Zurich’s Old Town

The historic heart of the city beats on both sides of the Limmat river. Here guild houses, churches, historic squares, and hidden-away places nestle alongside each other.
Niederdorf

Attractions of the Old Town:

The attractions listed below are the ultimate must-sees of Zurich’s historic city center.

Grossmünster Zürich Exterior View

Grossmünster

The Landmark

The twin towers of the Grossmünster are regarded as the most recognized landmark in Zurich and are as much part of the city as the lake and the glitzy shopping streets.

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Zurich Old Town Walking Tour, St. Peter

St. Peter Church

The Oldest Church

Not only is St. Peter the oldest church in Zurich, it also has the largest tower clock face in Europe. Two records are definitely worth a visit.

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Fraumünster, Zurich

Fraumünster Church

A Former Abbey

Not far from Paradeplatz, this church is known for its magnificent Chagall windows, but its history, too, is worth exploring.

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Blüemlihalle by Augusto Giacometti

Giacometti Murals

Uraniastrasse Police Station

The most beautiful precinct in the world is situated in Zurich's Old Town, where Augusto Giacometti's magnificent murals (1925) adorn the vaulted ceiling and the walls.

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Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire

Dada? Dada!

This is the birthplace of the 1916 Dada art movement that conquered Zurich and the entire world. Today, visitors appreciate the multi-lingual performances, collages and sound poems.

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Erweiterungsbau Kunsthaus Zürich

Kunsthaus Zürich

Art Hotspot

With its new extension, which opened in 2021, the Kunstmuseum Zürich is the largest museum in Switzerland and exhibits outstanding works of art.

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Streets and Alleys:

Starting at the Zurich Main Station, you can easily discover the Old Town – including the famous “Niederdorf”– on your own.

Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich

Bahnhofstrasse

The Beginning

Apart from the Grossmünster church, the Bahnhofstrasse is undoubtably the most famous landmark of the historic city center. Back in the day, this luxurious shopping street used to be a ditch.

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Rindermarkt Zürich

Niederdorf

Sightseeing at its Best

This charming part of the Old Town is situated on the right bank of the River Limmat. The car-free part of Kreis 1 is a great place to shop, have a drink, and experience the soul of the city.

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Augustinergasse, Zurich

Augustinergasse

Ready, Steady, Cameras Out!

The Augustinergasse lined with old and colorful houses adorned with bay windows, lanterns and arches is especially beautiful and immensely photogenic.

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Zurich, Schipfe

Schipfe

Place of Transshipment

In medieval times, the “Schipfe” was used as a place of transshipment for important goods. In the 16th century, the silk and shipbuilding industries, as well as public baths, started to establish themselves here.

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Paradeplatz

Once a Market Place

Did you know that the world-famous financial center in the heart of Zurich was used as a cattle market in the 18th century?

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Rennweg, Zurich

Rennweg

Historic Main Street

Rennweg did, in fact, used to be the widest street in Zurich. Today, it is home to exclusive boutiques and the famous Widder Hotel.

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Zurich Old Town Walking Tour

Those who want to learn more about Zurich’s eventful past can participate in the most popular guided city tour, the “Zurich Old Town Walking Tour”.

On this tour, professional guides offer fascinating insights into the origins of Switzerland’s biggest city, explain its significance for Switzerland through the ages, and also relate stories about famous Zurich personalities.

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Zurich Old Town Walking Tour

Pro Tip:

With the Zürich Card, guests can benefit from 50% discount on this tour.

Squares and Gardens:

Visitors to the Old Town will find peace, relaxation, and plenty to please the eye in the beautiful gardens and parks, and on terraces with great views.

Lindenhof, Zurich

Lindenhof

Where Everything Started

To this day, a tombstone dating from 180 AD can be found on the way up to the Lindenhof. The inscription, “Turicum”, is the first written mention of the ancient name for Zurich.

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Rechberg (Park)

Rechberg

Majestic

This magnificent garden is well known to the students of Zurich University and ETH Zurich. But it is an absolute gem for guests from all over the world, too.

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Polyterrasse, ETH Zurich

Polyterrasse

With a View

The charming Polybahn takes just 100 seconds to ascend from Central to the ETH terrace. And the trip is well worth it, for at the top there are beautiful views over the Old Town.

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Old Botanical Garden of Zurich

Old Botanical Garden

Paradisiacal

Tucked-away paths and benches, a pretty glass pavilion, and, below it, the babbling of the Schanzengraben canal.

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Bürkliterrasse at Bürkliplatz Zurich

Bürkliterrasse

By the Water

On a clear day, the view sweeps across the deep-blue Lake Zurich to the snow-capped Alps in the distance. So beautiful that it is almost kitschy.

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