Places of interest

If you keep your eyes open, a walk through Zurich allows a glimpse of its lively and eventful past. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the well-preserved old town, explore the sights, both prominently situated and hidden away, and drink in the breathtaking panorama from the various vantage points.

Grossmünster
According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the burial place of Zurich's patron saints Felix and Regula and built the first church as a chorister's cloister on the site. In the first half of the 16th century the Grossmünster was the starting point of the Swiss-German Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger. The theological college then annexed to the cloister later became the University of Zurich.

Fraumünster
Founded in 853 by King Louis the German, this church with its convent was inhabited by the female members of the aristocracy of southern Germany. Ownership of the church and convent passed to the city of Zurich after the Reformation. In addition to the largest organ in the canton (5,793 pipes), its most stunning features are the stained glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Musée Suisse
Swiss National Museum. The building of the Swiss National Museum is reminiscent of a castle and houses the most comprehensive collection of artifacts relating to Swiss cultural history.

Niederdorf
During the day this is a pedestrian zone and a shopper's paradise with exquisite boutiques hidden away in narrow lanes. At nightfall the many bars, restaurants and street artists turn the Niederdorf into an exciting center of entertainment for a colorful public.

Bahnhofstrasse
The main shopping zone is concentrated in the city center, making it ideal for pedestrians. The famous Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most beautiful shopping miles in Europe, should not be missed with its elegant fashion stores, department stores and boutiques with top quality products.

Lindenhof
Beneath this elevated square in the city center are the ruins of a Roman customs post and a late Roman fortress. This is where Zurich was founded. The Lindenhof today is an oasis of peace and tranquility at the heart of the city, and a meeting place for passionate chess players. It also offers magnificent views over the old town.

Lichthof / Paradeplatz
"Paradeplatz" is an integral part of Credit Suisse Group's public image whose fame has spread beyond the borders of Switzerland. Atelier 5, an architectural firm in Berne, redesigned the ground floor by transforming the former counter area to create an enclosed public square, the "Lichthof".

Chinese Gardens Zurich
The Chinese Gardens in Zurich are one of the most important Chinese gardens outside China. This gift from China is dedicated to "the 3 winter friends", the pine, the bamboo and the winter cherry.