An inn dating back to 1733, a local history museum with changing exhibitions and a nature reserve with diverse habitats: Wallisellen offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay. You can get to know the city through its local history as well as its leisure activities and the protected natural area of Moos.
From village to city: Wallisellen’s history
Wallisellen is a city and political municipality in the BĂĽlach district of the canton of Zurich. Between the two world wars, it developed from a village into a suburban municipality; in 2022, Wallisellen officially acquired city status. An earlier milestone in its transport history was June 25, 1856: with the opening of the NOB railway line from Zurich via Wallisellen to Winterthur, Wallisellen and its station were connected to the Swiss railway network.
The Doktorhaus brings together several chapters of local history. It was built in 1733 as a substantial inn. After the inn was sold to a doctor and several doctors used the building as a medical practice, it came to be known as the “Doktorhaus.” In 1976, the Doktorhaus cooperative renovated the building under a building lease; it was then once again run as the “Wirtschaft zum Doktorhaus.” These chapters give the historic building a distinctive place in Wallisellen’s development.
Urban leisure: Glatt and sports facilities
The urban shopping scene includes the Glatt shopping center, described as Switzerland’s largest shopping center. Alongside shopping, it hosts seasonal events for all age groups. These include an augmented reality game and a book festival, as well as an annual Christmas carousel. Programs may change; if a particular event is important to your trip, check the latest event dates.
Food can also be part of a visit to Glatt: restaurants and bars offer local delicacies as well as Mediterranean and Asian dishes. The Globus Deli Tour takes you through Globus Delicatessa, giving you the chance to discover and sample products. Check the booking conditions in advance if you would like to join the tour.
Sportanlagen AG Wallisellen is divided into five areas: Water World, Wellness World, the multipurpose hall, Sportsworld and Winter World. The sports and recreation areas offer opportunities for swimming, working out, relaxing and ice skating. Aqua-fit classes at Water World are stated to be QualiCert-certified; check course availability before your trip. This gives you the choice of cultural visits, dining and various leisure activities, without having to squeeze everything into a single day’s itinerary.
Local history at the museum
The Wallisellen Local History Museum regularly presents temporary exhibitions on the history of Wallisellen and the former village of Rieden. A visit adds further stories from both places to the history of the Doktorhaus. The museum is open every first Sunday of the month from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., except in August; admission is free. Check the museum calendar before your visit, as exhibition topics and dates may change. Guided tours are available by arrangement for groups of two to a maximum of 30 people.
A different focus: the Moos nature reserve
Moos is Wallisellen’s nature reserve and covers just over five hectares. Its habitats include swamp forest, woodland edges, reed beds, sphagnum moss hummocks and open peat-cutting ponds. This gives it a different character from the city’s leisure and shopping options. Access to the area is restricted under the regulations issued by the municipal council in 1958. Please observe the local signs before visiting.
Getting to Glatt and the local history museum
Take S-Bahn line S8 or S14 to Wallisellen station to reach Glatt. From there, it is a seven-minute walk to Glatt; alternatively, bus 759 runs directly to the entrance. The local history museum can be reached by S-Bahn lines S8, S14 and S19, tram line 12 or bus 759 to Wallisellen station. From there, take bus 771 to the Lindenplatz stop. Check the timetables before you travel.
This makes it easy to choose what to see in Wallisellen based on your travel interests; plan around the relevant visitor conditions and transport options for each destination.
Discover more destinations: Eglisau, Rorbas, Embrach, Bülach, Opfikon, Höri, Zweidlen, Kloten.
Go to the main travel overview: BĂĽlach.
