The starting point for this tour of Zurich is at the SBB railway station
(S/E) From Zurich Hauptbahnhof, take the underground exit towards Bahnhofstrasse. Follow this shopping street until you reach the junction with Uraniastrasse.
(1) Turn left into Uraniastrasse. As you approach the bridge spanning this street, take the wide flight of steps leading up to it. Once on the upper level, walk down Lindhofstrasse to the banks of the River Limmat. Heading south, follow the Limmat to the Schipfe restaurant. Turn right into the small street called Fortunagasse. Stop at a gate on the right and enter the lovely Urania Park; walk around it and return to Fortunagasse. Continue for a few more metres to reach Lindenhof. This large public garden, which was once a Roman fort, overlooks the city of Zurich. Enjoy the view across the entire historic old town.
(2) From Lindenhof Park, exit via the south gate and head back to Bahnhofstrasse, passing the Augustinerkirche, then taking Münplatz and finally Augustinergasse. Follow Bahnhofstrasse southwards to Zughusplatz. Turn right into the narrow street In Gassen and head towards the large pedestrianised square ‘Münsterhof’. Head towards Fraumünster Church. Continue southwards and turn left into Kapellergasse. Reach the banks of the Limmat and follow them to the lake.
(3) Enjoy the sweeping view of Lake Zurich. Follow the lakeside via the Quaibrücke, then head north again along the right bank of the Limmat. Walk along the course of the Limmat, past the Münsterbrücke, and watch the hustle and bustle on the opposite bank. Carry on strolling until you reach the Rathausbrücke, which is actually a vast open space over the water rather than a bridge. Continue northwards along this pleasant stretch of the Limmatquai until you reach the next bridge, the Rudolf-Brun-Brücke.
(4) At this bridge, take a short detour into the bustling alleyways of the old town. Cross the road, minding out for the tram. Take Mühlegasse, then turn left into Niederdorfstrasse, a small pedestrianised street lined with bars and restaurants. Leave this street and turn left into a passageway called ‘Am Rank’, which leads out onto the Limmatquai via a footbridge.
(5) Cross the Limmat using the Mühlesteg footbridge. Head back towards the Hauptbahnhof (E) via Beatenplatz and then Waisenhausstrasse.
