Rapperswil-Jona: Culture, Roses and Lake Zurich

Rapperswil-Jona offers a range of reasons to visit: historic sites, art and museums, seasonal rose blooms, animal experiences and boat trips on Lake Zurich. When planning your trip, you can choose what to focus on based on your interests—for example, by visiting the castle, taking a guided tour of the Old Town or going on a boat trip.

Culture between castle, monastery and museums

Rapperswil Castle was built in the early 13th century and has been remodelled several times since. The renovated castle offers visitors an atmospheric tour that provides an insight into its history. A guided tour of the Old Town offers a different perspective, with local guides sharing legends and anecdotes from the town’s history.

Rapperswil Capuchin Monastery was founded in 1602. On a guided tour, you’ll see the church, the prayer and meditation room, the cloister and the refectory. Guests can also share in the daily rhythm of the ecumenical community through meditation, shared meals and work. Dates and availability for this programme may change; check the latest information before your trip. A tour of the monastery rooms and participation in the community’s daily life are different ways to engage with the place.

The Rapperswil-Jona City Museum presents 800 years of urban and cultural history. It is housed in the Breny House and its adjoining tower in Rapperswil’s Old Town. The Kunst(Zeug)Haus Rapperswil-Jona offers a different focus, with a collection of 7,000 works of art. The Polish Museum in Rapperswil was founded on 23 October 1870. The town therefore offers opportunities to explore local history as well as art and cultural topics with different historical connections.

Roses, deer park and wooden footbridge

More than 20,000 roses bloom from May to October in the rose gardens near the Capuchin Monastery and on the Schanz. The blooming season makes this a clearly seasonal experience. The deer park is on the northern slope of Castle Hill, where fallow deer have lived since 1871. At 841 metres long, the Rapperswil-Hurden wooden footbridge is the longest wooden footbridge in Switzerland. The roses, deer park and footbridge offer different points of interest if you want to plan your trip around gardens, wildlife or a distinctive structure.

Observe animals and enjoy hands-on experiences

At Knies Kinderzoo, visitors can ride ponies or two-humped camels. The zoo also gives guests the opportunity to learn about around 380 animals and biodiversity. At the “Himmapan” Elephant Park, you can observe the elephants from above on a wooden bridge. The experiences differ: Kinderzoo offers both hands-on activities and opportunities to learn, while the bridge at the Elephant Park gives you a view of the animals from above.

Culinary treasure hunt and boat trips

The Rapperswil-Jona FoodTrail is a self-guided culinary treasure hunt with five stops. At each successfully reached station, participants receive samples from local producers or restaurants. The trail combines independent exploration with culinary stops. If you’d rather plan a trip on the water, Rapperswil-Jona is a starting point for boat trips on Lake Zurich.

Getting there and planning

Rapperswil-Jona is accessible by train, bus and boat. Trains between Zurich and Rapperswil run roughly every 15 minutes. As service frequency may change, check the timetable for your travel date. Travelling by train and taking a boat trip on Lake Zurich offer different ways to include the town and the lake in your travel plans; choose specific departure times and connections using the latest timetables.

Discover more destinations: Ernetschwil, Hintergoldingen, Schänis, Amden, Uznach, Benken, Schmerikon, Eschenbach.

See the overview of destinations in the wider region: See-Gaster.