Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2 hours, 8 stops

Eight centuries of Zurich unfold on foot, from wine-bar squares to underground ruins.

A two-hour guided walking tour of Zurich's old town available as a private tour or small group experience, led by a guide speaking English, Spanish or Italian. You start at Hirschenplatz and move through eight stops including the Grossmünster's hidden cloister, the Fraumünster Church's Chagall Windows, and Lindenhof Hill's historical ruins, ending with a deeper grasp of the city's medieval and cultural layers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Grossmünster Church15m
2. Fraumünster Church15m
3. Lindenhof15m

Explore Zurich Old Town highlights

• Start at Hirschenplatz square
• Ride Central Polybahn cable car
• Visit Zentralbibliothek old city wall
• Walk through Brunngasse and Spiegelgasse
• Explore Grossmunster church
• See Chagall Windows at Fraumunster
• Discover underground ruins at Wasserkirche
• Ascend Lindenhof Hill ruins

The experience

The tour begins at Hirschenplatz, a cobblestone square ringed by old buildings and wine bars that sets the tone for what follows. From there you ride the Central Polybahn, a historic cable car, up to Polyterrasse ETH for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains before descending to the Zentralbibliothek, where remnants of the old city wall and medieval fortifications are still visible in the building's structure. The walk then threads through Brunngasse, a narrow alleyway hiding an old picture in a private building, and Spiegelgasse, where Lenin lived during his time in Zurich: a detail that adds political history to the medieval one.

The second half focuses on Zurich's major churches and their stories. Grossmünster, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, holds a hidden cloister and a medieval baptismal font inside. Fraumünster Church is known for its Chagall Windows, stained glass panels depicting biblical scenes in vibrant color. Wasserkirche, a historic church with underground ruins, marks the site where Zurich's patron saints, Felix and Regula, were executed: a layer of legend that shaped the city's identity. The tour concludes atop Lindenhof Hill, where you can see historical ruins beneath the surface and take in sweeping views of the old town's skyline.

You choose between a private tour, where the route and pace can be customized, or a small group option with a minimum of two participants. Both run two hours and are led by a guide fluent in English, Spanish or Italian. The tour stays on the streets and squares. You don't enter the interiors of the monuments themselves. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the walk suits all fitness levels. Public transportation runs nearby if you need it, and infants or small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• Private or small group tour options.
• customization of the route if you book the private option.
• two-hour guided walking tour led by a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Italian.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private walking tour lasting 2 hoursGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Lasts 2 hours

Small group walking tour, 2 hoursGuide in English, Spanish or Italian · 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00Lasts 2 hours

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Guydeez

Is this one for you?Choose private if you want to set your own pace and linger at specific stops like the Polybahn viewpoint or Grossmünster's cloister. Choose small group if you prefer shared conversation and cost-splitting.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

What is the Chagall Windows and why are they in Fraumünster Church?

The Chagall Windows are stained glass panels created by artist Marc Chagall, depicting biblical scenes in vibrant color. They adorn the interior of Fraumünster Church and are renowned for their artistic beauty and historical significance as a modern addition to the medieval church.

Can I enter the churches and monuments during this tour?

No, this is a city walking tour that stays on the streets and squares of the old town. You view the exteriors and learn about the history and architecture of the churches and sites, but you don't enter the interiors of the monuments themselves.

What is Lindenhof Hill and what will I see there?

Lindenhof Hill is a tranquil spot in the heart of Zurich's old town with sweeping views of the city's skyline. Beneath the surface are historical ruins from Zurich's ancient origins, which you'll explore to gain insight into the city's earliest settlement and cultural evolution.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces covered on the tour are wheelchair accessible. The walk suits all physical fitness levels, and infants or small children can ride in a pram or stroller if needed.

Does the tour include food, drinks, or public transportation costs?

No, food and drinks are not included, and the cost of any public transportation you use during the tour is at your own expense. The tour price covers the two-hour guided walk and the guide's expertise only.