Bahnhofstrasse

Bahnhofstrasse is located in the city center and is easy to visit during a sightseeing day; many tours include a stop here, from city tours that cover Zurich’s main attractions to more specific activities like chocolate walking tours. Running parallel to the Limmat River, the street is mostly closed to vehicles, but pedestrians share their space with the city trams. Cultural sites such as Fraumunster Church can be found on the small streets that surround Bahnhofstrasse.  

• Bahnhofstrasse stretches just less than a mile (1.3 kilometers) from Bahnhofplatz to Lake Zurich.
• Central Zurich is very walkable, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
• In addition to shopping, Bahnhofstrasse’s other claim to fame is Paradeplatz—the epicenter of the Swiss banking industry.
• Shops include high-end brands such as Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, but affordable stores like H&M and Zara can also be found.

Bahnhofstrasse starts at Bahnhofplatz outside Zurich’s main station, Hauptbahnhoff. It’s easily accessible by train, bus, or tram. The street sits on the west side of the Limmat and can be reached on foot from any of the bridges in the Old Town. 

Shops are generally open from midmorning to early evening, and many are closed on Sunday.

The best in Swiss chocolate and other sweets can be found at Confiserie Sprüngli, which features a shop on Bahnhofstrasse as well as a café and restaurant at its Paradeplatz headquarters. There are a variety of sandwiches and pastries to choose from, but the signature item is the Luxemburgerli macaron.