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 S$308 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$308
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,257 reviews)
"Was ok"

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2025

Ruby Mimi Zurich
citizenM Zürich
citizenM Zürich
4 out of 5
Talacker 42, Zürich
The price is S$269 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$269
20 Jul - 21 Jul
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! (1,007 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 7 Jul, 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! (1,229 reviews)
It was ok
"It was all ok but there is no AC.. they call it recycled air.. it’s not cold and in the summer it’s a problem"

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

Hotel Scheuble
Central Plaza Hotel
Central Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
Central 1, Zürich, ZH
The price is S$485 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
S$485
16 Jul - 17 Jul
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Didn’t spend much time here but was a nice, clean, attractive room/stay and exceptionally convenient location. Hotel staff were cordial."

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

Central Plaza Hotel
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
5 out of 5
Bahnhofplatz 7, Zürich, ZH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$887 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
S$887
31 Jul - 1 Aug
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 6 Jul, 2025

Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Hotel Limmathof
Hotel Limmathof
2 out of 5
Limmatquai 142, Zürich
The price is S$304 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
S$304
16 Jul - 17 Jul
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! (546 reviews)
"Great location, just perfect"

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 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 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
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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
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Hochschulen

If you're spending time in Hochschulen, check out sights like Kunsthaus Zurich or Bellevue Square and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Kunsthaus Tram Stop or Kantonsschule Tram Stop.

Hochschulen
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 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
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District 4

While you're in District 4, take in top sights like Helvetia Square or Starkart Urban Art Gallery, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Backeranlage Tram Stop or Guterbahnhof Tram Stop.

District 4

Old Town Zürich