7 Must-See Zurich Neighborhoods and How to Visit

Zurich’s Old Town must be first and foremost in any visitor’s itinerary. Built on the shores of the Limmat River, from an outfall of Lake Zurich, this historic district is made up of several smaller neighborhoods and home to some of Zurich’s most famous sights, including the Grossmünster, Zurich Opera House, and National Museum.

The district boundary also encompasses Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, Zurich Central Station, and Bürkliplatz quay, making it easy to combine an Old Town tour with a lake cruise or wider city exploration. And if you’re interested in the long history of the district, walking tours are a great way to get an intimate glimpse of the cobblestone streets and medieval landmarks.

On the western shore of Lake Zurich, District 2 is a destination for the whole family. The smaller neighborhood of Enge is home to the FIFA Museum, Museum Rietberg, and Arboretum, a lakeside botanical garden ideal for lake swimming and summer picnicking.

Farther down in Wollishofen, Rote Fabrik is a cultural center boasting a busy schedule of concerts, film showings, theater, and dining experiences. Meanwhile, just outside the district in Kilchberg, the Lindt Home of Chocolate draws sweet-toothed visitors for a taste of proper Swiss schoggi, with some tours including a visit as part of a city-wide itinerary.

The Uetliberg, Zurich’s home mountain, towers over this leafy district, drawing daytrippers with its walking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and tranquil atmosphere. Take advantage of tours that include a trip to the summit along with other town attractions, or visit independently by catching the S10 from Zurich’s Central Station.

Afterwards, pay a visit to Sihlcity, one of Zurich’s largest shopping malls, which boasts myriad stores, a cinema, and on-site childcare facilities.

Also known as Aussersihl, District 4 started out as an animal waste pit and execution site, before becoming the red-light district of Zurich. Today, however, the area is best known for its modern diversity and vibrant nightlife, centered around Langstrasse.

Bar hopping is the best way to experience the area’s many offerings, particularly at weekends, when the finance workers, expat community, and local residents all come out to play.

This former industrial area is now among the city’s hippest spots, and shouldn’t be missed by any visitor searching for a glimpse of the real Zurich. Encompassing the tres-chic Zurich West, the district is characterized by a unique social history and emergent gastronomic scene.

If you’re tight on time, look out for tours that zip around the area’s must-see attractions, such as the Im Viadukt shopping area, Freitag Tower, and the Kunsthalle Zürich (not to be confused with the Kunsthaus over in the Old Town).

After the Old Town, Zurichberg is widely considered the most beautiful part of Zurich. Its undulating, forested landscape is home to Zürich Zoo, the Dolderbahn Rack Railway, and the Rigiblick Funicular Railway, as well as Switzerland largest public park, Irchelpark.

For a glimpse of the hillside vistas without having to ascend the slopes, take a tour that passes through the district on its way to other city landmarks.

On the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, the Seefeld promenade is home to the Zurich Chinese Garden and Zürichhorn lakeside park, where locals flock every summer for a refreshing swim in the lake or to catch a film in the open-air cinema. The promenade is very walkable, making it easy to tick off on a city-wide walking tour.

Then, a little farther inland, the University of Zurich’s Botanical Garden is a year-round attraction for nature lovers, while the Zurich Tram Museum offers something for engineers of all ages.