Discover Rheinau: Monastery, Rhine and nature

Rheinau lies directly on the Rhine between Schaffhausen and Winterthur and borders Germany. The striking double bend of the Rhine and an island in the middle of the river shape the landscape. The former Benedictine monastery is situated on an island in the Rhine; its monastery church is one of Switzerland’s most significant religious buildings. This gives you a range of options when planning your trip: the monastery church and its furnishings, a guided tour with wine tasting, or the river landscape and nature trails. If you are looking for a hotel in Rheinau, you can first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Monastery Church and Guided Tour

The interior furnishings of the monastery church date from 1710 to 1759 and are distinguished by their exceptional splendour and richness. A guided tour of the church lasts about 60 minutes. It can normally also include areas that are not otherwise open to the public: the choir, high altar, choir stalls and sacristy. If you would like to see these rooms, confirm which areas are included on your chosen date before booking. The approximate duration also gives you a practical guide for planning your time.

Wine and the State Winery

A guided tour of the historic monastery cellar includes a wine tasting and introduces the 150-plus-year history of the State Winery of Zurich. After the tour, wine tastings take place in the renovated tasting room directly on the monastery square; they are intended for people aged 16 and over. If you plan to include this activity, confirm the arrangements in advance. This lets you schedule the tour and the subsequent tasting without overlooking the age requirement for tastings at the venue.

Nature and Hiking Trails

The Watt forest reserve covers 7 hectares. There, Rheinau forgoes forestry and leaves the forest to the forces of nature. The area has not been managed for over 50 years; the municipality will continue to refrain from any timber harvesting so that nature can develop undisturbed. The Au nature trail offers another way to experience the landscape: this ecological educational trail on the Au peninsula lets visitors explore a varied landscape with natural features.

Rheinau also has around 12 kilometres of easy hiking trails, some of which are wheelchair-accessible. Their themes include the village of Rheinau, nature and the Au habitat, views of Rheinau across the border, the Niderholz nature forest reserve, and viticulture and farming. Each option offers a different focus: the forest reserve represents a long-term commitment to avoiding timber harvesting, the nature trail provides ecological interpretation, and the hiking trails offer a choice of different landscape and everyday-life themes. This allows you to tailor your stay to the focus that interests you most.

Getting There and the Rhine

Rheinau is easily reached by bus from Marthalen railway station. Trips on the Rhine may also be worth considering when planning your visit: seasonal trips are available on the stretch between the Rhine Falls and Eglisau, aboard either a combination motorboat or a cabin boat. Check the timetable and availability before you travel. The Rhine Falls are 6 kilometres away.

If you visit the Rhine at the customs bridge, access is via the municipality-owned Salmenwiese meadow directly beside the bridge. Local conduct and permit rules apply. Together with the monastery church, wine tastings and nature trails, these provide several practical starting points for planning a trip to Rheinau.

Discover more destinations: Berg am Irchel, Ossingen, Dachsen, Oberstammheim, Trüllikon, Humlikon, Adlikon, Andelfingen

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