Things to see and do German-Speaking Switzerland

The im Lagerhaus museum and its foundation have changed their name to Open Art Museum. They were founded in 1988 by a couple of collectors, with the aim of introducing visitors to many local artists from the Swiss naïve and outsider art scene. The exhibitions present different aspects of this " Outsider " art: art that fascinates through its plurality, its extraordinary content and its almost limitless creative richness. The exhibitions will appeal to lovers of contemporary art. There's a cosy little café on the first floor.

The Prestegg Museum in Altstätten is housed in an old house in Rabengasse and was founded in 1895. It was founded in 1895 and was restored at the end of the 1970s. Today it houses various collections on the history and traditions of the Rhine Valley. Various documents, but also furniture, handicrafts and religious art, as well as weapons, medals, coins and old musical instruments are on display.

The Kirchner Museum is a building of remarkable architecture. Inside are works by the painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It is the world's largest collection dedicated to this German Expressionist, who fell under the spell of Davos in 1917 and remained here until his death in 1938. The Kirchner Museum in Davos offers visitors the exceptional experience of imagining the artist at the very place of his creation, through different eras.

It was built in 1481, especially for its choir, with the stained glass windows Giacometti.

It is to be seen in the chorus of the choir, which dates back to 1492, and especially for its polychrome windows made by the Augusto Giacometti.

In the local Swiss dialect, a hüschi is a small house. The Nutli Hüschi in Klosters was built in 1565 by a certain Christian Nutli and today houses the town's museum. The regional museum in this former Walser farmhouse (the region's first inhabitants) dates from the 16th century and contains tools and furniture from the region's past. An opportunity to discover the traditional way of life of the time. A fascinating and instructive dive into the Switzerland of the past.

This complex at the top of the Schatzalp mountain is served by a funicular railway which leads to two toboggan runs, one of which is illuminated (in colour!) at night. Sledges can be hired directly from the funicular, which is open in summer and winter with two different types of slopes and sledges. Some blue and red ski runs in winter are also available with the funicular as a lift. The panorama hotel-restaurant at the top is an excellent address for lunch with a sublime view of the Davos mountains.

Located in the beautiful Haus Buol, the Rhaetian Museum tells the story of the town. It brings together archaeological, cultural and folkloric objects from the canton, covering periods from prehistory, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque and the ^19th century, right up to the ^20th century. The permanent exhibition is divided into several sections on different levels: archaeological discoveries, power and politics, the world of work, faith and knowledge.

Two completely different buildings make up the Museum of Fine Arts. One is very modern with concrete ornaments reminiscent of the fresco of the first building. The Bündner Kunstmuseum dates from the 1900s and tells the story of the life of the inhabitants of Graubünden. The culture and traditions of the local people are highlighted. Collections of Swiss artists from the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the works of Angelika Kauffmann, illustrate the beautiful mansion.

Archaeologists have found an apse dating from the^5th century on its site, which attests to a religious life. It was built between 1151 and 1272 in the late Romanesque style. It is nevertheless the only Episcopal church in Switzerland. Inside, the cathedral contains architectural and decorative treasures with two large, richly decorated and gilded triptychs, as well as a Roman well, which is over 800 years old. Among the treasures, you will appreciate the altars, the frescoes and the organs. The church has the privilege of having been preserved like all the buildings of the bishopric.

The town hall is worth a visit above all for its magnificent colonnaded and rib-vaulted courtyard. It was built in 1465 in the late Gothic style after the terrible fire that devastated the city of Chur in 1464. Before that, there were three different parts of the building and it was decided to unify the building during the reconstruction. It has some beautiful rooms from the Renaissance period, notably the Ratssaal or Council Chamber (1494), decorated with carved medallions on the ceiling. One of the most unusual objects is the tower stove in the Great Council Chamber.

Once covered by the glacier, the gorge is now accessible through galleries and tunnels cut into the rock. At the end of the Middle Ages, the glacier descended to Grindelwald. By 1864 it had receded to such an extent that pink marble was being quarried. At the exit of the gorge, a crystal museum exhibits the minerals of the region. A visit to the gorge, with its glacial potholes, polished stones and pink and green marble blocks, is always enchanting.

The Trümmelbach Falls are a complex of ten glacier waterfalls inside the mountain, equipped with a tunnel lift and lighting. They are the only waterfalls to come out of the glacier walls of the three mountains of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The result is a unique spectacle in Europe! These huge waterfalls are absolutely impressive, with a flow rate of up to 20,000 litres per second in spring. Indeed, it is during the period of glacier melt that the picture is most extraordinary.

In the heart of the city of Interlaken stands this small, soothing and unexpected park: a Japanese garden. Created in 1995 by a landscape architect from the Japanese twin town of Otsu, this Japanischer Garten is the first in Switzerland. In this small space, a beautiful harmony emerges between minerals and plants. A nice walk in a gentle place, which symbolizes the friendship between the two cities, Interlaken and Otsu. To be visited in spring to enjoy the colours of the season.

This is a museum for the whole family! In this playful place, you can follow the development of tourism in the region over the last 200 years on three floors. The presentation is made in a humorous way. You will discover the custom of the Kiltgang, or night visit of young boys to young girls, with compulsory passage through the window. Apparently typical of the canton of Bern, the custom seems to have been exported widely!

The valley offers magnificent alpine scenery, with historic passes and secluded side valleys. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including hiking, trail-running, cycling and mountain biking. The alpine waters also offer plenty of places to swim and relax. For those wishing to discover the region, the MagicBlue Pass is available, giving access to three different natural sites.

Grindelwald, located in Switzerland, is a popular tourist destination for mountain and outdoor enthusiasts. Grindelwald offers a variety of activities, including mountain biking, hiking, climbing and golf. Visitors can also take advantage of the region's stunning scenery and tourist attractions, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site and theme walks.

Oberhofen Castle is set between lakes and mountains, and the view of the ensemble is breathtaking, especially at night when the castle is illuminated. In the details, the most experienced will distinguish the reconstructions carried out, from the 17th to the 19th century, around the original 12th century residential tower. The interior houses an annex of the Bernese History Museum, with a fine selection of furniture and regional collections on the Bernese Oberland. The visit ends with a stroll through the castle park by the water.

Large park on the edge of the lake with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio.

Housed in a former hotel, this museum boasts an interesting permanent collection of works by Swiss pop, landscape and contemporary artists. These include Swiss masters Lory, Aberli, Lafond and Wocher, as well as ^19th- and^20th-century artists such as Ferdinand Hodler, Cuno Amiet, René Auberjonois and Paul Klee. The ticket can be combined with the Thun Panorama, featuring 360° panoramas painted by a ^19th-century painter from Basel, Marquard Wocher.

The first part of the castle was built between 1180 and 1190 by the Dukes of Zähringen and then, from 1218, by the Kybourg family. The keep dates from the first period and the cap and the four corner towers from the second. The castle was passed from hand to hand until 2006, when it was bought by the city, which installed the regional court there until 2009. Today it houses the historical museum. The view from its towers is very beautiful.

Located in the Lauterbrunnen valley, the Mürrenbach waterfall is Switzerland's highest waterfall. At an altitude of 750 m, it cascades down five levels of cliff. Enormous masses of water tumble down the Mürrenfluh River over these five levels to a height of 417 metres. It's even more impressive when the snow melts or after a summer storm. It is, however, less spectacular than its neighbor, the Staubbach waterfall, as it is hidden in the rocks while its neighbor falls steeply. It's a sublime place to discover during your stay!

The canton of Aargau is very green, offering no less than 1,600 km of trails and 1,000 km of cycle paths. It's a paradise for nature activities and green tourism. Take advantage of this wellness region to immerse yourself in the warm waters of the Zurzach Thermabald thermal springs. The tourist office will be happy to provide you with details of all the cultural discoveries and natural escapes on offer. A stopover to discover the castles is a must.

Located less than 20 minutes from the towns of Biel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Neuchâtel and next to the Tavannes valley and the Franches-Montagnes, the Chasseral Regional Park is a magnificent place between mountains and valleys, plains and lakes. Here, the Chasseral massif sees several cultures converge at its summit: French and German-speaking, artisanal and industrial, rural and urban, land and lake... Created in 2001, the Chasseral Regional Park aims to improve the reception of the public and to maintain and enhance the natural heritage of the region.

Founded in 1990 in the former Biel City Hospital, the Centre d'art Pasquart programs innovative temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and film screenings around this theme. The museum boasts a collection of over 1,800 works by 130 artists, including Clare Goodwin, Rachel Lumsden and Susan Morris. The museum's spacious layout makes it easy to move around the works. Guided tours are regularly organized in French. Bilingual workshops for children aged 5 to 11. Attentive welcome.

In front of the head office of the famous biennoise watchmaking company, this museum invites you behind the scenes and the history of this logo with the presentation of numerous objects, documents and evidence.

In this village, Max Bösch, known as the "father of storks", founded a stork park after the last war to ensure the survival of this bird in Switzerland. The fact is that on many of the village's rooftops, whole families of storks nest and welcome visitors. Currently, about 20 nests are occupied and about 200 storks live here. The black stork, an endangered species, is a regular visitor. The storks are more numerous in summer.

Built at the end of the 17th century, Schloss Waldegg, which actually looks more like a manor house than a castle, has a baroque interior and garden. It is now a museum, illustrating the life of its owners in the 18th century. It is also a meeting place for the different languages of the Confederation. The building has a lot of allure and the visit is the pretext for a nice little stroll. A great family outing.

The Stiftung Jesuitenkirche Solothurn, the beautiful Jesuit church in Solothurn, is one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Switzerland. Built in the 17th century between 1680 and 1689, according to the plans of the Jesuit Heinrich Mayer, it is distinguished by the limestone statue of the Virgin Mary on the main façade, as well as by its organ, built a century later, at the end of the 18th century. The church regularly hosts outstanding organ concerts.

The Rothorn is a historical attraction! This little red locomotive has been taking tourists to the summit of the Rothorn since 1892. On board the steam train, you can discover the region from Lake Brienz to the summit at an altitude of over 2300 metres. The view from the top is breathtaking. Accessible from June to October by train, this panoramic site is a must-see. On clear days, you can see more than 100 peaks of the Rothorn. Good to know: the ride on the steam train is free on your birthday.

Burgdorf Castle was built by the Zähringen family in the ^12th century. It is one of Switzerland's oldest fortresses, and is extremely well preserved. Restored several times, this imposing building now houses a museum with several collections relating to the art and history of the region, as well as a youth hostel and restaurant. Spend the night here and experience the life of a castle!

The glacier waters from the Wetterhorn massif have created a particularly wild landscape in these gorges. The adventure between waterfalls, caves, rocks and the untamed energy of the water is unforgettable. The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge can only be climbed (up to 115 m) and takes about 45 minutes. The descent is then made through the forest. On arrival, have a snack in the Café Schluchthüttli.

Along almost 1,400 m of trails, you can admire these gorges formed by the Aare glacier in soil that was weakened during the Ice Age. A natural wonder! The steep walls plunge to depths of up to 200 m, and in places are only a metre apart. The trail along these rock faces is a real highlight. These sumptuous gorges are the perfect opportunity to embark on an adventure, alone or with the family, to discover geology - a natural spectacle not to be missed under any circumstances.

In 1891, after a duel with Professor Moriarty(The Last Problem), Conan Doyle decided to kill his famous hero by throwing him into the Reichenbach Falls. As the world's most famous detective is not so easily discarded, Sir Arthur was forced to resurrect him for other adventures, but this episode was well worth a museum. Built on the site of a former English church, it houses a reconstruction of the famous drawing room at 221b Baker Street, with hundreds of authentic exhibits to delight fans.

The village of Saanen was once larger than Gstaad. Saanen is enchanted by the beauty of its architecture and nature as far as the eye can see. In terms of heritage, take a look at the beautiful Baroque-style house built in 1757: the Salt House. Salt was sold here until the late 1950s. The ceilings have been worked with a special plane to create the typical "cat's claw" effect. The Tourist Office team will be happy to guide you during your stay.

The team at the office will be delighted to welcome you and suggest a wide range of activities in the Simmental. The region is green with pastures and hilly landscapes. Cows are the queens of the meadows, and their meat is known to be one of the best in Switzerland. Sporting activities abound, and the region is renowned for its rock-climbing. The best part is enjoying alpine festivals and farm lunches.

Even when the tourist office is closed, the information room remains open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., where you can find lots of useful information. What's more, the tourist office offers a selection of postcards to send to your loved ones, as well as electric bike rentals for exploring the region. Be sure to stop by the Diemtigen tourist office to start your adventure in this beautiful Swiss region.

Zweisimmen, in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, is a welcoming village that serves as the gateway to the renowned Gstaad-Saanenland region. It is also the starting point for the Montreux-Oberland bernois railroad, which leads to Montreux on Lake Geneva. The village lies in a wide valley and is one of the ten villages of the Gstaad destination. In winter, winter sports enthusiasts can take advantage of the "Gstaad Mountain Rides" ski area, which offers 120 km of pistes, as well as the Sparenmoos high plateau with its 38 km of cross-country ski trails. In summer, Zweisimmen is a hiker's paradise with several theme trails and mountain bike excursions. Visitors can also enjoy the pleasures of scootering, cycling and mountain biking. Zweisimmen also offers a variety of hotels, restaurants and events throughout the year.

The Gstaad-Saanenland holiday region is characterized by its typical architecture and the chalet village of Saanen. In 1575, the village was almost completely destroyed by fire. Some of the houses, however, pre-date this reconstruction. The Trachselhaus is the most famous of the village's many wooden houses, typical of the region with their square shapes and wide, canopied roofs. Some date back to the ^16th century. An audioguide is available to take you on a tour of the village.

The first mention of Saanen's church dates back to 1228. A beautiful church that retains all its character, its most striking feature is the bell tower in the shape of a Romanesque tower (Bernese bell tower style) dating from 1444. Inside, a series of ^15th-century frescoes, painted al fresco, depict the martyrdom of the saint who gave the church its name, and on the north side of the nave, the Last Judgment. In the balustrades, you can admire the ^{mid-18th-century} organ, with its imposing Baroque-style case and lovely paintings that have remained intact despite the passage of time.

This museum covers, in four languages, everything about the Alps: its history, culture and traditions, its fauna and flora, its place in art, Alpine sports... It also offers temporary exhibitions on environmental issues and sustainable development throughout the year. The museum deals with the most famous ascents and the life of men in alpine country. Photos and commentaries are used to support the temporary exhibitions. On the site, you will find the complete program to come. A restaurant awaits you on site.

It all started with the small bird library and a natural cabinet in the main library. Thanks to patrons, the collection has grown! The most important collection in Europe, presented in a diorama, with 226 display cases. European mammals and exotic birds are displayed in their natural environment. There is also a collection of precious stones. Barry, the Great Saint Bernard who died in 1814, is a favourite with visitors.

The tourist office of this renowned ski resort is located in the main street of the village resort, to the right of the railway station. From May to October, the Gstaad Card gives free access to almost all means of transport, including mountain railways, as well as to museums and swimming pools in the region, and numerous discounts on other activities, such as the Glacier 3000 cable car and the day pass for the Montreux-Bernese Oberland Railway.

The Design Museum has moved to a second location (the first location was on Ausstellungsstrasse in the modern city) in the Toni-Areal in the trendy Zurich West district. The museum offers beautiful exhibitions on design, visual communication, media, photography and architecture. In particular, the museum's collections from its archives are of international importance: posters, graphic art, decorative arts, etc. since the beginning of industrialization. Workshops are also offered.

Opened to the public in 1952, the museum consists of three period villas (one of which was inhabited by the famous composer Richard Wagner) and its park (the Rieterpark), one of the most beautiful in the city. In 2002, a modern extension was added to the museum's traditional architecture (increasing its size by 125%): the exhibition rooms are located in a green glass pavilion called the Emerald. The museum offers a panorama of non-European art and houses treasures from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania.

The Kunsthalle (not to be confused with the Kunsthaus in Zurich) has 1,300 square metres of exhibition space where you can experience the past, present and future of contemporary art. The Kunsthalle is one of the most influential museums in the field of contemporary art and enjoys a good international reputation. Here you can discover (or rediscover) artists who are well established on the contemporary art scene, but also lesser-known, more underground talents. Exchanges, screenings and events are held throughout the year. It's a blast!

The Zurich Oberland, not far from Zurich, is an idyllic destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This vast natural landscape stretches from the Greifen and Pfäffikon lakes to the Tössbergland, offering magnificent mountain panoramas of the Zurich Oberland and the Alps. For hikers and bikers, there are numerous hiking and biking trails, as well as 27 mountain inns for rest and refreshment. The Zurich Oberland also offers a rich cultural heritage, with castles, churches, fortresses and convents to explore. In winter, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy 90 kilometers of cross-country ski trails, toboggan runs and snowshoe trails. In summer, hikers can explore the 1143 kilometers of hiking trails and swim in the Greifen and Pfäffikon lakes. The Zurich Oberland offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes and seasons.

The Tourist Information Office in the main railway station has numerous maps of the city and the region. You can also buy the Zürich Card there. Reception in French. Offers high quality guided tours of the city (on foot, by bus, by Segway...). Like a Swiss Army knife, the office offers you tour options and suggestions for getting to know the secrets of the city. You will be invited to download the application with the streets and the must-see places of the city. You will be guided for visits in the area such as the Lindt Museum.

Founded in 1886 by the Commercial Corporation, a kind of chamber of commerce, this museum is dedicated to the textile tradition of the city and Eastern Switzerland. The museum manages a collection of 56,000 objects. Donations from wealthy manufacturers enable the museum to exhibit some very fine collections of lace and embroidery. The museum organizes two to three thematic exhibitions a year, complementing the permanent exhibition. It also offers an extensive program of events, educational activities and a gift store.

St. Gallen's tourist office organizes a variety of interesting guided tours to find out all about the city's anecdotes. You'll also find all the documentation you need for a pleasant stay. The friendly, qualified staff will be happy to give you suggestions and advice on excursion destinations that will make your stay in the St. Gallen region a unique and unforgettable vacation experience.