Aarau is one of Switzerland’s most stunning towns, located on the River Aare. Its beautiful and picturesque old town is well known for its stunning, carefully painted eaves, the ‘Dachhimmel’, and its positioning in the picture-perfect landscape of both the Aare and the Jura. Aarau is small enough to benefit from a local, community feel, but big enough to offer everything you’d look for in a modern, welcoming and outward-looking city.
Eating Out in Aarau
- Enjoy breakfast at: Little Sem The café has a stylish but relaxed vibe and is split into two spaces along with outdoor seating, one of which has a small children’s play area. Don’t miss Little Sem’s sumptuous ice cream counter in the summer, either!
- Grab a coffee at: Tuchlabe
It’s every bit the ‘inside outside’ culture at Tuchlabe, a laidback café bar in a beautiful building in old town serving coffee, beers, cheese plates and Sunday brunch. - For authentic Swiss hospitality: Gasthof Schützen Open daily and serving everything from game to fish, Gasthof Schützen isn’t the cheapest eatery in Aarau but if you’re looking for good quality food made with local and traditional ingredients then you’ll be in the right place.
- For a hipster vibe: Garage Bar Local, rugged and perfect for a beer overlooking the old town’s iconic fountain, Garage Bar is a great place to meet local Aarauers and also offers great cultural events.
- For something more international: Sultan Restaurant Halde Sultan is a cosy restaurant tucked away in one of Aarau’s quietest and most beautiful streets in old town. Serving flavoursome, everyday Bangladeshi and Indian dishes that have passed through families for generations, you’re guaranteed fresh ingredients, a small menu, friendly service and a sunny terrace with a pretty view.
- Dine with the Family at: Sevilla In the heart of Aarau’s old town, this tapas and wine bar is quaint and full of atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for cosy nights and a lovingly prepared menu.
- In between sightseeing take a break at: Café Ccino Nestled at the centre of old town is this little gem, with its sunny roof terrace, exceptional coffee and a great light bites menu, as well as sweet treats. It also forms part of the town’s brilliant Home Shop, a high-end gift, textile and home store.
- Try the local speciality: Altstadt
No frills home cooking and beer. Considered the last real ‘Beiz’ in Aarau’s old town, Alstadt also serves Indian and Chinese specialities.
- For when you need something light: BYRO Kaffeebar This coffee bar and co-working space is as welcoming to quality coffee seekers as it is to the town’s co-workers. With rustic, floral-themed décor (picture pampas grass and beautiful dried flower bouquets) it’s the perfect spot to observe the buzz of the town from a high bar stool or one of its small street-side tables.
- Vegetarians will feel at home at: Lockentopf Lockentopf is a gorgeous café bar with cosy indoor and outdoor seating and a beautiful view of old town. Homemade iced-teas, aperitif platters and lovely vegetarian options make this a firm favourite for visitors and locals alike.
- For Date night: HOBO If you’re into mood lighting, exposed brickwork and dreamy foliage then HOBO is the bar for you. Serving delicious cocktails with second-to-none attention to detail, this bar is as much a trendy after-work chilled setting as it is an up-market cocktail bar.
- For girls’ night out: SummerTime bar Picture festoon string bulbs, a beautiful riverside location on the Aare, ample outdoor seating, and a small kids’ play area, and you’ve arrived at SummerTime. As the name suggests, it’s a seasonal offering that’s a firm favourite for families and groups alike.
- For drinks: Schwanbar
Another brilliant annual pop-up (this year running until 25 August) this is another wonderful waterfront offering. Attracting young, old, friends and families, it’s a cosy summer bar right on the banks of the river Aare with ample open air seating and weekly Wednesday street food trucks in attendance, as well as regular bar food served in the main bar area. - Grab something sweet at: La Creperie Authentic and charming, La Creperie offers sensational coffee and crepes with all the ambience of a real French bistro. It’s not the most spacious of venues so bear that in mind if you’re in a larger group, but this adds to the bistro atmosphere.
Where to Shop in Aarau
- Buy your groceries at: Migros / Coop
As well as all the usual staples, the town’s Coop store also has a cute little upstairs play area for kids which is perfect for a lazy Monday morning coffee while the kids let off some steam. - Visit the Farmers Market: Saturday mornings in old town A vibrant selection of fresh food and beautiful flowers awaits you at this weekly Saturday morning farmers market. Colourful and authentic, be sure to get there early if you want to get ahead of the hustle and bustle..
- Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss: The Laderach store on Bahnhofstrasse Obviously not a local offering, but here you’ll find a great selection of chocolate treats from this flagship chocolatier in a compact store conveniently located on Bahnofstrasse, just a short stroll from the town’s main station.
- Pick up a souvenir at: Kaufhaus zum Gluck This quirky gift store offers an eclectic mix of pieces, from prints to toys to textiles, each sprinkled with a little individuality and good luck.
- Buy the kids something at: Orell Fussli A dependable, cosy bookshop to browse and discover everything from books to gifts to toys. What’s more, kids will love the children’s reading section, which comes complete with its own small person-sized play den with cuddly toys.
- Grab a loaf from: Backerei-Konditorei zur Kettenbrücke
The perfect, friendly spot for fresh and varied daily offerings just a stone’s throw from old town and the impressive new bridge currently under construction - Find something for the home at: The Home Shop A fun but high-end lifestyle and textile store guaranteed to enchant with its varied, unique and colourful offerings and beautiful window displays. The store has an anthropologie-esque vibe, with an entire upstairs floor dedicated to stunning textiles. Totally impossible to leave without that perfect gift for you (or a loved one!).
- A great second-hand shop: Heilsarmee Brocki Woschnau
This warehouse-sized store is based outside of town but is absolutely worth the visit. Remarkably well organised by section considering its size, pop along for upcycled, pre-loved homeware, clothes, ski-gear, vintage finds, and anything and everything in between. It’s one of those Brockis you’re guaranteed to leave having bought something you absolutely, categorically weren’t going in for! - My favourite clothing store: Rolling Rock Located in the heart of Aarau since 2007, this streetwear store spread across two levels features streetwear, shoes and accessories from carefully selected brands including Veja and Patagonia, inspired by Nordic design and sophisticated style.
Activities in and around Aarau
- Hop on a bike and cycle:
Along the river Aare towards Olten via the riverside ice cream kiosk where there’s also a small beached area on the river’s edge to enjoy your icecream and cool your feet. - Families love to visit: Wildpark Roggenhausen Aarau A beautiful and tranquil spot ouside the hustle of the town with deer, wild boar, resident peacocks and ponies, among many other animals. There’s also a nice play area for children and a restaurant and fruit orchard. A perfect (and free!) spot for families and walkers alike.
- Take a dip: Freibad Schachen
Though a busy spot in holiday season, this spacious and immaculate badi offers plenty of pool options for every type of visitor, from serious swimmers to children. There’s also a restaurant and generous grassy area for sunbathers. - Pull on your hiking boots and: The Wasserflue One of the highest points in Aargau offering beautiful views of the Alps and grill areas for you to take in the scenery while rewarding your efforts.
- If it is raining: Naturama History Museum
A modern museum focusing on natural history and ecology, featuring dinosaurs, mammoths, living animals and a look into the future. It also has a good café and shop, along with special exhibitions and events. - A great playground: Waldspielplatz Schiebenschachen Known by many as the ‘forest park’, this is a popular spot for parents and tots with its a large climbing frame, swings, slides, see saw, water area and sand pit. There is also a grill area under the park’s tree canopy, and ample picnic seating.
- Locals ski at: Engelberg
Just 1.15 hours from Aarau, the alpine resort of Engelberg offers skiing for all levels as well as a range of other activities centred on the beautiful and iconic Mount Titlis. - For the best views: The Alpenzeiger
A beautiful viewing point over the whole town and beyond that’s best reached on foot and well signposted from the Weinberg restaurant. - When guests visit: Wander around old town, get coffee and crepes at one of the above venues, then cycle or walk along the river with a detour to Alpenzeiger to take in the views.
Aarau
- Local festivals not to miss: Maienzug Festival in June Marking the beginning of the summer holidays, 400-year-old Maienzug is the most important festival for the people of Aarau which sees thousands of people descend on the town each year. Although predominantly a children’s festival, with a flagship youth parade through the town, it’s become a major celebration and carnival, attracting tens of thousands of people of all ages over several days.
- The best time of year to visit is: Spring / summer to enjoy it under blue skies and visit the riverside attractions in the town but, as with many Swiss towns, it’s also an exceptionally pretty and twinkly place to visit in winter, too.
- Best place to watch the sunset: Most places along the river if you’re after beautiful warm, dusky hues and reflections, but somewhere out of town like Thalheim if you’re after something more show-stopping.
Getting Around Aarau
- Best to get around on: Bike/bus That said, parking in the city centre is also easy, so whichever mode of transport you take you’ll find it easy and convenient.
- Closest airport/train station/bus stop: Basel and Zurich are both within 45 minutes, and Aarau’s central train/bus station is also very central
- Traffic Tips: As with anywhere, avoid rush hour if you’re in a hurry!
- A place to rest your head when you want to splurge: Hotel Kettenbrucke This 4* hotel, located right on the historic city wall by the Kettenbrucke bridge, has a good reputation and is known for blending strong heritage with modern convenience.
About Anna
Anna Hartt originally hails from beautiful Wales where she spent the bulk of her childhood and early adult life, but she’s currently on a Swiss adventure with her husband and two (soon to be three) preschool-aged children. Formerly a PR Director, Anna currently splits her time between raising her young family, freelancing, counselling and trying to master Deutsch!
