City Backpacker

Zürich


Attractively situated in the Old Town, this private hostel with a youthful party vibe is friendly and well equipped, if a trifle cramped. In summer, you can overcome the claustrophobia by hanging out on the rooftop terrace. Be prepared for a climb, as the reception area and hostel rooms are up several flights of stairs, and there's no lift.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Zürich attractions

1. Cabaret Voltaire

0.09 MILES

Birthplace of the zany Dada art movement, this art space has come back to life as a hotbed of contentious art exhibitions and socially critical artistic…

2. Lindenhof

0.11 MILES

Spectacular views across the Limmat to the Grossmünster can be enjoyed from a tree-shaded hilltop park, smack in the heart of the Old Town. Bring a picnic…

3. Niederdorf

0.14 MILES

On the Limmat River’s east bank, the winding cobbled streets of Niederdorf are crammed with restaurants, bars, galleries, bookshops and craft shops…

4. St Peterskirche

0.18 MILES

From any position in the city, it’s hard to overlook the 13th-century tower of this church. Its prominent clock face, 8.7m in diameter, is the largest in…

5. James Joyce Foundation

0.19 MILES

James Joyce spent much of WWI in Zürich and wrote Ulysses here. This foundation, which boasts Europe's largest Joyce collection, hosts regular English…

6. Karlsturm

0.2 MILES

Clamber up the southern tower of the Grossmünster for knockout views of the city and lake to the Alps beyond.

7. Grossmünster

0.2 MILES

Founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century (but heavily reworked since), Zürich's twin-towered landmark cathedral sits directly across the river from…

8. Zwingli's House

0.2 MILES

The house where firebrand preacher Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531) lived and worked. Zwingli began speaking out against the Catholic Church here in the 16th…