WHY WINTER IN ST GALLEN IS BEAUTIFUL (2022)
Have you visited St Gallen yet?
The lovely city is in Eastern Switzerland and the capital of Canton St Gallen. It was Named after an Irish monk Gallus in the 7th century. Throughout history, the town has developed into different places of significance. In 747, the St. Gallen monastery was under Benedictine Rule.
In the Middle Ages, the town was an important hub for culture and education in Europe. In later years, St. Gallen's art, particularly its embroideries, gained the town brought international recognition, and allowed the town to prosper.
Today, St. Gallen is regarded as a university town focusing on economic sciences. Culture and performance art thrives in this town as well. Located between Lake Constance and Appenzellerland enjoys the company of three close neighbors: Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Visitors can enjoy many trails, hikes, and easy excursions across national borders. Today, St Gallen is eastern Switzerland's cultural, economic, and educational center.
So, what is St. Gallen known for?
This beautiful city is known for its impressive architectural designs, the oldest library, the Cathedral, and incredible views!
Keep reading to find out what are things to do in St. Gallen.
HOW TO GET TO ST GALLEN
BY TRAIN: ZURICH to ST GALLEN
1 hr 13 Minutes
SFR 15.50 - ONE WAY with a half-fare card
Note: Without half fare card, you pay the total price of the ticket
BY CAR: 53 minutes
Things to do in St. Gallen
#St. Gallen Cathedral
Visit The Cathedral of St Gall, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 due to its role in religious history. Its story began in the 8th century during the Carolingian period. In the past, the entire complex of the Abbey was considered either a separate principality or a city-state home to 70,000 people.
The main draw, however, is the stunning Abbey’s Baroque-style architecture and ornate interiors. The frescoed ceiling, intricate sculptures, and turquoise color scheme sets it apart from many grand cathedrals in the world.
#ABBEY LIBRARY OF ST GALL
Stiftsbibliothek in German is one of the oldest cultural centers in Europe. It was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. However, in 937, a fire outbreak destroyed the Abbey, but the library survived. In addition, the Stiftsbibliothek has the earliest library collection in Switzerland. It features 170,000 books; some are handwritten and available for the public to see.
Student: 12
Note: Photography is not allowed inside
Visit the oldest brewery in Switzerland, which was founded in 1779. Here, you will find various beers, including German wheat beer, IPA, and Schwarzbier. You can join the tour here.
#OLD TOWN
Take a stroll around the Old Town of St Gallen. The Old Town is beautiful any way you look. It's great to spend the day outdoors without straining yourself too much. Medieval architecture has been preserved and dominates the streets.
There are many cafes and pubs along the way for you to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. There are many things to see in the Old Town, but the details make this area uniquely attractive. The oriel windows that decorate the houses are perfectly preserved and named separately.
During Christmas, streets are lined with festively decorated Christmas stalls, and 700 stars shine along the streets. While a stroll around the Old Town is impressive, having a local guide or going on group tours to discover the many stories born here is good.
#DREI WEIEREN (THREE PONDS)
Ride the Mühleggbahn and go up to Drei Weieren, ( three ponds) in English, is on the city hills of St Gallen. They were built in the 17th century to provide water for extinguishing fires and the textile industry. At the top, you'll be rewarded with great views over Lake Constance and the city of St Gallen. Additionally, it became a famous destination for swimming. In the past, men and women had different bathing ponds.
Today, it is the most beautiful recreational spot for the young and old. Guests can swim, stroll around, play soccer, and have a picnic or ice skate and sledding during winter. There is a forest found behind the ponds. You will also find a small church, restaurants, and a mini golf course close to the place. People can reach Drei Weiere in a 20 minutes walk from the city center or take the Mugelhbahn and walk from there for 10 minutes
Sit on a relaxing day in the middle of the city, and take a sit at one of the sun lounges at Stadtlounge. It’s located in the commercial district of Bleicheli where fabrics used to be left out in the sun to bleach. This was the heart of St. Gallen’s textile manufacturing, so surrounding stores also display a wide array of textile products. Stadtlounge was created in 2000 as an art installation.
Now, it’s one of the town’s favorite hangouts, popular among university students. The ground is covered with small red rubber balls that give the look of lounging on a carpet. At night, the orbs around the square are illuminated giving a different look and feel to Stadtlounge.
#Botanical Garden
Take a nature walk at the Botanical Garden. With more than 8000 plants from all over the world, several greenhouses, and educational exhibitions, a visit to the Botanical Garden is a time well spent.
#Kunstmuseum St. Gallen
The museum presents a rich collection of paintings and sculptures from different eras, ranging from the late Middle Ages to the present day. There are some permanent exhibitions, whereas some others are temporary.
So, visit the Kunstmuseum and stroll through art from the past and the present. Do not miss out on beautiful art that might be there only for a short period.
#Christmas Market
If you are lucky enough to come to St.Gallen during the Christmas season, visit the Christmas market in the early evening under the 700 stars illuminating the city and float through the alleys. St. Gallen is pretty festive and romantic at this time of year. The Christmas atmosphere in the city is contagious.
CAFES :
Kaffeehaus
Enjoy a coffee that is roasted in the in-house roasting facility. This cafe is located in the middle of Linsenbühl - formerly the red light district of St Gallen.
Here, the stress of everyday life outside passes by, and you forget the time while eating a cake and dreaming of the distance of where coffee has its origin.
Kaffeehaus
Linsebühlstr. 77
Di-Fr: 8-18 Uhr
Sa: 9-18 Uhr
+41 71 534 34 24
Price level: $$
BARS
BRÜW
The trend toward beer produced in microbreweries has slowly spilled over into Switzerland. Today, around 600 Swiss brewers brew "craft beer. At BrüW on Zürcherstrasse, different types of beer are served from twelve taps. Some of them are home-brewed. The others were produced in microbreweries in the region. There is also a choice of 40 bottled beers. Whether pepper beer or Christmas beer, there is something for everyone: BrüW is unique in St.Gallen and a must for all beer lovers or those who want to become one.
Torstrasse 25
Tue-Thu: 5-24 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 4-1 p.m.
+41 78 866 36 89
www.bruw.ch
Price level: $$
PRINZ
In the middle of Linsebühl, between hairdressing salons, Eritrean community, and urban vegetable raised beds, is the realm of landlord Martin Isele: the Prinz Bar. Already written off as a "worn-out gay bar" by the local press, this is where the regional rainbow nobility meets weekend after weekend (Thursday: 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday & Saturday: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.), from princes to (drama) queens. In an exuberant, cheerful atmosphere, people toast each other, exchange the latest gossip, are happy/annoyed by their fellow guests' choice of music and talk about everyday madness.
Linsebühlstr. 39
Thu-Sat: 8-1 p.m.
+41 71 222 06 66
prinz-bar.ch
Price level: $$
RESTAURANT
SPLÜGEN
The Restaurant Splügen is located in the middle of the old town between the cathedral and the Mühlegg Gorge. Despite its central location, you will find a small city oasis here: a quiet retreat far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For over a hundred years now, the restaurant has been inviting guests to linger. With its unique charm and not least because of its many curiosities on the walls, it entices you to marvel and discover. In the summer, you can drink a cool beer outside in the garden, and end the evening in the open air - and order an oriental plate to go with it.
St.Georgen-Str. 4
Mon-Sat: from 5 p.m.
+41 71 222 16 29
Price level: $$
LIMON
It's quite possible that you can get the best kebab in town here. The legendary spicy sauce with secret ingredients attracts the Limon, and the prices are also very fair (9 Fr. to 20 Fr.). But not only kebabs but also other "temptations of Mediterranean cuisine" such as börek or hummus are available here. The vegetarian Greek bread pocket (9 Fr.) is also highly recommended.
Linsebühlstrasse 32
Mon-Thu: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m./5 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 10.30 a.m.-1 p.m. / 5 p.m.-2 p.m.
+41 71 222 95 55
limon.ch
Price level: $
ENGEL
The city's cooperative pub has been a retreat for anti-capitalists and everyone else for 30 years. The food is fresh, local, seasonal, and mostly organic, and at fair prices (15 Fr. to 25 Fr.). On Sundays, you can go to the Engel for a Katerzmorgen, where you can get hash browns and fried eggs, and for those who like it a little less hearty, muesli and Zopf. When the sun is shining, it's best to sit in the cozy backyard until the afternoon and read. On weekends there are always smaller events or concerts at the Engel.
Engelgasse 22
Mon: 11.30-24 h
Tue: 11.30-14 h
Wed-Thu: 11.30am-2pm
Fri: 11.30am-1pm
Sat: 1-1 p.m.
Sun: 11am-2pm
+41 71 223 35 75
schwarzerengel.ch
Price level: $$
Is St. Gallen worth visiting? Yes, of course! Make sure to visit this city because it has architecture, history, religion, books, great restaurants, cafes, and everything in between. Have fun and safe travel!