Where is the best area to stay in Zurich?
By David Harrison. Sep 12, 2022
The best area to stay is Niederdorf. The compact, Old Town of Zurich, sits alongside the eastern bank of the Limmat River. Its windy, pedestrianised, streets are full of lovely restaurants, bars, boutiques and artist studios. Some of the city’s oldest buildings are here, including Grossmünster, a church which dates back to the 1100s. The waterside, central location, full of tasty places to dine and drink, make it an attractive place to base yourself on a visit to the city and in easy striking distance to the lake and the rest of Zurich.
Zurich, Switzerland’s biggest city, set alongside a stunning lake and surrounded by mountains, is an enchanting place, steeped in history, but with a creative, youthful feel. The city, famous for being an international financial centre, is an all year round destination where the lake comes alive in summer and the streets become a festive wonderland in winter. It boasts top restaurants, buzzing nightclubs and a quality of life which is the envy of many around the world. With easy access to the high peaks of the Alps, it’s the perfect place to base yourself when visiting Switzerland.
This area, a 5-minute walk from the city’s busy main train station, is the perfect place to soak up Swiss history, culture and architecture. Many of its bustling streets are car free and packed with independent shops and restaurants, meanwhile the area remains lively at night too, with many popular bars throughout the historic area. Nature is at the heart of everything in Switzerland and this attractive district is shrouded by hills to its east and the clear waters of the Limmat River to its west.
This area sits just opposite Niederdorf on the western bank of the Limmat River. Like its western neighbour, it boasts many attractive historic buildings, including the 1,000-year-old Fraumunster Church. It’s also one of the city’s main shopping districts and home to many luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Versace and a vast array of jewellery stores. Switzerland is famous for its watch and clock making, and here you can find some of the best examples of the country’s craftsmanship.
The industrial quarter is Zurich’s hipster hangout, north of the city centre - old warehouses have been converted into cool music venues, street food spaces and lively bars. The area is awash with street art, with tall murals adorning full buildings and many smaller pieces throughout the streets. Along with a popular covered market hall, the area also boasts one of the city’s most famous nightclubs, called Hive, which attracts DJs from around the world. The neighbourhood sits alongside the city’s busy network of train lines and houses cool event spaces including Frau Gerolds Garten, a collection of shipping containers which have been turned into restaurants, cafés and bars.
This area, south of the main train station and just north of the city centre, is one of the best places to dine in the city. The streets are packed with world cuisine – from Tibetan to Peruvian – along with coffee roasteries and busy bars. The area’s Langstrasse is one of the busiest party streets in the city and has a notorious reputation for wild impromptu events. Certainly not as peaceful as some of the other areas, but if it’s life you’re looking for, then this is the neighbourhood to find it.
Zurich’s airport is one of Europe’s major international transport hubs – with more than 750 flights every day, serving destinations around Europe and the rest of the world. It’s based in the city’s north, only a 20-minute drive or train ride to the city centre and just slightly further to Lake Zurich. It also has a major train station, with services to the city centre and other parts of the country.
One of the most attractive locations in the city, sitting on the eastern bank of Lake Zurich. It has a long attractive promenade down the lakeside with great spots to swim and many waterside cafés and bars. In the warmer months it’s a hive of activity with runners, cyclists and people enjoying the beautiful views over the lake and towards the high peaks of the Alps. The city’s Opera House is based in this area, and a grand square spans out from it.
David Harrison
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