6 top sights in Zurich
In Zurich you will find a beautiful mix of historical architecture, modern culture and beautiful nature. We present some of Zurich's most important sights that you should definitely see when visiting the city.
The Old Town: the historic heart of Zurich
The Old Town is the historic heart of Zurich with its narrow streets, old buildings, charming squares and numerous cafés and stores. You can gain exciting insights into Zurich's eventful history by simply letting yourself drift along or booking a guided tour of the city. At some point, you are sure to end up on the Münsterbrücke and the Rathausbrücke - both are great spots for capturing the Old Town with Lake Zurich or the Alps in the background.
You should also take a look at the car-free Niederdorf district, which is also part of the old town. Here in the "Dörfli", many houses have colorful facades and small bay windows, but when the sun is shining, life mainly takes place on the streets and in front of the many small cafés.
Nice to know: an international team has recreated the old town of Zurich in the computer game "Minecraft". You can see the pictures of this in the "Landsichtssache" exhibition at the Musée Visionnaire in Zurich until at least October 2025.
The Grossmünster: Zurich's landmark church
You don't have to leave the Old Town to discover Zurich's most important sights: Here you will find the Grossmünster, Zurich's landmark, the Fraumünster and St. Peter's Church:
The Grossmünster is an imposing ensemble with two towers. It impresses with its Romanesque architecture, neo-Gothic superstructures and stained glass windows, which reflect the sunlight differently depending on the angle of incidence. The view from the towers of the Protestant Reformed Church is magnificent.
The Fraumünster church on the western bank of the Limmat, with its unmistakable greenish church tower, is also famous for its stained glass windows, which were made by the artists Marc Chagall and Augusto Giacometti. The Fraumünster once served as a monastery. And St. Peter's Church is the oldest parish church in Zurich with foundations dating back to the 9th century.
Nice to know: The clock face of St. Peter's church clock has a diameter of 8.7 meters - it is the largest clock face in Europe - and the largest bell weighs more than 6,000 kilograms without the clapper.
Bahnhofstrasse: a world-famous shopping street
If you like shopping, you can't avoid Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich: the approximately 1.4-kilometer-long link between the main train station and Lake Zurich is home to numerous designer stores - the closer to Lake Zurich, the more exclusive the stores.
You will also find confectioners, boutiques, jewelers and large department stores on Bahnhofstrasse, which is considered one of Zurich's sights. The heart of Bahnhofstrasse, which is lined with lime trees and plane trees, is Paradeplatz, which connects various streetcar lines and is Zurich's banking center.
Nice to know: you can stop by the traditional Swiss jeweler Gübelin at Bahnhofstrasse 36 and treat yourself to a beautiful piece of jewelry or a watch. Platinum Card holders receive a discount of up to ten percent.
Lake Zurich: boat tour and swimming fun on the "Banana"
Seen from above, Lake Zurich just outside the city is reminiscent of a banana, teeming with life in summer. In August, the water temperature can reach 28 degrees and above, making it perfect for swimming fun for the whole family.
If you prefer to stay on dry land, you can take a boat tour, for which there are all kinds of offers. During a hike on Lake Zurich, you should head for the Quaibrücke bridge, which offers a fantastic view of the lake, the city and the mountains in the distance.
Must-do: Take a boat to the island of Ufnau, which lies in the Obersee near Rapperswil-Jona. Here you will find an unspoilt nature reserve where a restaurant invites you to linger.
The Kunsthaus and Zurich's museums: cultural diversity
Whether museums, art, concerts, theater or festivals - the cultural scene in Zurich is lively and diverse. The Kunsthaus Zürich, one of the most important art museums in Switzerland with works by Swiss and international artists, deserves a special mention. There are also numerous galleries around the Kunsthaus, and the district has developed into a beautiful art hotspot.
The Swiss National Museum is also known far beyond the city limits, presenting the history, culture and traditions of Switzerland in remarkable exhibitions. The National Museum Zurich, whose imposing, fairytale-like building alone makes it one of Zurich's sights, also focuses on Swiss history.
Must-do: Visit the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025 with fantastic special exhibitions.
Zurich's surroundings: Hiking on the Uetliberg
Zurich's surroundings are scenic, with numerous mountains waiting to be climbed in summer. One of the most popular destinations near the city is the Uetliberg. Its summit is 870 meters high, and the observation tower with its fantastic view is a worthwhile destination. Getting up there is not quite so strenuous thanks to family-friendly paths and cable cars.
The Käferberg and Waidberg are also great places to hike and enjoy the magnificent panorama over the entire city and Lake Zurich beyond.
Nice to know: One of the most popular hiking trails is the Planet Trail from Uetliberg to Felsenegg. Information boards along the way reveal many facts about the solar system and the planets.
Culture, nature and an upscale lifestyle in Zurich
Zurich offers a perfect mix of historic buildings, cultural diversity, mountainous surroundings and a modern, upscale lifestyle. Whether you're exploring the old town, shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, taking a detour to Lake Zurich or visiting a museum - you can discover many beautiful things in Zurich.
And if you have the Platinum Card from American Express with you in Zurich, you also benefit from exclusive advantages, such as shopping benefits. For example, the shopping insurance protects your purchase against damage or theft for 90 days after purchase.
Frequently asked questions and answers
In Zurich, you should definitely take a stroll along Bahnhofstrasse to Lake Zurich, and in between you can turn off into the Old Town and see the classic sights such as the Grossmünster or Fraumünster.
It only takes a few minutes to get to the city center by train, and you can usually cover the ten kilometers by car in a quarter of an hour.
German is officially spoken in the canton of Zurich, but most locals also understand French.
