Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
Central 1, Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿14,531 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿14,531
฿15,358 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Nov - 24 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"This hotel is located just across the river from the train station. The adjacent area is Zürich’s main dining district and is not seedy at all as areas tend to be around train stations. There is shopping nearby on both sides of the river. We were more than happy with our room. In terms of safety, ..."

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2024

Central Plaza Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
5 out of 5
Bahnhofplatz 7, Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿19,676 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
฿19,676
฿20,698 total
includes taxes & fees
30 Nov - 1 Dec
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (983 reviews)
"Nice location and good costumer service in the hotel."

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2024

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Zürich

Lindenhof showing a city, a river or creek and a house

Zürich Center

4/5(2 area reviews)

While you're in Zürich Center, take in top sights like Lindenhof or Swiss Casinos Zurich, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Rennweg Tram Stop or Sihlstrasse Tram Stop.

Zürich Center
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Niederdorf

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Niederdorf for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Central Library Zurich and Polybahn Funicular. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Rudolf-Brun-Brucke Station.

Niederdorf
Museum Rietberg

Enge

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

Travellers choose Enge for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Enge-Bederstrasse Station or Zurich Enge S-Bahn and check out top sights like FIFA World Football Museum.

Enge
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Langstrasse

4/5(24 area reviews)

Noted for its bars and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Langstrasse. Top attractions like Kanzlei Flea Market and Helvetia Square are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Helvetiaplatz Tram Stop or Backeranlage Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Langstrasse
Bern featuring a bridge

Zürich District

If you're spending time in Zürich District, check out sights like Swiss National Museum or Swiss Casinos Zurich and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Museum fuer Gestaltung Tram Stop or Limmatplatz Tram Stop.

Zürich District
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District 4

While you're in District 4, take in top sights like Kanzlei Flea Market or Helvetia Square, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Backeranlage Tram Stop or Guterbahnhof Tram Stop.

District 4

Old Town Zürich Travel Guide