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Many of Zürich's designer boutiques lie hidden along the narrow streets between Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmat River. Quirky bookstores and antiques shops lurk in the sloping cobblestone alleyways leading off Niedorfstrasse and Oberdorfstrasse. The fabled Bahnhofstrasse—famous because it's reputedly the most expensive street in the world—is dominated by large department stores and extravagantly priced jewelry shops.
Many city-center stores are open weekdays 9–8, Saturday 8–5. Most close on Sunday, with the exception of the shops at the Hauptbahnhof, the Stadelhofen train station, and the airport. Many smaller shops, particularly in the Niederdorf area, open later in the morning or the early afternoon and are closed entirely on Monday.
The main train station, Zürich Hauptbahnhof, and Niederdorfstrasse each host a Christmas market starting in early December. The newer Bellevue Christmas Market on Sechseläutenplatz features original Swiss designs, ice skating, fondue houses, and food trucks. But the highlight is the market around The Singing Christmas Tree on Werdmühleplatz, where choirs sing carols from a tree-shaped podium.
This cozy indie bookstore with a bar and coffee counter stocks a great selection of international magazines and features a stage for regular readings and literary discussions. No laptops are allowed on Sunday or bank holidays.
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