Are you or your kids a fan of all things prehistoric? Or maybe they just can’t get enough of the magnificent dinosaurs that once roamed the earth? Then you are in luck! The Saurier Museum Aathal, Switzerland is the ideal place to head for a great day out and learn more about these fascinating creatures.
This hidden gem, just a short drive from Zürich, is the best place for a dinosaur adventure, one you and your kids definitely won’t forget.
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General Information
The following is all the information you need to know before you go:
| Opening Times | Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday: Closed |
| Ticket Prices | Adult: CHF 22 Children 4yr: CHF 6 Children 5 -16yrs: CHF 11 Children with IV card: CHF 5 Pensioners / Students: CHF 18 Families: CHF 60.00 (Parents and their own children) |
| Free Entry | Children under 4 years Swiss museum pass & Swiss Travel Pass Raiffeisen Member Plus Association of Swiss Museums ICOM |
| Address | Zürichstrasse 69, 8607 Aathal (Google Maps) |
| Parking | Free Parking at the museum & over the road behind the houses |
| Public Transport | Take the S14 Train from Zurich to Aathal station (approx 25 mins) Then walk 10 minutes to the museum |
| Website | Saurier Museum |
History of the Museum
Dr. Hans-Jakob “Köbi” Siber, a passionate paleontologist and dinosaur lover, founded the Saurier Museum Aathal in 1992. He had previously been a mineral dealer but after displaying some huge dinosaur fossils and receiving overwhelming interest, he realised a dinosaur museum was a great idea.
With the acquisition of digging rights at the Howe Dinosaur Quarry in Wyoming, USA, he has continued to add to his huge collection. He even has a lab for preparing the fossils on-site and has donated various fossils to the Natural History Museum at the University of Zurich.
The Saurier Museum has grown to become a world-renowned institution dedicated to the study of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Since its founding, the museum’s purpose has been to educate and inspire visitors through its detailed displays, interactive exhibits, and enormous collection of information on all things paleontology.
Exhibits and Displays
Upon entering the Saurier Museum, you’ll be met by a huge range of exhibits and displays geared toward both veteran dinosaur lovers and curious newbies. If your kids are anything like my godson, then dinosaurs are all the rage and they will definitely love what they find here.
There are literally hundreds of exhibits here, so you could spend days exploring and reading it all. Just be aware that the majority is in German, so if you don’t take a guided English tour or use Google Translate app (and camera) then you might not learn much.
The exhibits range from full dinosaur skeletons and body parts to reproductions, footprints, fossils, and lots more.
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Some of the dinosaurs you can see there include:
- Plateosaurus
- Allosaurus
- Diplodocus
- Stegosaurus
- Triceratops
- Tyrannosaurus rex
There are also some more interesting things for younger kids to do and see like comics and short films. However, if your kids are really young, then the outdoor part is where you will spend the most time.
The Aathal Dinosaur Park
f you’re visiting the Saurier Museum on a nice day, go outside and explore the wonderful Aathal Dinosaur Park. Life-size dinosaur sculptures in the park grab your attention and transport you back to a time when these amazing creatures roamed the Earth.
The park is great for kids, but trust me when I say that I had a great time there too. Not only are there insanely large models of dinosaurs outside. There are also a few rides and a sandpit where you can uncover your own fossils, just like paleontologists do! Just in a lot shorter time.
Cafe & Dino Shop
Of course, no museum is complete with a cafe and shop, and the Sauriermuseum provides this too.
The so-called Stella’s Dino Land has a limited range of small meals and snacks. You can find more information here, but the long and short of it is that they have a few meals like Penne, Pizza, Älplermakkaroni and sandwiches, and the like. They also have coffee and drinks, including large bottles for families. And, they allow you to picnic inside in bad weather as long as you buy drinks.
The Dino Shop has a huge range of dinosaur books, films, models and games as well as lots of fossils to buy. Dinosaur lovers will have a hard time not buying anything in here.
Educational Programs and Events
The Saurier Museum Aathal goes above and beyond to give visitors great possibilities for learning. For school groups, the museum offers workshops, guided tours, and personalized programs that make sure that everyone leaves with a deeper understanding of dinosaurs and the prehistoric world they roamed in.
On top of that, the museum runs special events and talks by well-known speakers in the field. And you can organise birthday parties here, and even sleepovers if you like.
