What to do in Zurich

The Markets

Altstetten Weekly Market
The traditional market on the Lindenhof is small, but especially personal and cosy. Here, the stallholders always have time for a chat and to share a few recipes to help you prepare a particularly delicious meal with your groceries.
Address:   Blumen- und Gemüsemarkt Lindenplatz - Lindenplatz, 8048 Zürich
Open hours:    Sat 6am-noon
Station:    Lindenplatz (Altstetten)

Bürkliplatz Flea Market
At the end of Bahnhofstrasse, Prada meets flea market: this is the place to rummage for rarities and antiques to your heart's content. Apart from the usual junk, this is also a popular place to acquire second-hand jewellery as well as other valuable items.
Address:   Flohmarkt am Bürkliplatz - Bürkliplatz, 8001 Zürich
Open hours:   May-October, Sat 8am-4pm
Station:   Bürkliplatz

Bürkliplatz Flower and Vegetable Market
At the twice-weekly market on Bürkliplatz you will find a tempting range of colorful flowers, potted plants, fresh vegetables, regional specialties, organic produce and fresh mushrooms. And the Bürkli-Caf&eacue; is just the place to enjoy the lakeside panorama as the city comes to life in the early morning.
Address:   Blumen- und Gemüsemarkt Bürkliplatz - Bürkliplatz, 8001 Zürich
Open hours:   Tue/Fri 8am-11am
Station:   Bürkliplatz

Curio Market on Rosenhof
At the Rosenhof Market in the picturesque setting of Zürich's Old Town, you will not only find objects from distant lands, but also original Swiss handicrafts. The wares on offer include clothes, jewellery, precious stones, leather goods, handmade pottery, culinary delicacies and antiquities.
Address:   Kuriositätenmarkt Rosenhofmarkt - Rosenhof, 8001 Zürich
Open hours:   March to December, Thu 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Station:   Rudolf-Brun-Brücke

Helvetiaplatz Flower and Vegetable Market
All the world is at home in Zürich's multicultural quarter. And at the traditional grocery market, there are probably more nationalities represented than at any other market in Zürich. A colourful mixture of home-grown and exotic produce awaits visitors.
Address:   Blumen- und Gemüsemarkt Helvetiaplatz - Helvetiaplatz, 8004 Zürich
Open hours:   Tue/Fri 8am-11am
Station:   Helvetiaplatz

Kanzlei Flea Market
Up to 400 stalls at what is probably Switzerland's biggest year-round flea market offers all kinds of second-hand goods. Here you will find antique furniture, art, jewellery, watches, cameras, books, toys, clothes, and much more besides. A crèche service is now also available between 12 noon and 2 p.m. for children between 3 and 8 (except during the summer holidays).
Address:   Flohmarkt Kanzlei - Kanzleistrasse 56, 8004 Zürich
Open hours:   Sat 8am-4pm
Station:   Helvetiaplatz

Milchbuck Grocery Market
The regulars at Milchbuck's delectable little market all know each other: the stallholders are such good friends that the jovial atmosphere is infectious. A wide range of fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, flowers and much more besides are on offer.
Address: Markt am Milchbuck - Milchbuckstrasse, 8057 Zürich
Station: Milchbuck

Oerlikon Flower and Vegetable Market
The large marketplace behind Oerlikon station and near the exhibition centre tempts the visitor with breads, delicious "Zopf" (a plaited Swiss white bread), freshly caught fish, cheeses and pasta, as well as vegetables and fruit directly from the producer. The selection of fresh mushrooms, herbs and spices, as well as all sizes and variations of gorgeous bouquets leave nothing to be desired.
Address:    Blumen- und Gemüsemarkt Markplatz Oerlikon - Am Marktplatz, 8050 Zürich
Open hours:   Wed 6am-11am, Sat 6am-noon
Station:   Bahnhof Oerlikon

Rathausbrücke/Gemüsebrücke Flower and Vegetable Market
The weekly flower and vegetable market is held where tourism originated in Zürich - the spot where Goethe and Mozart enjoyed the city as the gateway to the Alps. Long ago, the Rathausbrücke was already the site of a market - which is why the locals still call it the "Gemüsebrücke" (Vegetable Bridge).
Address: Gemüsebrücke, 8001 Zürich
Open hours: Sat 8am-noon

Speciality Market at Zürich Main Station
Vendors from all over Switzerland offer their specialties for sale in the monumental concourse at Zürich Main Station. This is where gourmets' dreams come true: from air-dried Grisons beef to high-quality cheeses, organic vegetables to chocolate fruit, and whole-grain baker's specialties to the delicious bread from Poschiavo.
Address:   Spezialitätenmarkt im Hauptbahnhof - Hauptbahnhof, 8001 Zürich
Open hours:   Wed 10am-8pm
Station:   Sihlquai

Night Market
The market for night owls takes place at a different location each time. Its motto, however, always remains the same: buy, sell, drink, eat and dance. With music and exotic culinary highlights.

by Angela Hiestand, March 2008