St. Gallen or Sankt Gallen is one of the larger cities in eastern Switzerland. It’s the capital city of the namesake canton and an excellent destination for all anyone who want to explore Swiss cities, and soak up some history, and discover one of the places few people come in Switzerland.
. I had actually never been there until recently, and it blew me away that St Gallen is not a more popular tourist attraction! This city is just 10 minutes away from one of the largest lakes in Central Europe, it’s close to the Alps, and just a short train ride away from Zurich.
Whether you are coming for a day or two, or just popping in for a short visit, this guide to the best things to do and see in St. Gallen will help with that and give you insight into the top tourist attractions and landmarks in this Swiss city!
Table of Contents
Visit the Famous Abbey Cathedral of St. Gall
The Abbey Cathedral of St. Gall is the city’s most important church. It’s adjacent to the St. Gall monastery and the Abbey Library, and it’s one of those attractions that you just can’t miss when you’re walking around the center of St. Gallen. Even if you have no desire to go inside the cathedral, it’s worth it to visit the Abbey district and just soak up the sheer grandeur of the entire complex.
The monastery was actually founded at some point in the 8th century (the exact date is not certain) and securalised in the early 1800s. And more recently the abbey complex was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983.
The Cathedral building was completed in the mid-18th century. Both the building and the famous abbatial Library, which is said to be one of the oldest monastic libraries in the world. Both were designed by Peter Thumb and the cathedral in particular is well-known for its rich, ornate decorations.
Joseph Wannenmacher painted most of the beautiful frescos in the Cathedral of St. Gall. Additionally, this cathedral is home to Switzerland’s most complete set of church bells, which includes a south altar bell that was brought from Ireland to the Abbey Cathedral by St. Gall himself.
Tips on visiting the Abbey: The Abbey complex is quite large and takes some time to visit. So, give yourself adequate time. There was an event there when I visited which ruined many of my pictures, so check before you go if that is important to you.
- Address: Klosterhof 6D, 9000 St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm (last admission 4:45 pm)
- Ticket Prices: Free
Travel Back in Time at Abbey Library of St. Gall
The Abbey Library of St. Gallen is inside the city’s most famous landmark. The cathedral building with the library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s one of the most special tourist attractions in this Swiss city.
The library is in the Abbey district, right next to the church and monastery. It’s famous for its beautiful Rococo hall with countless gold accents and stunning paintings on the ceiling. The Abbey Library is home to more than 170,000 religious texts, including some incredibly old books. It’s truly a special place in St. Gallen, and when you visit you will immediately understand why it is the city’s most famous attraction.
Just be aware that finding the Abbey Library is not simple and I found the signs to be scare and confusing. So, don’t be afraid to ask around if you can’t find it. It is famous enough that most people know where it is.
Also, just be aware that you are NOT ALLOWED to take pictures in the library, so if that is important to you then you might want to rethink the cost of entry!
- Ticket Prices:
- Including Abbey Library, Vaulted Cellar, and Exhibition Space.
- Adults: CHF 18.
- Students, apprentices: CHF 12.
- Children under 16 (accompanied): Free
- Audio Guide: CHF 5
- Discounts: Groups, Swiss Travel Pass, , Swiss Museum Pass, Kultur-Legi, Raiffeisen Member, OSKAR /
Get Lost in the Old Town St. Gallen
I really enjoyed exploring the old town of St. Gallen. It is a well-preserved area of the city full of cobblestone streets, 16th to 18th-century burgher houses with beautifully painted facades and magnificent oriel windows. But it’s also a city that is busy with people going about their daily business, so don’t expect it to be a museum like many places in Europe are becoming.
As I walked around the various areas of the old town I could not help but notice that the streets were lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. So, if you are looking to go out for a bite to eat or an amazing dinner in the warm summer air, this is where you will find the largest selection of restaurants.
I actually came in by train and found most of the city is accessible on foot from there. You can start at the St. Gallen monastery, and then walk around the old town alleys, popping into quaint shops and stopping for a snack whenever you stumble upon something that catches your eye.
Don’t forget to look up every now and then, so you can spot some of the city’s famous 111 bay windows (oriel windows). The best streets to see them include:
- Spisergasse
- Schmiedgasse
- Kugelgasse
- Multergasse
I have tried to capture some of the windows I saw in the old town for you below. It really is one of the most unique and breath-taking parts of the St Gallen old town architecture.
Roam around the city’s historic center until you feel like you’ve explored enough. Keep in mind that it’s unlikely you’ll only spend one day in St Gallen because there are so many other attractions and landmarks to see.
Enjoy The Greenery at the Botanical Garden
Although it took me a while to get out to St. Gallen’s Botanical Garden by bus from the city centre, it was definitely worth the trip. It is perhaps one of the best tourist attractions in the city.
The garden houses more than 8,000 plants from every corner of our planet. You can see so many unique species that definitely do not belong in eastern Switzerland, including palm trees, bananas, cacti, and many others. Some plants are in the closed greenhouse while others are in the open-air garden, and you can easily see all of them by following the marked paths.
Not only is this a great spot to visit on a warm summer’s day, there is also no entrance fee. And literally across the road is the Museum of Natural History, which although not free, is also worth your time, especially if you have kids. I was there during a school visit, and the kids were having the time of their lives!
- Address: Stephanshornstrasse 4, St.Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening Times: Daily from 8am – 5pm
- Closed: 25th December, Januarary 1st
- Ticket Prices: Free
Peter and Paul Wildlife Park
The Peter and Paul Wildlife Park is probably the enjoyable attraction for animal lovers in St. Gallen.
You’ll mostly see animals that are local to the region of St. Gallen in the park, so chamois, capricorn, wild boar, deer, lynx, and more. All the animals are in their own large enclosure where they’re free to roam around, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. The park boasts a network of hiking trails that allows easy movement from one animal enclosure to the other.
The only catch is that you can’t get all the way to the park by bus; public transport will only get you so far, and you’d have to walk for another 20-25 minutes to reach the park entrance.
If you have a car, you can go right to the door of the wildlife park but parking space is very limited, and improperly parked cars get fined often.
- Address: Kirchlistrasse 92, St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening Times: All day
- Ticket Prices: Free
Natural History Museum St. Gallen – Take The Kids
If you’re more into natural history than art and fashion, Naturmuseum St. Gallen is just right for you. It’s a bit outside the city center, but you can reach it in about 15 minutes from the Abbey if you take the bus to Neudorf and walk for a little while. This museum is across the street from the Botanical Garden of St. Gallen, and I would recommend that you visit both attractions on the same day.
The museum’s exhibition space spans an area of more than 2000 m2 with a neverending selection images and objects that detail the natural history of the region. The exhibits that aren’t supposed to be touched in most cases, but the number of kids I saw doing just that is not surprising.
There are, however, a huge range of interactive exhibits that are particularly fun for them too. And the staff at the museum told me you should definitely download the app to get the most out of your visit – Android, iOS/Apple.
- Address: Rorschacher Str. 263, St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening Times:
- Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
- Wednesday: 10 am – 8 pm
- Monday: closed
- Ticket Prices: Adults – CHF 12, Students – CHF 10, Children under 16 – Free
Learn About the History of Fashion at Textilmuseum
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Textilmuseum St. Gallen is situated in the heart of the city’s historic area, just a few minutes away from the Abbey district. It’s a great museum for people interested in fashion, clothing, and design because it features a collection of objects and materials from all over the world.
St Gallen was once renowned for its textiles with some of the finest embroidary machines being developed here early in the 19th century. At that time it was the biggest part of Switzerland’s exports and over 50% of world embroidary was made here. It declined after both world wars and the great depression but left a large mark on the city of St Gallen.
Also, the Textile Museum isn’t just about clothing; the textiles on exhibit here include those that were used in old diving suits and even motor vehicles. The collection also includes numerous textile materials from all over the world as well as machines used in the manufacturing process. The entire museum exhibit is absolutely impressive, and if you’re even a little bit into fashion and colorful clothing, you’ll enjoy exploring the Textilmuseum.
It should be very easy to find this museum – it’s in a big orange building that has a giant piece of lace stuck to its facade.
- Address: Vadianstrasse 2, St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening Times: Daily 10am – 5 pm
- Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
- Wednesday: 10 am – 8 pm
- Monday: closed
- Ticket Prices: Adults – CHF 12, Students – CHF 5, Accompanied children: Free
- Free Entrance: Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Museum Pass, Bodensee Travel Card & others
See the Art at Kunstmuseum St. Gallen
St. Gallen Museum of Art is the top attraction in the city for all art lovers. It’s situated along Museumstrasse, northeast of the city centre, less than a 10-minute walk away from the Abbey.
The museum collection boasts many sculptures, paintings, and other impressive pieces of art. It’s a thoughtfully curated exhibit with lots of examples of modern art, but also many pieces that represent art from the Middle Ages throughout history. Lots of objects in the museum’s collection are thought-provoking, and if you truly love frequenting art museums and admiring different pieces, I think you’ll agree that this is one of the best such museums in the entire region.
Tickets for this museum are 12 CHF for one entry and the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Thursdays, the museum stays open until 8 PM.
- Address: Museumstrasse 32, St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening Times: Daily 10am – 5 pm
- Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
- Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
- Monday: closed
- Ticket Prices: Adults – CHF 12, Pensioners – CHF 10, Accompanied children under 16: Free
- Free Entrance: Kunstverein St.Gallen and the Gesellschaft der Freunde bildender Kunst
Walk The “Red Carpet” at Stadtlounge
Stadtlounge is a quirky attraction unique to St. Gallen. It’s better known as Roter Platz, and it’s a small city square where the asphalt has been painted bright red to make people in the area feel like they’re walking on a red carpet.
With many bright-red seats throughout the square, this is the perfect place in the city where you can sit down for a quick break. The entire square area was designed to look like one great living room, with seats that resemble couches. Bubble lightning elements illuminate the entire area, and there are sculptures and fountains that really tie the whole place together.
This is one of the cooler spots in St. Gallen, and a city landmark that you should make time for especially because it won’t cost you a thing. It’s a good place for unique photos, plus it’s very close to the city’s other famous attractions.
I enjoyed walking around and taking some fun pictures as well as watching people’s reactions to the exhibit. It is certainly a one-of-a-kind attraction as I have never seen anything like it in all my travels around the world!
- Address: Roter Platz, Raiffeisenpl., St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Opening Times: Open all year
- Ticket Prices: Free
The Drei Weieren – Swim or Ice Skate Right In St Gallen
Drei Weieren are three artificial swimming ponds just south of the St. Gallen’s center. The ponds were first created in the 17th century, in order to guarantee a consistent water supply for the local fire brigades and the textile industry, but it didn’t take long before the residents of St. Gallen started to use them as swimming pools.
Back in the day, each of the swimming pools could only be used by a certain group of people. The Manneweier was the swimming pond for men, and the Freuenweiher was for women and families, and Buebenweiher was the boys’ pond. There are also a few smaller ponds in the area, but they’re mostly overgrown and not visited very often.
Nowadays, the Mannenweiher and Freuenweiher still function as swimming pools. They’re one of St. Gallen’s most popular destinations on the weekend or for a summer’s night out. The ponds freeze in the winter and they’re used for open-air ice skating. Only the Buebenweiher doesn’t allow for swimming because of the lush vegetation growing inside the pond.
What amazed me about the ponds was their proximity to the city and how quiet and serene it was there during the week. It was only a short ride up in the funicular, and just a hop from the city center. But, once you are up there it is like you have traveled for hours outside the city.
Apparently it is very busy on the weekends, which is not surprising given how close it is to town and how picturesque these swimming baths are. So, come during the week if you want some peace and quiet.
The Mühleggbahn
You can take the Mühleggbahn funicular, a cogwheel railway first opened in 1893, up in under a minute, or walk up on a path nearby. Although, honestly, I failed to find it, so I can’t advise you on how to walk up. But the path does appear on SchweizMobil (the yellow line from the Mühlegg station).
If you have a city ticket or Swiss pass, the ride on the funicular is free. Otherwise you will need to buy a ticket.
- Address: Bitzistrasse 65, St. Gallen (Google Maps)
See the Stained Glass at St. Lawrence Church
St. Lawrence Church is situated in front of the entrance to the Abbey of St. Gall complex. It’s known for intricately painted walls and colorful stained glass windows. This is a small church, and it won’t take more than 5-10 minutes to check out its beautiful interior.
The entrance to St. Laurenzen Kirche is free, and you can just walk in through the front door if it’s open. However, there is another gem in this church you should check out before you leave. I had to rush to get in before it closed at 11.30 am. but the view from the church tower is stunning. You can see the whole Abbey complex and the city of St Gallen below. It is well worth the CHF 5 you have to pay. Just make sure you are not passing the bells at any multiple of 15 past the hour. They are insanely large and likely to burst your eardrums! I was warned by the attendant before I went up.
If you’ve decided to visit St. Laurenzen Kirche, I would highly recommend that you do it before you visit the Abbey Cathedral. That way you can still enjoy the colorful walls with intricate detailing and the many stained glass windows. But if you visit the larger cathedral before this church, you could be a little disappointed since no other religious building in St. Gallen can compare to the grandeur and beauty of the city’s famous Baroque Cathedral.
- Address: Marktgasse 25, St. Gallen (Google Maps)
- Church
- Free Entry
- Opening Times: Monday – Saturday, 9.30 am – 4pm, Thursday until 6 pm, School holidays until 4 pm
- Mass: Sunday 10.30 am
- Tower
- Ticket Prices: CHF 5
- Opening Times: Monday – Saturday: 9.30 – 11.30 am and 2 pm – 4 pm
Spend a Day at Lake Constance
Lake Constance is the second largest lake in Switzerland, right after Lake Geneva. The country shares the lake with Germany and Austria, with the largest part of the like being on the German side. You can be at the lake shore in about 20 minutes from St. Gallen if you travel by train, so it’s definitely a good idea to add it to your itinerary, especially if you’re traveling in the summer season.
Take a direct train to Rorschach and you’ll be at the lake in no time, just mere steps away from the beach. You can go for a swim if the weather allows, or you can just sit down in one of the countless waterfront cafes and enjoy the beautiful views. Rorschach is a charming little town worth exploring while you’re there, plus you have the option of traveling to other nearby places by train.
Horn, Steinach, and Arbon are all easily accessible by train from Rorschach. If you find that the beaches in Rorschach are a bit too crowded for your liking, you can be in the next town in about 5 minutes to try and find a beach without as many people.
If you have plenty of time in Switzerland and you enjoy outdoor activities, you could attempt the Lake Constance cycle path. It’s a loop path around the lake that will take you through the prettiest towns on the lake shore in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
Map of Things to Do in St Gallen
Frequently Asked Questions
What is St. Gallen known for?
St. Gallen is best known for the landmark Baroque cathedral that houses the Abbey Library. This building is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it’s been the city’s most famous landmark for centuries.
Are there any unique things to do in St. Gallen?
Yes, there are many unique things you can do in St. Gallen. What other city in the world has a red carpet-lounge right in the middle of its old town? Or an ancient Abbey complex, two outdoor swimming ponds just outside the city center, and more than 111 bay windows throughout the city?
How many days should I spend in St. Gallen?
Aim to spend between 1-3 days in St. Gallen. Two-three days should be plenty of time to discover all of the city’s best attractions and landmarks, but you will need a day or two more if you want to spend a day at Lake Constance and possibly even visit one of the nearby towns on a day trip.
