Dübendorf is a town in the Uster district of the canton of Zurich. The municipality includes parts of the upper Glatt Valley as well as outlying settlements on the northern slope of the Adlisberg, placing it on the edge of the Zurich Oberland. A stay here can focus on a range of themes: Swiss aviation history, culture, outdoor activities and the countryside. If you are looking for a hotel in Dübendorf, you can first consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay and choose your sightseeing accordingly.
Aviation History and the Flugweg Trail
The first Swiss airfield was built in 1910 on drained marshland between Dübendorf and Wangen and opened on 8 October that year. Dübendorf is considered the birthplace of Swiss civil and military aviation. The Flieger Flab Museum is dedicated to the history of Swiss military aviation and air defence. It displays more than 40 aircraft and helicopters; video presentations and flight simulators are also available. Check the latest information about these offerings before your visit.
The eight-kilometre Flugweg trail, which runs around the historic airfield, offers another way to explore the subject. You can follow it on foot or by bicycle. Alongside aviation, the trail also highlights nature and innovation. Its length gives the outing a definite scope, while the two suggested ways of getting around offer different ways to explore.
Architecture and Cultural History
The Lazariter Church in Gfenn was built in the 13th century as a Romanesque place of worship. Its rectangular nave and narrower square chancel create a clearly structured floor plan. By 1963, the church had been largely restored; it was consecrated on 30 April 1967. Dübelstein Castle also dates from the 13th century: it was built around the middle of that century on an artificially quarried rocky outcrop in the Schlossbach ravine. There is also an educational trail near the Schlosstobel. In Dübendorf, the Obere Mühle is a cultural and community centre.
Activities and Practical Information
At Adventure Arena Dübendorf, you can try reality gaming in 20 rooms featuring a variety of challenges. Teams of two to five people can tackle the tasks together. There are two ways to get there: take the bus to the “Dübendorf, Sonnental” stop, or take the S-Bahn to “Stettbach” and then walk for ten minutes.
The Chreis area offers a range of sports facilities, including mini golf and table tennis. The artificial ice rink comprises an enclosed ice hall with a grandstand and an open-air rink covering more than 1,800 m². There is also a curling hall with four rinks. The 18-hole mini-golf course with a children’s playground is open only during the summer months. The facilities therefore vary both by activity and by season; when planning, note in particular that mini golf is available for a limited time.
Countryside and Farm Shop
The Dübelstein landscape is a peaceful area, largely untouched by buildings and major infrastructure. In some places, there are views across the Glatt Valley. Together with the educational trail near the Schlosstobel, this aspect of the landscape offers a different focus from the history of the airfield and the town.
The open Wachtelmichel farm has a playground, a fire pit and animals. Its unattended farm shop sells seasonal products from the farm, including berries, green asparagus, jams and grilling sausages; the shop is open around the clock. By planning your stay around a particular interest, you can explore a range of themes in Dübendorf, from the historic airfield and architecture to sport and countryside. Your planned itinerary can be a useful starting point when choosing a hotel.
Discover more destinations: Maur, Egg, Volketswil, Fällanden, Schwerzenbach, Greifensee, Mönchaltorf, Uster.
Back to the main travel overview: Uster.
