Old Town Zürich Travel Guide

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.



Top hotels in Old Town Zürich

citizenM Zürich
citizenM Zürich
4 out of 5
Talacker 42, Zürich
The price is ฿5,604 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿5,604
฿6,090 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
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! (1,021 reviews)
"We like citizenM hotels. Great helpful staff and you know exactly what you are going to get..,big beds, interesting people...."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

citizenM Zürich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
4 out of 5
4 Beatenpl., Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿7,146 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿7,146
฿7,691 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
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! (1,081 reviews)
"Amazing hotel and staff would highly recommend ,cant wait to go back"

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Ruby Mimi Zurich
Hotel Scheuble
Hotel Scheuble
3 out of 5
Muehlegasse 17, Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿9,685 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
฿9,685
฿10,327 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 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! (1,020 reviews)
Nice hotel in a great location
"This hotel is lovely inside and out. The reception team were friendly. The rooms are comfortable however very small (even by Europe standards) so you wouldn’t want more than one person per room. Otherwise the bed was comfortable and bathroom all new. Anyone in a wheelchair/with accessibility needs ..."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Hotel Scheuble
Central Plaza Hotel
Central Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
Central 1, Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿9,768 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
฿9,768
฿10,413 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Nov - 9 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! (1,002 reviews)
"Location. Near to train station, suitable for tourist traveling to other places in Europe"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2024

Central Plaza Hotel
Hotel Limmathof
Hotel Limmathof
2 out of 5
Limmatquai 142, Zürich
The price is ฿5,190 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿5,190
฿5,661 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
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! (283 reviews)
"The property does not accept AMEX. Staff was ok, but not super friendly. Location is great and rooms are comfortable"

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Hotel Limmathof
St Gotthard Hotel
St Gotthard Hotel
4 out of 5
Bahnhofstrasse 87, Zürich, ZH
The price is ฿9,816 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
฿9,816
฿10,463 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (979 reviews)
"This hotel has a Bahnhofstrasse address, but the main entrance is on a side street. It is a very nice hotel, but I was surprised that it only has a small lobby, which is only right near the front desk, and the breakfast area. The price was reasonable for its excellent location just steps from the ..."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

St Gotthard Hotel
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
Default Image

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
Default Image

Langstrasse

4/5(24 area reviews)

Noted for its bars and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Langstrasse. Top attractions like Helvetia Square and Kanzlei Flea Market 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
Default Image

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