Museums

The Zentrum Paul Klee, which opened in 2005, is dedicated to the person, life and work of Paul Klee (1879–1940). It houses the worldwide largest collection of Klee's works. Paul Klee is regarded as one of the 20th century's most important artists.

The Mamco, Geneva’s Musée d’art moderne et contemporain is original in every way. Since it opened in 1994, Switzerland’s major contemporary art museum has operated a dynamic display policy.

The Kunsthaus Zürich boasts Zurich’s largest collection of modern art and is renowned both for its permanent art collection and its temporary exhibitions. In addition to works by Alberto Giacometti there are also significant pictures by Picasso, Monet and Chagall as well as numerous contemporary Swiss artists. The spectacular extension by David Chipperfield Architects will make the Kunsthaus Zürich the largest art museum in Switzerland.

With its charming French gardens and English park with sculptures by Richard Serra – both of which can be enjoyed on Sundays – Villa Wenkenhof is Basel’s answer to Versailles in miniature.

The villa of the Hermitage Foundation solely houses changing art exhibitions. What is permanent is the magnificent view of Lake Geneva and Notre-Dame Cathedral, a view that inspired the leading landscape painter Camille Corot.

On the former country estate of the Chaplin family, "Manoir de Ban" in Corsier-sur-Vevey, a whole new world around the man with the bowler hat has been opened. And it’s here in the manor house with huge park that visitors learn of his private life while in the new building focus is on Chaplin’s artistic works.

The Museum of Textiles and Library in St.Gallen is home to interesting exhibits of historical embroideries and outstanding examples of lace as well as presentations of contemporary textile art.

Route: Geneva - Lausanne - Orbe - Avenches - Solothurn - Augst

In summer, the capital of the canton of Jura immerses itself in the world of comics. The “Delémont’BD” festival, which honours and celebrates the art of comics, breathes new life into Delémont’s old town. 

As one of the few museums in Europe dedicated to this art form, the paper mill preserves historical techniques at an authentic site. Participants are shown these traditional techniques and given the opportunity to have a go at making paper and printing themselves.

Home to the world-renowned School of Photography, the Swiss Camera Museum and the Festival Images Vevey, this city on the shores of Lake Geneva is the photography capital of Switzerland. Vevey hosts Switzerland’s largest open-air visual arts festival every two years.

The fortifications of Fribourg were built to protect the town and are today open to the public.

Designed for children aged 5–12, the Sunday Early Bird workshop explores photography in a variety of ways.

The History Museum is dedicated to the history of the city and region of Baden. The museum runs guided tours and workshops for schools and groups, and organises true-to-life exhibitions and family events.

Waldegg Castle is rightly considered the most beautiful country manor of the Solothurn patriciate. Here, where ambassadors and the aristocracy once went in and out, visitors can immerse in the same bygone world today - and learn of a time when Solothurn was the seat of the French ambassadors with the aid of a modern, multimedia guide.

The IPFO House of Photography on Kirchgasse is a venue for internationally renowned photography exhibitions that are designed to inspire and delight people from near and far.

St. Gallen has so much to offer when it comes to museums. Attractive, internationally renowned exhibitions and countless historic collections make for a diverse museum landscape. The open art Museum is particularly worth a visit.

The Abbey of St. Gall has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, and has plenty of impressive treasures just waiting to be discovered in its library, vaulted cellar and new exhibition hall.

Between 1996 and 1999, Tadashi Kawamata from Japan created a passage through the city in collaboration with the Kunsthaus Zug. Five interventions form a trail that leads from the Kunsthaus through the Old Town and along the lake promenade to the nature reserve.

Museums, galleries, art publishers - the Löwenbräu Areal is a much loved venue for art enthusiasts. The changing exhibitions of contemporary art have transformed this former brewery into a landmark cultural centre.

Since September 2015, LAC (Lugano Arte e Cultura) has been an impressive platform for contemporary creativity from southern Switzerland. The building by Ticino architect Ivano Gianola offers visitors art across 2500 square metres and a modern theatre and concert hall with space for 1000 guests.

Designer Raphael Blechschmidt gives his guests a very personal tour through his haute couture workshop, one of the last of its kind in Switzerland.

A monumental panorama, a piece of European cultural heritage and a symbol of Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition – the Bourbaki Panorama brings together a multitude of stories: political events, personal outcomes, everyday stories and a slice of art, culture and media history. There is no doubt that the Bourbaki Panorama is a genuine “visual miracle”.

The latest attraction in the city of Fribourg – Espace 1606 – takes us on a journey back to the year 1606, and shows us what the bilingual city looked like then based on a model made from an original etching by copper engraver Martin Martini.

The Forum Würth Chur is staging a changing exhibition with a broad supporting program, consisting mostly of exhibits from the Würth Collection, which comprises 16,000 exhibits.

Opened in 1874 and affectionately known as “Zolli” by the locals, Basel's Zoological Gardens are home to a large number of indigenous and exotic animals. With its fascinating park landscape and lovingly designed enclosures, Basel Zoo is well worth a visit at any time of year.

The fortifications of the town of Fribourg were built as protection for the town in the Middle Ages between the 13th and 15th centuries. With large sections of them having been preserved to this day, they are the most significant piece of medieval military architecture in Switzerland. They are also open to the public.

Flowers meet art. At the Kunsthaus Aarau, flower arrangers create floral interpretations of specially selected works of art. The museum is transformed into a colourful sea of flowers each spring.

Munot has been proudly overlooking the town of Schaffhausen for well over 400 years. The tower contains the quarters of the Munot watchman, who rings the famous Munot bell for five minutes every evening at 9 p.m. – by hand, of course, just like in 1589.

On the edge of the old town, Zug Castle is the oldest still preserved profane building in Zug and is a landmark of the city. With its many nooks and crannies, Zug Castle has been home to the museum of cultural history for the city and the Canton of Zug since 1983.

Discover the largest particle physics laboratory in the World. There are many options to visit this giant of science. Two permanent exhibitions, guided tours and a cycle route engage you in the discovery of particle physics.