Platzspitz is a riverside park beside Zurich’s main train station and the Swiss National Museum, set between the Limmat and Sihl. Shaded paths, green lawns and flowerbeds make it a calm stop for a walk or picnic close to the city centre. At the park’s tip, the two rivers meet. Its past includes life as a royal garden and a difficult period as a place known as “Needle Park”; today it is a public green space used by families and visitors. Spring brings magnolia and cherry blossoms.
Between the Limmat and Sihl
Platzspitz lies beside Zurich’s main train station and the Swiss National Museum. The park occupies the land between the Limmat and Sihl rivers, with paths running beneath mature plane trees. At its tip, the rivers meet. The setting makes it easy to add a quiet walk to a visit to the museum or the nearby station.
A park with a changing past
Platzspitz’s history stretches back to the Middle Ages, and it was once a royal garden. In the 1980s and 1990s, it became known as “Needle Park.” The park was later renovated and cleaned up, and is now used as a family-friendly public space. Its lawns, paths and flowerbeds provide room for a walk or a picnic. In spring, magnolias and cherry trees bring seasonal colour.
FAQ
Is Platzspitz free to visit?
Yes. Admission to the park is free.
Where is Platzspitz?
The park is at Platzpromenade 5 in Zurich, beside the Swiss National Museum and between the Limmat and Sihl rivers.
When is the best time to see blossoms?
Visit in spring to see magnolia and cherry trees in bloom.
