SIGHTSEEING TOWN CENTER / OLD TOWN

Bahnhofstrasse
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JhkZSACN9sW9h2986
Switzerland’s most expensive shopping street runs North to South between Zürich HB train station and the lake.

Schanzengraben
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JqoeZYo3pYKFNtfw7
You can walk along this beautiful canal. Go down to the canal at “Gessnerbrücke” and walk along the canal until you reach the Old Botanical Garden or you can go even further up to the lake.

Old Botanical Garden
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hRhnYmg5zgxihEtk8
19th-century botanical garden with octagonal palm house & medicinal plant collection. It also houses the Museum of Cultural Anthropology.

Rennweg
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fzeXPde8cB8zyZYW8
One of the oldets streets in Zürich.

Lindenhof
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JNTsnt4nVxFJ9Htw5
Historic square that offers one of the best views over the old town.

St. Peter Church
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcVUe2Y2F2TzkGJS7
Enduring parish featuring Romanesque & Gothic architecture & a large church clock.

Weinplatz
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GeQxJZ7gt9vAzWmc6
Walk from this square along the river towards the lake for beautiful views of the old town.

Fraumünster Church
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8pdBfjipFHyiQhaV6
Elegant church with a delicate, copper-topped spire, a crypt museum & stained glass by Marc Chagall.

Paradeplatz
https://maps.app.goo.gl/adpeSic8RxAEjC9PA
The financial heart of Switzerland with headquarters of the biggest banks UBS and Credit Suisse and the famous historic chocolate and patisserie shop Sprüngli.

Münsterbrücke
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XpwJbW7JjizRQPY7A
One of the best places in the city to have your picture taken.

Grossmünster
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGgDq4AScx7FhoxS6
The cathedral and most famous building in Zürich.

Quaibrücke
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xCNJ3eFZFegtmviQA
From this bridge you have a nice view over the lake and river Limmat.

Sechseläutenplatz
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QHTnfbLVDefF6Vgv7
Square in front of the Opera house with lakeside promenade (ducks and swans).

Niederdorf
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zP3JPXE4m6nZHiJCA
The poor part of the historic old town that was frequently flooded in the past. The Niederdorf extends between Central tram station and Bellevue on the right (East) side of river Limmat.

Predigergasse
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PacNEgkiKLkqkXwU9
Take pictures at one of the nicest alleys in Niederdorf old town district.

Kunsthaus Zürich
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDbqhmoKgvSTzGaPA
Largest art museum in Switzerland with major European collections from the 15th century to the present, plus temporary shows.

University of Zürich
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8kCCYEFAe5A167Rc9
Visit the main building (KOL) that features an impressive courtyard.

University of Zürich, Library of the Law Faculty
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFyrTSL9vvXmTcEB6
Take a glass elevator & enjoy the stunning architecture by star architect Santiago Calatrava.

ETH Zürich Polytechnic University (Main Building)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2mLThwj7AfNtKEqU6
The best university in Switzerland with many famous alumni and several free museums.

Polybahn
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MCWiWksYmnBRfk4o9
Victorian-era funicular railway connecting the Central Square to ETH Zürich polytechnic university.

Negrellisteg
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fz649gDLH8T2Zy5f6
Newly built bridge over the train tracks. Great views on the train station.

Augusto Giacometti Entrance Hall
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2qcoF2nzPXbJPmEL6
An artwork of national importance that even many locals haven’t visited (free entry). It is inside the police station and you need to leave your ID at the counter at the entrance in order to visit.

Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kwiaE3rJKs2a5FK27
Displays on aspects of Switzerland’s history, plus handicrafts, homewares & an armory tower.

Boat tour on River & Lake
Take a boat ride on the tiny Limmat boats (boat ticket price not included, boats don’t run in winter). Start the boat ride at Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum) and end at Tiefenbrunnen. Walk back from Tiefenbrunnen to the old town.

ZÜRICH WEST (NEW PART OF THE TOWN)

Europaallee
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KWeVYSLQrDRMcMxEA
Contemporary shopping compound featuring a food court, boutiques, cafes, hip restaurants & events.

Schwimmbad Oberer Letten
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EUfEWWFd8VbXMAJP8
Check out the magnificent public swimming baths at River Limmat & cool down with a swim (optional).

Viaduct
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4D1oy1npuwbuJmhLA
Explore the most innovative shopping street located under the arches of a train viaduct built in 1894.

Freitag Tower
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DHQjKGVskXLvtcYj7
Climb the unique tower made of containers for a view over Zurich West (new part of town).

Frau Gerolds Garten
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hXjLf49zb8BHuTmE9
Eatery serving home-style cuisine in an urban garden setting, with heated tents in winter, plus bar.

Langstrasse
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9m3T51Q47vv8vspB6
Red light district. Many fast food, take-aways and restaurants / bars.

Lochergut
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z9p66Y49gqzJWM7h7
Trendy area of the town (hipsters!) with lots of international restaurant choices.

ZÜRICH OTHER LOCATIONS

Leisurely walk from Zoo to Rigiblick & Rigiblick cog railway
Enjoy the best views of Zürich on the lake and the Alps.

Uetliberg
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/uetliberg
The closest mountain to Zürich overlooking the city and with views of the Alps on sunny days. At only 871 m. asl there is unlikely to be any snow. You can get to the top by train from Zürich HB train station.

Chinese Garden
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nkLPumVfa8TZNBSr8
Tranquil lakeside garden featuring Chinese-style pavilions, bridges & landscaping around a pond. You can walk all along the lakeside near the garden and back to the town center. Beautiful to walk along the lake.

(New) Botanical Garden
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vMjHJn8bjVrHkHGD8
University-run city garden with 3 tropical glass domes & a pond, plus guided tours & botany courses.

MFO Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KXBU6UkC2FXBoVHr8
A brilliant example of the highest quality urban landscape architecture. Modern, unique park enclosed by a 17-m-high steel-framed trellis covered with climbing plants.

Cassiopeiasteg
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YuZBTpQEgdBkrVgG9
Walkway on the lake with nice views to the Alps on a clear day.

Rote Fabrik
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z61fNXhVKoKQbTz88
A contemporary theater, arts & concert venue in a renovated red brick factory building.

Saffa Island
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q1zhFzvS5dBcQELd6
Designed & built exclusively by women as a project raising awareness of women’s issues.

Zurich Thermal Baths & Spa
https://maps.app.goo.gl/w68zXwanTHfUbKFN9
Spa in a former brewery, with thermal baths, a bistro & a rooftop pool with views.

 

SIGTHSEEING PLACES NEAR ZÜRICH

Rapperswil
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/rapperswil-jona/
Picturesque medieval town at Lake Zürich that can be reached by train or ship from Zürich.

Neeracher Ried nature reserve
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/birdlife-naturzentrum-neeracherried-1/
https://www.birdlife.ch/sites/default/files/documents/neeri/Faltblatt_Neeracherried_2009_engl.pdf
The Neeracherried is one of the last large fens in Switzerland. Thanks to a footbridge and two spacious observation huts, breeding and resting birds can be studied at short distance.

Flumserberg ski resort
https://www.flumserberg.ch
Easy hiking suitable for all seasons and skiing in winter.

Einsiedeln
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/einsiedeln/
Einsiedeln is the most important place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Switzerland. The high valley of Einsiedeln located in the heart of Central Switzerland is characterised by moors and Lake Sihl, the biggest reservoir in Switzerland in terms of area.