Home - Travel Destinations - St. Gallen, Switzerland – Best Things to Do and Beautiful Places to Visit
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Home - Travel Destinations - St. Gallen, Switzerland – Best Things to Do and Beautiful Places to Visit
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Near Zürich and Liechtenstein, you’ll find the charming city of St Gallen to the south of Lake Constance (German: Bodensee) in beautiful Switzerland. Although the city is not a touristy type of place, the architecture is something that might interest a lot of world travelers. You will find buildings in both modern and more traditional styles. The city has a few ‘hidden gems that most travelers are a bit aware of, so let’s go explore:
The video below is an overview of the (east) City. Even though you might not understand the language, you will still be able to enjoy the beauty of everything on offer. It will give you an idea of what to expect.
The Abbey District of St. Gallen is the heart of the city and one of the most beautiful historic areas in Switzerland.
Arrive just after sunrise.
The streets are silent, the pastel buildings glow softly, and the towers of the Abbey of St. Gall rise above the square.
Locals walk to work, café chairs are still stacked outside, and the town feels like it belongs only to you.
This is the best moment for photos and for simply standing still and taking it in.
The Abbey District of St.Gallen has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Visit the Library and the lapidarium of the convent.
The Abbey Library of St Gall – ‘The Abbey Library of St.Gallen is the oldest library in Switzerland and one of the largest and oldest monastery libraries in the world. Its extraordinarily valuable book collection documents the development of European culture and the St.Gallen monastery from the 8th century until the abbey was abolished in 1805.’
St Gallen is home to the Abbey of St. Gall / St. Gallen Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of St Gall). This beautiful complex includes a monastery, an interesting library, and a twin-towered cathedral. A visit to the Abbey of St Gall is definitely something you should have on your itinerary.
Step Inside One of the World’s Most Beautiful Libraries and Cathedrals.
The Abbey Library of St Gallen is definitely worth a visit and simply something you just have to see. Certainly on our list of ‘must see libraries around the world‘.
The Abbey Library of St. Gallen looks like something out of a dream.
Curved wooden galleries, painted ceilings, and rows of ancient books fill the hall.
This library dates back more than a thousand years and holds manuscripts from the early Middle Ages. Visitors slip soft felt slippers over their shoes to protect the old floors before entering.
Standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by centuries of knowledge, is one of the most memorable moments in the city.
One of the simplest pleasures in St. Gallen is sitting outside at a small café.
The streets around Marktplatz are full of cozy terraces. Order a coffee, watch the trams glide past, and enjoy the relaxed pace of the city. The town feels lively but never rushed.
St. Gallen is famous for its ornate bay windows, known locally as “Erker”.
More than 100 decorated bay windows can be found in the old town. Some are carved from stone, others painted in bright colours, and many are decorated with tiny sculptures.
Walking through the streets slowly becomes a treasure hunt.
Look up as you stroll along Gallusstrasse and the surrounding lanes — each corner reveals another elaborate window.
A Small Travel Tip for St. Gallen
Many visitors pass through St. Gallen on their way to Zurich or Liechtenstein and stay only a few hours. Staying overnight lets you see the town at its most beautiful — early morning and evening when the old streets grow quiet and the cathedral lights glow above the rooftops.
Visit and explore nearby Werdenberg with its beautifully decorated buildings. Balconies with petunias and geraniums, stunning craftsmanship, and hand-painted wording and decorations on buildings, immediately draw your attention. The area is also filled with beautiful gardens in the summertime and the area is known for its old town buildings with bay windows.
The colorful village of Appenzell lies only about 20 minutes from St. Gallen.
Painted houses line the main street, each one decorated in bright patterns and traditional designs. Small shops sell local cheese, handmade crafts, and Swiss specialties. Walking through the village feels relaxed and cheerful.
Many visitors come here simply to wander, enjoy lunch on the square, and admire the charming architecture.
The wide blue water of Lake Constance lies only a short train ride away.
The lakeside town of Rorschach has a pleasant promenade with cafés and views across the water toward Germany. Boats, sailing yachts, and distant mountains create a peaceful scene.
It’s a lovely place for a walk, a coffee by the water, or a relaxed lunch.
One of Europe’s smallest countries is less than an hour away.
The capital Vaduz sits below a hilltop castle and offers a surprisingly scenic setting. Vineyards climb the hillsides and the Alps rise behind the town.
Visitors enjoy strolling through the pedestrian street, visiting the Vaduz Castle, and taking photos with the famous “Welcome to Liechtenstein” sign.
READ MORE – You might also be interested in: St Wolfgang in Austria
The nearest recommended international airport is Zurich (ZRH) which is 60.8 km away.
From Zürich to St Gallen: 1 hr (86,2 km) via the A1, by car.
Getting to St Gallen from Zürich is easy if you have your own vehicle.
It will be a good idea to rent a car as the city is quite big and you might want to explore the region of the Bodensee (Lake Constance) while you’re there. But while in the city itself, the transport infrastructure is excellent and you will not have a problem getting around without a car.
Other airports nearby:
Offering a great start-up breakfast for the day. The hotel also offers a travel pass for the area and is near excellent transport options to reach the city centre easily.
WHY WE RECOMMEND: Modern, spacious and comfortable. Breathe in the open air and enjoy the views.
Located only a 10-minute drive from Sankt Gallen. The hotel also offers a shuttle service to and from the train station.
There are loads of hiking options in the area and hiking is very popular amongst locals as well as tourists.
This 8.2-kilometer hiking trail starts at the train station in St. Gallen – Haggen and leads to Spisegg. What is special about this route?
The fact that it passes 18 viaducts, (wooden and concrete bridges and suspended walkways) along the river landscape of the Sitter and Wattbach nature reserve (Sitter and Wattbachlandschaft), makes it a beautiful hike.
There are various restaurants along the way and the route is well signposted.
A cute and peaceful pond area along St Georgen Strasse. On the west side of the pond, a jetty with a small house at the end protrudes into the water. Unfortunately, the little house is not accessible, but it still makes a very nice Instagram photo spot.
From here you can also do the Philosophentalweg and many more. The area offers trails from light early morning walks to trails for the more confident hiker. In my opinion, autumn is a beautiful time of the year to enjoy St Galler’s hiking trails.
Only 1 hour (50 km) from St Gallen is the beautiful Mainau Island. Definitely worth a visit. Read more about it.
