Aarau

The capital of Aargau canton, featuring a picturesque medieval center with characteristic mansions displaying ornate wooden shutters and baroque facades. Aarau offers excellent museums, a vibrant cultural scene, and serves as a gateway to exploring the wider canton.

Things to do

• Aarau Old Town Walking Tour — Stroll through the charming medieval center admiring the distinctive baroque mansions with ornate wooden shutters lining Rathausgasse and surrounding streets.
• Aargauer Kunsthaus — Visit this excellent art museum showcasing Swiss art from the 19th century to contemporary works, housed in a modern building overlooking the town.
• Schloss Hallwyl — Explore this magnificent castle near Seengen just south of Aarau, featuring ornate period rooms and extensive collections spanning centuries of aristocratic life.
• Museum Aargau & Schloss Wildegg — Discover a well-preserved 17th-century castle with original furnishings and terraced gardens offering insights into rural aristocratic life in the Aargau region.
• Aarau Town Hall and Bünzlin Tower — Admire the Renaissance town hall with its distinctive tower and view the medieval town walls and fortifications that define Aarau's historic character.
• Naturama Natural History Museum — Engage with interactive exhibits on regional flora, fauna, and natural history of the Aargau landscape and Swiss biodiversity.
• Aare River Cycling Routes — Pedal along scenic pathways following the Aare River through the canton, with easy access to nearby villages, castles, and countryside.

Food to try

• Aargauer Rüebli — A traditional carrot cake made with walnuts and cinnamon, representing classic Swiss-German baking traditions from the Aargau region.
• Sädchuchue — A savory tart filled with onions, cream, and bacon that is a beloved local specialty throughout the Aargau canton, often enjoyed during festivals.
• Aargauer Rüblitorte — A nutty carrot and almond layer cake with chocolate frosting, considered an iconic dessert of Aargau and sold in local bakeries.
• Local Brewery Visits — Sample beers from regional breweries like Brauerei Falkenstein or Brauerei Kulm, which produce traditional Swiss lagers and seasonal specialties.
• Aare River Fish Dishes — Try local perch or trout prepared simply grilled or pan-fried, sourced from the Aare River and served in riverside restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Explore on foot during daylight — The Old Town's character is best appreciated by leisurely walking its narrow lanes during the day when light plays off the ornate facades and you can peek into courtyards.
• Visit on market days — Tuesdays and Saturdays bring farmers markets to the central squares, offering local produce, crafts, and a genuine glimpse of daily community life.
• Regional dialect and courtesy — Locals speak Aargau dialect (a Swiss German variant), though everyone speaks standard German and English; a friendly 'Grüezi' greeting is appreciated in shops and cafes.
• Respect quiet hours — Swiss punctuality and noise restrictions are taken seriously, with quiet hours typically from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays, so keep this in mind if staying nearby.