Stadelhoferplatz

Stadelhoferplatz is a busy transport square in the centre of Zurich, in District 1 (Kreis 1), right in front of Stadelhofen station. It works as a gateway to the old town from the lakeside direction and as one of the city's key interchange points. The postcode here is 8001.

What is there to see at Stadelhoferplatz?

The square faces the Stadelhofen station building, put up in 1894 in a late-classicist style. The station was extended around the 1980s and early 1990s to a design by Santiago Calatrava, who had studied in Zurich and realised one of his early projects here. Its signature element is the open, partly see-through concrete-and-steel canopy over the platforms, often compared to the ribs of a bull. On the slope behind the rear platform runs a gallery with a planted pergola, reached over a short footbridge. Underneath is a shopping arcade whose entrances are sealed at night by elaborate swing gates.

Next to the station you will find the small Park Stadelhofen, a handy spot to slow down amid the traffic.

How do you get to Stadelhoferplatz?

Trams 2, 4 and 5 stop at the square. The Forch railway (S18) also terminates here, on its own loop with two platforms, and shares tram tracks with the city network between Stadelhofen and Rehalp. The main station handles S-Bahn and regional services and, according to 2025 figures, about 75,000 passengers a day. Zurich Hauptbahnhof is roughly 1.4 km away, a couple of minutes by train. The Opera House and Bellevue square are close, so a change of trains easily turns into a stroll to the lake.

What is nearby?

Within a short walk you will pass cafes and restaurants such as the Mövenpick Ice Cream Gallery, Santa Lucia Corso and Brasserie Schiller. On foot you can reach the Lake Zurich waterfront, the Opera House and the old-town lanes across the Limmat.

When should you go?

The square is in use around the clock as a transit hub. To look at Calatrava's architecture without the crowds, pick midday or a weekend. On a sunny afternoon the light plays best on the ribbed structure under the platform roof.

Frequently asked questions

Is Stadelhoferplatz the same as Sechseläutenplatz? No. Sechseläutenplatz is a separate, much larger square by the Opera House. Stadelhoferplatz is the square by Stadelhofen station.

Which trams serve Stadelhoferplatz? Lines 2, 4 and 5, plus the Forch railway S18.

Is the station worth a visit for its architecture? Yes. Calatrava's extension, with the platform canopy, pergola gallery and underground arcade, is an early work of his and a draw for architecture fans.

How far is it from the main station? About 1.4 km, around two minutes by train.