Winterthur combines unique sights and attractions with easy access to Zurich. In addition to excellent museums and galleries, the city boasts a charming Old Town filled with centuries-old buildings. Enjoy the city’s beautiful parks and gardens and ride the train into Zurich to explore the cobblestone Alstadt and get to know trendy neighbourhoods like Seefeld and Kreis 5.
Things to do in Winterthur
Get lost in the winding, medieval streets of the Old Town. Cafes and restaurants spill onto the streets, which are mostly pedestrianised. Stroll around the picturesque Marktgasse, which is framed by handsome historic mansions and admire frescoes by Swiss painter Paul Zehnder inside the City Church.
Fotomuseum Winterthur showcases works by established and emerging contemporary photographers. The collection spans from the 1960s to the present day and champions a variety of photography styles and mediums. There’s a special focus on Swiss luminaries like Robert Frank and Hans Danuser, both famous for their unique and thought-provoking works.
Learn about chemistry, kinetic energy, space and more at the Swiss Science Center Technorama. The attraction is packed with interactive exhibits. Get creative in working science laboratories and test theories at hundreds of hands-on experiment stations.
Mature trees provide plenty of shade in Stadtgarten. Set in the heart of the city, the park features spacious lawns, flower-filled gardens and a bubbling fountain. Rosengarten is on the other side of the city and commands spectacular views over the Old Town. Hundreds of varieties of roses are grown in the beautiful hilltop garden.
See European art from throughout the centuries at Museum Oskar Reinhart. Founded by a wealthy arts patron, the museum is housed in a historic villa and showcases works by French impressionists and Dutch Golden Age masters. Switch gears at Kunstmuseum Winterthur, where you can see works by modernists like Klee and Picasso.
Getting around Winterthur
Winterthur is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is a 30-minute drive from Zurich and 20 minutes by train. Zurich Airport is a 20-minute drive away.