Discover Balgach: Culture and Landscape

Balgach is a municipality and village in the Rheintal constituency of the canton of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland. The village lies between vineyards and the Rhine Valley. If you are looking for a hotel in Balgach, you can plan your stay around historic and cultural sites, the landscape or outdoor activities: highlights range from the banqueting hall in the Old Town Hall to nature and sports facilities. The distinctions below can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Historic buildings and local history

The Old Town Hall was a medieval tithe barn. In 1596, its top floor was converted into a magnificent banqueting hall. Grotesque trompe-l’œil paintings on the plank walls are almost entirely preserved; they are considered unique in Switzerland and a cultural asset of national importance. In 1969, the building was restored, listed as a historic monument and opened to the public. If you would like to see inside the town hall, check visiting arrangements in advance, as opening arrangements may vary.

The Old Town Hall also houses an original hand embroidery machine. It can be viewed by arrangement with the embroiderer; guided tours are also available. This lets you discover a traditional craft alongside the historic architecture, provided you arrange your visit accordingly.

Grünenstein Castle stands on a rocky promontory above the Rhine Valley. The castle park is private, but visitors may walk through it; its gates have been open to everyone since the 1980s. Follow any notices on site. The castle’s location and the special arrangement for the park are two distinct aspects of a visit: the grounds remain private, even though walking through them is permitted.

Heerbrugg Castle also offers a glimpse into different periods: apparently, a fort stood at this site as early as Roman times. In 1077, the fortress “Herburch” was built on its foundations. The present castle, which has no tower, dates from around 1775.

The Rebhüttli was built more than a hundred years ago as a shelter for winegrowers. It burned down at the end of 2012 and was subsequently rebuilt. Today it stands among the vineyards high above Balgach and is a landmark in the municipality’s landscape. Its story connects viticulture with a distinctive building in the surrounding landscape.

Höchstern and views across the Rhine Valley

The Höchstern nature reserve is of national importance and offers opportunities for walks and recreation close to home. The Weidenschnägg viewpoint lies above the protected area near Höchstern. Nature lovers will find both a named viewpoint and a chance to discover a protected area here. Work has been carried out on the existing ponds in the fen: they were dredged and extended to the northeast. The great crested newt and the smooth newt are considered indicator species there.

Another view across the landscape can be enjoyed at the church in Balgach. Located above the main road, it offers views across the Rhine Valley, of the Säntis massif and towards nearby Vorarlberg. The present-day church was consecrated on 28 October 1831 and officially dedicated to the Three Holy Kings. The view and the church’s history offer two different reasons to include this place in your plans.

Sports and leisure in Balgach

The family-friendly Balgach indoor swimming pool offers general swimming, swimming lessons and aqua fitness. There is also a skate park at the Riet sports facilities. The Balgach athletics track is modern and certified; the site also has a children’s playground, a public toilet and an e-bike charging station. These places offer different activities: swimming and lessons at the indoor pool, skating at the Riet sports facilities, and athletics and other amenities at the track.

On 22 May 2026, a street workout facility opened in Balgach, offering free training open to everyone. It is designed for calisthenics, or bodyweight training, and provides an accessible way to train for beginners and experienced athletes alike. This describes access at the time of its opening; check the current situation on site when planning a visit.

Eichhof offers a farm visit with cows, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and peacocks. Children can enjoy ride-on tractors and a large sandpit. RhyLa in Balgach, by contrast, features a corn maze: paths lead through the cornfield to a four-metre-high observation tower. The digitally designed maze covers around 3.5 hectares and has more than 3,000 metres of paths. The two attractions differ considerably in character: Eichhof focuses on animals and play facilities, while RhyLa offers paths through the field and an observation tower.

Summer event and local specialities

FiirobedWii is a recurring summer event held on the terrace of the Schmidheiny winery in Balgach. Refreshing wine and savoury cheese platters from Chäshütte Balgach are served. Check dates and the current offerings before your trip, as future event dates and menu details may change.

Discover more destinations: Diepoldsau, Marbach, Au, Widnau, Oberriet, Rheineck, Rüthi, St. Margrethen

For the regional travel overview: Rheintal.