5 Best Attractions in Zurich, Switzerland, by Tram
Zurich is divided in two by the Limmat River, which flows through the medieval Old Town. On the east bank, the twin towers of Grossmünster Minster stand above a collection of restaurants, bars, and shops. The west bank, lined with theaters, restaurants, and boutiques, is known for its Schiffe riverside galleries and upscale shopping.
Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and financial center, with many world-class galleries and museums to immerse yourself in the city that spread Dadaism, pioneered modernism, and inspired James Joyce and Wagner. It hosts a wide variety of cultural events and festivals in art, music, film, and more, making for an exciting experience. Set on a beautiful lake and surrounded by mountains for leisure or outdoor activities like trekking, with Michelin-starred restaurants and churches with alpine views, here are five places to visit by tram when visiting Zurich, Switzerland, to help you get the most out of your trip.
Zurich city tram and bus routes are downloaded below:
Swiss : Travel Information And Tips
1. Grossmünster
Towering over a corner of the Old Town is Switzerland’s largest Romanesque cathedral. The current building dates from the 11th to 13th centuries, but the site was originally the tomb of three patron saints martyred in Zurich, and there was an earlier church built by Emperor Charles the Great (742–814). It is also widely recognized as the church where the Swiss Reformer Zwingli was a pastor and led the reformation.
At the base of the southernmost of the twin late Gothic towers that have become the symbol of Zurich is a statue of Karl the Great holding a large sword. The rough, crudely carved figure makes a unique impression. At the top of the tower is a small observation deck with a beautiful view of Zurich.
Zurich’s landmark Grossmünster Cathedral is located adjacent to the Rhône River and is famous for its twin Gothic-style towers, the symbol of Zurich. It’s also home to stories about the Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli. It is about a 5-minute walk from the Helmhaus stop on Tram lines 2 and 4.
2. Linenhof Park neighborhood
Linenhof Park is a small park with a viewing platform that is a favorite spot for many people. Located on a hill on the site of an old Roman fortress, it offers views of Lake Zurich and Old Town Zurich.
After crossing the Münster Bridge and entering Lindenhof Street, you’ll find the Fraumunster, which you may have seen from the cathedral tower. It was built in 853 as a convent by Hildegard, daughter of Ludwig II of Germany. Later, women from the noble families of Southern Germany became the abbesses and lived here, owning large estates and enjoying tax exemptions and other privileges. They used their wealth and power to build the monastery. The interior of the monastery building is very beautiful with its Romanesque choir stalls and high vaulted corridors, and contains the largest organ in the canton of Zurich with 5,793 pipes. The stained glass windows near the choir stalls are by Marc Chagall, and the corridors surrounding the courtyard have frescoes by Paul Bodmer depicting the founding of the monastery.
Nearby is St. Peter’s Church, which was completed in 1593. It is the oldest church in Zurich and has the largest clock tower in Europe. In 1360, the ashes of Rudolf Brunn, the first mayor of Zurich, were laid to rest here.
But the most beautiful part of Lindenhof is the park. It’s not quite as tall as the spire of Münster Cathedral, but the views are just as spectacular.
4-minute walk from tram stops Rennweg 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, and 17
3. Kunsthaus Zurich
(Zurich Art Museum)
The museum is divided into new and old wings, and it’s fun to wander through the modern art installations throughout the building.
Starting with the giant Calder’s mobile, I began to explore the exhibits in earnest.
The museum owns one of the most valuable art collections in Switzerland, with a wide range of works to admire. The museum has exhibits covering every major genre, from Monet’s Impressionist landscapes to Munch’s Expressionist paintings. The museum has over 95,000 pieces of art, including sculptures, paintings, and sketches from the 15th century to the present day.
The main attraction at the Kunstmuseum Zurich is the collection centered around the masterpieces of Swiss surrealist artist Alberto Giacometti, which includes over 150 sculptures and 20 paintings, most of which are by Alberto or his brother Bruno Giacometti.
The museum opened in 1910 and features works from different eras, from classical to modern. You’ll find textbook-quality works by world-famous artists such as Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Kandinsky, Picasso, and more. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in art and culture. Get off at the Kunsthaus stop on tram lines 3, 5, 8, and 9, and it’s about a 5-minute walk.
4. Lake Zurich Cruise
Operates on Lake Zurich, located in the center of the city. There are a variety of cruise options, including short scenic tours, lunch or dinner cruises, and themed cruises. You can enjoy the lakeside scenery from the comfort of a well-designed boat. A cruise is also an opportunity to see many of Zurich’s iconic landmarks from a different angle. There are several Lake Zurich cruise ship terminals (cruise ship docks). The one-way Way Trip departure pier is about a 10-minute walk from Tiefenbrunnen station on tram lines 2 and 9.
Tickets can be purchased and schedules and routes can be found at the links below.
5. Bahnhofstrasse
Stretching 1.4 kilometers from the main railway station to the lake, Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.
Located 500 meters northwest of Münsterhof, the street is widely regarded as Zurich’s upscale shopping district and is packed with famous designer stores such as Cartier, Prada, and Chanel.
At the southern end of Bahnhofstrasse is Paradiplatz, the town square closest to Lake Zurich. The square is famous for the Confiserie Sprungli, an opulent chocolate factory built in 1836, where the city’s elite gather for coffee and the cafe’s famous Luxembourgish macaroons.
2-minute walk from tram stops Rennweg 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, and 17
