Schaffhausen
Canton Schaffhausen

Over the mediaeval Old Town of Schaffhausen looms the imposing Munot fortress. The houses of the Old Town are richly decorated with oriel windows and lavishly painted facades. The town, located on the Upper Rhine between the Black Forest and Lake Constance, and surrounded by vineyards, is a popular destination for holidays and day-trips.

About Schaffhausen

The town of Schaffhausen is in the northernmost corner of Switzerland, in the “knee” of the Rhine in Eastern Switzerland on the border with Germany. It owes its origins to the Rheinfall waterfall: the settlement arose where shippers needed somewhere to unload and stack their goods when avoiding the rapids that were impassable for ships.

The traffic-free Old Town of Schaffhausen is considered one of the prettiest in Switzerland, on account of its many oriel windows and lavishly painted facades. Many of the fine guildhouses and merchant’s houses date from Gothic and Baroque times. The lively Old Town is very good for shopping. The town began with the street market in what is now the Vordergasse. This is also where you will find the High Gothic St. Johann church with its remarkable acoustics.

The emblem of the town, the Munot fortress, can be seen for miles. The ring-shaped stronghold was built between 1564 and 1589 to a design by Albrecht Dürer. You can see far and wide from the battlements. Every evening at 9 p.m., the Munot guard who lives in the tower rings the Munot bell, which used to be a sign that the town gates and inns should close.

In the area to the north of Schaffhausen, in the hilly region of the Randen, and on the vine-clad slopes of the Klettgau, there are lovely walks and cycle rides and you can enjoy a tasty drop of Pinot Noir. Learn about how the wine is made during a one-hour walk along the Trasadingen Wine Trail or in the Museum of Viticulture in Hallau.

The riverside landscape along the Rhine is a lovely area for cycling, walking and boating. The popular Untersee Lake-Rhine boat trip from Schaffhausen to Kreuzlingen is nearly 50 km long. The section of river between Schaffhausen and the well-preserved little mediaeval town of Stein am Rhein, with its frescos and painted houses, is particularly charming. The Benedictine monastery of St. Georgen now houses the monastery museum. Over the town towers the castle of Hohenklingen.

Winter

The emblem of this small city with its 171 oriel windows is the 16th century Munot hilltop fortress. The view from here should not be missed – along with a glass of the local Pinot Noir wine, and of course the celebrated Rhine Falls.

Summer

Our personal highlights

Explore Suisse Selection’s unmissable places of interest and top things to see and do during your stay.

Preferred hotels

Browse Suisse Selection’s favored luxury hotels, carefully chosen for their unmatched excellence in architecture, service, gastronomy, and comfort.

The Dolder Grand

The Dolder Grand is a city resort that beautifully merges past and future. Perched above Zurich, the fairy tale like castle building first served as a health spa, during the late 19th century. It honors this history with a state of the art, 4000 square meter spa, which is housed in one of the newer wings. The spa comprises eighteen treatment rooms, separate areas for ladies and gentlemen, an aqua zone with views of the natural surroundings and a medical wellness center. The spa program focuses on spiritual health as well as pampering treatments. Accommodation rooms are scattered throughout the property, and all are timelessly decorated with stylish furnishings. Most striking is the hotel’s art collection with more than 100 artworks including pieces by Andy Warhol, Henry Moore and Salvador Dalí.

Experience true fine dining at the 2 Michelin star restaurant on property.

La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich

The La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich is nestled between Lake Zurich and the city centre. La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich is a majestic building standing proud, serene, solid and calm like the wonderful days that have passed since it first opened on the lakeshore 100 years ago. The 40 rooms and suites feature modern amenities, including Nespresso coffee machine and tea facilities, satellite TV, Wi-Fi as well as airconditioning. A bar-restaurant adjoining the lobby, a smoking lounge with a treasure cellar and a rooftop restaurant; La Réserve Eden au Lac is changing the culinary scene in Zurich. Exclusivity merges with a cuisine meant for sharing, as refinement blends with informality to invent a new way of enjoying life more intensely than ever.

Storchen Zurich

Storchen Zurich is located in the heart of Zurich, featuring views over the Limmat River. Guest rooms and suites are equipped with Wi-Fi, TVs, air-conditioning, coffee makers and private bathrooms. For guests' enjoyment, there is an on-site restaurant, bar, cigar bar, terrace, piazza and concierge services. For daily activities, guests can visit Zurich Opera House, Zurich Zoo and Urania Observatory.

Widder Hotel

Welcome to Zurich’s Widder Hotel, built on the site of Roman and Celtic ruins.

Nature lovers will be rewarded after a short walk with a view of the lake and a magnificent Alpine panorama. If you love shopping, you will find the famous Bahnhofstrasse in the immediate vicinity, as well as the old town of Zurich with its elegant and original boutiques.

Each room is unique. Every bed can be adjusted, the mattresses are adjustable in hardness and a flexible LED reading light gives you pleasant light in the evening. Sensory night lights point the way from sleep to bathroom in the dark. There is also a stereo, Nespresso machine, minibar, multimedia TV, Wi-Fi and telephone.

The hotel’s Widder Bar offers over 300 single malt whiskeys. Whether Swiss classic or French-inspired haute cuisine with an Asian touch, you are sure to enjoy a variety of well prepared dishes.

Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois

Dating back to 1681, the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel is one of Europe’s oldest hotel properties. Overlooking the banks of the river Rhein, the hotel was ideally positioned on a major trade route. The hotel's riverfront rooms remain much coveted, especially during the annual Art Basel, when guests book up to one year in advance. The scenic Swiss town is popular year round and well known for it’s art, architecture and culture highlights.