CityBuddy
Bahnhofstrasse
Best time to visit
Early weekday mornings are quiet for window-shopping and photos before crowds arrive. Late afternoons bring lively cafés and warm light along the Limmat.
Budget tips
Walking the street is free, there are no entry fees for Bahnhofstrasse. Buy a Zürich Card for unlimited public transport and museum discounts, and choose bakeries and food stalls for cheaper eats.
Recommended for
Luxury shoppers, Architecture lovers, Photography enthusiasts, City strollers
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Golden shop windows and expertly lit displays make evening window-shopping feel like a parade of haute craftsmanship, where watchmakers and jewellers showcase miniature marvels behind glass. Tram bells and café chatter add a lively soundtrack, and the stretch commands some of Europe's most expensive retail rents, so even casual strolls reveal the city's appetite for luxury.
Highlights: Walk the 1.4 kilometer shopping boulevard and you'll pass over 60 luxury watch and jewelry boutiques, where morning sun hits window displays and makes Patek Philippe dials flash like tiny suns under warm spotlights. Locals still queue at the same corner confectioner founded in 1836 for Luxemburgerli macarons, a ritual so punctual that the noon rush forms like a neat tram line.
Insider tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, pavements are long and often crowded.
- Head to Paradeplatz or the lakeside end at Bürkliplatz for classic photos with trams and water in the frame.
- Avoid weekends and Saturday afternoons for smaller crowds, and note most shops are closed on Sundays.
- Explore side streets like Rennweg for independent boutiques and quieter cafés.
Practical info
Book a FREE walking tour in Zurich, Switzerland
The best way to experience a city with a local tour guide.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
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