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 neighbours 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


Top hotels in Old Town Zürich

Hotel Limmathof
Hotel Limmathof
2 out of 5
Limmatquai 142, Zürich
The price is ₹10,194 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹10,194
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Repeat customer! love the location: 8 minutes from train station which itself has a 7 minute train to airport. Very good breakfast. There is also a COOP across the bridge 2 minutes walk."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Hotel Limmathof
Hotel Scheuble
Hotel Scheuble
3 out of 5
Muehlegasse 17, Zürich, ZH
The price is ₹17,163 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹17,163
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Zürich. Enjoy breakfast, on-site parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"Very nice hotel in the city center, friendly staff and very accessible to shopping, grocery and public transportation."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Hotel Scheuble
Ruby Mimi Zurich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
4 out of 5
4 Beatenpl., Zürich, ZH
The price is ₹13,367 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹13,367
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (781 reviews)
"Lovely stay and would definitely go again!"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

Ruby Mimi Zurich
citizenM Zürich
citizenM Zürich
4 out of 5
Talacker 42, Zürich
The price is ₹13,278 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹13,278
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (911 reviews)
"The hotel is great I'm every way. It has a great vibe, all of the staff are super friendly and helpful. Room perfect Breakfast perfect. Bed and pillows perfect. I can't say enough good things about CitizenM. I would go out of my way to stay again. In fact I might plan my next trip around CitizenM ..."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

citizenM Zürich
Central Plaza Hotel
Central Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
Central 1, Zürich, ZH
The price is ₹15,619 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹15,619
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"The property is okay is very close to everything..I request city view and did not like the view at all.."

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2024

Central Plaza Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
4 out of 5
Bahnhofplatz 7, Zürich, ZH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹35,402 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
₹35,402
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (988 reviews)
"A well run and helpful hotel staff. Very good restaurant and breakfast, very easy communication in Zurich."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 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

Bern featuring a bridge

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 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 St. Josef Church or Swiss National Museum and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Museum of Design Station or Limmatplatz Tram Stop.

Zürich District
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District 4

While you're in District 4, take in top sights like Starkart Urban Art Gallery or Kanzlei Flea Market, 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