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A town of roses on the upper end of Lake Zurich
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A town of roses on the upper end of Lake Zurich
Destination:
Switzerland, St.Gallen, Rapperswil
Date:
08.07.2020
Experience Seekers
A town filled with colourful and fresh smelling roses. Rapperswil is just 25 km away from downtown Zurich and makes a wonderful day trip.
The route from Zurich to Rapperswil
Lake Zurich combines so many attractions, activities and different sceneries. One of the loveliest settings lies almost at the end of its eastern (upper) part: it’s the picturesque town of Rapperswil, or as it is called, the Town of Roses. As its name suggests, this beautiful lakeside spot overflows with colourful and fresh smelling roses! Rapperswil is just 25 km away from downtown Zurich and is definitely worth visiting as a day trip. The route from Zurich to Rapperswil on a sunny day is very pretty. It will take you along the Goldkueste (Golden Coast, the Riviera of the Lake of Zurich) wherefrom its very beginning (Buerkli Platz or Bellevue) to the end - and for most of the route in between - you will be driving alongside the lake. I suggest you make several stops along the way to enjoy the magnificent views of the lake and the Alps and snap as many photos as possible.
Rapperswil Castle
What makes Rapperswil so memorable are its castle towers, the lakeside setting and the historic old quarter of the city. The view from the castle is wonderful: you can see the town, the Glarus Alps and up to Zurich Oberland. It is definitely worth walking around the castle to admire the roses which are all over the place. The 360 degree panorama takes in the Swiss Alps, the old town, the lake and gardens - as well as the little islands in the middle of the lake near Rapperswil, the picturesque bathing platform and the small sight-seeing vessels ferrying passengers around the lake of Zurich.
The longest wooden bridge
Last but not least, you will also enjoy a great view to the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland, which provides access to the other side of the lake. At the top of the castle promenade you will find several benches, where you can sit and savour the view. Rapperswil itself is a great town to explore.
Strolling around Rapperswil
Stroll around the quaint churches and monuments next to the castle, the bustling little streets in the old town, lined with small stores and scenic cafés and restaurants.
By the lake
The busiest part of the old town is right at the front of the lake, along the promenade, where all the cafes, restaurants and bars are situated, all with a lovely view to the water.Hotel Schwanen looks quite grand and boasts the perfect view, but sadly, it’s been closed since 2016. During summer time, this spot fills with little boats and sea bikes.
The Curti’s house
Alongside the promenade, you will also see an impressive house (owned by the Curti family), where the history of Rapperswil is revealed through historic paintings. If you love to jog or walk, it is worth taking the path alongside the banks of the lake where you’ll encounter a green promenade with the lake on one side and the castle on the other.
A town of roses on the upper end of Lake Zurich. It’s every bit as lovely as it sounds. Enjoy exploring it for yourself!
