What do Einstein, James Joyce and Wagner have in common? 

All three were residents of Zurich. But it´s not only great minds who are captivated by this lakeside city with its well-preserved old town - people from all over the world have always flocked to the thriving metropolis.

District 1 (“Kreis 1” in German) is located in the heart of the city of Zurich and includes the entire “Altstadt” (means “old town”) district. The area is further subdivided into the four statistical quarters City, Lindenhof, Rathaus & Hochschulen. The Limmat, the largest river in the city, flows right through District 1, lined with beautiful old houses, cozy bars and traditional Swiss restaurants. The most picturesque part of Zurich is also the smallest of the 12 Districts in the city in terms of both: area and population. And yet

Kreis 1 in is probably the most popular one when it comes to tourist hotspots, shopping & strolling, going out & eating. The historic heart of the city beats on both sides of the Limmat river. Here guild houses, churches, historic squares, and hidden-away places nestle alongside each other. The Grossmünster, St. Peter church, Fraumünster, Giacometti Murals, Cabaret Voltaire and the Kunsthaus Zürich are the ultimate must-sees of Zurich’s historic city center. There are chocolatiers, jewelers and exclusive boutiques along the upscale Bahnhofstrasse shopping street. The Lindenhof hill offers views of the Limmat River and its popular river promenade. The area around Paradeplatz and Bahnhofstrasse with its shops are the most lively places in this area. As far as the mobility of public transport is concerned, district 1 is very well served: Stadelhofen station, trains run every few minutes to the central station, to the largest station in Switzerland.

Between Stadelhofen station and Bellevue there are many cinemas. The national museum is located directly at the central station, the university’s museum of natural sciences. Opera and theatre lovers will also find various performances per week in Kreis 1. The Niederdorf in Zurich is very lively, especially on summer nights (until 10 pm). Niederdorf is part of Zurich's old town – and the locals affectionately refer to it as “Dörfli”, meaning the entire Niederdorf and Oberdorf area that extends as far as Bellevue. Niederdorf is a pedestrian zone the same as Limmatquai, which runs parallel. During the day, the pedestrian zone and many stores, which are almost hidden in alleyways, entice you to shop. In the evening, Niederdorf changes into a nightlife district for a very varied public with its bars and street artists.

The popular “Dörflifäscht” takes place with many DJs, market booths, culinary delights, shows and attractions at the end of August.