Rapperswil, the most beautiful city on Lake Zurich. (Collage: Gus & Stella)
For people from Zurich, the city is at the wrong end of the lake. But what can one say: Roger Federer also likes it better in Rapperswil-Jona.
The most beautiful city on Lake Zurich is not Zurich, but is at the other end: Rapperswil! Why? Thanks to the peninsula location, there is much more sea here. Compared to the Limmatstadt, Rapperswil is much smaller in size, but the old town is still the heart of city life and can even boast a real castle. Those who climb the 53 steps of the kitschy castle stairs will be rewarded with a panoramic view of Lake Ober and Lake Zurich, Seedamm, Kempratner Bay and the Alps.
Cozy little town on the water
The small town on the Way of St. James also has national appeal, with the flagship Rapperswil Lakers, Knie Circus, Children’s Zoo and OST University of Applied Sciences, for example. The metal column on Zürcherstrasse and Neue Jonastrasse as well as the roar of rail and road traffic on the Seedamm in the direction of the A3 make it clear that the Rapperswil-Jona conurbation is becoming more and more densely populated.
The big city feeling doesn’t really want to arise here. Life at the border triangle of the cantons of Zurich, St. Gallen and Schwyz is more tranquil.
After all, when the weather is nice, tourists flock to the city: from the Seequai they swarm through the alleys to the rose gardens at the Capuchin monastery. Or up to the castle to enjoy the peaceful view – buzzing drones are not welcome here. At the deer park, which reminds of the legend of the city’s foundation, it goes back down to the lake, always beautiful with Roger Federer’s construction site in view, which is on the other bank of the Kempraten Bay.
The Rapperswil of the locals
The Rapperswil of the locals takes place on the main square, where the weekly market takes place on Fridays in the summer months and you can stop off at the “Frauenhof” or “Inä”. Other meeting points are the woodenSeebadi or the Werki-Bar in the arsenal area. The 40-year-old old town resident Frédéric Zwicker is welcome everywhere. The author, musician and “Linth-Zeitung” columnist is with his band Hektor Super (formerly Knuts suitcase) as well as a co-initiator of events such as “Ort für Wort”, “Kulturspaziergang” and “Zagrap” music festival, a driver of local city life. In his latest novel «Joy»He even conjures up one or the other corner of the quarters.
For a little break away from everyday life and the hustle and bustle on the lake promenade, Rapperswiler like to cross the lake: along the pilgrim path via wooden footbridge, it goes towards Einsiedeln to Hurden. Or you can take a ship to the islands of Ufenau and Lützelau. And whoever returns to the Seequai in the evening will also find the most beautiful sunset on Lake Zurich.
Cheesecake, Robinson Crusoe, and cheap beer
11:00 | Shopping
Im Esperanto Buy fashion and gifts. Astrid Walser sells at 300 m in Esperanto2 Fashion and gifts in a relaxed atmosphere and with a beautiful interior.
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17:00 | Relax
The Schüür Kempraten is an oasis with a cozy garden, including a water lily pond, for barbecuing and playing. There are also concerts and flea markets.
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13:30 | snack
At Rodolfo Castelberg in Bistrot Inä good coffee, lunch and the best cheesecake in the region, as well as second-hand furniture to buy.
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22:00 | Absacker
The Bears, Tavern with charm and cheap beer.
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15:00 | Culture and more
This is an alternative to the old town and the lake Armory area. Not just the Robinson Crusoe library in the Art (stuff) house is a trouvaille: there is a café, bars, dance studios, a second hand shop and urban gardening.
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