Zurich
Altstadt (Old Town)
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The medieval core split by the Limmat — Grossmünster on one side, Fraumünster and Lindenhof on the other.
Zurich's historic core, divided by the Limmat river into Niederdorf (east) and Lindenhof (west). Cobbled lanes, the two great churches with their Chagall and Giacometti windows, and an unbroken cluster of restaurants and bars. Stay here for first-time access and walking distance to absolutely everything tourist.
Scores
Walkability
Transit
Price
Local feel
Nightlife
Family-friendly
Centrality
What you gain
- ↑Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Lindenhof all on foot
- ↑Limmatquai apéro spots — Storchen, Helvti, Hotel Florhof
- ↑Hauptbahnhof, lake and trams all within 600m
What you sacrifice
- ↓Most expensive area for hotels — CHF 280+ even off-season
- ↓Niederdorf is loud Fri-Sat with stag-do and bar traffic
Best for
Avoid if
Other Zurich neighbourhoods
The most multicultural Zurich district — Portuguese, Sri Lankan and Italian restaurants, real-residential feel.
The post-industrial creative quarter — Freitag tower, Frau Gerolds Garten, clubs in old viaduct arches.
The upscale east lakeshore — sea-bath Utoquai, leafy streets and the start of the Gold Coast commuter villages.
Know where to stay — now find when to go.
Best time to visit Zurich →