Start your free time pleasantly by public transport. image: sbb
By train
Architecture and atmosphere: discover, by public transport, the charm of old Swiss towns. No traffic jams, no stress and respect for the climate.
MICHAEL GRUBE
Content in partnership with CFF
Info
Want a discovery trip? With public transport, you travel comfortably at a low cost. Find out more about the benefits of public transport: www.cff.ch/advantages
Travel together at a low price.
This spring, going on an excursion using public transport, as a couple, is particularly advantageous. In fact, holders of a GA, a discounted day pass or a half-fare day pass can, with the accompanying ticket, travel with the person of their choice for an entire day throughout the Switzerland, for only 39 francs. Take advantage of it until May 16.
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From the Middle Ages to the “Belle Époque” via the Renaissance and the Baroque, Switzerland’s architectural heritage is varied and unique. Our old towns are not just about old walls. Nestled in the most beautiful tourist regions of the country, they offer numerous excursion possibilities for the whole family. We present to you nine towns with charming historic centers that have much more to offer than “just old stone”. Of course, all these cities are accessible by public transport!
Gruyeres
The small historic town of Gruyères has retained its medieval appearance until today.image: switzerland tourism
Nestled in the south of the canton of Friborg on a rocky outcrop, Gruyères is known for its castle and its medieval charm. The town gave its name to the district of Gruyère, to the nearby lake, and, of course, to the famous cheese. It offers a panoramic view of the Moléson, an emblematic mountain of the Friborg Alps. Gruyères invites you to relax and includes a large number of restaurants serving regional specialties. During a stroll, visit the Gruyères castle and the HR Giger museum, or the “La Maison du Gruyère” demonstration cheese dairy, located at the foot of the village. The “Maison Cailler” chocolate factory in Broc and the Bains de la Gruyère in Charmey are perfect for an excursion.
Montreux
View of the old town of Montreux with Lake Geneva.image: montreux riviera
Perhaps you know this city where thousands of music lovers from all over the world flock every summer to attend its famous jazz festival. Thanks to its microclimate, Montreux has attracted people seeking rest and personalities from the world of literature and music since the 19th century. Freddie Mercury, for example, stayed there for a long time. The city paid tribute to him by erecting a statue in his likeness on the Market Square. Montreux, located on the banks of Lake Geneva, has impressive hotels and buildings in the “Belle Époque” style. Will you opt for an excursion to the nearby Château de Chillon, a walk in the Lavaux vineyard, a boat trip on the lake or a visit to “Chaplin’s World” in Vevey?
Estavayer-le-Lac
Estavayer-le-Lac offers an unforgettable experience. image: pierre cuony photographs-2023
A true capital of water sports and mainly wakeboarding, Estavayer-le-Lac, located on the south shore of Lake Neuchâtel, has the longest water ski lift in Switzerland. The city will also seduce you with its exceptional medieval city and the narrow streets of its historic center, to be discovered during a guided tour of urban art or aboard the little train. Another possibility: the “Museum of Estavayer-le-Lac and its frogs” with its astonishing dioramas, representing episodes of daily life in the 19th century with stuffed frogs. You can also admire prehistoric pile-dwelling sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you want nature, we recommend the “Grande Cariçaie”, one of the largest wetlands in Switzerland.
If we
The Basilica of Valeria near Sion.Image: Switzerland Tourism_tina sturzenegger
The old town of the capital of Valais is one of the best preserved in Switzerland and can boast of sunshine 300 days a year. A “Discovery walk” takes you in almost an hour and a quarter through the streets dotted with shops and restaurants, but also historical sites, which are described in detail on 14 panels retracing the city’s past. Little tip: every Friday morning, the old town market offers local products and crafts.
Solothurn
Pleasant walk in the city of Solothurn.image: solothurn tourismus_nicole schafer
Considered the most beautiful Baroque town in Switzerland, this town located on the banks of the Aar was from the 16th to the 18th century the residence of the plenipotentiaries of the kings of France. Numerous buildings dating from this era dot the route in the pedestrian old town, where you can stroll in complete relaxation. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Saint-Ours under any circumstances: it is considered the most important Swiss building of the beginning of classicism. On warm summer evenings, you can have a drink on the terrace along the river. There is no shortage of possibilities! To enjoy nature, there’s nothing like a cruise on the Aare or a walk on the Weissenstein.
Frauenfeld
Frauenfeld invites you to stroll through its streets.image: comewithus2
In the charming rectangular old town of Frauenfeld, medieval remains such as the castle and its tower dating from 1270 mix with imposing 18th century houses, built to accommodate representatives of the Federal Diet. During a stroll through the city, you will discover small museums that have nothing to envy of the big ones and you will be able to enjoy the view of the Seebach and Thur valleys. Do you want nature? So let yourself be tempted by a trip to the Plättli Zoo, a bike ride or a hike in the Seebach valley, towards one of the many castles in the surrounding area or the Ittingen Charterhouse.
Schaffhausen
View from the Munot over the old town of Schaffhausen.Image: Switzerland Tourism
Schaffhausen, a city with 171 oriel windows, is located in the northernmost part of Switzerland. One of the great cities of medieval commerce, it has kept traces of its former prosperity. During a stroll between the Renaissance and Rococo facades of the extended old town, you will find many small shops and businesses. You won’t be able to miss the Munot fortress, which has stood above the city since the 16th century, and a visit is absolutely worth the detour. The Rhine Falls, located in the immediate vicinity, are a must-see destination.
Baden
The Limmat flows quietly through Baden.image: aargau tourismus
Baden, it’s quite a program! Known for its thermal springs, the city has been a wellness destination since ancient Rome. With its Gothic and Baroque buildings, the old town is one of the most impressive in Switzerland. Even today, the streets of Baden are very lively. Throughout your walk, you will come across many interesting shops, restaurants, bars, and museums. If you want to relax, we of course recommend the thermal baths, but also one of the many parks.
Winterthur
Winterthur offers a nice pedestrian area with cafes and shops. image: christof seiler
Winterthur is full of treasures of art, history and nature and has the largest single pedestrian zone in Europe. The medieval old town is very lively and attracts tourists around Marktgasse, with its venerable mansions, small shops and restaurants, markets and festivals. But Winterthur, the sixth largest city in Switzerland, also offers a very rich cultural program. Don’t miss the Oskar Reinhart Collection, which includes masterpieces of European art. And if you come with your children, take a little detour to the Technorama, which will delight young and old with its many interactive activities.
