On my final day in Switzerland, I had half a day before my flight home and decided to explore Zurich Old Town. Here are the key attractions I visited during this memorable walking tour.
1. Old Town Zurich (Altstadt)
Zurich’s Old Town, known locally as Altstadt, preserves medieval buildings that showcase the city’s rich history. The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with shops and restaurants, making it perfect for a leisurely exploration.
I traveled through Switzerland by rental car and parked at Parkhaus Urania in the Old Town to begin my walking tour. Stepping out of the parking garage, I was immediately greeted by beautiful buildings along the Limmat River – a truly impressive sight.
2. Grossmünster Cathedral
My first stop in the Old Town was Grossmünster, Zurich’s iconic landmark cathedral. This historic church features distinctive twin towers and holds significant importance in Swiss Protestant Reformation history. The cathedral’s imposing exterior left a lasting impression.
While interior tours were available, we stayed outside as my mother was using a wheelchair, making our visit more accessible and comfortable.
3. Fraumünster Church
Crossing the bridge from Grossmünster leads to Fraumünster Church. This church is renowned for its stained glass windows, though we admired it from the outside during our visit.
4. Lake Zurich Waterfront Walk
After viewing both churches, we followed the Limmat River down to Lake Zurich.
Along the way, we discovered a charming miniature model of the Old Town.
Having visited several Swiss lakeside cities including Geneva and Lucerne, I noticed how Switzerland’s landlocked geography has shaped many cities around beautiful lakes.
Zurich offered its own unique charm, different from other Swiss cities I’d explored, making it perfect for a relaxing stroll.
5. Zurich Opera House
Walking along Lake Zurich, another striking building catches the eye – the Zurich Opera House. Built in 1891, this world-renowned performance venue features a spacious plaza where locals gather to relax and socialize.
The surrounding area offers various shops, making it an ideal spot for those who enjoy combining sightseeing with shopping.
6. St. Peter’s Church
Returning from the lake toward the Old Town, we stopped for lunch at Zeughauskeller, a popular traditional Swiss restaurant in Zurich. After our meal, we headed to Lindenhof for panoramic city views.
En route to Lindenhof, we passed St. Peter’s Church, notable for having Europe’s largest church clock face.
7. Lindenhof Hill Viewpoint
Lindenhof is a peaceful park located on the site of a former Roman fortress. Positioned on a hill in the Old Town, it’s famous for offering panoramic views of Zurich.
I was initially concerned about wheelchair accessibility due to stairs, but fortunately, we found a step-free uphill path. Note that the incline is quite steep, so be prepared for a bit of effort.
The climb rewards you with stunning views of Zurich’s skyline, with densely packed Swiss buildings stretching into the distance. This beautiful panorama provided a perfect ending to our city tour.
After enjoying Lindenhof, we headed back to the parking garage for our drive to Zurich Airport. Descending the north side opposite our ascent route, we quickly reached our parking location. There were a few steps on this descent route – not many, but we carefully navigated them with the wheelchair since detouring would have been difficult. This information might help others planning wheelchair-accessible visits.
