Wondering Where To Stay In Zürich? Here’s Our Experience!
Heading for Zürich? Great idea! The largest city in Switzerland is packed with things to see and do! However, figuring out the best places to stay in Zürich can be tricky. The city is full of accommodations to suit all styles and budgets – from solo travellers or couples to travellers with family! Luckily, you got us to help!
We really love Zürich. We recently explored the city together – Eric has visited before but it was Lisa’s first time. We stayed in Gasthaus Zum Guten Glück and really, really liked it. That said, we literally walked around parts of the city multiple times to see the sights and get a sense of it. In short, although it’s a bit expensive it’s a great place to visit!
So, whether you’re looking for where to stay in Zürich for one night or you’re looking for the best spots in the classic Zürich Altstadt (old town), we’ll tell you about great accommodations and which neighbourhoods or areas are the best for different budgets and interests!
If you’re looking for more posts on Zürich (or Switzerland, in general), we’re writing them up as we speak!
- Things to Do in Zürich (coming soon!)
- Things to Do in Basel (coming soon!)
**Friendly Disclosure: We paid for the accommodation we stayed at ourselves and were not told to include it in this article. This is not a “sponsored stay” but our legitimate review.
Where to Stay in Zürich – Accommodation Options
Even though it’s not the capital, Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland. Zürich is divided up into districts and these districts have neighbourhoods. In case you’re curious, there are 12 districts and 34 neighbourhoods – but you only need to worry about a fraction of these in this post!
Each of the neighbourhods have their own distinct vibe – so it’s actually important to research this beforehand because this will dictate accommodation costs, sights, walkability, transit, nature, etc.! That said, many of the areas have a healthy mix of accommodations in them – with hotels by far the most popular option.
This guide is divided into two parts: accommodations by type – hotel, apartment, etc. – and then the best areas to stay in Zürich. This way, if you know the type of accommodation you are looking for, you can find that quickly or you can read further down about the neighbourhoods to stay in!
Hotels in Zürich
Since Zürich is such a popular hub for business and travellers, there are naturally a lot of hotels in the city. In fact, hotels dominate the accommodation options. However, despite being an expensive city overall you CAN find a variety of hotels in different areas to suit all styles and budgets.
Below, you can find different hotels divided up by both style and/or price range. Keep in mind, most of these properties are listed again in detail down below in their respective neighbourhood section. If you know you are looking for a hotel:
— Get started searching for hotels in Zürich here
Budget/Cheap Hotels in Zürich
For a pricey city, you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of affordable options when it comes to hotels. Equally nice to know is the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice location for cheapness. This means that you can actually find a budget hotel (with good amenities) in a really good area in Zürich.
So, if you’re searching for a place that won’t break the bank when you visit Zürich, check out these top hotels below:
- Hotel St. Georges – A simple hotel in a nice quiet neighbourhood (Our Pick)
- Hotel Bristol – A “no-frills” hotel close to the Central Station with breakfast included!
- Hotel Alexander Zürich – A surprisingly trendy hotel for a good price in the heart of the city centre
Boutique Hotels in Zürich
With so many different travellers (and different style preferences) exploring the city, there are a number of great boutique hotels to match all over Zürich.
If you are looking for unique and colourful décor in a hotel that is NOT a chain brand (not that there’s anything wrong with a chain brand), then check out these top boutique hotels in Zürich:
- Boutique Hotel Helvetia – A trendy riverside hotel with restaurant and bar onsite (Our Pick)
- The Yard Hotel – A cool boutique hotel right in the heart of Langstrasse
- Marktgasse Hotel – A beautiful hotel located in the historic centre
- Opera Hotel Zürich – A colourful, chic hotel right behind the famous Opera House
Luxury Hotels in Zürich
Of course, you can’t think about a city in Switzerland without thinking about luxury. Zürich is no exception! There are a number of luxury (and we mean luxury) hotels in Zürich – some are fairly priced while others are over-the-top in style, amenities, and experience.
They are generally located in amazing locations (like right along the river or at the lakefront), so check out these top luxury hotels in Zürich:
- Widder Hotel – A rustic luxury hotel just steps from shopping on Bahnhofstrasse (Our Pick)
- Hotel Storchen Zürich – An upscale hotel right on the Limmat River in the Old Town
- Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich – A charming hotel across the street from the Central Train Station
- Savoy Baur en Ville – An elegant hotel close to the best shopping
- Baur au Lac – The superior luxury hotel experience overlooking the beautiful lake
Guesthouses in Zürich
Even though it’s true that Zürich accommodations consist mainly of hotels, there are a number of cozier-style bed and breakfasts (usually called Guesthouses or “Pension” in German). We stayed in Gasthaus Zum Guten Glück and really, really liked it.
The rooms were simple but stylish, the bed was great, the staff was lovely, and there’s a café/bar/brunch place downstairs! It was basically a minimalist hotel room except that a few rooms shared a modern toilet, sink, and shower. We’d recommend!
— Check Out Gasthaus Zum Guten Glück
Once again, please note that we paid for our stay ourselves and legitimately liked the place. That’s just how we roll here at Penguin and Pia.
That said, if you’re keen on finding a B&B/guesthouse, you can check here for guesthouses in Zürich. There are a few more to choose from so we’ve included a handful of top-rated ones to get you started:
- Walhalla Guest House – A popular and fun guesthouse right behind the Central Train Station
- Pension fürDich – A trendy and simple guesthouse located in Langstrasse with cafe bar below
Apartments/Aparthotels in Zürich
You’ll find that there aren’t a ton of apartment rentals available in Zürich. However, there is a number of “aparthotels” which are catered apartments that exist in hotel-style buildings (similar to Munich).
For travellers, this is the best of all worlds – you get your own space and even a kitchen area to cook your own meals while often also having a reception and breakfast included.
You can check here for apartments/aparthotels in Zürich – and here are two more to specifically check out:
- IQ130 Apartment Hotel – A cool aparthotel close to the train station in Langstrasse (Our Pick)
- City Stay Furnished Apartments – Kieselgasse – Modern apartment rentals located close to the lake and restaurants in Seefeld
Hostels in Zürich
To be honest, there are not many hostels in Zürich. This makes sense – generally backpackers stick to affordable destinations and Zürich is not considered “affordable” to the average traveller. Luckily, you will find a small handful of hostels in the city centre. You can check for:
That said, below are basically all of the top hostels for you to check out:
- Oldtown Hostel Otter – A fun and simple hostel with breakfast included in Seefeld (but very close to Old Town) (Our Pick)
- City Backpacker – Hotel Biber – A popular hostel in the heart of the Old Town (Rathaus) walkable to the central Train Station
- Friendly Hostel Zürich – A simple hostel right in Old Town and easily walkable to the Train Station
Where to Stay in Zürich – By Neighbourhood
Alright, so now that we have gone over the types of accommodations available in Zürich, it’s time to cover the best neighbourhoods! Remember: These areas to stay in aren’t ALL the areas – just the ones that we enjoyed (and think would make for a great stay for different kinds of visitors).
Again, Zürich is divided up into 12 districts and 34 neighbourhoods. For this post, we will focus on the neighbourhoods in Zürich to stay in – but we’ll mention which district it’s located in just to be clear and help you plan. Below, we cover 7 of the best neighbourhoods (and then the area close to Zürich Airport).
We’ll start with a description of the neighbourhood and what you can expect to find there. Then we will dive into a few accommodation choices for you to check out.
Before we dive in deeper: We’ve named our “top pick” for each listed neighbourhood so that you can get booking if you are in a hurry or not too picky. We only suggest places we’ve stayed at or would realistically stay at ourselves.
- City (in Altstadt) – Shopping. Top Pick: Hotel City Zürich
- Lindenhof (in Altstadt) – Sights. Top Pick: Hotel Kindli
- Rathaus (in Altstadt) – Nightlife + Sights. Top Pick: Hotel Adler
- Unterstrass – Convenience. Top Pick: Central Plaza Hotel
- Langstrasse (in Aussersihl) – Trendy. Top Pick: 25hours Hotel Langstrasse
- Werd (in Aussersihl) – Peaceful. Top Pick: Hotel St. Georges
- Seefeld – Lakefront. Top Pick: Opera Hotel Zürich
- Zürich Airport – Flying. Top Pick: Radisson Blu Hotel Zürich Airport
It’s also a good time to note that despite Zürich being a large city, the city is very safe. Switzerland is a seriously safe country to begin with – and the reputation of Zürich as a global hub means that it’s trusted by visitors from all over. Of course, take regular precautions in touristy areas against pickpocketing and mind yourself if you’re out enjoying the wild nightlife!
City (in Altstadt) – For Shopping
If you’re heading to Zürich, a very popular area to stay in is the district of Altstadt. The Altstadt (Old Town) is most of the city centre – where you’ll find the top attractions and the Limmat River.
This river sort of splits the city centre – running through from Zürich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) all the way to the top of the lake (Lake Zürich). As such, the area is great for sightseeing, shopping, and nightlife (depending on where you stay).
It’s important to know that the Altstadt (Old Town) is actually divided into THREE distinct neighbourhoods called City, Lindenhof, and Rathaus (from west to east, respectively). For the purposes of this post, we are going to breakdown accommodation options in each one of these areas since they are so different.
— Check Here For Hotels In the Zürich Altstadt (Old Town)
The most west side of the Old Town is called City. It’s generally newer and known for upscale shopping along the popular Bahnhofstrasse. It’s defined by the Sihl River (that empties into the Limmat). It’s a bit more of an area for business but it’s very lovely with restaurants and shops everywhere.
You can easily walk to anywhere in the Old Town from City but the trams are REALLY GOOD in Zürich so you can hop on one almost anywhere. With Bahnhofstrasse so close, you’ll be able to hear the trams chime their bells from wherever you stay.
Below are some of the top accommodations that we found in City. It’s mainly hotels in this area but there are various different ones to choose from for all budgets.
Hotel City Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Simple and Trendy Hotel
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Right on Löwenstrasse, a popular street beside the best shopping just minutes walking from the train station
- Featured Amenities: Hotel restaurant onsite, coffee/tea in rooms, great staff
Hotel Glockenhof Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Simple Yet Upscale Hotel
- Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
- Location: In City surrounded by great restaurants, cafes, and shopping – the centre of Old Town is 3 minutes walking
- Featured Amenities: Onsite restaurants, air conditioning, parking available, breakfast included!
— Check Out Hotel Glockenhof Zürich
Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Charming and Stylish Hotel
- Price Range: Luxury
- Location: Literally right across the street from the Central Station – at the base of Bahnhofstrasse (shopping)
- Featured Amenities: Cafe/bar/restaurants onsite, spa/gym access with stay, breakfast included
— Check Out Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Lindenhof (in Altstadt) – For Sights
The middle area – and arguably the most popular/touristy area in Zürich – is called Lindenhof. If you explore other European cities, you’ll know that many have a “classic” old town area.
This area would be the most like Zürich’s “classic” Old Town – with cobblestone alleyways that criss-cross in all directions, colourful buildings, boutique shops, and a few attractions to check out like Lindenhof Hill, Church of St. Peter, Fraumünster Church, and a part of the best shopping on Bahnhofstrasse.
This area is very walkable when you are in it – but you’ll also be close to trams to anywhere in just a few minutes.
That said, there aren’t actually a ton of hotels in this area – it’s mainly for shopping, eating, and walking the waterfront. However, the hotels that are here are excellent for their location and appeal. So, have a look at these great places below:
Hotel Kindli – Check Now
- Style: A Boutique and Elegant Hotel
- Price Range: Luxury
- Location: In the heart of the Old Town, just steps from the green park and views at Lindenhof Hill.
- Featured Amenities: Onsite Swiss restaurant, minibar included in room rate, breakfast included!
Hotel Storchen – Check Now
- Style: A Bright and Elegant Hotel
- Price Range: Luxury
- Location: Facing the Limmat River in the heart of the Old Town
- Featured Amenities: Restaurant/bar/cafe onsite, air conditioning, stunning views, buffet breakfast included!
Widder Hotel – Check Now
- Style: A Trendy Luxury Hotel
- Price Range: Luxury
- Location: Right in the heart of the Old Town, steps from shopping on Bahnhofstrasse
- Featured Amenities: Gourmet restaurant/bar onsite, parking available, some rooms with stunning terraces, breakfast included!
Rathaus (in Altstadt) – For Nightlife + Sights
The last neighbourhood of the Altstadt district that we wanted to mention is the one most east – Rathaus. This area runs along the east side of the Limmat River (across from Lindenhof Hill) and is named Rathaus because the Old Town Hall (Rathaus) is located on this side of the river.
The area is also very charming – with cobblestone streets, shops, restaurants, and houses that make for great photos. That said, the area is also known for its nightlife.
The Zürich nightlife can be quite rowdy – and the north end of this area (known as Niederdorf) is where you’ll find a high concentration of the city’s clubs, bars, and street food places. The south end of this area (near the Lake) is certainly quieter. This is where you’ll find top attractions like the Grossmünster (Cathedral), the Wasserkirche, and many more.
Rathaus is also well connected via the trams (especially along the street Limmatquai which hugs the river promenade) so it’s easy to get from this area to others – or from one end of Rathaus to the other since it runs north-south and is long in shape.
— Check Here For Hotels In Rathaus
Below are a handful of top accommodations in Rathaus. There are quite a few over here – and many of them are super popular for their healthy mix of location, attractions, food, and more:
Hotel Alexander Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Trendy and Upscale Hotel
- Price Range: Upper Budget
- Location: In the heart of Niederdorf, steps to the Limmat River and a short walk to the Train Station
- Featured Amenities: Breakfast included, air conditioning
— Check Out Hotel Alexander Zürich
Marktgasse Hotel Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Boutique and Beautiful Hotel
- Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
- Location: Steps from the Limmat River in the heart of the cobblestoned Old Town
- Featured Amenities: Restaurant onsite, wellness centre access, friendly staff
— Check Out Marktgasse Hotel Zürich
Hotel Adler Zürich – Check Now
- Style: An Authentic and Upscale Hotel (Very Popular)
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Literally right in the middle of the Old Town just steps from the Limmat River!
- Featured Amenities: Swiss restaurant onsite, super staff, great breakfast included!
— Check Out Hotel Adler Zürich
Unterstrass – For Convenience
Another great neighbourhood to look at staying in is Unterstrass. Technically located in District 6 (Oberstrass), this neighbourhood is located just north of the Old Town. This area is a tad more residential – and you still have the Limmat river running through the south end of the area. It makes for a lovely, peaceful vibe.
The area is also nice because you are just a quick walk or tram from the Central Train Station and the Old Town. This makes Unterstrass great for convenience and business travellers who are on the move.
That said, you should know that the farther away from the river you go, the steeper/more hilly the area becomes. So, book accommodation in this area knowing that you might have to walk uphill/downhill during the day! The area doesn’t have a ton of attractions but the Swiss National Museum is behind the train station and is worth a visit!
— Check Here For Hotels In Unterstrass
Below are a handful of the hotel options in Unterstrass. Eric stayed at the Central Plaza years ago and it was a great hotel which we would recommend, too!
Hotel Bristol Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Simple and Clean Hotel
- Price Range: Budget (for Zürich)
- Location: A short walk from the Central Train Station, close to the Limmat River
- Featured Amenities: Large rooms, good breakfast, parking at/nearby
— Check Out Hotel Bristol Zürich
Central Plaza Hotel – Check Now
- Style: A Beautiful and Trendy Hotel (Eric stayed here)
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Right across the bridge from Central Station (steps to the Old Town and transit)
- Featured Amenities: Spacious rooms, bars/restaurants onsite, pets very welcomed, parking garage onsite (reserve in advance)
— Check Out Central Plaza Hotel
Zürich Marriott Hotel – Check Now
- Style: A Classic and Modern Hotel
- Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
- Location: Along the Limmat River, just a short walk to Central Station and the Old Town
- Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurants onsite, 24-hour gym, lovely staff, great breakfast
— Check Out Zürich Marriott Hotel
Langstrasse (in Aussersihl) – Trendy
As with the district of Altstadt being divided into three neighbourhoods, the district of Aussersihl is also divided into three neighbourhoods – but we focus on two: Langstrasse and Werd. Just so you know, this whole district is just west of the city centre (and still very much in central Zürich).
This area is essentially where we stayed and we loved it – as you will hear about below. It was easy to walk to the city centre, get on transit, get to the lake, find great restaurants, etc. It’s certainly a district where locals live.
Let’s talk about Langstrasse first. Literally meaning “long street” in English, Langstrasse is the name of a neighbourhood – named after a long street that runs from the Central Station in the north through to Werd in the south. Langstrasse (along the actual street) used to be Zürich’s “not-so-great” area.
In recent years, however, the whole area has transformed for the better to be more residential and include many shops, cafes, bars, and places to eat. So, when we suggest staying in Langstrasse, you should know that the whole area around the one street is named after it – and there’s much more to this area than just that one street.
We actually explored the whole area and really liked it. We had dinner there, browsed shops, and even strolled the whole length of the actual Langstrasse. The area is quite large and includes trendy areas, affluent areas, areas along the Sihl River, and even an area with business offices.
There aren’t many attractions in this part of the city, but you are only a quick walk to most parts of the Old Town (or you can take the tram). It’s a very well connected area.
— Check Here For Accommodations In Langstrasse
Below you’ll find some of the top accommodations in Langstrasse. Keep in mind that the accommodations we suggest aren’t ON the actual street but really nice areas where there are restaurants, trams, and even a few parks.
iQ130 Apartment Hotel – Check Now
- Style: A Cool and Clean Aparthotel
- Price Range: Budget (actual budget prices)
- Location: Very close to the central train station, steps from the street Langstrasse
- Featured Amenities: Kitchen/kitchenette areas, some apartments with balconies, nice staff, basic breakfast optional
— Check Out iQ130 Apartment Hotel
Pension für Dich – Check Now
- Style: A Clean and Renovated Guesthouse
- Price Range: Budget (for Zürich)
- Location: On a corner across from a park, minutes walking to Langstrasse and transit
- Featured Amenities: Large rooms, cafe/bar onsite, some rooms have balconies, cheaper parking for the general city prices
25hours Hotel Langstrasse – Check Now
- Style: A Stylish and Popular Hotel
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Right beside the train tracks – minutes walking to Central Station but also the Old Town
- Featured Amenities: Onsite restaurant, buffet breakfast, parking available, friendly staff
— Check Out 25hours Hotel Langstrasse
The Yard Hotel – Check Now
- Style: A Cool and Stylish Hotel (has a Studio Apartment, too)
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: In the heart of Langstrasse, close to transit and restaurants
- Featured Amenities: Restaurant/bar/terrace onsite, great coffee!
Werd (in Aussersihl) – Peaceful
The other neighbourhood to check out in Aussersihl is Werd. This small neighbourhood is located just to the south of Langstrasse and is defined more by having access to the Sihl River as it snakes through this part of the city.
As such, it’s kind of rolled into the vibe of the whole area – very residential with green spaces, lots of nice office buildings, and waterways to walk along to take you to the lake. You can also head into the Old Town super easily from Werd – just cross the Silh River.
We technically stayed one street over from Werd but we explored the area in depth and walked through multiple times a day – it was great.
Below you’ll find a number of great places to stay in Werd. Since the area is quiet but still very close to the Old Town, these places would make for a nice base to head back to after a day exploring Zürich!
Gasthaus Zum Guten Glück – Check Now (Where We Stayed)
- Style: A Simple and Modern Guesthouse
- Price Range: Budget (actually budget for Zürich)
- Location: Quiet neighbourhood walkable to transit and the city centre (just outside Werd neighbourhood by one street)
- Featured Amenities: Large rooms, cafe/bar downstairs, easy check-in, self-serve features (fans, water jugs, city maps, etc.)
— Check Out Gasthaus Zum Guten Glück
Hotel St. Georges – Check Now
- Style: A Bright and Simple Hotel
- Price Range: Budget (for Zürich)
- Location: In Werd, close to the Sihl river and the shopping street (Bahnhofstrasse)
- Featured Amenities: Friendly staff, breakfast onsite!
Boutique Hotel Helvetia – Check Now
- Style: A Trendy and Charming Hotel (has Apartments, too)
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Right on the Sihl River, very close to transit and a very short walk to the Old Town
- Featured Amenities: Air conditioning in all rooms, lovely restaurant and bar onsite, gym pass included
— Check Out Boutique Hotel Helvetia
Seefeld – For Lakefront
If you want to enjoy the beautiful lake, look no further than a stay in Seefeld. This green neighbourhood is technically located in District 8 which is called Riesbach. The area is defined by its proximity to the lakefront gardens and parks, the famous Opera House, and a variety of museums and restaurants.
We walked through Seefeld and absolutely loved it. The views over the lake are lovely – and it’s well connected with a tram running through the heart of the area towards the Old Town. It’s more quiet and upscale – we even found a bunch of consulates for other countries there.
— Check Here for Accommodations in Seefeld
Below are a handful of the accommodation options in Seefeld. It’s a bit farther from Central Station but you can still easily get there using transit. You can also walk there – we did because central Zürich just isn’t that large. Check out these top hotels or apartments in Seefeld:
Opera Hotel Zürich – Check Now
- Style: A Colourful and Chic Hotel
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Right behind the Opera House, steps from the Lake and public transit
- Featured Amenities: Buffet breakfast, pet-friendly hotel, charming staff
— Check Out Opera Hotel Zürich
Sorell Hotel Seefeld – Check Now
- Style: A Colourful and Trendy Hotel
- Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
- Location: Right in Seefeld, minutes walking to the lake with a tram stop outside
- Featured Amenities: Parking available, some rooms with air conditioning, bar onsite, breakfast included!
— Check Out Sorell Hotel Seefeld
City Stay Furnished Apartments – Kieselgasse – Check Now
- Style: Modern and Comfortable Apartments
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Right on a street with tram access, close to large park and beautiful lakefront
- Featured Amenities: Apartments with kitchens, some with terraces, pet-friendly, parking available
— Check Out City Stay Furnished Apartments – Kieselgasse
Zürich Airport – For Flying
Lastly, we always like to include hotels by the airport for those looking to make a quick escape after their visit. Just so you know, Zürich Airport is located to the north of the city – about 15 minutes driving and 10 minutes by (very frequent) train connections.
The airport is really easy to get to by train from Central Station with frequent connections throughout the day. That said, if you want to book an airport hotel to be sure you make your flight, you’ve got hotel options.
— Check Here For Hotels At/Near Zürich Airport
Below are two of the better hotel options for staying close to Zürich Airport:
Mövenpick Hotel Zürich Airport – Check Now
- Style: A Modern and Colourful Hotel
- Price Range: Upper Budget
- Location: In Glattbrugg – a town ten minutes from the airport.
- Featured Amenities: Restaurants and fitness centre onsite, free shuttle to the airport!
— Check Out Mövenpick Hotel Zürich Airport
Radisson Blu Hotel Zürich Airport – Check Now
- Style: A Classy and Simple Hotel
- Price Range: Mid-Range
- Location: Steps from the Airport Terminals
- Featured Amenities: Pathway to walk to terminals, bars/restaurants onsite, a garden terrace and fitness centre, too.
— Check Out the Radisson Blu Hotel Zürich Airport
And there you have it – a rundown of where to stay in Zürich! Of course, this guide doesn’t include ALL the areas – simply the ones that we feel offer travellers of all styles and budgets significant value. We’re confident you can find something that fits your accommodation needs in Zürich!
As always, Happy Zürich Hotel Waddlin’,
-L&E
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