Swiss National Museum

Also known as Schweizerisches Landesmuseum

The Swiss National Museum sits in a turreted Neo-Gothic building next to Zurich's main train station, and the incongruity of a castle-like structure at a railway hub is intentional: it was built in 1898 to anchor national identity in a country that was industrializing rapidly and needed to remind itself what it stood for.

The Swiss National Museum (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum) occupies a turreted Neo-Gothic building directly behind Zurich’s main train station, making it the most accessible major museum in the city. The permanent collection covers Swiss cultural history from the Stone Age through the 20th century; the 2016 modern extension hosts temporary exhibitions. Adults pay CHF 10; free on the first Sunday of the month. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00 (Thursday until 19:00). Allow 1.5-2.5 hours. A strong pairing with the Kunsthaus Zurich for a full cultural day.