Urania Observatory, Zurich

If you鈥檝e ever dreamed of stargazing like an ancient Greek muse, look no further than the Urania Observatory鈥攏amed, fittingly, after Urania, the celestial lady in charge of astronomy. This 50-meter (or 167-foot, if you're imperially inclined) tower pokes out above Zurich鈥檚 Old Town like a curious periscope aimed at the heavens. Construction kicked off in 1899, and by 1907, the public was officially invited to peer into the cosmos.

At the heart of the tower is a serious piece of optical wizardry: a Carl Zeiss refracting telescope with a two-lens system and a 600-times zoom that can make the moon look like it's ready for a selfie. The telescope stretches five meters long and rests on a vibration-proof pillar that goes straight through the building like a cosmic exclamation mark. Despite its age, it鈥檚 still a technical marvel鈥攁nd yes, it got a full spa day in 2007 for its 100th birthday, courtesy of Carl Zeiss Co. in Germany.

But wait鈥攖his place isn鈥檛 just about interstellar eye candy. You鈥檒l also get sweeping views of Zurich鈥檚 rooftops and skyline, which are particularly photogenic after sunset. Join a guided tour on a Friday or Saturday night, or time your visit with one of their special events throughout the year. And if all that stargazing stirs your appetite, don鈥檛 worry鈥攖hey鈥檝e got a bar and restaurant, too. Because sometimes nothing pairs with the rings of Saturn like a nice local beer...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zurich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Urania Observatory
Sight Location: Zurich, Switzerland (See walking tours in Zurich)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Zurich Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Zurich, Switzerland

Create Your Own Walk in Zurich

Creating your own self-guided walk in Zurich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Zurich Souvenir Shopping

Zurich has no shortage of tourists, and when it comes to souvenirs, there are plenty of options available.

A popular saying goes, "When in Zurich, shop on Bahnhofstrasse." True, in terms of souvenir shopping, this thoroughfare is second to none. Another saying is that 鈥淲hen in Switzerland, buy Swiss-made products.鈥�

Alongside many other things, Bahnhofstrasse is home to... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Old Town Walk

Zurich鈥檚 Old Town鈥攖he city鈥檚 historical core鈥攊s where the past shakes hands with charm and refuses to be boring. Spread on both sides of the Limmat River, this part of town still remembers when cobblestones were cutting-edge tech. They say 鈥淶urich is a city, but Old Town is a village鈥濃€攁nd yes, that pretty much nails it. A sort of medieval postcard with a side of espresso...

Old... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

Zurich's Historical Churches Tour

The history of Christianity in Zurich is duly reflected in the local churches, found here in abundance. Indeed, Christianity has been the dominant religion of Zurich for many centuries. And while, historically, the city was a center of the Protestant Reformation, today it is home to both Catholic and Protestant communities.

The Swiss Reformed Church is the largest Protestant denomination, but... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Zurich Gourmet Tour

Apart from its high-quality watches, Switzerland is famous for its unique delicacies. The secrets of their making have been preserved for centuries and passed on from father to son. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that a global banking and financial center such as Zurich can be also a haven for food enthusiasts seeking gourmet delights. On this self-guided walk, we invite you to... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Zurich Introduction Walking Tour

Zurich鈥擲witzerland鈥檚 largest city and possibly the classiest time machine you鈥檒l ever stroll through. Beneath its polished surface of banks, trams, and world-class chocolate lies a city with roots older than most empires. Humans have been hanging out here for over 6,000 years, and in 15 BC the Romans finally gave it a name: Turicum鈥攎eaning 鈥渢he place of Turos鈥�, likely stemming from a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

15 Distinctively Swiss Things to Buy in Zurich

Zurich is Switzerland鈥檚 largest city, and although it may feel like a bustling metropolis, the tranquil essence of the Alps flows fervently through the lively cobblestone streets, the buzzing train station, and the frenzied designer boutiques. Most shops in downtown Zurich open at 9 am and close...

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