Old towns

At the end of the 15th century, the town of Zug came into a certain amount of wealth when the Swiss became victors in the Burgundian Wars and came away with an abundance of spoils. A town hall was constructed from 1505 to 1509 in the late Gothic style.

On this guided tour, you’ll head off together in search of criminals and uncover their illegal wheeling and dealing in the city of St. Gallen.

Solothurn’s Jesuit Church may stand in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral of St. Ursen, but it is also well worth a visit – and about a hundred years older.

The old town area of Biel/Bienne is a real gem. With its mediaeval buildings and squares, pretty shops and culinary specialities, this magical district is full of surprises and tasty treats. Whether architecture, culture, history or gastronomy – the old town scores high for variety. Biel is also the largest bilingual city in Switzerland. Here, the German-speaking and French-speaking parts of Switzerland become one.

Schaffhausen is a town that has much to offer. Its mediaeval facades, 171 majestic oriel windows, winding alleyways, street cafes and restaurants combine with enchanting shops to give it a special appeal. This year there is a new way to experience Schaffhausen's old town.

Schaffhausen is one of the best-preserved mediaeval towns and is perfect for a guided tour.

Summer in the city? Absolutely. In the vibrant city of Thun, water is never more than a stone’s throw away. Take a dip in the refreshing water at the time-honoured Schwäbis river pool, watch the Aare surfers for that Hawaii feeling and enjoy the fresh air on the deck of the Blümlisalp to get the full Thun experience.

The medieval castle above the town of Thun is a striking focal point at the entrance to the Bernese Oberland region. This almost completely preserved symbol of power contains the Knights' Hall, one of the few surviving halls of its type from the Middle Ages.

The Helmhaus is located on the right-hand banks of the River Limmat in Zurich’s old town. Its temporary exhibitions reflect the lively art scene in Switzerland.

The Rhine provides the Schaffhauserland with refreshing water. On hot days, refreshment is not only to be found at the Rhine Falls. There is also a lot to discover in the medieval towns of Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein.

This splendid building on the market square was built in various stages between the 16th and 19th centuries and is still today the seat of the government and Parliament of the canton of Basel City.

The scenic alternative to the traditional city tour. A grocer from the middle ages will accompany you on a trip back in time through the streets and alleyways of Schaffhausen.

A significant building with a Renaissance facade. In the interior you will find numerous frescoes and important Baroque decorations.

As a thousand-year-old city, Neuchâtel enchants visitors with its exceptional charm, elegance and privileged location on the largest lake in all of Switzerland. The area around the castle and abbey church is particularly lovely.

Some evenings, one could almost think that time has stood still in the old town of Schaffhausen: And on joining a Schaffhausen night watchman to tour the town, you can listen to some interesting facts as well as peculiar, spooky and amusing incidents from times long gone by.

The church, which was originally part of a Franciscan monastery, is home to Switzerland's most famous Renaissance fresco. It covers the whole wall of the nave. The "Passion and and Crucifixion of Christ" is defined by great expressiveness and vividness of the individual scenes.

The sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso in Orselina above Locarno is the most famous place of pilgrimage in the Italian part of Switzerland. It is rooted in the ancient tradition of votive gifts.

The Old Town of Lausanne has imposing buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, such as the famous Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The charming city on Lake Geneva has a lot to offer otherwise as well. For instance, Switzerland's first subterranean mountain train.

Each Saturday, people come together to enjoy the colourful weekly market that stretches from Piazza Nosetto to the alleyways of the old town.

Due to its multicultural character, Geneva is often called the smallest metropolis. It has a lively Old Town with wine taverns, art galleries and antique dealers. The Cathedral of Saint Pierre sits on the peak of the hill on which the Old Town is located.

From the historic villages of Lavaux to the vertiginous peaks of the Rochers-de-Naye and the pristine waters of Lake Geneva, visiting Montreux Riviera is like stepping into a postcard. An immersion in the very heart of dramatic landscapes where great outdoors, panoramic views and the lifestyle are the keywords.

Solothurn is said to be the most beautiful baroque city in Switzerland. The imposing buildings were constructed in various epochs: ranging from the first half of the 12th century, when the clock tower was built, to 1773, when St. Ursus Cathedral was constructed in baroque and neo-classical style.

In summer, the capital of the canton of Jura immerses itself in the world of comics. The “Delémont’BD” festival, which honours and celebrates the art of comics, breathes new life into Delémont’s old town. 

Aarau is known as the city of beautiful gables. And the opportunities for shopping are just as varied and colourful as the lovingly painted undersides of its roofs. As both a traditional market town and modern shopping city, Aarau has a lot to offer for wants and needs of all kinds, no matter whether for every day or for a special occasion.

Set on a hillside facing Lake Geneva and the mountains, Lausanne offers walkers plenty of extraordinary panoramic views. This downhill stroll will take you to the 10 most beautiful vantage points in the city.

Winterthur is mentioned in documents as early as 1180. At that time, the Romans called this settlement Vitudurum. The compact rows of houses, the alleys and lanes, backyards and squares make for charming excursions.

Culinary delights, culture and beer all come together in the small city of Rheinfelden on the Upper Rhine in Aargau. Where a small medieval old town, the oldest Zähringer town in Switzerland, invites you to take a stroll. On leaving the town, one building in particular catches the eye: that of the Feldschlösschen brewery. It is the leading brewery in Switzerland and produces excellent beer.

Sion, called Sitten in German, is the capital of the Canton of Valais. The Old Town, which lies between the hills of Valère and Tourbillon, dates back to the Middle Ages and is home to numerous sights and attractions, such as one of the world's oldest organs that can still be played.

The Münster is one of Basel's main sights. Situtated in a promiment position high above the Rhine River, the former episcopal church presides high above the region.

The stately trees and broad promenade are picture perfect at any time of the year. All three of the parks in Rheinfelden are popular spots for snapping photos as they are located directly on the Rhine and offer a wonderful view of the old town.

The well-preserved castle of Neuchâtel, which is over 1,000 years old and from which the city gets its name, towers above the small city of Neuchâtel. From here, you have the best view for miles.