A wonderful day at Rapperswil-Jona in Switzerland
Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 6 April 2025
On a trip to Switzerland, we did a visit in Rapperswil-Jona. Nicknamed the City of Roses and nestled on the shores of Lake Zurich, combines medieval history, natural beauty and modern charm.
Indeed, with its lush rose gardens, cobbled streets and imposing castle overlooking the town, Rapperswil-Jona offered us the perfect day out in Switzerland.
So in this article, we’ll guide you through the best ways to enjoy your day in this enchanting Swiss city. And of course, at the end of the article, you’ll find Kiki’s verdict: he was totally seduced.
Introducing Rapperswil-Jona
The city of Rapperswil-Jona is located in the canton of St. Gallen in German-speaking Switzerland. It was created by the merger of the municipalities of Rapperswil and Jona in 2007, creating a single administrative entity. The main language is therefore Swiss German. But don’t worry about making yourself understood in English.
Nestling on the shores of Lake Zurich, it is about 40 km southeast of Zurich and 75 km from St. Gallen. Rapperswil-Jona is also a stage on the Route of Santiago de Compostela.
How do I get to Rapperswil-Jona?
Rapperswil-Jona is easy to reach:
- By car: from Zurich, it takes around 40 minutes to reach Rapperswil-Jona on the A3 freeway towards Chur.
- By train: There are regular direct trains from Zurich to Rapperswil-Jona. The journey takes around 35 minutes. Swiss trains are extremely punctual and comfortable. I’m repeating myself, but it’s always a pleasure to take the train in Switzerland. Alternatively, if you’re in St. Gallen, you can take a train that will take you directly to Rapperswil in 48 minutes.
- By boat : one of the most picturesque ways to get to Rapperswil-Jona is by boat on Lake Zurich. Regular services leave from Zurich. In fact, this is what I did on one of my first visits to Zurich, and I loved admiring the magnificent views on the way.
What to do in Rapperswil-Jona
We were able to visit Rapperswil-Jona in one day. The town offers a variety of activities. Here are the must-sees.
A stroll along Lake Zurich
We began with a magnificent walk along Lake Zurich. This crescent-shaped lake covers some 88 km². It is the 5th largest lake in Switzerland.
Don’t forget to take your souvenir photo of the Grand Tour de Suisse.
A stroll along Lake Zurich is a must in Rapperswil-Jona!
The old town of Rapperswil-Jona
We strolled through the cobbled streets of Rapperswil-Jona’s historic center. We admired the medieval buildings and the parish church of St. John, built in the 13th century.
When we were there, there was a market. The atmosphere was really pleasant and relaxed.
Rapperswil Castle
After visiting Rapperswill town center, we continued on to the castle. Dating from the 13th century, this medieval castle overlooks the town. It offers a magnificent view of Lake Zurich.
Rapperswil Castle is open to the public and offers guided tours that allow visitors to discover the fascinating history of the castle and its inhabitants. In addition, the nearby Rose Garden boasts over 15,000 rose plants. It also houses the Polish Museum, dedicated to Polish history. Unfortunately, we were disappointed, as the castle is currently closed for renovation.
The only thing we did was enjoy the incredible view from the castle.
Rapperswil vineyards
Rapperswil’s vineyards add a unique dimension to an already enchanting landscape. Indeed, Rapperswil’s winegrowing tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when local monks and lords cultivated vines on the region’s sunny hillsides. Rapperswil’s proximity to Lake Zurich creates a microclimate favorable to viticulture, with moderate temperatures and rich, fertile soil.
Today, Rapperswil’s vineyards are carefully cultivated by passionate local winemakers. Grape varieties grown include mainly Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau, which produce red and white wines.
Visit Knie children’s zoo
This family zoo is a great place for children and animal lovers. We didn’t visit it. We just had a wonderful walk around the zoo and to the campus.
A magnificent walk!
Blinden Rosengarten
We ended our day in Rapperswil-Jona with a visit to the Rose Garden in the town center.
How do I get around Rapperswil-Jona?
The town of Rapperswil-Jona is not very large. So you can do everything on foot.
Where to eat in Rapperswil-Jona?
Not raclette or fondue, but pizza! So we ate at the San Marco pizzeria. It wasn’t the best pizza, but the setting is very pleasant.
Kiki’s verdict on his visit to Rapperswil-Jona
If you’re looking for information about this beautiful town on Google, be sure to enter the full name Rapperswil-Jona. Only “Rapperswil” could lead you to the canton of Berne by mistake.
Don’t worry, Kiki knows the difference and knows that Rapperswil-Jona is part of the canton of St. Gallen, even though it lies on Lake Zurich. Ask anyone in Switzerland what Rapperswil-Jona is known for, and the answer is often: the petting zoo! Owned by the national circus Knie, the zoo has been a popular excursion destination for families for decades. Who knows, maybe you’ll have the chance to go?
An exciting way to explore the city is to go on a treasure hunt. Perhaps the best-known outdoor puzzle adventure in Switzerland is the Foxtrail. Kiki loves these adventures and has already experienced countless of them all over Switzerland. There’s also a Foxtrail in Rapperswil-Jona, for which he gives an absolute recommendation. Not only are the riddles fascinating, but the treasure hunt ends in a scary and impressive place, which requires courage and is unforgettable! For skeptics: this is not an affiliate link – Kiki paid for all Foxtrails out of his own pocket!
What to do around Rapperswil-Jona?
Here are a few ideas for escapades in German-speaking Switzerland:
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