Things to do in Zurich

Bahnhofstrasse and Paradeplatz: shopping in Zurich

Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich’s main downtown street and one of the world’s most exclusive shopping avenues. It starts directly in front of the main station and runs about 1.4 km down to Lake Zurich.

Where
From Bahnhofplatz to Bürkliplatz, 8001 Zürich
Length
About 1.4 km
From Zürich HB
Starts at the station; Paradeplatz 892 m (straight line)
Official website
Bahnhofstrasse Zürich
Paradeplatz on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich with a blue tram and historic bank building (photo 2011)
Paradeplatz on Bahnhofstrasse (photo from 2011). Photo: “Zürich (CH), Paradeplatz -- 2011 -- 1381.jpg” by Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to see

Today the street is largely car-free but remains an important tram route. Side streets such as Rennweg and Augustinergasse lead off Bahnhofstrasse into the Old Town.

Paradeplatz lies on Bahnhofstrasse and is described as its heart and an important tram junction. Confiserie Sprüngli on Paradeplatz opened in 1859 and sells the popular "Luxemburgerli". The street’s Christmas lights, named "Lucy" after the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", are switched on during Zurich’s Night Shopping, marking the beginning of Advent.

A short history

  • Bahnhofstrasse was built on the filled-in former city moat "Fröschengraben" ("ditch of the frogs").
  • The section between Paradeplatz and the station opened to traffic in 1865; the full length was completed in 1877.
  • The first department store on the street, Jelmoli, opened on 16 September 1899.
  • In the 17th century Paradeplatz was a livestock market called "Säumärt" (pig market); it was renamed Neumarkt in 1819 and got its present name in 1865.
  • The hotel on Paradeplatz opened on 24 December 1838 under the name "Baur en Ville".
  • Paradeplatz became Switzerland’s largest financial transaction site when the big Swiss banks set up their main offices there. The landmark former Schweizerische Kreditanstalt building was built in 1873–1876; the bank is today part of UBS.

Tips for your visit

  • Walk to the southern end at Bürkliplatz, where the Lake Zurich boats have their landing stage.
  • Nearby: the Beyer Watch and Clock Museum and the Urania public observatory.
  • Try the "Luxemburgerli" at the Sprüngli branch on Paradeplatz.

Getting there from Zürich HB

  • Bahnhofstrasse starts directly at Bahnhofplatz in front of the main station – walk straight on towards the lake.
  • Zürich Tourism lists Paradeplatz at 892 m from the main station (straight-line distance).
  • Paradeplatz is closed to cars and reached by tram or on foot.