Laufen is located in the Laufental valley on the River Birs and is the capital of the district of the same name in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. The old town is in the centre and can be reached by public transport. During your stay, you can explore the town from different perspectives: its medieval town remains, museums, trails starting from the railway station, or seasonal leisure activities.
Old Town: Gates, Lanes and Culture
Cobblestone lanes, historic town gates and remains of the town wall define the old town. The Untertor is a striking part of the original medieval fortifications. Despite being rebuilt several times, it has retained its monumental character and still serves as an entrance to the enclosed old town centre. The former prison is also one of the sights in the old town centre.
A historical project brings the past to life as an echo chamber, with ten voices and photographic portraits; its timeline spans from 2400 BC to 1989. The Baroque Church of St. Catherine, completed in 1698, offers a different glimpse into the town’s architectural history. Carnival has a long tradition in Laufen: the first documented carnival procession took place in 1896. The Kulturforum association has been presenting its programme at the «Alts Schlachthuus» cultural centre since September 2002.
Museums and Fossils
The Laufental Museum is located at Helye-Platz in the old town. The Laufen Fossil Museum is housed in an extension along Laufen’s town wall. Its collection comprises more than 2,500 fossils, all of which are between 150 and 200 million years old. A visit to the old town can thus be complemented by a glimpse far back into the history of the Earth.
On Foot: Circular Trail or Route Towards Röschenz
The Laufen Planet Trail is a 6.2-kilometre circular hiking trail. Including the connecting route from the railway station and back, the distance is 8.3 kilometres. The trail starts and ends at Laufen railway station, which has connections to the S-Bahn and various bus routes. QR codes on the planet information boards link to the audio play «Moggä and the Galactic Adventure on the Planet Trail».
The Anniversary Trail offers another route description: it leads from the railway station through the town, over Bromberg and towards Röschenz. When planning, you can choose between a circular route with a stated total distance and a route with a named destination area. Laufen is also on the Jura Railway line between Basel and Delsberg. Check the timetables for your travel dates if you are planning to use public transport for your journey or to get to the railway station.
Seasonal Activities and Ricola
The Nau swimming pool features a 95-metre-long waterslide and a diving pool with 1-metre and 3-metre springboards. The ice sports and leisure hall is open for public skating from mid-October to mid-March; the exact dates of the season may change. Club teams can start training as early as the end of August. The swimming and ice sports facilities therefore have different seasonal focuses.
Ricola also offers various ways to explore herbs and sweets. Exclusive guided tours can be booked at the Ricola Herb Centre, showing the journey from fresh herbs to sweets. The centre is considered the largest earthen building in Europe. At the Ricola Experience Shop, you can put together a personal mix of your favourite sweets. The factory shop in Laufen also offers a variety of chocolate creations; check the opening hours before your visit.
Plan Your Stay
Whether you are most interested in the old town’s history, a visit to a museum, a circuit on the Planet Trail or a seasonal activity, these themes can give your stay in Laufen different emphases. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by narrowing down your options according to the planned focus of your visit. Check the specific details of each offer before booking.
Discover more destinations: Grellingen, Duggingen, Liesberg, Zwingen
Return to the main travel overview: Laufen.
