Tucked between the Swiss Alps and Lake Constance is the fairytale town of St. Gallen. This Baroque hamlet is characterised by its cobbled lanes, which are lined with townhouses, cute cafes and medieval libraries. Untouched by high rise buildings or busy roads, the place is surrounded by nothing but rolling hills and the rugged peaks of the Alps.

St. Gallen was once known as the embroidery capital of the world, with its renowned textile brands supplying lace across Europe for many years. Nowadays, the town’s main draw is the centuries-old Abbey of Saint Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to an ancient abbatial church and one of the world’s richest libraries.

A cultural melting pot, St. Gallen is bursting with listed heritage buildings and museums. It also hosts OpenAir St. Gallen, one of the oldest outdoor festivals in the country. Outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the canton has 591 named peaks and is renowned for hiking and cycling.

Top three things to do in St. Gallen

Marvel at the magnificent Abbey

This 8th-century Benedictine monastery is home to a Baroque cathedral and one of the world’s oldest libraries, which boasts ornate frescoes, intricately crafted wooden shelves and one of the oldest collections of manuscripts in the world. What’s more, the place holds over 170,000 books – some dating back over 1000 years. Even if you’re not into reading, it’s well worth exploring.

Explore the charming Old Town

There’s a surprise around every corner in St. Gallen’s traffic-free old town, where medieval architecture dominates the cobbled streets. Check out the 111 intricately carved oriel windows, representing legends, historic events and tales of riches. Drop into one of the many museums, like St. Gallen Textile Museum, before stopping off at for a bite to eat at a local café.

Embrace the outdoors in the Swiss Alps

There’s nowhere quite like the canton of St. Gallen for incredible natural scenery, with a backdrop of pristine alpine peaks and glistening lakes. There are plenty of trails for hikers and cyclists of all levels. If you’d rather take it easy, you can spend the day admiring its picturesque spots.

St. Gallen

Things to do in St. Gallen