In northeastern Switzerland, about an hour from Zurich by train, St. Gallen is close to Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein. South of Lake Constance (Bodensee in German), St. Gallen’s roots go back to the 8th century. It offers a historic old city and several museums to explore. Its Abbey of St. Gall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top destination for the area. Here are the top things to do in St. Gallen.
18 BEST Things to Do in St. Gallen
Tour the Abbey District
See the Abbey of St. Gall
Walk through the Abbey Library
Enjoy the Old Town of St. Gallen
Take a Guided Tour
Spot an Oriel Window
Visit the Textile Museum of St. Gallen
Learn More at the Cultural Museum St. Gallen
Take the Funicular to Three Ponds
Tour the Natural History Museum St. Gallen
See the Botanical Garden St. Gallen
Find the Red Square Art Installation
Visit an Art Museum in St. Gallen
Take a Post Bus to Appenzeller
Tour the Appenzeller Cheese Factory
Walk Through the Peter & Paul Wildlife Park
Sample Specialties of St. Gallen
Spend the Night
Why is St. Gallen Famous
People have traveled to the Abbey of St. Gall since the 9th century, with foundations dating from 850 AD. Trade followed the people. St. Gallen offered a hospital, an abbey school and services.
It is a walled city, and houses were named, not numbered, until the 19th century. Mirroring the architecture of Germany, St. Gallen’s burgher houses from 1650 to 1720 feature oriel bay windows.
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The Abbey District
An Irish monk, Gallus, stumbled over a root in 612. He decided it was a sign from above for the site of the hermitage. In 720, St. Omar would start the Benedictine monastery. It grew to a pilgrimage site in the 9th century and became a center of art and knowledge.
The Abbey District has been used for over 12 centuries. It features several buildings from several different centuries and in different architectural styles and uses, like a school and living areas.
In 1983, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage roster. It is the oldest monastery plan of its kind is open to the public.
Abbey Cathedral of St. Gall
Built between 1755–1766 in the Baroque style, the cathedral was designed primarily by Peter Thumb. It features a rotunda between the nave and the choir. Its two towers offer a focal point to the entire complex.
In the center of the Old Town, the interior boasts ceiling frescoes detailing religious scenes. Its overall effect is lighter than some other European cathedrals.
It is open for visitors; however, it is closed during Mass.
Abbey Library
The opulent Rococo-style library boasts over 2,000 books on parchment made from goats or sheep. There are 400 books made before the year 1000 AD. In total, 50,000 books are housed in the library. However, its total collection is over 150,000.
It was called Seelenapotheke, or a healing place of the soul. Now, it is a top thing to do in St. Gallen. The 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy Shepenese sits in the corner of the Library.
During my visit, I stared at the surroundings in awe. It is one of the most highly decorated libraries I have seen anywhere. It can get crowded; however, most visitors only stay a few minutes.
Located at Klosterhof 6D, 9000 St. Gallen. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 p.m. in summer). Tickets to the Abbey Library are CHF 18 for adults, CHF 12 for students and free for kids 12 and younger. Free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
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Old Town of St. Gallen
With its origins centuries ago, the Old Town of St. Gallen offers a pedestrian-only area to stroll. Flanked by traditional burgher houses, or the multi-story buildings built by wealthy residents, the first floor is dedicated to shopping and dining, often with street cafes.
Several of the buildings feature timber framing, typical of Bavarian architecture. Old Town offers numerous fountains and open squares and is pleasant to explore.
During my visit, I window shopped on a Saturday. The vibe was lively, with people shopping or enjoying the cafes.
Take a Guided Tour of Old Town
During my visit, I took a guided tour of the Old Town. My guide shared centuries of history, from the Abbey to the Old Town architecture.
She led us through the Abbey District, including the Library. The St. Gallen Tourism Board offers tours in English and German; reservations are required.
The Tourist Information Center is located at Bankgasse 9, 9001 St.Gallen. Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spot an Oriel Window
Between 1650 to 1720, the wealthy added oriels to the facades of their multi-story home. The bay windows are located on the upper floors and extend beyond the front face of the building.
St. Gallen’s Old Town features 111 oriel bay windows. They come in different styles.
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Textile Museum of St. Gallen
St. Gallen was a hub of lace making, with 50 % of worldwide embroidery made in St. Gallen. The Textile Museum features the historic equipment used to make appliques and embroidery.
It also features a library with embroideries from all over the world, pattern books, design drawings and photographs. There is a display space dedicated to clothing and fabric arts.
Located at Vadianstrasse 2, 9000 St. Gallen. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults enter for CHF 12, students and kids up to 18 are CHF 5. You can also use the Swiss Travel Pass. You can walk to the Textile Museum.
Cultural Museum St. Gallen
In the city park, the Kulturmuseum St. Gallen began over 100 years ago. It discusses the history of the area from the Ice Age to the world-famous medieval monastery and the history as a textile town.
Located at Museumstrasse 50, 9000 St. Gallen. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (7 p.m. on Wednesday). Adult admission is CHF 12, students are CHF 6 and kids 17 and younger are free. Or you can use the Swiss Travel Pass. It is just over 1 km to walk to the Cultural Museum from train station.
Three Ponds
Below Mount Freuden, not far from Old Town, is Three Ponds, or Drei Weiren in German, a swimming and nature area. Built by monks in the 17th century, the ponds provided drinking water for the city.
During the summer, residents swim in the ponds. In the winter, it is an ice-skating destination. With its panoramic view over the city, it is popular year-round.
Located at Bitzistrasse 65, 9011 St. Gallen. It is best enjoyed from dawn to dusk and free to enter. Visitors can take the funicular from Mühleggbahn to Mühlegg Bergstat.
Natural History Museum St. Gallen
The Naturmuseum St. Gallen features the diverse fauna between Lake Constance and Ringelspit. One of its most impressive items is the fossilised skeleton of a duck-billed dinosaur.
Located at Rorschacher Str. 263, 9016 St. Gallen. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Wednesday). Adult admission is CHF 12, students are CHF 6 and kids 16 and younger are free. Or you can use the Swiss Travel Pass.
Botanical Garden St. Gallen
In a four-acre space, visitors can see over 8000 labeled plants from all over the world, like Asia and the Americas. The Botanical Garden St. Gallen features outdoor gardens and greenhouses.
The Tropical House protects rainforest plants, succulents and orchids. The Alpine House is another protect area for plants. The Botanical Garden also features native grass and meadow area with over 100 different species.
Located at Stephanshornstrasse 4, 9016 St. Gallen. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to enter. The Natural History Museum and the Botanical Garden are close together. The No. 1 St. Gallen bus in the direction of Stephanshorn can be used.
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Red Square Art Installation
In St. Gallen, visitors will find a striking district, covered in red sponge flooring. The Citylounge transforms the Bleicheli District into St. Gallen’s living room, outfitted with seating.
Architect Carlos Martinez and multimedia artist Pipilotti Rist are behind the design. It features lighted globes overhead and is a favorite with families.
Located at Roter Platz, Raiffeisenplatz 2, 9000 St. Gallen. Free to enjoy.
Art Museums in St.Gallen
There are two art museums in St. Gallen in three different locations. Visitors will also find ample public art in St. Gallen.
Near the train station, I found the Lämmler Fountain. Erected in the 1970s, it mimics fabric, a nod to the city’s fabric history.
Kunstmuseum St.Gallen or Art Museum St. Gallen
This museum features two locations with 12,000 works in its collection. With a focus on Dutch, German and French art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Its collection also features contemporary sculptures.
The Kunstmuseum St.Gallen (in German) also offers some pieces from the Middle Ages. It also features a second location for contemporary art at Lokremise, Grünbergstrasse 7, 9000 St. Gallen, next to the Theater in der Lokremise
Located at Museumstrasse 32, 9000 St. Gallen. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. on Thursday). Adult admission is CHF 12, and students are CHF 6. Or you can use the Swiss Travel Card.
open art museum
This art museum focuses on outsider art: from art brut, naive art and contemporary positions, especially from young artists. It is a collecting institution with over 8,000 works from 180 artists.
Located at Davidstrasse 44, 9000 St. Gallen. Open Tuesday to Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Adult admission is CHF 9 and free for those under 18. You can use your Swiss Travel Pass.
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Appenzeller Show Dairy and Tour
Located in the Appenzeller canton, the Appenzeller cheese dates back to 1282. Classified as an Alpine hard cheese, it is widely available across Switzerland.
On my flight back from Zurich, my Swiss Air Flight featured Appenzeller cheese on the economy meal tray. During my trip to Switzerland, I wanted to visit a cheese factory for a tour.
Guests follow cheesemakers from a viewing gallery as they craft cheese. Along with the viewing galley, I received a sample pack of Appenzeller cheese in different varieties.
With their multilingual programming, I walked through their interpretive area, learning about the history and culture of the Appenzeller area. It also explained the different flavor profiles of the cheese.
During my visit, the cheesemaker stirred the curds and whey in a giant vat as it was heated. I also saw the storage room, or cheese cellar, where the cheese was aging.
One of my favorite activities was the herb bar. When I entered the tour, I received a small cloth bag to add scoops of herbs to craft my own herb blend.
How to Get There
Appenzeller Show Dairy and Tour is less than an hour away from St. Gallen, via public transportation. I used the PostBus 180 in the direction of Herisau, Bahnhof; the cheese tour stop was Stein AR, Dorf. I used my Swiss Travel Pass for the bus. Worth noting, the bus runs every 60 minutes, and the route is very scenic. The tour takes about an hour or two. There is a gift shop, and you can purchase cheese at the show dairy.
Located at Dorf 711, 9063 Stein AR. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May to October, 5:30 p.m. for the rest of the year. Cheesemaking demonstration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult admission is Adults is CHF 12, and kids are CHF 7. Or you can use the Swiss Travel Pass.
Peter and Paul Wildlife Park
Founded in 1892, the Peter and Paul Wildlife Park protects native species, like Ibex, Chamois, Marmot and more. The enclosures mimic the natural terrain.
Located at Kirchlistrasse 92, 9010 St. Gallen. Open from dawn to dusk, it is free to enter. You can use public transportation; however walking over 1 km is required.
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Where and What to Eat in St. Gallen
Located near Germany, St. Gallen offers many Bavarian classics. From locally made bratwurst and beer to sweet treats, I recommend you stample the local specialities.
Bratwurst in St. Gallen
Located near the German border, this area enjoys Bavarian classics. During my visit, I sampled the St. Gallen Bratwurst.
Since the Middle Ages, the Bratwurst have been grilled to give each an golden brown color. Primarily made of veal, bacon and milk are also added.
A Traditional Erstockbeizli
During the Middle Ages, the ground around St. Gallen was damp. This carried over to the ground floor of buildings.
Taverns and pubs were located on the first floor, decorated with traditional timber beams and wood paneling. An Erstockbeizli features low ceilings with beams and paneling along the walls. They are cozy spaces for dining with windows overlooking the streets below.
During my visit, we dined at the Zum Goldenen Schäfli. Originally located in the Butchers Guildhall, it is over 500 years old. The ceiling and floor both lean in age.
At Zum Goldenen Schäfli, it features seasonal chef-created menues. I started with local St. Gallen bratwurst. Then I ordered the Oringinal Weiner Schnitzel, an Bavarian speciality. I recommend you save room for dessert and sample a local wine or beer during your visit.
Located at Metzgergasse 5, 9000 St.Gallen. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and from 6 p.m. to midnight for dinner. Reservations recommended.
Beer in St. Gallen
Beer in Switzerland is big, like neighboring Germany. One of my favorite things to do while traveling is sample its local beer.
Founded in 1779, Brauerei Schützengarten is the oldest brewery in Switzerland. It offers a monthly factory tour.
Beer Bottle Museum
St. Gallen features a Beer Bottle Museum with 3,000 beer bottles from 260 different Swiss breweries. It was the collection of Christian Bischof, and some bottles are more than 140 years old.
Located at Brauerei Schützengarten at St. Jakob-Strasse 37, 9004 St. Gallen. Open Monday to Friday from 8 to 12:15 p.m., then from 1:30 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Sunday). Free to enter.
HERMANN Bier
Using organic malt, HERMANN Beer brews on-site and offers a cozy indoor space. There’s also an outdoor biergarten to enjoy one of the 14 beers on tap.
Located at Lämmlisbrunnenstrasse 18, 9000 St. Gallen. Open Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight. Closed Sunday to Tuesday.
Sweet Treats in St. Gallen
It’s no surprise that eating chocolate is a national pastime in Switzerland. Many Swiss eat a small piece daily.
In addition to chocolate, travelers will find regional confections in Switzerland. The Biber is a popular treat in eastern Switzerland. During my visit to Switzerland, I bought chocolate home for souvenirs, purchased at the grocery store before departing.
Appenzeller Biber
This is a traditional gingerbread from the neighboring canton, Appenzell. One of the places to get it is Confiserie Roggwiller.
This cookie features gingerbread with an almond filling. It is a blend of spicy and sweet. To me, it is a better coffee or tea treat.
You can also purchase Bibers at grocery stores in Switzerland, like Coop.
St. Gallen Chocolate
St. Gallen is known for its embroidery. Confiserie Roggwiller also sells chocolates with traditional embroidery patterns on the chocolates.
Confiserie Rottwiller also features a tea room at its main location. Or you can purchase from its train station location.
Its main location with a cafe is located at Multergasse 17, 9000 St. Gallen. The train station location is at Poststrasse 25, 9000 St. Gallen.
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Where to Stay in St. Gallen
In the Old Town of St. Gallen, this four-star property was originally built in 1830. Completely renovated, the Einstein St. Gallen Hotel is five minutes from the train station and steps from the pedestrian-friendly Old Town of St. Gallen in northeastern Switzerland.
The Einstein St. Gallen includes five stories with 113 air-conditioned rooms and suites. From its lobby to its hallways to its rooms, guests will find an art-filled space.
How to Get to St. Gallen
During my visit, I arrived at the Zurich International Airport. From the airport, I used the train, departing twice an hour for direct service to St. Gallen.
I used the IC5 train in the direction of Rorschach. The main St. Gallen train station is centrally located, then I walked to my hotel.
Travel Tips for Switzerland
I took the train to and from the Zurich International Airport. It was easy, and I also reserved hotels near the main train station in my destinations.
The public transportation system is easy to navigate, and most travelers and residents use it. It was exceptionally clean and included cafe cars and vending machines.
The trains leave at the top of the minute and are very punctual.
Have a picture of your travel pass downloaded on your phone. Conductors will check it.
I used my French while traveling in the French-speaking portion of Switzerland. However, I don’t speak much German and didn’t have a problem getting around.
Most navigational signs are in multiple languages, including English.
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc, CHF; however, Euros are routinely accepted. Cards are widely accepted. During my trip, I carried a small amount of Swiss Francs for tips and small purchases.
Switzerland uses a different type of electrical outlet. A three-prong, and not the standard two-prong, for the rest of the EU. Also, a converter is necessary for devices like hairdryers, curling irons and flat irons.
Swiss Travel Pass
During my trip in Switzerland, I used the train exclusively. I had an 8-day Swiss Travel Pass.
It allows visitors unlimited travel by train (including panoramic ones), post bus and boat. It grants pass holders entry to 500 Swiss museums.
The Swiss Travel Pass is available in 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days. Plus, kids six and younger travel for free with an accompanying Adult Swiss Travel Pass.
One of the nicest additional features is the luggage forwarding service. I used the Express Door-to-Door service.
In the morning, I deposited my larger luggage in my hotel’s lobby. Then I took my day pack for the day’s excursions. In the afternoon, my luggage arrived at my hotel. It was seamless and took the drudgery out of traveling.
For two suitcases up to 50 pounds (23 km), the flat fee is CHF 50, plus an express fee of CHF 50 and CHF 12 for each piece of luggage. It is purchased with your Swiss Travel Pass. Reservations need to be made at least the day before for pick-up the following morning.
Just to be safe, always lock your luggage and add an AirTag. It is wise to carry your medications and passport in your daypack.
Disclosure: This trip was hosted by Switzerland Tourism. This post contains affiliate links.
