When we think of Switzerland, the first things coming to our minds are mountains, chocolate and Zurich. I always found this tiny country in the heart of Europe really charming. When my best friend Magda moved there permanently, I had even more reason to visit. I was introduced to the town of Winterthur, just a stone throw from Zurich and immediately fell in love with it.
Winterthur is the perfect combination of traditional architecture, outdoor activities and arts and culture. If you travel to Zurich, I highly recommend to spend (half) a day in this pretty town. Let me share my friend Magda’s insider’s tips with you. Thank you, Magda, for all your recommendations!
Winterthur is called the “bicycle city” and “Swiss Cultural Capital”, offers great outdoor activities, beautiful architecture and lots of arts and culture. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Things to Do
Walk or Bike and Explore
The best way to get to know Winterthur is on foot. The town is very compact and everything is within walking distance.
The Old Town (Altstadt) around Steinberggasse is a great starting point for a walking tour. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Start with a walk in the Altstadt (Old Town), around Steinberggasse.
Stadtkirche Winterthur, the main church. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
One of the major sights is the Stadtkirche Winterthur right in the heart of the town.
The traditional timber houses of Winterthur are so charming. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Winterthur is known as the “Velo-Stadt”: “Velo” is the local term for bicycle and “Stadt” means city.
Winterthur clearly is a bike-friendly city. You see them everywhere. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Hence, a convenient alternative to explore Winterthur is by bike.
The Graben is a great place to chill out in the shade. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
The Graben is a nice spot if you need a break.
There are also plenty of restaurants and bars at the Graben. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Enjoy the people watching from one of the restauraunts in the shade.
One of my favourite pictures: the smallest house of Winterthur. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Just around the corner from Graben, you will find Neustadtgasse hosting the smallest house of Winterthur.
The town may come across as orderly and a bit conservative at first sight. However, there are plenty of places where people express their opinion and creativity; just like this squatted house. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Winterthur seems very orderly and traditional at first sight. However, you can find modern architecture and street art as well.
The Sulzer family and their manufacturing empire are a cornerstone of the town. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Winterthur is home to the manufacturing company Sulzer, which was founded in the 18th century.
The original house where the Sulzers started their business is still there. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Arts and Culture
Winterthurian street art. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Winterthur is often referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Switzerland”. And I think for a reason. There are plenty of museums to visit.
The Kunst Museum Winterthur has a big permanent collection and also hosts interesting special exhibitions. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
My favourite one is the Kunst Museum Winterthur. Located in a partk, it has an incredible permanent collection, with works spanning multiple art periods. I really enjoyed their collection of Enlightenment and Romanticism works, e.g. those of Caspar David Friedrich.
Take a break in the greenery. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Its graphic collection includes works from Duerer as well as Francisco de Goya’s “El sueno de la razón produce monstruos”. Furthermore, the museum hosts really interesting special exhibitions as well. (Stadthausstraße 6)
Tradition meets modernity throughout the town. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
I also recommend to do some research beforehand and see which festivals are going on. Throughout the year, there are great cultural events in Winterthur.
Enjoy the Nature
I visited in autumn when Winterthur turned yellow, orange and red.
Wherever you are in Winterthur, spots amidst the greenery are not further than a ten-minute walk away. I visited in autumn and it was just beautiful to walk along the colourful paths.
Beautiful autumn walk around Weinbergstraße
My friend and I went uphill in the area around Weinbergstraße. It is quite some work to make it up the hill, but you will be rewared with beautiful views.
The uphill walk will be rewarded with a stunning view. Can you see the mountains in the back?
Wildpark Bruderhaus
Deer at the wildlife park Bruderhaus
I also really enjoyed the wildlife park Bruderhaus. It is located amidst the forest and you can see deer, wild boars and many more animals. It is located outside of Winterthur but it is really a great experience (especially if you have kids). There is also a restaurant with local dishes.
Eat at …
Locanda Trivisano is a cute Italian restaurant with high quality food. They offer a lunch set menu. (Stadthausstraße 121)
I took so many pictures of all the beautiful houses.
tibits is a great vegetarian option in the Altstadt at Oberer Graben. (Oberer Graben 48)
Outside of a sculptor’s studio in the Altstadt (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
If you are looking for some cozy atmosphere at moderate prices, Bunter Hund (Bachtelstraße 72) and Nachbarsgarten (Feldstraße 22) are great options.
Schloss Wülflingen is the perfect spot for a romantic date.
For a premium experience, Schloss Wülflingen is really worth a visit. (Wülflingerstraße 214)
There were so many traditional ceramic ovens with intricate designs at Schloss Wülflingen.
The building itself is beautiful, especially its traditional interior with old ceramic ovens, and the food is delicious.
Can I live in a house like that one day?
Schloss Goldenberg is located at the edge of the forest in the village of Dorf about 20 minutes from Winterthur. It pairs beautiful views of the city and tasty dishes.
Brick houses are also very common in Winterthur. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Coffee and Cake at …
One comment only: try the cake! (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Vollenweider is “the” local confiserie and patisserie with delicious coffee, chocolate and cake. (Stadthausstraße 20)
There are many small boutiques, handicraft and antique shops in the Altstadt. (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Drinks at …
Riva in the Altstadt (Steinberggasse 2)
Fancy a hat? (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
How to Get There
Street art Swiss style. Or shall we call it “train art”? (Picture courtesy of Magda Hartmann)
Winterthur is really easy to reach from Zurich: it is 20 minutes from Zurich International Airport and Zurich Main Station in the city centre.
I walked and walked and walked and discovered more and more and more beautiful houses.
There are direct trains in both directions every ten minutes.
A Swiss cliché?
Once you are in Winterthur, I recommend to walk or ride a bicycle. The public transport system is also very good.
Last house, I promise! 🙂
If you want to visit places such as the wildlife park Bruderhaus or Schloss Goldenberg which are a bit further outside of Winterthur, I recommend taking a taxi.
Special thanks to Magda Hartmann for not only introducing me to the gems of Winterthur but also for supplying me with her pictures.
Magda Hartmann works as a teacher and has lived in Vienna, Rome and Shanghai. She has settled down in Winterthur, Switzerland.
All information as of the date of publishing. We cannot accept responsibility for the correctness or completeness of the data, or for ensuring that it is up to date. All recommendations are based on the personal experience of Elisabeth Steiger and Magda Hartmann, no fees were received by the recommended places above.
4 Comments
This place looks so adorable! I’ve never even heard of it but will definitely add it to my Switzerland wish list! Love the look of the trains too!
I agree, the train looks pretty cool! Winterthur is definitely worth a visit!
What a beautiful piece and a beautiful place. We love exploring Europe and look forward to exploring here.
That’s great! Then it will be easy for you to hop on a plane to Switzerland!