There are many little side lanes to explore and places to just go wandering on your own, but we will give you a general outline of a best single route in which to take. We're going to show you how to spend the day on an in-depth walking tour of Zurich traveling around in a big circle starting out from the train station, circling around and ending up back at the station in the evening. Of all Swiss cities Zurich has the largest combination of modern and Old Town districts, very extensive, from the sleek upscale shops of Bahnhofstrasse to the narrow lanes of the big historic zone. See our other Zurich page for detailed description of this modern side. It goes for nearly a mile from the train station down to the lake and there some small plazas along the way and great sidestreets for exploring. It's a very comfortable place to stroll about.
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This is a glamorous Boulevard, broad, tree-lined and for pedestrians and trams, so you don't have any automobile or truck traffic on the Bahnhofstrasse. The modern side of Zurich is most impressive when you emerge from the train station you are right at the end of the Bahnhofstrasse, the main street of town. Average daily passenger count is 400,000 with that world record of nearly 3000 daily trains.
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It's got more trains running through it than any other station in the world and there is a big shopping mall downstairs. Many visitors arrive by train so a typical starting point is the centrally located main train station. Much of your first day can be devoted to exploring its many little side alleys and shops. The right bank, or east side, of the river has the larger cluster of old buildings and is considered the prime district for visitors. The Old Town extends about five blocks in from both sides of the river and stretches for about a mile in length, so it's very extensive. And the city embraces the riverfront coming through town with some lovely walkways and many vistas across this watery landscape. This charming, compact city is situated on the picturesque waterfront shores of Lake Zurich, with the Limmat River running through the center of town. In this page we focus on the Old Town on the south side of the river. Showing you on the map of Zurich how the Old Town is really divided in two parts on either side of the Limmat River. Don't be scared away thinking Zurich will be too expensive to visit, because the hotel and food prices are quite similar to Europe's other major cities, and there is a lot you can do here for free, such as walking around, which is the main activity we will be showing here.Īs usual, we find walking tours are the best way to see a city, and it is easy here because the center is not large, only about one square kilometer, yet rich with a tangle of dozens of little lanes, major boulevards, historic sites and waterfront promenades. And yet Zurich residents have the world's strongest purchasing power, primarily because of their high incomes. Zurich has been ranked in the top-ten most expensive cities in the world - third most expensive city in Europe and second most expensive city in Switzerland after Geneva. It's an easy city to cover on foot, which is always the best and cheapest way to see any historic town.
![map from dordogne france to zurich switzerland map from dordogne france to zurich switzerland](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a7/02/43/a70243b0bafb2b0bc574bdcb0c40c9c0.jpg)
With the right strategies you can see this slightly expensive city without spending a fortune. It is delightful to wander in this large pedestrian zone that is filled with enchanting little alleys which lead though an ancient town that was founded during the Middle Ages. With just under 400,000 people, Zurich is an ideal place to stay - especially when you consider the main visitor attraction, which is a beautiful Old Town of cobbled lanes lined with historic buildings and numerous fine shops and restaurants.
![map from dordogne france to zurich switzerland map from dordogne france to zurich switzerland](https://media.routard.com/image/77/5/perigord.1379775.gif)
Visitors can take pleasure in this great lifestyle, enjoying friendly, efficient services while exploring many fascinating sights.