Old Town Zürich

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

Ruby Mimi Zurich
Ruby Mimi Zurich
4 out of 5
4 Beatenpl., Zürich, ZH
The price is P15,150 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
P15,150
P16,221 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,249 reviews)
"Excelente hotel en el centro de Zürich"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Ruby Mimi Zurich
citizenM Zürich
citizenM Zürich
4 out of 5
Talacker 42, Zürich
The price is P12,753 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P12,753
P13,735 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"CitizenM is very walkable to central Zurich, with many trams and train station options nearby. The building itself is a bit dated, but they have remodeled it so the room itself is very modern. The smart TV and iPad control aren't very user friendly."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

citizenM Zürich
Hotel Scheuble
Hotel Scheuble
3.5 out of 5
Muehlegasse 17, Zürich, ZH
Stay at this 3.5-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! (1,219 reviews)
"great location , nice hotel , no air con"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Hotel Scheuble
Central Plaza Hotel
Central Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
Central 1, Zürich, ZH
The price is P21,581 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
P21,581
P22,899 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Very nice front desk staff."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Central Plaza Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
5 out of 5
Bahnhofplatz 7, Zürich, ZH
The price is P37,339 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
P37,339
P39,256 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Great location close to everything"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Hotel Limmathof
Hotel Limmathof
2 out of 5
Limmatquai 142, Zürich
The price is P13,565 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
P13,565
P14,579 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Zürich. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (540 reviews)
Convenient
"Convenient hotel for a visit to the old town"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Hotel Limmathof
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 featuring a city, a river or creek and a house

Zürich Center

5/5(1 area review)

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

Zürich Center
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Niederdorf

5/5(1 area review)

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 catch a ride at Rudolf-Brun-Brucke Station.

Niederdorf
Default Image

Werd

While you're in Werd, take in top sights like Haus Konstruktiv or Old Botanical Garden, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Werd Tram Stop or Bezirksgebaude Station.

Werd
Zurich Zoological Museum showing interior views as well as an individual male

Hochschulen

While you're in Hochschulen, take in top sights like Kunsthaus Zurich or Bellevue Square, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Kunsthaus Tram Stop or Kantonsschule Tram Stop.

Hochschulen
Museum Rietberg

Enge

Travelers 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
Spiral staircase in the Volkshaus #architecture. Zurich really has so many interesting staircases !

Langstrasse

Noted for its bars and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Langstrasse. Top attractions like Helvetia Square and Bernard Jordan Gallery 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

Old Town Zürich