Zurich, the financial capital of Switzerland, is famous for its high quality of life, clean streets and accurate clocks. But behind the glory of this modern city, there is a detailed map of the old town – cobblestone streets, painted facades, hidden medieval alleys, where time slows down.
Ⅰ. Recommended attractions
1. St. Peter Kirche: The time watcher on the bell tower
Location: St. Peterhofstatt, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00–18:00, Sunday 10:00–17:00
Suggested time: 1 hour
Transportation route: Take tram No. 4 from Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB) to “Helmhaus” station, and walk for about 5 minutes
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Klook, Viator
Expense: Free entry to the church, guided tour is about CHF 10–20/person
St. Peter’s Church is one of the oldest churches in Zurich. It was built in the 8th century, but the current Baroque-style building was completed in the 18th century. The biggest highlight of this church is its bell tower, which is equipped with the largest church clock face in Europe, with a diameter of 8.7 meters. Standing under the bell tower and looking up, it seems that you can see the Zurich people’s obsession with accurate time.
You can choose to take a professional guided tour, where you can not only climb the bell tower to see the magnificent panoramic view of the roofs of Zurich’s old town, but also gain a deeper understanding of how the city entered the torrent of modern civilization during the religious reform. The church’s interior is elegant and solemn, and the wooden benches form a warm contrast with the ceiling paintings. It is very suitable for sitting here for a while and experiencing the atmosphere of time flowing slowly.
2. Grossmünster: The footsteps of the reformers are still echoing
Location: Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00–18:00, Sunday 12:30–18:00
Suggested time: 1.5 hours
Transportation route: Take tram No. 4 or 15 to “Helmhaus” station, and walk for 3 minutes
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Klook
Expense: Free admission, tower ticket price is about CHF 5
Grossmünster is one of the most representative landmarks in Zurich. Its twin towers are particularly eye-catching under the Alps. This church is not only a model of architecture, but also the birthplace of the Swiss Reformation. The statue of the reformer Huldrich Zwingli is preserved on its inner wall, and the Limmat River (Limmat) seen from the high tower outlines the central axis of the entire city.
The interior of the church is simple and pure, which is in sharp contrast to the golden and magnificent style commonly seen in Catholic churches, reflecting the Protestant interpretation of “sacredness” in a simple way. It is worth mentioning that when you climb up the tower, you can see the city of Zurich with lakes and mountains and interlaced roofs. It is a must-see spot for photography enthusiasts.
3. Fraumünster Church: The Soul Light of Stained Glass
Location: Fraumünsterstrasse 25, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 daily
Suggested play time: 1 hour
Transportation route: Take tram No. 4 or 11 to the “Paradeplatz” station, which is about a 3-minute walk away
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Klook
Expense: Tickets CHF 5–7, including audio guide
The history of Fraumünster Church can be traced back to the 9th century, and its most unique feature is the stained glass windows painted by Marc Chagall. Different from traditional Gothic paintings, these windows show the themes of apocalypse and resurrection, with soft colors and dreamy brushstrokes to bring out the sacred beauty.
When the sun shines into the church, the light casts colorful shadows on the ground through the colored windows, as if a miracle has come. This is not only a religious building, but also a temple of art. You can also rent an audio guide and listen to how Chagall completed this masterpiece in his later years while walking, and feel how art and faith dance here.
4. Lindenhof: The best viewpoint overlooking Zurich’s old town
Location: Lindenhof, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Opening hours: Open all day
Suggested time: 1 hour
Transportation route: Walk about 15 minutes from Zürich HB, or take the subway Sihlquai line to the “Rathaus” station and walk for 5 minutes
Booking platform: TripAdvisor recommends hiking tours, GetYourGuide provides city guide packages
Cost: Free
Lindenhof is a small hill surrounded by green trees and is also the starting point of Zurich. The Romans once built a fortress here, and now it has become a popular place for citizens to relax and tourists to take photos. Standing on the top of the hill, you can clearly see the S-shaped bend of the Limmat River, the red roofs of the old town, and the church spires in the distance – the essence of the whole Zurich is in full view.
This is the heartbeat of the city and the ideal stop for slow travel. There are also some giant chessboards and benches on the hill, and locals can often be seen playing chess or reading. If you want to learn about the historical evolution of Zurich, you can sign up for a city walking tour. They will most likely stop here and explain Zurich’s urban development and Roman ruins.
5. Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum Zürich): Walk into the maze of history
Location: Museumstrasse 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00 (extended to 19:00 on Thursday), closed on Monday
Suggested play time: more than 2 hours
Transportation route: Close to Zürich HB (Zurich Central Station), 3 minutes walk from the station
Booking platform: Klook, Tiqets
Cost: CHF 10–15 for adults, additional fee for guided tours
The Swiss National Museum is not only one of the most important places to understand Swiss culture, but also a model of the combination of art and architecture. It consists of a neo-Gothic castle and a modern glass exhibition hall, with a strong visual impact. The museum’s collection covers Swiss historical items from prehistory, Roman period, medieval and modern periods, from armor, fabrics, clocks to models and video installations, which are rich and comprehensive.
Among them, the medieval exhibition hall is particularly popular for its authentic restoration of knights’ rooms, monastery corners and folk story murals. If you are interested in Switzerland’s neutrality policy, federal system or clock culture, this is definitely a one-stop place for answers. It is recommended to take an audio guide or participate in thematic lectures to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of Swiss social structure.
Ⅱ. Tips for slow travel: How to better experience Zurich’s old town?
1. Walking is the best: measure history and art with your feet
The essence of Zurich’s old town is “slowness”. Only by slowing down can you truly see the soul of the city. Starting from the stone bridge beside the Limmat River, walking along the winding cobblestone alleys, you will see Renaissance-style balconies, arched old windows, and hidden murals and sculptures. Walking is the best way. It is recommended to wear non-slip and comfortable walking shoes and be ready to explore every inconspicuous but amazing corner.
2. Avoid peak hours: let silence be the protagonist of the journey
Zurich’s weekday commuting peak is mainly concentrated in the morning 7:30-9:00 and the evening 17:00-18:30. It is recommended to avoid peak hours. Around 10 am or 2 pm is the best time to explore the old town, with the beauty of light and shadow from the sun, and less crowds and interference.
3. City Pass Zürich Card: One ticket to travel the whole city
Zürich Card is the “master key” to experience Zurich. Cardholders can ride all public transportation in the city for free (including trams, buses, trains and cable cars), enter more than 40 museums for free, enjoy discounts on lake cruises, and reduce consumption at some restaurants. When traveling in the old town, the Zürich Card is not only convenient for travel, but also saves ticket expenses. The pass is divided into 24-hour and 72-hour versions, which can be freely selected according to the length of the journey.
4. Selected booking platforms: GetYourGuide, Klook, Tiqets and Viator
In order to obtain a richer cultural interpretation and a convenient booking experience, it is recommended to use travel platforms to make activity or ticket reservations before departure or after arrival. GetYourGuide is one of the most recommended platforms by Zurich locals, especially suitable for signing up for city tours, museum tours and other projects. Klook also provides many Chinese user-friendly itineraries. Tiqets focuses on fast-entry tickets, which are suitable for self-guided tourists. Viator focuses more on private small groups and local guide services.
When you leave the streets with flashing brand neon lights and walk into the silence of the church, the ringing of the bell tower, and the sound of the wind on the hills, you will find that Zurich is not only a financial city, it is also a city of time. The few hours of wandering in the old town are like folding a medieval town into the embrace of modern times – the scenery has warmth and the city has rhythm.