Zurich - Top 10 Visitor Attractions

Zurich is a bit like a Swiss army knife; it caters for multiple needs and tastes - it's also the largest and possibly the most exciting city in Switzerland.

Read on for tips on Zurich's top attractions, plus places we think you should visit.

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Zurich's main attractions

(1). Zurich Old Town (Altstadt): The 'Medieval city of Zurich' was built around the Limmat River, a crystal-clear river formed as an outfall from Lake Zurich. The Limmat flows directly through the historic and picturesque Altstadt (central old town), dividing the city's rich culture and ancient history.

Zurich is 'steeped' in history - the old town's Niederdorf district (known locally as Dörfli) contains most of the city's main historical sights, plus high-end shopping and entertainment, including bars, pubs and numerous classy and traditional dining options.

The old town is where you'll find an array of antique shops, luxury fashion stores, and traditional Swiss restaurants - plus superb wine and pastry outlets; it's also renowned for its buzzing nightlife and has a wide selection of bars, restaurants and clubs. Altstadt is where you'll find iconic churches such as Fraumünster and the Grossmünster cathedral; it's also home to The Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's prime shopping street and home to Europe's top labels and shopping brands.

Spend extra time exploring the old town; you'll find rows of towering 16th & 17th-century buildings with their beautifully decorated multi-coloured facades. Wander around the small plazas and window-shop as you lose yourself down ancient winding cobbled streets that encourage leisurely exploration.

Top Tip 1: As you meander along the narrow cobbled lanes, past Medieval houses, Renaissance buildings and pretty plazas, take a break at one of Zurich's many traditional cafes, such as Teecafe Schwarzenbach (est 1864) on Muenstergasse - a traditional coffee roastery, chocolate and espresso bar, where you can enjoy a delicious pastry and fine coffee, (take tram no. 4 or no. 15 to Rathaus).

Top Tip 2: Have you ever wondered why you seldom find Swiss wines outside Switzerland? Pop into one of Zurich's many elegant and friendly wine bars, and you'll soon discover why! The Swiss can be very committed and loving towards their fine wines - they also prefer to drink them rather than export them!

Top Tip 3: Try a glass of Fendant Chasselas from the Valais region (a canton in southern Switzerland) - Chasselas grapes are a 'perfect match' for Switzerland's 'cool' alpine slopes. Originating in western Switzerland, Chasselas is dry and fruity and dates back to the 16th century; a great choice to accompany cheese fondue or raclette.

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(2). The twin-towered Grossmünster: The Grossmünster church was built in the Romanesque style around the 12th century and is one of Zurich's most important landmarks. The building was originally a former monastery; and was supposedly built on the graves of Zurich's patron saints, Felix and Regula. Grossmünster was also the centre of Switzerland’s Protestant Reformation which took place during the first half of the 16th century - the history of the Reformation can be found on-site, in the church cloister.

The most prominent features include the distinctive twin towers, topped by identical neo-Gothic style cylinder tops that loom over the many restaurants, bars, and shops below. Other notable features include the Romanesque crypt, the stained glass windows by Sigmar Polke and bronze doors by Otto Münch (1935 and 1950), also the stained glass windows by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti (1932), and the Reformation museum in the cloister.

Top Tip: For a small fee, you can climb the 187 steps to the viewing platform at the top of the 50-meter-high Karlsturm tower; from the top, you have superb panoramic views over the old town, lake Zurich and (on a clear day) - the Alps in the distance.

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(3). Kunsthaus Art Museum: The Kunsthaus Art Gallery is one of the largest and most impressive museums in Switzerland. The Kunsthaus is known for its impressionist and modern art collection. It contains over 4,000 pieces of work, with around 1,000 works on permanent display; included are sculptures, paintings and sketches by world-famous artists dating from the 15th century to the present day.

The Kunsthaus is one of the best sites in Europe for viewing and discovering Swiss artists and includes works by the Swiss surrealist painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti and his brother, Bruno Giacometti. The gallery's collection includes works such as Monet's impressionist landscapes to Edvard Munch's expressionist paintings; it also houses the largest collection of Munch paintings outside Norway. The gallery also features 'key works' from the late-20th and 21st centuries, including works by Warhol and Jackson Pollock.

The Kunsthaus exhibits the following prominent artists, Claude Monet (including the unique Water Lily paintings), van Gogh (including Thatched Roofs by Auvers), Pablo Picasso (including Grand Nu from 1964) and Matisse, to name but a few.

The Kunsthaus consists of two buildings; the original was built in 1910 with an impressive modern extension designed by David Chipperfield and opened in 2021, with a core focus on exhibiting art from the 1960s onwards. Both buildings 'are connected' via a 70-meter-long underground passage.

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(4). Zurich Opera House: The stunning Zurich Opera House was built in a neoclassical and rococo style and is one of Zurich's most important cultural centres and a fine example of the city's heritage. The original theatre (Actien-Theater or Shares Theatre) opened in 1834; unfortunately, it burnt down in 1890 and was replaced in 1891 by a stunning new building designed by Fellner and Helmer under the name 'Stadttheater' (town theatre). The Zurich Opera House is now one of the busiest classical music venues in Europe.

The Opera House has a seating capacity of approximately 1150 and is the perfect place to spend a cultural evening. Regular performances by prestigious companies perform some of the world's greatest ballets, operas and theatre - you'll find lots going on to serve your cultural interests. A calendar of events can be found on the Opera House website.

Top Tips:
(1) Take a 'Behind the Scenes' guided tour of the Opera House. Various tours are available, and they all offer a fascinating glimpse into how the building works, including discovering backstage props, lighting, make-up and tailoring; you also get access to the costume and furniture store and backdrop storage areas. The tour provides a good insight into how each department works 'successfully together' to provide a successful production.

(2) The regal styling of the Zurich Opera House helps make the building an architectural gem - inside and out. In our opinion, the building is worth a visit to admire its architectural qualities alone.

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(5). Bahnhofstrasse: The Bahnhofstrasse is known as one of the most expensive and exclusive shopping streets in Europe. Bahnhofstrasse is a place to admire and buy world-class art and top fashion brands. The street is 'mostly pedestrianised' and stretches 1.4 kilometres (a comfortable 25 min walk) between the Old Town from Hauptbahnhof (Zurich's main rail station) and Lake Zurich.

The area comprises mainly bold mid-to-late 19th-century style buildings and architecture, making Bahnhofstrasse a 'pleasing place' to explore whilst admiring the sleek and immaculately presented shop fronts of Cartier, Rolex, Gucci, Prada and Chanel.

The southern end of Bahnhofstrasse is where you'll find Paradeplatz, a busy town square (and busy tram junction) close to Lake Zurich. Paradeplatz is one the most expensive pieces of real estate in Switzerland. The 'square' is also known for Confiserie Sprüngli, a luxury chocolatier dating back to 1836 and the pioneer of Swiss chocolate producers. Paradeplatz is also the location of the headquarters of both UBS and Credit Suisse Banks. Top Tip: We recommend visiting Sprüngli to try a Luxemburgerli (an airy mini-macaroon filled with fresh light cream, exclusive to Confiserie Sprüngli).

Top Tips: (1) Take the time to rest at one of the many cosy cafes along the strip; it's a perfect excuse to people-watch. (2) Visit the Cafe Gourmet part of the Hotel Schweizerhof located directly opposite Zurich's Main Station on Bahnhofstrasse. Cafe Gourmet is known for its great-tasting coffee and croissants - should you be shopping late on a Thursday, check out the Schweizerhof Bar for its entertaining Gin & Jazz evenings.

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(6). The UBS Polybahn: The adorable vintage UBS Polybahn is an 'unmanned' funicular cable railway facility, connecting the old town with the beautiful viewing terraces high above the city. The 'two-minute nostalgic ride' was saved from closure at the last minute by a Swiss bank in 1976, hence the name UBS Polybahn.

The Polybahn dates back to the late 19th century and transports around two million people annually on its 176 metres journey (on a 23% gradient) from Central to the Polyterrasse (panorama viewing terrace), where you have spectacular views over the old town, city and the lake.

As well as serving the viewing terresase, the Polybahn also serves the learning centres of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Zurich University. Little has changed to the Polybahn since it first came into service in 1889, except for a complete overhaul in 1996, when it was 'equipped' with up-to-date operating systems.

The two-car funicular can transport up to 50 passengers per car. Each car retains its detailed late Victorian design and character, including exposed engineering metal works, light fittings and wooden seating. Ticket prices start at CHF 1.20, and tickets are available at the ticket machine in front of the Polybahn (Central and ETH Polyterrasse).

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(7). Zurich West: Zurich West is a new industrial 'working-class-turned-hip' district of Zurich. This former industrial area has now been 'converted' into a cultural melting pot. Its once-empty warehouses have been reclaimed and transformed into new-wave hubs for trendy shops, art galleries, underground theatres, rooftop bars, restaurants, luxury flats and an energetic music scene. The area's main attraction is the Viadukt, a stretch of shops, bars and restaurants built into old railway arches.

The old Löwenbräu brewery building has been 'transformed' into a base for young artists. It also houses the Kunsthalle Zurich art gallery, located in the Löwenbräukunst complex - the gallery displays works of established and upcoming contemporary artists.

Top Tips:
(1). Check out LaSalle restaurant and bar located in Kreis 5's old shipyard; it offers French and Italian cuisine in an open setting with original features, including an expanse of exposed brickwork and oversized windows. There's also a sunny terrace bar for enjoying a cocktail or two. (2) Alternatively, try 'Rosso' - a log-fired pizzeria set in an industrial setting, it's super hip with a great atmosphere, shared tables, cold beer and a long wait for a table if you don't book in advance.

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(8). Urania Observatory: Pay a visit to the Urania Sternwarte, the city's giant telescope at the Urania Observatory. Built in 1907, the Urania Observatory is located in the Lindenhof district at the western end of the old town. The Observatory consists of a striking 50m high round tower, which houses a 12-tonne Zeiss refractor telescope, that provides magnifications of up to 600 times.

Depending on visibility (and the time of your visit), it's possible to see far into space - with the potential of viewing Jupiter's cloud rings, detailed moon craters, star clusters, cosmic nebulae and distant galaxies, N.B. Please visit the Urania-Sternwarte website, or contact the Observatory direct for availability; and for the potential Moon and planet visibilities during your intended visit.

Public guided tours are available; they take place every Thursday/Friday/Saturday evening; tours include talks covering all sorts of astrological themes and access to the telescope.

Top Tip: A convenient nearby venue is the inviting Jules Verne Bar located close to the top of the Urania Sternwarte tower. The bar offers delicious cocktails, first-class wines and dining facilities, plus spectacular views over the city skyline and Lake Zurich.

Zurich's Public Transport:

Local transport in Zurich. Think Swiss, think efficiency - Zurich is known for its safe, clean and highly effective public transportation system. The Zurich Transport Network (ZVV) is responsible for the city's public transportation and ticketing needs. Conveniently, the ZVV ticket system allows 'the one ticket' to be used across all forms of public transportation within the ZVV city network.

The city is easy to navigate, with trams, buses and boats running across the city daily from 5.30 am to midnight. The easiest way to move around is to use a travel pass known as the Tageskarte (one-day ticket) that allows travel on all buses and trams for 24 hours.

Alternatively, consider buying a Zurich Card valid for 24 or 72 hours; the card allows unlimited travel for specified periods, plus extra discounts for sightseeing and other attractions.

The Tram Network:
The Zurich tram network is highly efficient and well-developed, with over 100 miles of track, 16 routes and approximately 320 trams in service. For several decades the tram network has been the pride and joy of Zurich’s inhabitants and conveniently covers nearly every corner of the city.

Tram & Bus Fares and Ticketing:
The one ticket or pass covers all modes of ZVV public transport. Fares are calculated using a zone system, with single-ride tickets valid for a fixed period, usually up to 1 hour. The easiest and fastest way to buy single tickets is from ticket machines, with the ZVV app, or in the ZVV ticket shop.

The Day Pass:
If you're planning on doing a lot of sightseeing in central Zurich and don't want to deal with buying individual tickets, you can purchase a day pass that's valid for 24 hours.

The one zone (Zone 110) covers the city center, including Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the largest railway station in Switzerland, and the Altstadt (Old Town) areas. To make sure you know how many zones you'll cross to get to your chosen attractions, download a zone map from the ZVV website.

The Zurich Card:
An alternative to the day pass is the Zürich Card, which provides unlimited travel on trams, trains, buses, cable cars and boats. The card costs 27CHF for 24hrs and 53CHF for 72hrs.

The Zurich Card has additional benefits such as free entry to various museums and price reductions at some tourist hot spots, including a 50% discount on public city tours organized by Zürich Tourism and when visiting Uetliberg and Felsenegg. The Zurich card is available to buy online at zuerich.com and VBZ Ticket offices and via the Tourist Information Centre at main rail stations.

Top Tram & Bus Tips:
Trams (streetcars) are possibly the most convenient mode of transport (and there are lots of them hurtling through the city); however, if you‘re unfamiliar with tram networks, remember that trams always have the right of way (even at pedestrian crossings). Be vigilant - tram-line road makings are not always visible, and remember, the distances between two sets of tracks can be deceptively narrow. Trams have limitations on stopping quickly, always be vigilant when crossing wide roads, and if you hear a loud bell - LOOK OUT!

Remember all Zürich Cards and day passes must be validated (stamped) in a ticket machine before boarding the tram or bus.

Top Tips:
(1). Check out the ZVV website for tram and bus route maps and online route planners; the site is easy to use and makes planning a journey on the ZVV network less complicated, especially if you're new to the system. You can also buy digital tickets when planning your journey.

(2). Remember to check out the Zurich Card (tourist card) - it provides unlimited travel on all forms of public transportation in the city (fare zone 110) and surrounding region (Zones 111, 121, 140, 150, 154 and 155), plus discounts at many tourist attractions. The Zurich Card also includes transfers between Zurich Airport and the City.

Zurich Airport (ZRH). The airport is located in the suburb of Kloten, eight miles (12km) north of Zurich.

Airport Train, Tram, Bus and Taxi Transport Services:

Airport Train:
The main direct transport links from Zurich airport to the city centre are by train; the airport train station is called (Bahnhof SBB Flughafen Zürich). Train services are provided by Swiss Rail (SBB) and Inter-Regional (IR) trains run by the Zurich Transport Network (ZVV). You can buy tickets at ticket machines in the arrivals area and Zurich city centre rail station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof).

The train station at Zurich Airport is located below the arrivals terminal; departures are frequent every 5-10 minutes during peak times with a direct journey time of 10-15 minutes. Due to its central location, Zurich airport provides a convenient gateway to the Alps, with direct train services from the airport to Switzerland's top Ski regions.

Rail services at Zurich Airport are relatively extensive, with major city destinations in Switzerland being available 'direct from the airport' - avoiding the need to change trains.

Airport Bus & Tram Services:
Airport Shuttle bus services operate to the city centre with a journey time of 30-40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Glattalbahn Tram (Line 10) with a journey time of 40 minutes; it's less convenient compared to rail services - however, the route is perhaps more scenic.

Airport Taxi:
Taxis are available to hire from outside both arrival terminals. Taxis in Zurich are clean, reliable and safe, with a journey time from the airport to downtown of around 20-25 minutes. Taxis are convenient and transport you directly to your hotel or city centre destination. Taxi services operate a metered system with prices set by state authorities; there are additional charges made for luggage, plus surcharges for weekend and bank holiday travel.

Top Tips: As with any city taxi service, make sure you're using an officially licensed taxi; look out for the taxi licence displayed in the window, along with a fare/price list and make sure the meter is working. Check with the driver before entering the taxi what the estimated fare will be, plus the accepted payment methods. The typical taxi fare from Zurich airport to downtown Zurich is around CHF 70.00.

Car Hire: All major car rental companies are represented at Zurich airport, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.