Zurich, despite being the international banking and financial centre of Switzerland and its most populous location, is a city on a human scale, perfect for discovering on foot! This makes it easy to choose where to stay. The best neighbourhood to stay in is the Altstadt, but you will still find plenty of alternatives depending on your needs and budget.
Here are all our tips on where to stay in Zurich.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
If you are travelling to Zürich for the first time or are short on time, the best option is to stay in the Altstadt, or Old Town. There you have two choices, the Lindenhof area if you are looking for tranquillity, and Niederdorf if you want to enjoy the nightlife.
If you are travelling with your family, choose Seefeld or Enge. These two districts are developed on the banks of the lake and both are full of beautiful parks and green areas. In summer they are also very popular for the various waterfront establishments.
If you are looking for nightlife and fun, opt for Industriequartier and Aussersihl. Immediately north of the Altstadt, these are Zurich's two nightlife districts. The former is the old industrial district, now packed with clubs and a more relaxed nightlife, while Aussersihl is the city's true centre of fun, with numerous underground clubs, cocktail bars and ethnic cuisine restaurants. These are also two good neighbourhoods for saving money, with lower costs than in the Altstadt.
Recommended areas to save money: Industriequartier, Aussersihl
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Altstadt (Lindenhof), Seefeld, Enge
Recommended areas foryoung people: Altstadt (Niederdorf), Industriequartier, Aussersihl
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Zurich. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Zurich on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Zürich area guide
Zurich is one of the most important cities in Switzerland, first in population and an important financial centre. Nevertheless, it really is a city on a human scale, where settling in is really easy and can be discovered easily on foot.
Today, Zurich is divided into 12 districts, in Swiss called Kreis. Each district, in turn, is made up of a variable number of districts, from 1 to 4 to be precise. The central district is Kreis 1, which includes the Altstadt. Here are the most important districts from a tourist point of view and the best areas to stay:
Kreis1: includes the Altstadt, i.e. the historic centre of Zurich;
Kreis2: comprises the Enge district, overlooking Lake Zurich and home to attractions such as the Rietberg Museum and the FIFA Museum
Kreis4: includes the Aussersihl district, Zurich's nightlife area, home to Casino Zürich
Kreis5: includes the Industriequartier, the redeveloped old industrial district, home to buildings such as the Prime Tower and the Freitag Tower
Kreis8: includes the Seefeld district, overlooking Lake Zurich and home to attractions such as the Opernhaus Zürich and the Chinagarten.
Areas to avoid: Zurich is a safe city, as is the whole of Switzerland. There are therefore no real areas to avoid, just be a little careful in the evenings, as in all destinations, and don't crash in dark, uncrowded alleys. From a tourist point of view, we advise you not to stay in districts too far from the centre.
Altastadt (Kreis 1)
The Altstadt, i.e. the historic centre of Zurich, is definitely the best area to stay in. Here you will find the city's main attractions, such as the Fraumünster and the Grossmünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.
Definitely, the Altstadt is especially recommended if you are visiting Zurich for the first time or if you are staying one or two nights. If you are looking for a quieter area, choose Lindenhof, developed on a hill in the old town, here the atmosphere is relaxed and calm. If you are looking for a bit of fun, opt for Niederdorf and Bahnhofstrasse, which are packed with clubs and lively in the evenings.
Finally, by staying here you can get around on foot. The main attractions are all close by, as are the other districts. The Altstadt is also home to the Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station.
Average prices in the district range from around €80.00 for low-cost accommodation to €400.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel 600 m from Bahnhofstrasse. 24-hour reception, bar, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hostel not far from Niederdorf. Private rooms or dormitories, private or shared bathroom. Shared lounge, luggage storage. Ideal for young people | |
Hotel in the heart of Niederdorf. Swiss Chuchi restaurant, WiFi, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families | |
4-star hotel 300 m from the Swiss National Museum. 24-hour reception, luggage storage, daily housekeeping service. Ideal for couples and families |
Seefeld (Kreis 8)
Photos by Roland zh. Seefeld is the district on the eastern side of the lake. Surrounded by greenery and taken by storm in summer, this area spreads out from the beautiful Sechseläutenplatz square, where the Opernhaus Zürich is located, and is home to attractions such as the Chinagarten Zürich and the Zürichhorn park.
Due to its tranquillity and large green areas, it is a district that is especially recommended for families. Quiet in the evenings, during the day you can discover the large parks and relax on the lakeside promenade, where there are establishments such as Seebad Utoquai and Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen.
Because of its location, you can get around both on foot and by transport. The entire district is traversed by tram lines 2 and 4, as well as numerous buses. In the northern part is the Tiefenbrunnen railway station, while along the lake shore you will find the ferry terminal.
Average prices in the district range from around €90.00 for low-cost accommodation to €350.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel 100 m from the lake. Spa and wellness centre, terrace, bar. Pets allowed. Ideal for couples | |
3-star hotel a few minutes' walk from the lake. Terrace, bar, parking, WiFi and computer in the lobby. Ideael for couples and families | |
Flats with fully equipped kitchen, living room, private bathroom, washing machine, dryer and balcony with city view. Free WiFi, on-site parking and airport shuttle available. Ideal for couples and families | |
5-star hotel with bar, car park and airport shuttle. Pets allowed, currency exchange service. Ideal for couples and families |
Enge (Kreis 2)
Photos by Roland zh. On the opposite side of the lake from Seefeld you will find the Enge district, also a small green oasis within walking distance of the centre. As well as beautiful parks, this residential area is also home to some interesting attractions such as the Rietberg Museum and the FIFA Museum.
Just like Seefeld, Enge is a family-friendly district. Very quiet and with a relaxed atmosphere, you can also find several establishments along the shore here, such as Seebad Enge and Strandbad Mythenquai. The area is also full of wonderful parks along the lakeside.
Finally, if you stay here, you can get around on foot or by transport. Here, the district is served by tram lines 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13, as well as several buses. Right in the heart of the district, moreover, is the Zürich Enge railway station.
Average prices in the district range from around €100.00 for low-cost accommodation to €600.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
4-star hotel with spa and wellness centre, restaurant and airport shuttle. Pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families | |
Residence less than 10 min. walk from the lake. Studios and flats for up to 4 people, kitchenette and private bathroom. Ideal for couples and families | |
Boutique hotel in a former brewery. Spa and wellness centre, luggage storage, library, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families | |
5-star hotel with spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant and bar. Ideal for couples and families |
Industriequartier (Kreis 5)
The Industriequartier is Zurich's modern and eclectic district! It is located north of the Altstadt and the main railway station and is a former industrial area, now completely redeveloped! Attractions not to be missed include the Prime Tower and the Freitag Tower, but the district is also full of small art galleries, boutiques and shops.
Industriequartier has a lively soul, both during the day and in the evenings, which is why it is a recommended area for young people or those who want to enjoy a night out among the clubs. You will find lounge bars with wonderful views, clubs of all kinds and (even live music). But that's not all: this is a good area to save money compared to the city centre.
Finally, if you stay here, you will have to get around by transport. The Prime Tower, for instance, is a good 30 min walk from the Altstadt. The area is served by tram lines 4, 8, 13 and 17 and several bus lines. It is also home to the Zürich Hardbrücke railway station.
Average prices in the district range from around €70.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel not far from the railway station. 24-hour reception, daily housekeeping service, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families | |
Residence with modern accommodation with kitchenette, private bathroom and WiFi. Ideal for couples | |
Budget hotel with 24-hour reception and Wi-Fi. Rooms with private bathroom. Ideal for couples and young people | |
5-star hotel in the Mobimo Tower. Gym on the 15th floor, bar and restaurant, rooms with city views. Ideal for couples and families |
Aussersihl (Kreis 4)
Photo by Martin E. Walder. Finally, we recommend Aussersihl, the nightlife district. This is a multicultural district, full of ethnic and international venues and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are no particular attractions, but you will be really close to the Altstadt.
Due to its liveliness, especially in the evenings, Aussersihl is ideal for young people. Here you will find some of the most famous clubs in Zurich, such as the Plaza Club or the Kanzlei, one of the mainstays of nightlife in the city. It is also a great neighbourhood to save money: accommodation here is cheaper than in the city centre.
Finally, if you stay here, you can get around on foot or by public transport. If you stay in the easternmost part of the district, you need only cross the Sihl Canal to find yourself in the Altstadt. The entire district is then crossed by tram line 8, which leads directly into the centre.
Average prices in the district range from around €70.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Small 2-star hotel with shared lounge and WiFi. Single, double and triple rooms. Ideal for couples and young people | |
3-star hotel with 24-hour reception and free WiFi. Rooms with lounge area and private bathroom. Continental breakfast included. Ideal for couples and families | |
Residence with units with seating area, equipped kitchen and private bathroom. One- and two-bedroom flats. Ideal for families | |
4-star hotel with sauna, gym, restaurant and bar. Parking and pets allowed. Ideal for couples |
Countries near Zurich where to stay
Zurich is a destination that can be visited in a 3-day itinerary at most. For this reason, it is best to stay in the city: as we have seen, there are many different neighbourhoods to choose from and they offer different experiences, also suitable for different budgets.
If, on the other hand, you want to spend a holiday between the city and nature, or perhaps visit Zurich in winter for winter sports, you could consider alternatives in the surrounding area. There are several small towns nearby from which you can choose according to your needs:
Richterswil (28 km / 25 min): overlooking Lake Zurich, it is an excellent base both for enjoying the beauty of the lake and for reaching the surrounding mountains, such as the Höhronen, Etzel or Wildspitz. Ideal for those who want to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the mountains. Connected to Zurich by direct train (28 min) - compare accommodations on booking
Baden (23 km / 25 min): small town framed by hills and famous for its thermal baths. Also ideal for reaching the Lägern mountains. Recommended for those who want to relax in the midst of nature. Connected to Zurich by direct train (13 min) - compare accommodations on booking
Zug (35 km / 35 min): a town on the shores of the lake, located between some of the most beautiful mountains around Zug, such as the Wildspitz and the Rooterberg. Ideal for those who want to combine a holiday between nature and culture. Connected to Zurich by direct train (23 min) - compare accommodations on booking
Quarten (70 km / 50 min): lakeside resort at the foot of the Flumserberg, one of Switzerland's most famous ski resorts. Ideal for winter sports enthusiasts and winter travellers. Connected to Zurich by direct train (1 h) - compare accommodations on booking
