Parks, Gardens and Squares in Zurich

Der Alte Botanische Garten ist eine idyllische Oase inmitten der Zürcher Innenstadt. Seine Geschichte geht bis in das Jahr 1837 zurück.

Tropenluft schnuppern? Staunen über fremdartige Pflanzen? Düfte des Mittelmeers einatmen? Blühende Alpenrosen bewundern? Dann nichts wie los in den Botanischen Garten der Universität Zürich.

In the green parks around the lower basin of the lake, there’s always something going on in the summer months. Inline skaters, water sports enthusiasts, jewellery sellers and street artists all gather here to create a colourful scene. Anyone looking for peace and quiet will be able to escape the hustle and bustle on the Zürichhorn at the end of the lakeside promenade, in the wonderful Chinese Garden.

Sechseläutenplatz, located between Bellevue and the Zurich Opera House, combines tradition and modernity and is a place of relaxation. Here, young and old alike walk, sit and play on the square, which covers an area of 16,000 square metres and is made of Vals quartzite. The many trees, places to sit and water elements lend it an urban cosiness.

This gem among the parks of Zurich was built in the middle of the beautiful park for a high-classicist style villa at the start of the 19th century. Today, this villa is home to the renowned Belvoirpark hotel management school and a restaurant.

In the place where the machine factory, Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (MFO), once stood, an architecturally fascinating park hall bears witness to the past usage of the site. Particularly in summer, the facility is frequently used for various cultural events, such as open-air movie theatres or festivals of all kinds.

Irchelpark is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy being surrounded by nature. Trees and bushes shield this relaxing retreat from the streets surrounding it. It’s not uncommon to cross paths with students of the University of Zurich’s Irchel Campus here. The institution’s buildings are set in an enchanting location in the upper part of the park.

The 70,000 m2 Rieterpark is Zurich's largest and most impressive landscaped garden and is set in the district of Zurich Enge near Lake Zurich.

Seit 1931 beherbergt die Sukkulenten-Sammlung in Zürich eine der weltweit grössten und bedeutendsten Spezialsammlungen sukkulenter Pflanzen.