Switzerland has no shortage of great chocolate factories, but if you’re after one that’s truly interactive, the Maestrani Chocolarium stands out. Just a short and easy trip from Zurich, this colorful and interactive chocolate experience is perfect for families, day-trippers, and anyone who loves something a little more hands-on. It’s one of those places that truly feels immersive, with strong Willy Wonka vibes from start to finish.
I’ve visited the Maestrani Chocolarium twice—once with friends, and more recently with my daughter Selma. On our last visit, we turned it into a full day trip: starting at the Chocolarium in the morning, then taking the train to St. Gallen for lunch and a relaxed afternoon exploring the city. It’s an easy and really enjoyable way to make the most of the area.
For me, Maestrani is also tied to childhood memories: Minor bars, Munz chocolates, and those iconic chewy Munz bananas I loved so much as a kid—and honestly still do today.
In this guide, I’ll share exactly what to expect at the Maestrani Chocolarium, how to get there, ticket prices, where to stay, and whether making your own chocolate bar is actually worth it.
Maestrani Chocolate Factory Highlights
Interactive Tour
Even before our official time slot started, the experience had already begun. In the entrance area, we were invited to sample chocolate while waiting—and of course, we didn’t say no to that. There’s also a fun photo station where you can snap pictures that later appear on a large screen. Just don’t blink—you might miss yours, as they rotate frequently and pop up in different spots.
The tour itself starts in a small cinema where you quite literally sit on chocolate. Here, a short film introduces the idea behind the Chocolarium: how happiness finds its way into chocolate. While most of us already know that chocolate makes us happy, the film goes a step further. It’s not just the chocolate itself—it’s the little things behind it.
Like sustainably grown cocoa beans. Or fresh milk from happy cows grazing on lush Alpine meadows, where the air is crisp and the grass is rich in herbs and nutrients. These cows produce the high-quality milk that’s essential for Swiss chocolate—and for Maestrani in particular.
Fun fact: milk chocolate was actually invented in Switzerland in 1875, which makes that Alpine milk even more important to the country’s chocolate tradition.
Once the film ends, something quite magical happens—the screen lifts, and a hidden door opens behind it. Suddenly, you step into the colorful world of Maestrani chocolate.
From here on, the tour becomes fully interactive. You’ll learn about all the key ingredients—cocoa beans, sugar beets, milk—in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand. You can smell cocoa beans and cocoa butter, try your hand at “milking” a cow (virtually, of course), and explore the exhibits through hands-on elements that kids especially will love. There are buttons to press, wheels to turn, and even selfie stations with fun props.
One of the highlights for us was being able to look directly into the production halls. From a glass gallery, you can watch the machines and conveyor belts in action as chocolate bars are created and packaged in real time. (Just note: production only runs on weekdays. If you visit on weekends or holidays, you can still look inside—but the machines will be still.)
And then—arguably the best part—you get to taste chocolate along the way. Throughout the corridor overlooking the production area, there are several tasting stations where you can sample different varieties. My daughter and I happily worked our way through all of them.
As if that wasn’t enough, there are also three chocolate fountains along the route where you can spoon up freshly flowing chocolate. Honestly… so good.
Another lovely touch: you can take a bit of the experience home with you. Near the chocolate-making area, you’ll find recipe cards you can tear off and keep. They’re available in both German and English, and include ideas like chocolate muffins or chocolate mousse to try at home.
All in all, the interactive tour takes about an hour and strikes a perfect balance—it’s playful and engaging for kids, but just as enjoyable for adults.
Create Your Own Chocolate Bar at the Maestrani Chocolarium
One of the absolute highlights of visiting this chocolate factory in Switzerland is the chance to create your own chocolate bar—and it’s just as fun as it sounds.
At the end of the tour, you enter the chocolate-making room, where you can design your own sweet creation. You can choose between making a chocolate bar or two chocolate hearts, freshly poured and ready for you to decorate.
If you’ve already booked this experience online (CHF 10 for a chocolate bar or CHF 15 for two chocolate hearts), you can simply show your ticket at the counter. If not, no problem—we saw a family in front of us who hadn’t pre-booked, and they were still able to join and pay later at the shop.
My daughter and I had booked in advance, and we had so much fun making our own chocolate —probably a little too much fun, judging by the number of toppings we added 🙂
Here’s how it works:
- If it’s busy, you may need to wait briefly to receive your mold.
- You’ll be asked to choose your chocolate: white, milk, or dark.
- You can also go for a half-and-half option—or even swirl the chocolate yourself (just let the staff know and they’ll give you a small tool).
- Once your chocolate is poured into the mold, it’s time to decorate it with a wide variety of toppings.
- When you’re done, place your creation into the cooling machine in the center of the room. It takes about 15 minutes to set.
- Once ready, simply pop your chocolate out of the mold, place it into a transparent bag—and your custom chocolate bar is ready to take home.
While I was in Chocolarium the first time around, we even had a surprise guest: Globi. The kids were absolutely thrilled and lined up to take photos with him. If you’re not familiar, Globi is one of Switzerland’s most beloved children’s characters—a cheerful blue parrot-human figure with a yellow beak, a beret, and his signature red-and-black checkered trousers.
Workshops at the Maestrani Chocolarium
If creating your own chocolate bar wasn’t enough, the Chocolarium also offers a range of workshops for both adults and children. These go a step further and let you dive deeper into the world of chocolate-making in Switzerland.
Workshops are a great option if you’re looking for a more hands-on and guided experience—perfect for families, small groups, or even as a unique activity with friends. They also host birthday parties, which include both the interactive tour and a workshop, making it a fun (and delicious) way to celebrate.
Just keep in mind that all workshops and special experiences need to be booked in advance online.
Shop & Café
After all that chocolate tasting, you might feel like taking a little break—or maybe just continuing the indulgence 🙂
The Minor café on-site is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is a great spot to grab a coffee, a snack, or something sweet.
Before you leave, make sure to stop by the shop. You’ll find the full range of Munz and Minor chocolates, along with plenty of chocolatey souvenirs to take home.
My daughter and I definitely didn’t leave empty-handed… although we both knew our stash probably wouldn’t last very long.
How to Get to the Maestrani Chocolarium
Getting there is easy, which makes this such a perfect day trip.
- The Chocolarium is located in Flawil, in eastern Switzerland, and can be reached in under 50 minutes from Zurich.
- From Flawil train station, you can either take bus no. 741 directly to the Maestrani stop or enjoy a scenic 30–40 minute walk along the “chocolate trail.”
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Maestrani Chocolarium?
Ticket prices for the interactive tour are very reasonable, especially considering how much you get to experience (and taste):
- Adults: CHF 16.00
- Children (6–16 years): CHF 9.00
- Students / seniors: CHF 12.00
- Families (up to 5 people, max. 2 adults): CHF 39.00
Children under 6 enter for free, but you’ll still need to reserve a (free) ticket for them.
It’s best to book your time slot online in advance—especially on weekends or during holidays.
Where to Stay Nearby
If you’d like to turn your visit into a more relaxed overnight trip, the Hotel Säntispark is a fantastic option nearby.
One of the highlights is their themed chocolate room—perfect for extending the whole experience just a little longer.
The hotel is also directly connected to a large indoor water park, which is included for guests and makes it especially appealing for families. You’ll find:
- A modern children’s adventure area
- A wave pool
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- A hot tub, saunas, and steam baths
On top of that, there are plenty of additional activities available (for an extra fee), including badminton, squash, tennis, bowling, and table tennis.
And of course, the breakfast buffet is excellent—with, yes, more chocolate to enjoy.
Is the Maestrani’s Chocolarium Worth It?
If you love chocolate, this is one experience in Switzerland you really shouldn’t miss.
The Chocolarium isn’t just about learning how chocolate is made—it’s about experiencing it with all your senses. From interactive exhibits and live production views to tasting stations and creating your own chocolate, it’s engaging, fun, and genuinely memorable.
With a little planning, you can easily turn your visit into a full day trip by combining it with the Appenzell Cheese Dairyor exploring St. Gallen and its famous Abbey Library of Saint Gall.
Whether you’re visiting with kids, traveling as a couple, or simply looking for a unique chocolate factory in Switzerland, the Maestrani Chocolarium is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. And if you’re craving even more chocolate adventures near Zurich, be sure to check out my blog article on the Lindt Home of Chocolate for more sweet inspiration.
