Thing to do
Uetliberg
Zurich's own 870-metre hill, reached by S10 train from the main station, with an observation tower, views over city, lake and Alps and the Planet Trail…
Im Viadukt
Shops, a covered market hall and restaurants set under the 1894 stone railway arches of Zurich West, between Löwenbräu and Hardbrücke.
At a glance
- Type
- Shops and market hall under railway arches
- Area
- Kreis 5 (Zurich West), Zurich, Switzerland
- Official site
- im-viadukt.ch
Good to know
- Market hall
- Independent shops
- Restaurants
- Bakery
- Cheese shop
Why we recommend it
Im Viadukt is one of the best examples of how Zurich West has reinvented its old industrial fabric. The stone railway viaduct that carries trains out of the city was built in 1894 to replace earlier embankments. Its arches stood largely unused for decades until a design competition in 2004 led to their conversion, and the result won three architectural prizes in 2011. Today the arches hold a string of independent shops, studios, bars and restaurants, with the Markthalle, a covered food market, at its heart.
The Markthalle is the main reason to come. Its tenants include the St. Jakob bakery, which opens at 7:00 on weekdays, and the Tritt cheese shop, which opens at 8:00 on Saturdays. It is a good place to put together a picnic or pick up Swiss food to take home. The hall is open from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 20:00, and closed on Sundays except for occasional special Sunday openings before Christmas. Restaurant Markthalle, in the same building, opens at 9:00 from Monday to Saturday, stays open until midnight from Tuesday to Saturday, closes on Sundays and has a garden in warmer months. The site of the hall was once occupied by stonemasons' workshops.
Beyond the market hall, the shops along the arches keep their own hours, and the management lists core shopping hours on its website as Monday to Friday 11:00 to 19:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 18:00. The emphasis is on independent businesses rather than chain stores. The arches also hold event spaces and a club, so the area stays lively in the evening.
The viaduct makes a pleasant walk in its own right. From the main station you can take the Landesmuseum exit, cross Platzspitz park and follow the Limmat via the Lettenviadukt. The arches stretch towards Hardbrücke and the Schiffbau, making it easy to combine with an afternoon in Zurich West.
By public transport, trams 4, 13 and 17 stop at Löwenbräu, many S-Bahn lines stop at Zürich Hardbrücke, and buses 33 and 72 stop at Schiffbau or Hardbrücke. Allow an hour or two to browse, longer if you stay for lunch.
Im Viadukt FAQs
What is Im Viadukt?
Shops, a market hall and restaurants set in the arches of an 1894 railway viaduct in Zurich West.
When is the Markthalle open?
Monday to Saturday 9:00-20:00. It is closed on Sundays except for special pre-Christmas Sunday openings.
What are the shop opening hours?
Core hours are Monday to Friday 11:00-19:00 and Saturday 10:00-18:00, but each shop sets its own times.
How do I get there?
Tram 4, 13 or 17 to Löwenbräu, S-Bahn to Zürich Hardbrücke, or bus 33 or 72 to Schiffbau or Hardbrücke.
Can I walk from the main station?
Yes. Take the Landesmuseum exit, cross Platzspitz and follow the Limmat via the Lettenviadukt.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Yes. Restaurant Markthalle serves food from breakfast into the evening, and there are bakery and food stalls in the hall.
Is it good for food souvenirs?
Yes. The market hall has a bakery, cheese shop and other food stalls selling local produce.
Can I book a space for a group?
Yes. Restaurant Markthalle takes groups of up to 60, and some arches are hired out as event spaces.