Experience and be amazed

Unique places in the region

Top 10 St.Gallen & Rorschach

2) Welcome to the red carpet

Visit the largest outdoor living room in Switzerland! The “Citylounge” art project designed by the renowned Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist and architect Carlos Martinez covers public squares and streets in the old town with a red carpet. Rist won the international City-People-Light Award for her glowing moon in 2008.


2) Sunbathing at the Drei Weieren

A place for explorers, animal lovers and the whole family: the Adventureland Walter Zoo can be found in Gossau not far from the city of St.Gallen. This zoo has more than 500 animals: chimpanzees and snakes live side by side with crocodiles and keas, Siberian tigers and donkeys. During the summer months, circus performances are held regularly in a big tent at Walter Zoo.


3) Time out from the hustle and bustle of the city

St.Gallen’s parks are an oasis of calm amidst the hectic urban pace. The city has many parks including the Stadtpark situated between the Kunstmuseum (Art Museum) and the Historisches und Völkerkundemuseum (Museum of History and Ethnology), Untere Brühlpark near the Tonhalle concert hall, Grabenpärkli and its ornate Signer fountain and St.Leonhard-Park. Visitors can stroll along the shore of Lake Constance in the Seepark in Rorschach. Pretty benches are inviting places to sit and enjoy an ice cream or snack.


4) In the realm of the senses

It is here that the St.Gallen-Lake Constance region shows its most splendid side – at least on sunny days: the view from the observation deck at the crossroads of these five regions is simply breathtaking. Visible from the deck are: the state of Vorarlberg in Austria, Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg in Germany and of course Switzerland. After a ride on a PostBus from St.Gallen, the observation deck can be easily accessed by bike and on foot.


5) Wild animals and panoramic views

Ibex, chamois, lynx, wildcat, deer, marmot and wild boar are just some of the native Swiss animals at the Peter and Paul wildlife park on the scenic St.Gallen-Rotmonten hilltop. It’s well worth a visit not just to see the animals. There is also a stunning view of Lake Constance from here.


6) Bathing like in the olden days

The old Rorschach bathhouse is the only remaining building of its kind on the Swiss banks of Lake Constance. The historic wooden bathhouse is perched on pillars in the lake and can only be reached by bridge from the shore. It is not only a tourist attraction, but also an important meeting place for locals. The bathhouse is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm in summer.


7) Church with a view

The church of St.Laurenzen is the most important church in the city second only to the cathedral. The present building dates back to the 15th century but it was altered extensively between 1850 and 1854 and is now a neo-Gothic basilica. From the tower, visitors have a breathtaking view of the city and the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.


8) Climbing from tree to tree

Swing from treetop to treetop at dizzying heights in the Gründenmoos rope park in the west of the city. Experienced and inexperienced climbers can hang, climb and balance their way through seven courses with different levels of difficulty. And even fall once in a while. The rope park is open from April to October.


9) Immerse yourself in the new water and recreation complex

Whether bowling with friends, playing mini-golf with the family or relaxing with your partner in the spa: the Säntis Park in the St.Gallen town of Abtwil is the perfect place to spend an overcast summer’s day. The highlight of the recreational facility is the new water park with eight slides and a mountain and subterranean world to explore – where water and adrenaline flow in equal measure.


10) Cruise around Lake Constance by boat

Lake Constance has an almost infinite number of beautiful and interesting places and sights. The best way to see them is by boat. From April to October, the scheduled cruises offered by SBS Schifffahrt AG, the local boat tour agency, operate from Rorschach around Lake Constance and Romanshorn to the most popular excursion destinations.