
Bahnhofstrasse (Station Street), Zurich (must see)
Stepping out of Zurich HB, you can't miss Station Street—Zurich’s grand catwalk for wallets with stamina and shoes built for cobblestone. This is the city’s main shopping artery, mostly reserved for pedestrians and trams, which means you’ll be dodging Gucci bags, not taxis. Lined with luxury boutiques and upscale restaurants, this is where Swiss precision meets retail therapy.
The stroll kicks off right outside the station, on Station Square, because Zurich doesn’t believe in metaphors when it comes to names. From there, Station Street marches south all the way to Lake Zurich, finishing at the ever-charming Burkli Square.
Along the way, you’ll saunter past Parade Square, the golden triangle of Swiss finance where the banks are so rich that even the pigeons have portfolios... This real estate is notoriously expensive, which is why the air here smells vaguely of money and truffle oil.
Fun fact: Station Street was born in the 1870s when Zurich’s medieval moats were filled in to make room for the modern city. In short, they replaced water defenses with window shopping—and honestly, that feels like progress.
In essence, Station Street is old Zurich’s nerve center. From here, charming streets like Rennweg and Augustinergasse twist off into postcard-perfect scenes, packed with shops, cafés, and just enough historical flair to justify your souvenir splurge.
If you need a break from luxury price tags, dive into ShopVille, the underground mall beneath the train station. It's got food, gifts, and treats for mere mortals—plus it's open on Sundays, unlike most of Zurich.
So, whenever you're in Zurich and feel like buying, browsing, or just people-watching with a pastry in hand, Station Street—the most stylish stampede of trams and shoppers in Switzerland—can deliver all of this.
Pro tips:
Trams are your best friend—so, hop on, hop off, and explore with the grace of a local who knows not to jaywalk. In winter, treat yourself to rooftop mulled wine and steaming hot chocolate. In summer, trade the boutiques for a lakeside stroll and watch the world glide by...
The stroll kicks off right outside the station, on Station Square, because Zurich doesn’t believe in metaphors when it comes to names. From there, Station Street marches south all the way to Lake Zurich, finishing at the ever-charming Burkli Square.
Along the way, you’ll saunter past Parade Square, the golden triangle of Swiss finance where the banks are so rich that even the pigeons have portfolios... This real estate is notoriously expensive, which is why the air here smells vaguely of money and truffle oil.
Fun fact: Station Street was born in the 1870s when Zurich’s medieval moats were filled in to make room for the modern city. In short, they replaced water defenses with window shopping—and honestly, that feels like progress.
In essence, Station Street is old Zurich’s nerve center. From here, charming streets like Rennweg and Augustinergasse twist off into postcard-perfect scenes, packed with shops, cafés, and just enough historical flair to justify your souvenir splurge.
If you need a break from luxury price tags, dive into ShopVille, the underground mall beneath the train station. It's got food, gifts, and treats for mere mortals—plus it's open on Sundays, unlike most of Zurich.
So, whenever you're in Zurich and feel like buying, browsing, or just people-watching with a pastry in hand, Station Street—the most stylish stampede of trams and shoppers in Switzerland—can deliver all of this.
Pro tips:
Trams are your best friend—so, hop on, hop off, and explore with the grace of a local who knows not to jaywalk. In winter, treat yourself to rooftop mulled wine and steaming hot chocolate. In summer, trade the boutiques for a lakeside stroll and watch the world glide by...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zurich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Bahnhofstrasse (Station Street) on Map
Sight Name: Bahnhofstrasse (Station Street)
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Zurich, Switzerland
Create Your Own Walk in Zurich
Creating your own self-guided walk in Zurich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Zurich's Historical Churches Tour
The history of Christianity in Zurich is duly reflected in the local churches, found here in abundance. Indeed, Christianity has been the dominant religion of Zurich for many centuries. And while, historically, the city was a center of the Protestant Reformation, today it is home to both Catholic and Protestant communities.
The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Zurich Souvenir Shopping
Zurich has no shortage of tourists, and when it comes to souvenirs, there are plenty of options available.
A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that “When in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.”
Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that “When in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.”
Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Town Walk
Zurich’s Old Town—the city’s historical core—is where the past shakes hands with charm and refuses to be boring. Spread on both sides of the Limmat River, this part of town still remembers when cobblestones were cutting-edge tech. They say “Zurich is a city, but Old Town is a village”—and yes, that pretty much nails it. A sort of medieval postcard with a side of espresso...
Old... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Old... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Zurich Introduction Walking Tour
Zurich—Switzerland’s largest city and possibly the classiest time machine you’ll ever stroll through. Beneath its polished surface of banks, trams, and world-class chocolate lies a city with roots older than most empires. Humans have been hanging out here for over 6,000 years, and in 15 BC the Romans finally gave it a name: Turicum—meaning “the place of Turos”, likely stemming from a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Zurich Gourmet Tour
Apart from its high-quality watches, Switzerland is famous for its unique delicacies. The secrets of their making have been preserved for centuries and passed on from father to son. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that a global banking and financial center such as Zurich can be also a haven for food enthusiasts seeking gourmet delights. On this self-guided walk, we invite you to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Distinctively Swiss Things to Buy in Zurich
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, and although it may feel like a bustling metropolis, the tranquil essence of the Alps flows fervently through the lively cobblestone streets, the buzzing train station, and the frenzied designer boutiques. Most shops in downtown Zurich open at 9 am and close...