One of the best things about traveling in Switzerland is the ability to stay in one of the major cities and easily travel to other parts of the country for incredible day trips. For example, the medieval town of Schaffhausen is one of many hidden gems that may be overlooked on a Swiss travel itinerary. The town is known for its stunning architecture with oriel windows and gayly painted facades, a museum dedicated to the famous IWA Swiss watches, and other points of interest.
Schaffhausen is also known as the gateway to the spectacular Rhein falls, Europe’s largest waterfall.
The following information will help you discover the town of Schaffhausen on your trip to Switzerland.
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Where is Schaffhausen located?
The town of Schaffhausen is located in the northernmost corner of Switzerland on the German border about an hour north of Zurich by rail or car. It’s situated on the High Rhine in the “knee” of the river between the Black Forest and Lake Constance. The well-preserved Old Town of Stein am Rhein is just minutes to the east and can be easily combined with a visit to Schaffhausen.
How to Get to Schaffhausen
You can get to Schaffhausen from Zurich by Swiss rail, by bus, or by car. To go by train, take the S-Bahn suburban line S16 towards Thayngen. The trip takes about 57 minutes.
An overnight bus leaving from Zurich Bus Station goes to Schaffhausen. The trip takes approximately 50 minutes.
To go by car, take A1/A4 and E42 to Ebnatstrasse and take exit 4. The trip takes about 41 minutes.
A train journey from Bern to Schaffhausen takes about 2 hours with a layover time of 6 minutes. The trains run frequently and are operated by Swiss Railways, SBB GmbH, and Südostbahn.
A night bus is the cheapest way to get to Schaffhausen from Bern, but the trip takes over 3 hours.
Alternatively, you can go by car via A1 and Route 13. The trip takes a little over 2 hours.
If you’re staying in Geneva, the trip to Schaffhausen is longer but doable. Swiss Railways will get you there in about 3.5 hours with one stopover.
To go by car via A1, the trip takes 3 hours and 33 minutes. To save time, you can fly to Zurich airport from Geneva airport and go to Schaffhausen from there. It’s a nonstop flight and takes 55 minutes.
Best Things To Do in Schaffhausen
Stroll Through Schaffhausen Old Town
The first thing you’ll want to do in Schaffhausen is to wander through the car-free streets of the Old Town admiring all of the architectural eye candy. It was designed to show off the wealth of the town and features buildings with lavishly painted facades, oriel windows, and ornate window trim. Oriel windows are bay windows that project from the upper stories. In all, the town has 171 oriel windows.
Other highlights of the Old Town are its stone clock towers and fountains with historical statutes. Fronwagplatz, the central square has long been a popular meeting place and a good place for people-watching. The square is lined with restaurants, bars, bakeries, and shops.
Discover History with a View at Munot Fortress
Switzerland is known for its stunning views, and Schaffhausen is no exception. At the 16-century Munot Fortress, a symbol of the city, you can appreciate medieval history and enjoy the views at the same time. The fortress was built between 1564 and 1589 by locals under mandatory labor.
The old fortress doesn’t have much to see inside, but a curved ramp to the top makes it more than worthwhile to visit. Situated on a hill, the round fortress overlooks the town where you’ll have a sweeping vista of the city, the Rhine River, and the lush, surrounding landscape.
A small vineyard and moat surround the Munot, but rather than being filled with water, it serves as home to a group of fallow deer. the stag is always named after the current mayor.
Be sure to stop by the rose garden across from the Munot for a peaceful place to rest. The garden features 170 species of roses, hedges, and trees.
Marvel at the Rhine Falls
Don’t leave Schaffhausen without catching a train out to the famous Rhine Falls to admire Europe’s largest waterfall at 23 meters tall and 150 meters wide. During Switzerland’s summers, a whopping 600,000 liters of water cascade down to splash into the Rheinfall basin creating a light mist.
You can enjoy views of the falls from several vantage points or pay a fee to access a viewing platform beside the falls. Another way to see the falls is from a cliff-top castle called the Schloss Laufen. The castle has a panoramic lift, a visitor center, and an elegant restaurant.
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For the ultimate visit to the falls, walk to the small Schlössli Wörth castle and take a boat trip to a rock island with a viewing platform. Then you can backtrack to the train station on the northern bank to return to Schaffhausen.
Journey through Horology History at the IWC Schaffhausen Museum
The IWC watch museum is an exclusive museum that opened in 1993 to commemorate the luxury brand’s 125th anniversary. Opened at its Schaffhausen headquarters, the facility was the first of its kind in Switzerland and combines watch manufacturing with a museum.
The main building of the museum was built by IWC founder Florentine Ariosto Jomes in 1875. Today, the collection of timepieces is housed on the first floor. Visitors will be transported back in time while exploring the rich history of the IWC and the lineage of each IWC watch family. You’ll admire specimens like the legendary Jones calibers in American cases, the first digital pocket watches, IWC’s first wristwatches, and much more.
Visit the museum between Tuesday and Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Cycle to Stein am Rhein
Nearby Stein am Rhein, a well-preserved medieval town with architecture and an Old World atmosphere that rivals Schaffhausen is not to be missed. Featuring half-timbered houses with elegant painted facades, the town is less than 20 kilometers away from Schaffhausen. You can get there by train, car, or ferry, but if you have the time and stamina, rent a bike and cycle out in about an hour while enjoying the countryside. The cycling trail (Rhein Route 2), follows the Rhine River past villages, forests, and vineyards.
The charming town has several historical sites to visit such as the beautifully-preserved Monastery of St. Georgen, the Hohenklingen Castle built in 1225 high above the town, and a church built within the remnants of the Roman fortress Tasgetium from the 3rd century A.D.
Visit the Kloster Allerheiligen
Kloster Allerheiligen is the largest cloister in Switzerland open to the public. A former Benedictine monastery, the complex is a center for history, culture, and art in Schaffhausen. The cloister has several sites of interest including a Romanesque church and the All Saints Cathedral built circa 1100. It has one of the most beautiful church towers in Switzerland.
On the grounds, you’ll find a nobleman’s cemetery and a lush and fragrant herb garden.
One of the most fascinating artifacts in the cloister is the Schillerglocke (Schiller Bell.) Once used in the cathedral, it was cast in 1486 and weights 4.5 tons.
There is no charge to visit the Kloster Allerheiligen.
Browse the Museum zu Allerheiligen
Located on the premises of the Kloster Allerheiligen, the Museum zu Allerheiligen is one of the most important museums in the region. Artifacts of archeology, natural history, art, and history are all housed in the same building. The museum has an extensive permanent collection and hosts several special exhibitions each year.
Like the former monastery once located here, the architecture of the museum reflects 1,000 years of construction.
The museum charges a nominal fee and is free with a Swiss Pass. It’s open on Mondays through Tuesdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
Be Amazed by Haus zum Ritter
Haus zum Ritter (House of the Knight) is one of the most stunning buildings in Schaffhausen’s Old Town. Its construction can be traced back to the early 14th century.
The building’s exterior features some of northern Switerland’s most important frescos and glorify civil virtues. The original paintings were created by Tobias Stimmer between 1568 and 1560. In 1935, the originals were removed and preserved in the All Saints Museum. The facade today is based on the originals and was recreated by Carl Roesch between 1939 and 1943.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Schaffhausen Switzerland known for?
Schaffhausen, Switzerland is known for its fascinating medieval architecture and history. It’s also the gateway to the Rhine Falls.
What does Schaffhausen mean in German?
The origin of the name Schaffhausen has two theories: a scapha or skiff was used to disembark goods from Constance and move them across the Rhine Falls. The second comes from Schaf or a sheep that formed the town’s ancient arms.
What language is spoken in Schaffhausen Switzerland?
Schaffhausen’s official language is the Swiss variety of German. However, the main language spoken is a local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect.
Is Schaffhausen worth visiting?
Yes, Schaffhausen is easily assessable from Switzerland’s major cities and has a wealth of fascinating history and architecture.
