Located in the northeast of Switzerland, this small city – also home to one of Switzerland’s top business schools – is often overlooked in favor of bigger destinations like Zurich or Geneva. But with its rich history, unique architecture, and relaxed atmosphere, St. Gallen ist well worth adding to your Switzerland itinerary.
I’ve visited St. Gallen twice this year – once to explore the city itself, and another time after a stop at the Maestrani Chocolarium Chocolate Factory- and each visit showed me a different side of it.
From the cathedral’s twin towers and the famous Abbey Library to quiet streets lined with ornate bay windows, St. Gallen isn’t about big, flashy sights. It’s a place you experience slowly, one detail at a time.
In this guide, you’ll find 11 of the best things to do in St. Gallen, including must-visit landmarks, local experiences, and a few spots that are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.
1. Visit the Cathedral of St. Gallen: A Baroque Landmark in the Abbey District
You’ll notice it before you even try to find it.
The twin towers of the Cathedral of St. Gallen seem to appear from almost everywhere in the city, quietly guiding you back to its historic center. And once you’re standing in front of it, it’s hard not to pause for a moment.
Built in 1767 by architect Peter Thumb, the cathedral feels both grand and calming at the same time. The pale grey façade is elegant rather than overwhelming but step inside, and the details really begin to unfold. Soft colors, ornate decorations, and that unmistakable Baroque sense of drama make it one of the most impressive places to visit in St. Gallen.
It’s also not just a standalone landmark. The cathedral is part of the Abbey of St. Gallen complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. so when you’re here, you’re right in the cultural heart of the city.
2. Explore the Abbey Library of St. Gallen (Stiftsbibliothek): A UNESCO Treasure
The Abbey Library (Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen) is easily one of the most unique places to visit in St. Gallen. Even though I’ve been here before, it still manages to leave me speechless every single time.
The library dates all the way back to 719 and is one of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the world. Today, it houses around 170,000 works, including handwritten manuscripts and books that are more than a thousand years old. Walking past these incredible treasures, some of them more than a thousand years old, it’s hard not to wonder about everything they’ve witnessed over the centuries.
I wish I could show you what the Rococo hall looks like, but photography isn’t allowed inside. Maybe that’s part of what makes it feel so special. The warm wooden shelves, delicate stucco decorations, pastel ceiling frescoes, the soft light… it has an atmosphere I can’t quite capture in words.
But if there’s one thing that has fascinated me ever since my very first visit as a child, it’s not actually the books.
It’s the mummy.
Yes, really. Hidden away inside this centuries-old library is Schepenese, a 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy. As a kid, I thought that was the coolest thing imaginable. A real mummy… in a Swiss library?! Honestly, I still find it just as fascinating today.
Schepenese is believed to have been the daughter of an Egyptian priest and lived around the 7th century BC. Her mummy arrived in St. Gallen in the early 19th century as a gift and has been part of the library’s collection ever since.
There’s also a beautiful vaulted cellar beneath the library and changing exhibitions that are included with your ticket. When I visited, the exhibition took visitors on a journey through 1,400 years of cultural history, from the hermit Gallus, who founded the monastery that would eventually become St. Gallen, to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Abbey District we see today.
Admission to the Abbey library is around CHF 18 (with discounted tickets available), and if you’re visiting St. Gallen, I genuinely wouldn’t miss it.
3. Wander Through St. Gallen Old Town (Altstadt) and Its Iconic Bay Windows
Step away from the abbey, and you’ll find yourself drifting into one of the most enjoyable parts of St. Gallen to explore.
A network of cobbled streets, small alleys, and historic buildings that somehow feel both lively and unhurried at the same time.
What really makes the Old Town special are the details.
Look up, and you’ll start to notice them: the oriels—111 beautifully carved bay windows scattered across the city. Each one is different, each one a small piece of craftsmanship that reflects St. Gallen’s textile-rich past.
Along streets like Gallusstrasse, medieval half-timbered houses sit next to Baroque façades and later buildings from the embroidery boom years. It’s a mix that somehow works without ever feeling staged or overly polished.
And then there’s St. Laurenzen Church, with its tall steeple rising above the rooftops. If you’re up for it, you can climb the tower and it’s easily one of the best views in St. Gallen.
4. Discover the Art Museum St. Gallen: Modern and Classic Art in One Place
If you’re looking for more cultural things to do in St. Gallen or visit on a rainy day, the Art Museum (Kunstmuseum St. Gallen) is a great place to slow things down a bit. The collection spans from the 19th and 20th centuries to contemporary works, with a strong focus on Dutch, German, and French artists.
The building itself already sets the tone: a neoclassical structure designed by Johann Christoph Kunkler in 1877, which feels just as elegant as the art inside.
Entry is around CHF 12 (with reduced tickets available).
5. Chill at Drei Weihern: The Best Scenic Viewpoint in St. Gallen
If you want a break from sightseeing, Drei Weihern is one of the best outdoor spots in St. Gallen. Just a short walk or a quick ride on the small Mühleggbähnli cable car takes you up to these three ponds overlooking the city.
Originally built in the 17th century for water supply and fire protection, they eventually became a popular place for locals to swim and relax. You can still see traces of that history today, even in the names of the ponds, separating areas for men and boys and for women and families.
The Art Nouveau bathhouses, now over 100 years old, are a highlight on their own. I went on a sunny day in late April, and surprisingly, people were already swimming. Had I known how nice it would be, I definitely would’ve brought my swimsuit too. Instead, I dipped my feet in, soaked up the sun, and treated myself to a delicious Zimtfladen (cinnamon tart) at the Milchhüsli kiosk.
6. Experience Stadtlounge: St. Gallen’s Most Unique Public Space
Stadtlounge is one of those places that feels a bit unexpected, but in a fun way. When it first opened in 2005, it was pretty controversial, but now it’s become one of the more unique spots in St. Gallen.
Artist Pipilotti Rist transformed an entire square into an oversized outdoor living room, covering the ground in bright red material, adding giant “sofas,” and hanging oversized lamps overhead. It’s quirky, slightly surreal, and surprisingly inviting.
I ended up sitting there for a while, just people-watching and enjoying something a little different in the middle of the city.
7. Lace and Ruffles: Follow the Textile Heritage Trail
One of the most interesting things to discover in St. Gallen is its textile history. For centuries, this city was one of the world’s leading centers of embroidery, attracting wealthy buyers from across the globe.
That legacy is still very much alive today. Big fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, and Armani continue to use embroidery from St. Gallen in their designs.
As you walk through the city, you’ll notice old buildings with names like “Oceanic” or “Washington”—reminders of this textile boom. There’s a Textile Museum, where you can learn more about St. Gallen’s textile industry, and even a Textile Heritage Trail you can follow, with embroidered QR codes placed on buildings that give you little insights into their history.
I really liked this because it doesn’t feel like a traditional museum visit, it’s more about discovering the city as you go, one detail at a time.
8. Visit the Natural History Museum St. Gallen: A Fun and Interactive Experience
If you’re looking for something a bit different to do in St. Gallen, the Natural History Museum is a fun stop, especially when you are traveling with kids. It’s located in the western part of the city in a modern building designed specifically for the museum, with lots of light and space to really showcase the exhibits.
What I liked most is how interactive it feels. The animals aren’t just tucked away behind glass cases. They’re displayed in detailed, almost lifelike scenes, which makes the whole experience feel much more immersive. There are also plenty of hands-on elements where you can try things out along the way.
One of the highlights is the huge landscape relief of the cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell—the largest of its kind in Switzerland—which you can explore using smart binoculars with extra information layered in. The museum also has a café and rotating exhibits, so you can easily spend a couple of hours here. And if you’re already in the area, the Botanical Garden is just a short walk away.
9. Relax at the Botanical Garden St. Gallen: A Peaceful Green Escape
Right next to the Natural History Museum, the Botanical Garden spreads across about two hectares, it’s home to around 8,000 plant species from all over the world.
As you wander through, you move between completely different environments, ranging from the humid Tropical House filled with rainforest plants, orchids, and succulents to the beautifully designed Alpine House. There’s even a section dedicated to carnivorous plants and another to “living stones,” which I found unexpectedly fascinating.
But it’s not just about the themed houses. Outside, there are peaceful walking paths, meadow areas full of native plants, and plenty of quiet corners to just sit for a while.
10. Erststockbeizli: Dining on the First Floor
One of the more unique things to experience in St. Gallen is its “Erststockbeizli”. These are traditional restaurants located on the first floor of historic buildings.
The reason goes all the way back to the Middle Ages, when ground floors were often damp and not ideal for social spaces, so restaurants and gathering rooms were moved upstairs. And somehow, that tradition has stuck.
A few well-known spots include “Zum goldenen Schäfli”, “Zur Post”, and “Weinstube zum Bäumli”. Even if you don’t plan a full meal, it’s worth popping in just to experience the cozy atmosphere, which is very much part of the city’s character.
11. Taste Local Specialties: Olma Bratwurst and Zimtfladen in St. Gallen
No list of things to do in St. Gallen would be complete without trying a couple of local specialties. The famous Olma Bratwurst is a must: simple, traditional, and (very importantly) served without mustard. Locals take that rule seriously.
You’ll find it all over the city, from restaurants to street food stands.
For something sweet, don’t miss a Zimtfladen, a soft, slightly spiced cinnamon tart that’s typical for this region. I tried mine up at Drei Weihern at the Milchhüsli, and honestly, it was the perfect combination: a short walk, beautiful views over the city and Lake Constance, and then sitting in the sun with a slice of cake. Not a bad way to end a day in St. Gallen.
How to Get to St. Gallen, Switzerland
Getting to St. Gallen by public transport is easy.
From Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB), the journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes by train, making it a perfect day trip. Trains run frequently throughout the day, so you won’t need to plan too far in advance.
The most convenient options are:
- IC1 (InterCity) towards St. Gallen
- IC13 (InterCity) towards Sargans
Both routes take you directly to St. Gallen Hauptbahnhof (main station) without any transfers.
Once you arrive, you’re just a short walk from the Old Town and the Abbey District, so you can start exploring almost immediately.
Why St. Gallen Is Worth Your Time
St. Gallen might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a trip to Switzerland, but maybe that’s exactly why it should be.
It’s a city that doesn’t try too hard, doesn’t compete for attention, and yet quietly offers so much if you give it a bit of time. Between the historic abbey, the detailed old town, and the small, unexpected moments in between, it’s one of those places that slowly grows on you.
For me, it’s a reminder that some of the most memorable travel experiences aren’t always the obvious ones, but the hidden gems you almost overlook.
And St. Gallen isn’t alone in that. Cities like Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Schaffhausen, or Solothurn each have their own distinct character and are just as worth adding to your itinerary. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping slightly off the usual route to discover a completely different side of Switzerland.
If you’re planning your trip, St. Gallen also works perfectly as a day excursion, especially if you combine it with a visit to the Maestrani Chocolarium in nearby Flawil.
