This industrial town in the Toss Valley, 20km (12 miles) northeast of Zurich, is also a music and cultural center, with an art collection that makes the short train trip from Zurich worthwhile. Winterthur was once a Roman settlement and became the seat of the counts of Kyburg. It later was a stronghold of the Habsburgs, until it was sold to Zurich. In the United States, the name Winterthur conjures up the du Pont mansion in Delaware with its museum of Americana, or a reference to the financial giant, Winterthur Insurance. Both of these take their name from this Swiss city.

Winterthur is best explored on foot. City officials have signposted an itinerary that takes in the history, architecture, and culture of the town.

A tourist office is at Im Hauptbahnhof (tel. 052/267-67-00), open November to April, Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm; May to October, Monday to Saturday 8am to 8:30pm and Sunday 8:30am to 6:30pm.

From Zurich's Hauptbahnhof, trains depart about every 20 minutes throughout the day (trip time: 20-26 min.).