Zurich's Markets

Zurich's food markets are ordinary in the best sense: they are where people shop rather than sights in themselves. Burkliplatz by the lake holds the largest, twice a week, with growers from the surrounding cantons selling vegetables, cheese, bread and flowers along the quay. Helvetiaplatz in District 4 is the same idea in a rougher part of town, cheaper and less arranged for looking at. In the railway arches at the Viadukt a covered hall runs through the week beneath the trains, with cheese, meat and produce stalls that stay open all winter. Rosenhof in the old town sells crafts rather than food, and in December the Christmas markets take over the station hall and several squares.

What you actually see

• Burkliplatz - the largest producers' market, on the lake quay twice a week.
• Helvetiaplatz - a working neighbourhood market, cheaper and less polished.
• The Viadukt hall - a covered market under the railway arches, open across the week.
• The Christmas markets - filling the station hall and city squares through December.

When to go

The open-air markets run on set weekday mornings, usually Tuesday and Friday, and pack up by early afternoon, so this is strictly a morning plan. Late summer and early autumn give the widest local produce. The covered hall at the Viadukt is the reliable wet-weather and winter option and keeps longer hours across the week.

Honest expectations

Prices are Swiss, and market prices here are not lower than the supermarkets, which surprises most visitors. The open-air markets close by early afternoon and do not run on Sunday or Monday at all. There is far less prepared food to eat on the spot than at markets elsewhere in Europe, and the lake quay is exposed in bad weather.

Nearby

The lake promenade, Bahnhofstrasse and the old town are all within a short walk.