Top tips

image via Pixabay

Visiting Zürich for a city break? We recommend the Old Town or Zürich-West, 

First time in Zürich? Consider staying in the Old Town, Zürich-West or Seefeld.

Hoping to see all the sights of Zürich? Stay in Zürich-West, the Old Town or Seefeld.

Planning a romantic trip to Zürich? You might like staying in the Old Town, or Seefeld.

Bringing your whole family to Zürich? We recommend staying in the Old Town, Seefeld or Enge & Wollishofen. 

Here to catch Zürich's nightlife? Stay in Zürich-West or Langstrasse.

Looking for peace and Lake Zürich views? Consider Seefeld or Enge & Wollishofen. 

Looking for great value accommodation in Zürich? Try Langstrasse or Enge & Wollishofen. 

Zürich is historic, but it’s also very much a living city, and its neighbourhoods are a diverse bunch. If you’re travelling to Zürich to see where this city has come from, there are plenty of neighbourhoods to choose from, where historic architecture, monuments, museums and galleries abound. If you’re more interested in where Zürich is now, and where it might be going, our Gurus recommend a different collection of neighbourhoods.  

Zürich's Neighbourhood Guide

Map via expatiate.com

Historic Zürich’s heart is the Old Town, or Altstadt, and there you’ll find a combination boutique and apartment hotels, and some grand, historic options. If you’re looking for something really grand, search along the lake-front. There are some edgy choices here, too, but you’ll find more of them in the hip districts of Langstrasse and post-industrial Zürich-West.

Zürich is a very walkable city, so there’s no reason to think you’ll stick to your neighbourhood, especially considering how good the public transport system is, and how much of the centre of town is pedestrianised. The multicultural population of the city makes it feel welcoming, as well as easy to navigate.  

Old Town

photosforyou from Pixabay

The Altstadt, or Old Town, of Zürich is a cobbled arrangement of narrow streets and squares, lined with beautifully preserved medieval buildings. Many streets have been pedestrianised, or are too narrow for cars, so it’s a real pleasure to explore on foot — this is a neighbourhood to explore slowly, stopping at chocolate shops, cafes and bars periodically to take stock of your surroundings. The Old Town is packed with formal sights too, including the Grossmünster (cathedral with panoramic views from its towers), the Fraumünster (a 13th century church known for its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall), the Opera House, part of the Swiss National Museum, and the Lindenhof gardens. Transport from this part of Zürich to other parts is easy, and there’s a diverse range of accommodation — the majority with a historic flavour, but there are some contemporary picks too.  

Zürich-West

Andrea Merten from Pixabay

Close to the centre of town, Zürich-West has undergone a transformation from industrial centre to trendy, creative hub. The artists and art galleries have well and truly moved in, as have the theatre-makers, cool kid restaurateurs, and hip hotels. Schiffbau is the area’s poster-child: a shipbuilding factory reimagined as a cultural centre. Expect local designers and boutiques, cool weekend markets, and all sorts of nightlife.  

Langstrasse

By Luis Laugga via Flickr

Lively, multicultural Langstrasse is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in in Zürich for nightlife. It’s known for its culturally diverse cuisines and entertainment options, centred around a main street (long street, or Langstrasse) that’s alive with cafes, bars, restaurants, and unique shops and bijou street markets by day, and music venues and clubs come the evening. This used to be the red light district, but these days it's less seedy, more cool.

Seefeld

By Dani Mettler via Flickr

If you’re someone who likes to be around green space, Seefeld might be the perfect Zürich neighbourhood.  Elegant and picturesquely positioned on the shores of Lake Zürich, Seefeld is an upmarket option, with fancy shops, fine dining restaurants, and luxury accommodation. For those on a tighter budget at least the views across the lake to the Alps are stunning and free, as are many of Seefeld’s parks and gardens, and the lake-side promenade! Seefeld adjoins the Opera House edge of the Old Town, and its Sechseläutenplatz hosts a number of annual festivals, and the Christmas market.  Seefeld has a marina, lake baths, the University of Zürich and the Botanical Gardens too.  

Enge & Wollishofen

Image via Pixabay

Enge is a green and leafy lakeside neighbourhood built in the 19th century, to accommodate the growing city. Elegant villas went up at the same time as office buildings and even a brewery, so it’s an architecturally interesting neighbourhood, with a spacious layout with several lakeside parks, and the arboretum. Enge has its own lido, and it’s a popular spot for local visitors, as well as international ones — a great place to stroll around in the summer, especially.  Both Enge and Wollishofen are in Zürich’s 2nd district; Wollishofen may have even more parks than Enge! This is a more residential part of town to stay in, with pubs and casual dining options, but it’s got a lively cultural scene, and an impressive arts centre called Rote Fabrik.