Shopping in Zurich is enough to empty wallets fast in just two days; however, there is just something about walking through these roads. Bahnhofstrasse is where everyone goes because of its designer outlets; however, it is in random alleys where you find the true treasures.
You’ll find a chocolate shop that has been around since time immemorial in an instant; then, in another instant, you find small outlets where Swiss timepieces are made by hand.
The places to shop in Zurich are more than just a way to spend money. Weekend markets pop up with locals selling cheese, bread, and weird vintage stuff. The Old Town has shops crammed into buildings older than most countries.
Some sell overpriced souvenirs; others have genuine Swiss crafts worth bringing home. Then there are places like Jelmoli, where locals buy high-quality fashion and food, and Im Viadukt, where designers and makers sell things you won’t find in regular malls.
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1. Bahnhofstrasse – Zurich’s Luxury & Flagship Zone
Bahnhofstrasse is not just famous, it’s functional. This is where global brands place their Swiss flagships and where Swiss luxury brands maintain their most important stores. It runs for about 1.4 km from Zurich Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) to Bürkliplatz at Lake Zurich.
This street is built for high-end retail:
• Wide sidewalks for browsing
• Large show-window displays
• Multi-floor brand stores
• Easy tram access
This is the center of luxury shopping in Zurich. Watch boutiques here are not just for display, they carry full collections and limited editions and offer tax-free processing for tourists. Department stores like Jelmoli and Globus are positioned here because this is where premium shoppers come first.
You come here if you want:
• Swiss watches
• Designer fashion
• Luxury handbags
• High-quality leather goods
It’s also the famous shopping street in Zurich because it shows how polished and calm retail can feel without chaos.
- Location: Zurich Hauptbahnhof
- What to Shop: Swiss watches, designer clothes, leather goods, fine chocolate
- Timings: Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 18:30 (smaller shops) / 09:00 - 20:00 (larger stores, department stores). Saturday: 09:00—17:00 or 18:00 (department stores often until 20:00). Sunday & Public Holidays: Generally closed, except for a few stores in the main station or special Christmas shopping Sundays.
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Niederdorf is inside Zurich’s Old Town and works very differently from the Bahnhofstrasse. This is where independent stores survive and not chains. The streets are narrow, and most shops are small, owner-run businesses.
This area is the core of Shopping in Zurich Old Town.
What makes Niederdorf useful:
• Many shops sell things you won’t find elsewhere
• Strong focus on handmade and vintage items
• Good place for souvenirs that aren’t mass-produced
Here you’ll find:
• Antique dealers
• Local fashion designers
• Handmade jewellery studios
• Bookshops and art stores
If you want meaningful gifts instead of airport souvenirs, Niederdorf is one of the best places to shop in Zurich.
- Location: Zurich Old Town
- What to Shop: Antiques, jewellery, vintage clothing, Swiss crafts
- Timings: Around 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
3. Bahnhofstrasse Side Streets – Mid-Range & Everyday Fashion
Just one block off Bahnhofstrasse, the price range changes. The side streets like Rennweg, Augustinergasse, and Uraniastrasse are where mid-range and contemporary brands operate.
This area is ideal for Shopping in Zurich city centre if you want:
• Good-quality clothes without luxury pricing
• Shoes, bags, and accessories
• Trend-focused stores
This is where locals shop for:
• Office wear
• Casual fashion
• Seasonal basics
Many of the best shops in Zurich for wearable, practical clothing are in these streets, not on the main boulevard.
4. Viadukt (Zurich West) – Design, Crafts & Food
Viadukt is built under old railway arches in Zurich West. Each arch holds a small shop or studio. This area is not touristy; it’s creative and local.
This is the best area for modern Street shopping in Zurich, making this street one of the best places to visit in Switzerland.
You go to Viadukt for:
- Swiss designer clothing
- Budget shopping in Zurich
- Sustainable fashion brands
- Handmade crafts
- Local food products
It also has a covered food market where you can buy:
• Bread, cheese, chocolate, coffee
• Swiss wine and special groceries
Viadukt is useful because you can combine shopping, eating, and browsing in one place.
5. ShopVille — Underground Retail at the Main Station
ShopVille is a large, subterranean retail complex beneath Zurich Hauptbahnhof with nearly 200 stores.
What makes ShopVille useful:
- Huge store variety for last-minute purchases
- Easy to access if you arrive or depart by train
- Includes fashion, accessories, tech, and everyday items
Because it sits right under the city’s busiest transport hub, locals and travelers alike use ShopVille as a go-to for quick shopping without citywalking.
- Location: Zürich Hauptbahnhof, Museumstrasse 1, 8021 Zürich, Switzerland
- Timing: Daily, roughly 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- What to Shop: Fashion, accessories, electronics, books, travel essentials, Swiss gifts, and snacks.
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6. Sihlcity — Urban Mall with Entertainment
Sihlcity is built on the site of a former paper mill and combines shopping with leisure options. As Zurich’s multi-purpose complex, it includes over 80 stores as well as restaurants, a cinema, and wellness facilities.
Here you’ll find:
- Fashion and accessories
- Electronics
- Lifestyle and sport brands
It’s especially popular with locals who want a more relaxed, all-day experience rather than a quick retail stop.
Jelmoli is one of the legendary department stores, known as the House of Brands, that features six floors of luxury fashion, gourmet food, and lifestyle goods that make it one of the best shops in Zurich.
8. Glattzentrum — Large Retail Hub Outside Central Zurich
If you want a wide choice in one place, Glattzentrum is one of Switzerland’s biggest shopping malls, located a short distance from the city centre in Wallisellen. It houses over 100 shops and multiple restaurants.
This is a practical choice for clothes shopping in Zurich at scale, with a mix of international and Swiss brands, plus a comfortable layout for longer shopping visits.
You’ll find:
• Budget brands
• International chains
• Sportswear and shoes
• Tech and beauty stores
It’s practical, fast, and efficient.
- Location: Wallisellen (outside Zurich)
- Timings: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- What to Shop: Fashion (wide range of brands), footwear, accessories, electronics, beauty, home goods
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9. Bürkliplatz Flea Market — Vintage & Curios
On Saturdays from May through October, Bürkliplatz becomes a vibrant flea market with vendors selling antiques, collectibles, second-hand goods, and curios. This is one of the best places for shopping in Zurich if you enjoy browsing for vintage items, books, and unusual finds.
Opening early (around 7 a.m.) gives you the best selection before stock vanishes.
10. Rosenhof Market — Crafts & Hand-Made Goods
Located in the Old Town, Rosenhof Market focuses on handmade jewelry, crafts, and artisan products. It’s one of the few places in Zurich where you’ll get a more “market bazaar” feel rather than a boutique layout, and it’s ideal for authentic souvenirs beyond chocolate and watches.
There are three reasons people enjoy shopping in Zurich.
First, quality. Swiss people care about how things are made. Clothes hold their shape. Shoes last for years. Bags don’t fall apart after one trip. When you buy something in Zurich, it usually becomes part of your life for a long time.
Second, calm energy. Shops aren’t loud. No one pushes you to buy. You can look, touch, ask questions, and leave without pressure. That alone makes shopping in Zurich different from many tourist cities.
Third, layout. Zurich is compact. Most major places to shop in Zurich are walkable. You don’t lose time in traffic. You just move naturally from one area to the next.
Shopping in Zurich is subject to local rhythms:
- Most shops are open Monday through Friday from about 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Smaller outlets may close earlier.
- On Saturdays, many stores close earlier, often by late afternoon. Big department stores and Zurich shopping malls may stay open longer.
- On Sundays, almost all regular shops are closed, though select stores in train stations and the airport remain open
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Shopping in Zurich is not about chasing discounts. It’s about quality, design, and experience. Whether you’re wandering through shopping in Zurich Old Town, browsing malls, or exploring street shopping in Zurich, you’ll see that every area serves a different kind of shopper.
If you’re hunting for the best place for shopping in Zurich, the real answer is this: it depends on what you value. Luxury, creativity, practicality, or discovery.
Zurich gives you all of it. You just have to walk the right streets.
