Where to stay in Zurich

BySamantha
Zurich. Cityscape image of Zurich, Switzerland during dramatic sunset.

Zurich is the global center of the banking and finance industries, so it’s a very business-oriented town that sees a lot of business travelers.

For leisure travelers, there are still many reasons to visit Zurich, however finding cheap hotels in Zurich can be a problem. Despite the high prices, a Zurich Switzerland summer visit is worth the price.

Once you see the sparkling waters of Lake Zurich, the charming streets of Old Town and the distant views of the Swiss Alps, you can’t help but fall in love with Zurich. With this guide, we can help you decide the best area to stay in Zurich, and recommend hotels in Zurich for every budget.

❤️ Best Area first timersZurich Old Town
💸 Best Luxury HotelAMERON Zürich Bellerive au Lac
👪 Best Hotel for For FamiliesLandscape Architect’s Roof Loft Zurich Enge
🏨 Best Mid-Range HotelNovotel Zurich City West
🛏️ Best Budget HotelHotel Neufeld
✨ Best HostelOldtown Hostel Otter

We will cover off all types of Zurich accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Zurich hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Zurich 2023, the best Zurich hotels, best places in Zurich to visit, the best places to stay in Zurich, hotels near Zurich attractions, Zurich neighborhood guide and many more. 

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Old Town –  Where to stay in Zurich for first timers

Zurich’s Old Town comprises several smaller neighborhoods of Alstadt, Lindenhof, and City which make up the heart of Zurich’s historic center.

Why Stay in Old Town Zurich

The best place to stay in Zurich for first-time visitors, or anyone with only a few days, is the Old Town area. Zurich Old Town is also the best area to stay in Zurich for one night.

Many of Zurich’s best attractions are located in Altstadt including St. Peterskirche, Grossmunster, Paradeplatz, and the Zurich Town Hall or Rathaus.

This is also where you’ll find the highest concentration of hotels in Zurich, with options from budget hostels to luxury Lake Zurich hotels.

Foodies will be pleased with all of the Swiss restaurant options in Old Town, too. It has something to offer everyone and is in very close proximity so it’s the ideal place to stay to maximize your time in the city.

Read more: Things to do in Zurich

Things To Do in Old Town Zurich:

  • Visit the Swiss National Museum

Nope, the Swiss National Museum isn’t in Switzerland’s capital city! It’s in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city. It showcases the entirety of Swiss history from the country’s early beginnings right up until the present day.

There are crafts, military artifacts, homewares, vehicles, clothing, and so much more on display here from many different eras.

Not only are there lots of interesting bits and pieces on display, but the Swiss National Museum is also a beautiful building. It has turrets and a large courtyard which makes it look more like a palace than a museum!

  • Check out Grossmünster Cathedral

Across the Limmat canal from the Swiss National Museum is the Grossmünster Cathedral. This church dates back to the 12th century and has two iconic towers at the front of the building with domes on the top. It’s a huge, Romanesque structure that stands out on Zurich’s skyline.

  • Stroll through Lindenhof and Centralhof

Zurich’s Old Town has lots of cool city squares and plazas that are worth strolling through and getting lost in.

Lindenhof is on a hill so you can see the gorgeous views across the other side of the water. Centralhof has a beautiful water fountain surrounded by flowers in the spring months with lots of cute cafes where you can sit and people-watch.

  • Explore the Kunsthaus Art Gallery & Museum

Across the water on the eastern edge of the Old Town is where you’ll find Kunsthaus Art Gallery. It’s possibly the best art gallery in Zurich and displays lots of great artworks from the 15th century to the present day. Check out their temporary exhibitions to see something extra special.

Top 5 Favorites Accommodation Options for Old Town Zurich

Where to stay in Zurich Old Town

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Town:

Budget Hotels in Old Town:

Mid range Hotels in Old Town:

Family Friendly Hotels in Old Town:

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Old Town:

Zurich, Switzerland - A view of the street of the old town of Zurich, decorated with national flags

Enge – Where to stay in Zurich with family

Located just south of Old Town, along the shores of Lake Zurich, Enge is best known for its abundance of green space. This makes it the best place to stay in Zurich for outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Why Stay in Enge

If you are traveling with a family, hotels in Zurich’s Enge district are the perfect option. In addition to swimming beaches, a botanical garden, and an arboretum, Enge is home to the FIFA World Football Museum and Rietberg Museum.

There are many parks to explore, including Rieterpark and Belvoirpark, and a popular promenade running along the shoreline.

Grocery stores offer an affordable alternative to eating out during your Zurich vacation, especially if you have kids who are picky eaters. With the S-Bahn stop at Enge, the sights of Old Town are just minutes away.

Things To Do in Enge:

  • Visit the FIFA Museum

One of Zurich’s newest attractions, the FIFA Museum houses absolutely everything you wanted to learn about the international football association.

They have over 1,000 exhibits from football boots, balls, and FIFA World Cup replicas as well as a library, a sports bar where you can watch football games, and an onsite restaurant.

  • Stroll Around the Sukkulenten-Sammlung Gardens

Zurich has lots of parks and botanical gardens but the Sukkulenten-Sammlung gardens are some of the biggest and best.

It has lots of greenhouses filled with succulents and flowerbeds growing lots of cool exotic foreign and local plant species. Since it sits on the banks of Lake Zurich, it’s such a picturesque place to spend a summer’s day.

  • Check out the Voliere Zürich Bird Zoo

One of the main reasons why Enge is a great place for families to stay is the amount of kid-friendly activities here. The Voliere Zürich zoo might not be a large zoo, but it’s fun and perfect for children nonetheless. 

You’ll find this bird sanctuary in Rentenwiese park which has lush, open green spaces. The aviary offers guided tours and has lots of colorful, interesting species that you can learn all about.

Top 5 Favorites Accommodation Options for Enge Zurich

Best places to stay in Enge

Budget Hotels in Enge:

Mid range Hotels in Enge:

Family Friendly Hotels in Enge:

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Enge:

Zurich Switzerland - Excursion boat arriving at shipping pier Burkliplatz. Western bank of Lake Zurich Mythenquai / Enge in background.

Langstrasse – Where to stay in Zurich for nightlife

This small district north of Old Town, adjacent to Zurich Main Station, is called Langstrasse and it is where to stay in Zurich for nightlife. 

Why Stay in Langstrasse

Once the home of Zurich’s Red Light District, there are lots of hip hotels, nightclubs, and casinos in Langstrasse.

There are also lots of restaurants and a few parks in this neighborhood but it’s super easy to visit other areas of Zurich during the day.

Wondering where to stay in Zurich near train station? Another reason to stay in Old Town is the proximity to Zurich’s main train station, where you can hop on a train for any number of amazing day trips from Zurich. 

Being such a lively area, it’s not the best place to stay for families, but anyone looking for a fun time out on town will love staying in Langstrasse.

Things To Do in Langstrasse:

  • Watch Live Music at Limmathaus

Zurich has many great performance venues, but one of the best is Limmathaus in the Langstrasse neighborhood.

This is where lots of local and international bands perform, DJs do sets and lots of cool club nights. It’s a huge venue so you won’t have to worry about getting in. 

  • Swim at Flussbad Oberer Letten

Visiting Zurich during the summer months and want a place to relax and cool off after partying all night? Head to the Flussbad Oberer Letten outdoor swimming pool.

It’s right on the river so it has a great community vibe plus there are always lots of places to buy drinks and snacks. 

  • Grab a Drink at The International Beer Bar

One of the best bars in Langstrasses has to be the International Beer Bar and it has everything you expect it to have: lots of beers from around the world!

It’s a huge spot with lots of tables and booths as well as high glass windows that let in lots of natural light. You can either choose your tried-and-tested favorite, a local beer or be tempted by a wild card.

  • Drink Gin Cocktails at 4 Tiere

If beer isn’t your thing, there are lots of trendy cocktail bars in Langstrasse too. 4 Tiere is gaining a reputation for its huge variety of gins and its delicious gin-based cocktails.

You’ll find all the classic cocktails at 4 Tiere as well as some creative, craft options that they’ve invented themselves.

Top 5 Favorites Accommodation Options for Langstrasse Zurich

Best places to stay in Langstrasse

Budget Hotels in Langstrasse:

Mid range Hotels in Langstrasse:

Family Friendly Hotels in Langstrasse:

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Langstrasse:

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - People enjoying drinks in front of ole ole bar at langstrasse. Long exposure shot with trail lights of traffic.

Zurich West – Where to stay in Zurich on a budget

Just south of Langstrasse on the other side of the main train station is Zurich West which is a great, central area to stay in if you’re on a budget.

Why Stay in Zurich West

The former warehouse district has become Zurich’s trendiest neighborhood, with renovated factories serving as artists’ lofts, galleries, and high-end flats.

While it doesn’t have many of the attractions that tourists flock to Zurich for, it has great public transport links so you can easily travel around the city. 

Plus, that’s one of the main reasons why Zurich West is perfect for people looking for somewhere to stay on a budget!

Locals flock to Frau Gerolds Garten, a shipping container project that has become a popular place for pints. Puls5 was once a steel foundry but it now encompasses restaurants, shops, and a 16,000-square-foot hall.

Foodies will love Markthalle, a restaurant/food hall where one can try some of the best meats and cheeses in Switzerland.

Things To Do in Zurich West:

  • Walk Along the Sihlpromenade

If you’re visiting Zurich on a budget, there’s nothing more budget-friendly than free! There’s a wonderful path along the banks of Lake Zurich and the canals called Sihlpromenade and it’s absolutely beautiful. It passes through all of Zurich West’s parks which offer shade on warm, summer days. 

  • Shop and Party at Sihlcity Entertainment Complex

Sihlcity might just look like any other shopping center from the outside, but it’s so much more. Yes, there are dozens of fantastic high street shopping but there are also cinemas, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs here too.

It’s a former factory so it’s got a little bit of a cool vibe and it’s your one-stop-shop for a brilliant night out.

Top 5 Favorites Accommodation Options for Zurich West

Best places to stay in Zurich West

Budget Hotels in Zurich West:

Mid range Hotels in Zurich West:

Family Friendly Hotels in Zurich West:

ZURICH SWITZERLAND - Industrial and urban buildings in the modern town part district 5 of Zurich at evening. Zurich is the biggest city in Switzerland.

Riesbach  – Where to stay in Zurich with kids

Also known as District 8, Riesbach is a quieter place to stay in Zurich. This is one of the best places to stay in Zurich for travelers who want to settle into a more local neighborhood but still have easy access to the attractions in Old Town.

Why Stay in Riesbach

Riesbach has lots of bus and tram links so it’s extremely easy to get to the main train station, airport, and Old Town whilst enjoying a quieter neighborhood. For those visiting Zurich with kids, there are many parks and grocery stores here too.

While you will find a few hotels in this area, apartment rentals are also a great option. It’s also a beautiful neighborhood as it’s right on the banks of Lake Zurich.

Things To Do in Riesbach:

  • Visit Zürich Tram Museum

Prefer kitschy, unusual museums to the popular, national ones? The Zurich Tram Museum is ideal for you!

You can learn all about the history of public transport in Zurich as well as hop onboard real-life trams dating all the way back to 1897 to 1960. 

  • Watch a Performance at the Zürich Opera House

The Zurich Opera House is one of the main attractions in Zurich and it’s right on the northern border of Riesbach next to the water.

Like all European opera houses, it’s a stunning building dating back to the late 19th century and you can watch ballets, operas, and orchestral concerts here year-round.

  • Rent a Boat and Sail on Lake Zurich

Why visit a beautiful lakeside city like Zurich and not hire a boat to sail around the lake?! Riesbach is where you’ll find paddleboat rentals so you can head out into the open water and see this beautiful city from a different vantage point.

Unless you have the cash to splash on a speedboat, head to Bootsvermietung Rytz+Kreuzer to rent smaller boats by the hour.

Top 5 Favorites Accommodation Options for Riesbach

Best places to stay in Riesbach

Budget Hotels in Riesbach:

Mid range Hotels in Riesbach:

Family Friendly Hotels in Riesbach:

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Riesbach:

Zurich Switzerland - View from the city of Zurich on the Utoquai quay with the Zurich Opera building (German: Opernhaus Zurich)

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Where to stay in Zurich - Switzerland
Where to stay in Zurich - Switzerland

Hey I'm Sam! I've been travelling since I was a kid and have lived on 4 different continents - exploring over 49 countries in the process. I’m a full-time traveller but I try to head home to Adelaide to see my mum and dog Odin, as much as I can! I help thousands of people every day planning their trips around the world! Every day, I provide travel planning advice to thousands of people, who are organising getaways all over the world!

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