Bahnhofstrasse

The Bahnhofstrasse, in Zurich

The Bahnhofstrasse is the most chic avenue of Zurich, one of the most prestigious shopping streets of Europe, more than a kilometre long. The Zurich audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this pedestrian artery born on the line of old fortifications, that links the central station to the lake and aligns the great houses of luxury and Swiss watchmaking.

The Champs-Élysées of Zurich

Take out or hide your credit cards, it is up to you: here you are on the most chic avenue of Zurich, one of the most prestigious and most expensive streets of Europe, the Champs-Élysées of Zurich, the famous Bahnhofstrasse. Difficult to imagine in front of the luxury of the department stores that follow one another over more than a kilometre and a half, but you are here on the line of a former ditch, the Froschengraben, that was part of the defence system of the city. Around 1864, the fortifications were demolished to make way for a new avenue offering a direct connection with the central station, hence its name of street of the station. Laid out as a pedestrian zone and travelled by a tram line, it offers very high-end shopping, where you find all the great brands of fashion and luxury, as well as the sparkling windows of Swiss watchmaking and jewellery, a national pride. But the Bahnhofstrasse is not only a shopping street: it also shelters prestigious banks, notably around the Paradeplatz, heart of the Swiss financial centre. Lined with lime trees and fine buildings, it elegantly links the station to the lake, and you can go up it quietly to window-shop or simply enjoy the animation. A prestigious avenue and a showcase of luxury, the Bahnhofstrasse is a fine stop of the discovery of Zurich.

What to see

Here you walk along the most chic avenue of Zurich, one of the most prestigious of Europe, more than a kilometre and a half long, born around 1864 on the line of old fortifications; pedestrian and travelled by trams, it links the central station to the lake and aligns department stores, luxury houses, Swiss watchmaking and jewellery, as well as the banks of the Paradeplatz. The Bahnhofstrasse is the showcase of luxury of Zurich. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Bahnhofstrasse links the central station to the lake, in the heart of Zurich, reachable on foot or by tram. It is a pedestrian avenue freely accessible, lined with department stores, luxury shops and banks, lively all day. You walk along it during a stroll, shopping or window-shopping.

Why is the Bahnhofstrasse of Zurich famous?

Because it is one of the most prestigious and most expensive shopping avenues of Europe, nicknamed the Champs-Élysées of Zurich; laid out around 1864 on the line of old fortifications, this pedestrian artery more than a kilometre and a half long links the station to the lake and aligns department stores, luxury houses, Swiss watchmaking and banks of the Paradeplatz.

Where is the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich?

Between the central station and the lake, in the heart of Zurich, in Switzerland.