Bahnhofstrasse is Zürich’s best-known boulevard, linking the city’s main railway station with the shore of Lake Zurich. Stretching about 1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles), it is internationally recognized as one of the world’s premier shopping streets and a major symbol of Zurich’s financial and commercial importance.
The street was created in the 1860s after Zurich demolished its medieval fortifications and filled in the old moat known as the Fröschengraben (“Frog Ditch”). What began as a major urban redevelopment project evolved into one of Europe’s most prestigious commercial addresses.
Much of Bahnhofstrasse is pedestrian-friendly and served by Zurich’s tram network. The northern section near the station features department stores and mainstream retailers, while the southern portion closer to the lake is known for luxury fashion houses, jewelry boutiques, watchmakers, and elegant storefronts.
A defining landmark along the boulevard is Paradeplatz, one of Switzerland’s most famous squares. It is closely associated with the country’s banking sector and has long been home to major financial institutions, making Bahnhofstrasse not only a shopping destination but also a center of Swiss business life.
Bahnhofstrasse is often regarded as a showcase of modern Zurich: efficient, affluent, and highly walkable. Beyond luxury retail, it provides easy access to the city center, historic lanes such as Augustinergasse, and the waterfront at Bürkliplatz, making it one of the most visited and recognizable locations in Switzerland.
Start Time
Nov 20
Bahnhofstrasse, Horgen, Zürich, Switzerland