Explore Schaffhausen through a range of cultural themes: the Old Town, the Munot and the museums each offer a distinct focus, spanning architectural history, collections and watchmaking. A seasonal round trip on the Rhine also takes you to Stein am Rhein. You can tailor your stay to the subjects that interest you most.
Old Town and Munot: architectural and urban history
Schaffhausen’s Old Town is known for its 171 oriel windows. The paintings at the Haus zum Ritter are considered the most significant Renaissance frescoes north of the Alps. Twelve guild houses once shaped the city’s development. If you are interested in architectural and urban history, you can explore several perspectives: façade details, Renaissance paintings and the former role of the guilds each illuminate a different aspect.
The publicly accessible part of the Munot is open to everyone during the day. During opening hours, the casemate, the Reitschnecke (cavalry ramp) and the battlements, including the toilet facilities, are generally accessible free of charge. The casemate can be reached via entrances from Emmersberg and via the Munotstieg. The underground passage and the rampart walk can be visited on tours led by the Munot’s guardian; these areas are not generally accessible. If you particularly want to see these parts, the tour is essential. Check current visiting hours before your visit.
Museums spanning archaeology, art and watchmaking
The Museum zu Allerheiligen is located in the heart of Schaffhausen’s picturesque Old Town, in the complex of the former Benedictine monastery of Allerheiligen. Under one roof, it presents archaeology and cultural history, a significant collection of antiquities, an art collection featuring works by Cranach, Hodler, Vallotton, Otto Dix and Adolf Dietrich, as well as a natural history collection. The different sections offer a broad introduction to the city’s history and collections.
At the IWC Museum, you can experience the history of the largest watch manufacturer in German-speaking Switzerland through multimedia. The exhibition includes more than 230 objects; check the visitor information for the latest details. The museum is about a ten-minute walk from Schaffhausen railway station. It is also accessible by bus route 6 to the “Rhybadi/IWC” stop. Check the current timetable before travelling.
A seasonal trip on the Rhine
A round trip on the Rhine from Schaffhausen takes you to Stein am Rhein. There is a brief stop to explore the Old Town before the return boat takes passengers back to Schaffhausen. The trip is seasonal, so check the timetable and available dates before planning. It offers a different focus from the city’s museums: rather than collections and architectural history, the journey on the Rhine and a short stop in Stein am Rhein take centre stage.
Schaffhausen in its regional context
The canton of Schaffhausen lies almost entirely on the right bank of the High Rhine and west of Lake Constance. About 45 percent of the canton’s area is used for agriculture, while a further 43 percent or so is forested. These figures describe the canton as a whole and offer a different perspective from the Old Town and its museums. For your stay, the city’s architecture and collections can provide a specific cultural focus, while the information about the canton places Schaffhausen within a broader landscape.
Discover more destinations: Trasadingen, Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Schleitheim, Hallau, Beringen
Go to the overarching travel overview: Schaffhausen.
