Not everyone wants a group, a schedule or a guide who talks at a fixed pace, and an audio tour solves all three. This self-guided walk follows the history of Zurich from its Roman origins to the medieval city, starting on the Bahnhofstrasse and reaching the Paradeplatz, and it takes between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half at a relaxed pace. The title refers to Zurich as the city of a thousand fountains, and the walk makes a feature of the public drinking fountains that stand on almost every square, each one with its own story. You listen on your own phone and headphones, you pause when you want a coffee, and you skip the parts that do not interest you. It is rated 4.9 from seventeen reviews, which is a short record but a very positive one, and it is among the cheapest ways to get a structured introduction to the centre of the city. The tour suits independent travellers, couples, solo visitors and anyone who wants to start early or late when guided tours are not running. It is also a sensible choice for rainy-day planning, because you can start whenever the rain stops. As with any self-guided tour, you need to download the audio before you start, carry a charged phone and be comfortable navigating by map.
What to expect
A walking route that moves from the Bahnhofstrasse, the city's famous shopping street, towards the Paradeplatz and the old centre, with audio commentary at each point about Roman Turicum, the medieval town, the guilds, the churches and the fountains. The pace is yours. You can walk the full route in about an hour and a half or stretch it to half a day by stopping for coffee and visits. The route stays in the compact centre, so you are never far from a tram or the station.
Practical details
Download the audio and the map before you set off, since mobile reception is usually good but roaming charges can be high. Bring headphones, a charged phone and a power bank, and wear comfortable shoes. Start in the morning for quieter streets, or in the evening when the lanes are lit.
The tour has no guide to answer questions, so keep a notebook or a map app open for the places you want to revisit. Check the exact start point and the language options when you book, and keep your booking confirmation on your phone.
Who it suits and how to use it: this is a good fit for independent travellers who want structure without a group, for visitors who arrive outside the hours of the guided tours and for anyone who wants to spend the saving on a good lunch. Combine it with a visit to the Swiss National Museum for the longer story of Switzerland, and with a stop in the Fraumuenster for the Chagall windows.
If you want to ask questions and hear stories that change with the guide, choose one of the guided walks, which are more social and more flexible. For a first day in the city, the audio tour is a quiet and inexpensive way to find your bearings before you decide where to spend your time.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided audio walk through the Roman and medieval history of Zurich, from the Bahnhofstrasse to the Paradeplatz and the old centre, at your own pace.
Best time
Any time of day, including early morning and evening when guided tours are not running; start when the rain stops.
How long
About an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half.
Tips
Download the audio and the map before you start. Bring headphones and a charged phone. Check the start point and the languages when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Independent travellers who want a structured introduction without a group.
- Families
- Fine for older children who enjoy fountains and stories; the pace is yours.
- Couples
- A quiet, inexpensive walk together, with a coffee stop wherever you like.
- Pair with
- The Swiss National Museum and the Fraumuenster Chagall windows.
- Time needed
- About an hour and a half.
Good questions
How long is the Historical Zurich audio tour?+
Between an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half at a relaxed pace, though you can stretch it by stopping.
Where does it start and finish?+
It runs from the Bahnhofstrasse towards the Paradeplatz and the old centre. Check the exact start point when you book.
What does the audio cover?+
Zurich's Roman and medieval history, its guilds and churches, and the public fountains that give it the nickname city of a thousand fountains.
Do I need a guide or a group?+
No. It is self-guided, so you listen on your own phone and set your own pace.
What do I need to bring?+
A charged phone, headphones and the downloaded audio and map. A power bank helps on a long walk.
