
16 Distinctively Swiss Things to Buy in Zurich
1. Cuckoo Clock

Swiss cuckoo clocks are specifically sought after for their high-quality craftsmanship, delightful music and, of course, irresistible charm. Clocks range in quality and price, from 392 to 925 CHF for wooden, handmade, pendulum-operated versions, or similar battery-operated ones for 365 CHF, available at Schweizer Heimatwerk. Less expensive clocks can be purchased from most souvenir shops in Zurich, including Teddy’s Souvenir shop at Limmatquai 34, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 8 pm, Saturdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Teddy’s sells a pendulum-operated clock for as little as 32.80 CHF, and a mechanical 8-day clock with music for 2,000 CHF.
Address: Limmatquai 34,
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 8 pm,
Saturdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm,
Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.
2. Cheese Fondue Set

Bring home the important and fun piece of Swiss culture by purchasing a hand-painted fondue pot, or an entire fondue set, right from the country that invented it. Artistic hand-painted ceramic pots can be purchased at Schweizer Heimatwerk for 99 to 150 francs, and feature adorable hand-painted cows, St. Bernard dogs, or Swiss crosses. Matching forks for 80 to 120 francs for four, and warmers for 128 to 220 francs can be purchased to compete your fondue set. As a less pricey option, basic sets can be purchased from Manor department store at Bahnhoffstrasse 75, for as little as 40 francs for a single serving size.
Address: Uraniastrasse 1.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
3. Swiss Chocolate

The newer Merkur confectionery, open Monday through Friday from 9 am until 8 pm, and Saturdays until 6 pm, sells the highly-sought after handmade Laderach chocolates. Merkur is located in the heart of Bahnhoffstrasse, at number 106. A box of 24 Laderach truffles sells for 33.50 CHF and a box of 8 pralines is 12.50 CHF. A great gift idea for those not lucky enough to join you in your Swiss adventure would be a box of locally-made pralines, featuring a painting of Lake Zurich on the front.
The Lake Zurich box is available from well-known Zurich chocolatier, Teuscher, and ranges in price from 32 to 128 CHF. Teuscher has two locations in Zurich with longer opening hours than most shops. Their quaint shop, located down a cobblestone alley of the Old Town, at Storchengasse 9, is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday - 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Teuscher’s larger and often busier location, at Bahnhofstrasse 46, is open Monday through Wednesday from 9 am till 7 pm, Thursday and Friday 9 am to 8pm, Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, and Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm. To discover Zurich’s different confectioneries and bakeries, selling a wide variety of hand-painted pralines, magical macaroons, and amazing marzipans, just wander down Bahnhofstrasse or any of its side streets, such as Rennwegg or Schlüsselgasse, and discover Zurich’s numerous delights.
Address: Bahnhoffstrasse 106.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturdays until 6 pm.
Teuscher
Address: Old Town, at Storchengasse 9.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm,
Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm,
Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Teuscher
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 46.
Working Hours:
Monday to Wednesday from 9 am to 7 pm,
Thursday and Friday 9 am to 8pm,
Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm,
Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm.
4. “Swiss Made” Watches

The sophisticated Les Ambassedeurs store at Bahnhofstrasse 64, or the new Patek Phillippe boutique at Bahnhofstrasse 31, will flatter you with movie star treatment if you are in the market for a new Rolex or Chopard. For those looking for a more varied shopping experience, Manor department store has the largest selection of watches on the block. Located at number 75 on Bahnhofstrassee, open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm, Manor sells Swatch’s youthful new brand Flik Flak, starting at 35 francs, a special Tissot for 7500 francs, and everything in between.
5. Heidi Books

Orell Fussli, the bookshop located at Bahnhoffstrasse 70, open Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm and Saturdays 9 am to 6 pm, is the largest English-language bookstore in all of Europe. It holds over 40,000 books in English, and provides a warm quiet venue to browse for your perfect version of the Heidi series. Offered in hard and soft cover, a variety of Heidi books can be purchased from Orell Fussli for between 8.90 and 30 francs. Schweizer Heimatwerk sells the complete set in beautifully-illustrated hardcovers for 47 francs each. The shop also sells an adorable hand-sewn rag book for 155 francs, and includes removable cloth characters. The handmade Heidi doll is 87 francs.
6. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Souvenir shops, selling Swiss army knives, can be found throughout Zurich’s downtown, including Dolmetsch, with one location in the Zurich train station, open Monday to Friday 8 am until 9 pm, 9 am to 8 pm on Saturdays, and another at Limmatquia 126, open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm, and until 6 pm on Saturdays. Domletsch sells a variety of Vicorinox knives and luggage. Purchase “My First Victorinox” for 25 francs, the “Cyber Tool” for 32 francs, a knife with a painting of Lake Zurich on the front for 37 francs, or the robust “Swiss Champ” for 422 francs.
7. Music Boxes

The classic style of Swiss music boxes has not changed from its day of invention, but today a much larger selection is available. Boxes are available with hand-painted scenes of olden day hikers and shepherds, or come fashioned as wooden Swiss chalets with detailed carving of flowers and water troughs. More contemporary designs are also available: a transparent box that allows the incredible inner-workers to be seen, or the “Royles Royce” of music boxes, a large polished inlaid wooden box with changeable rules, sold for 10,000 francs. Schweizer Heimatwerk has the best selection of wooden handmade music boxes, priced from 100 francs to the 10,000-franc art piece.
Address: Uraniastrasse 1.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
8. Mondaine Railway Clock

Its exclusive movement spreads 58 seconds over the course of one minute. The clock then appears to stop time for two seconds. To the Swiss, being two seconds early always makes you on time. Today, replicas of the clock are available for purchase in a variety of sizes. Display a piece of Swiss design perfection in your own home by purchasing one from Manor department store for 139 francs, or from Schweizer Heimatwerk for 180 to 195 francs, which includes a small replica of the station’s entire clock stand.
9. Army Blanket Products

In a small saddler’s workshop on the mountainside, the warm and waterproof material is reworked into fashionable messenger bags and purses, handy waist packs and travel duffels, hearty rain boots and gloves, a variety of comfy slippers, even pencil bags, book covers, and i-pod holders. Swiss army blanket products are classic fashion pieces that are sure to stay in style just as the iconic blanket has.
The magical Franz Karl Weber toyshop at Bahnhofstrasse 52, open Monday to Wednesday 9 am to 6:30 pm, Thursday to Friday until 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, and extended hours before Christmas, sells a selection of Army blanket bags for 50 to 165 francs. The best selection of products however, can be found at Schweizer Heimatwerk, with items priced from 11 francs for the i-pod holder to 238 francs for the large duffel.
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 52.
Working Hours:
Monday to Wednesday 9 am to 6:30 pm,
Thursday to Friday until 8 pm,
Saturday 9 am to 6 pm,
Extended hours before Christmas.
10. Appenzeller Dog Collar

Traditional designs feature smooth leather and gold metal cutouts in the shapes of herders, dogs, and cows. Modern versions can be found with faux alligator print and shiny white Swiss crosses. Schweizer Heimatwerk offers the traditional style of collar from 52 francs to 79 francs, with matching leashes for 72 francs. A quick tram ride from the main shopping area of Bahnhofstrasse, to Sternenstrasse 74, will deliver you to the modern boutique, The House of Dog, that sells the updated version of the collar for 120 francs to 150 francs, depending on the size. The House of Dog is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6:30 pm, and Saturdays until 6 pm. The small shop is a dog-lover’s heaven with an abundance of contemporary Swiss-made dog products.
11. Raclette Maker

The word Raclette is derived from the French racler, which means, “to scrape”, and that’s just what you do. Although today, Raclette is often made on a special electric tabletop grill, the unique spatula used to scrape the cheese has not changed. Raclette cheese is often available in specialty shops worldwide, so bring home your own decorative Raclette maker and serve up the pungent and unforgettable flavors of this traditional Swiss dish for your friends and family. There is no need to worry about electrical converters, because Manor department store sells a cute candle-powered Raclette maker that includes a special scraper for 15.90 CHF.
12. Navyboot Leather Shoes

Bring home a pair of hearty, chocolate-brown calfskin boots, spicy-red Mary Jane pumps, or classic Goodyear welted penny loafers, that showcase Switzerland’s high-quality fashion. To explore Navyboot’s Swiss-made products, visit their newly-reopened flagship store, boasting classic Le Corbusier furniture and a Swarovski chandler, made just for the space, at Bahnhofstrasse 69, open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm and Saturdays until 6 pm. Other downtown Zurich locations include Nüschelerstrasse 35.
Address: Bahnhofstrasse 69.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturdays until 6 pm.
13. Traditional Swiss-Wear for Girls

Purchase a pair of these lovable little slippers for your special little girl, and coordinate them with her own classic Heidi style dress. Schweizer Heimatwork carries a hand-sewn Heidi dress, featuring a short-sleeved white blouse, embroidered red smock with a matching red bag, priced at 225 francs. Pair the head-turning Tiger Finkli, sold for 47 francs, with the hand-sewn Heidi dress, and your little girl will be yodeling with joy.
Address: Uraniastrasse 1.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
14. Alta Terra Alpine Herb Food Products

Impress your guests at your next dinner party by serving salad dressed in flavorful oils and vinegars infused with basil, parsley, lovage, and oregano, grown right in the Swiss Alps. Or kick up any dish with an innovative Alta Terra salt, made with coarse salt from the mines of Bex, Switzerland, mixed with herbs, spices, even tasty dried flowers, such as mallow and marigold. Schweizer Heimatwerk sells the black locust, or Akazien, honey for 17.50 CHF, the Alpine herb vinegar for 21 CHF, oil for 19 CHF, and the Alpine salts for 8.50 CHF.
Address: Uraniastrasse 1.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
15. Handmade Wooden Toys

Wooden toys and many other handicrafts can be found at Zurich’s most popular “Made in Switzerland” shop, Schweizer Heimatwerk. The centrally located store is located on the river’s edge, at Uraniastrasse 1, and houses locally-made traditional and contemporary handicrafts and artworks. The helpful English-speaking staff are there to assist you Monday-Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 6pm. Wooden toys range in price from 8 francs, for a top, to 74 francs for a train set.
16. Trychel Cow Bell

After a long summer grazing in high mountainous pastures, livestock are paraded down into the valley towns to take refuge in barns for the winter. The same colorful bells worn by animals in the parade are for sale in many shops throughout Zurich. Cowbells can be bought at nearly every souvenir shop, though the range of sizes and quality are minimal. Schweizer Heimatwerk sells authentic decorative bells for 19 francs for a keychain-sized bell, 830 francs for a very large detailed bell, and all sizes in between. Similarly, Franz Karl Weber sells a range of cowbells from 16 francs to 425 francs.
Address: Uraniastrasse 1.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm,
Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
Other Interesting Souvenirs from Switzerland
If traveling to Switzerland is not an option for you right now, or you simply can't afford extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting Swiss souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the top Swiss products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
2. Toblerone - This deliciously decadent chocolate bar, distinguished for its unique triangular shape (a series of prisms joined together), and containing nougat, almonds and honey, is historically produced in the Swiss capital Bern. It comes in rich dark, milk, and white chocolate variants. A superb gift for any chocolate lover.
3. SIGG bottle - Ideal for travelers and backpackers, extremely lightweight, durable and functional, SIGG is the original Swiss bottle manufactured from a single piece of pure aluminum, solvent-free, and eco-friendly. Available in 1L and 0.4L size (SIGG Little Kids Collection). “Made in Switzerland” at its best!
4. Caran D'ache - A collection of luxury writing instruments, created by Caran d'Ache, a Swiss manufacturer named after French political cartoonist Emmanuel Poiré, whose pseudonym “Caran d'Ache” literally means pencil (karandash) in Russian.
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