Stein am Rhein combines a well-preserved old town with monastic history, art and trails along the High Rhine. At the Museum Kloster Sankt Georgen, the tour takes you through former monks’ rooms, the abbot’s houses and the monastery garden with medicinal plants. The complex is considered one of the best-preserved late medieval monasteries in Switzerland. A particular highlight is the 1515 fresco cycle in the so-called Festsaal (Great Hall): it is one of the highlights of early Renaissance painting in Switzerland.
Cultural history and museums
The churches, too, tell different chapters of the town’s history. Burg Church stands among the remains of the Roman fort of Tasgetium, which was built as early as the 3rd century. Its wall paintings date from the 15th century. The town church of Stein am Rhein was originally the collegiate church of St. George’s Abbey. Today, it is a Romanesque basilica serving as the parish church for Stein am Rhein and Hemishofen.
For a look at residential and everyday life, visit the Lindwurm Museum in the Old Town: over 1,500 m², visitors can see how an upper-middle-class family lived and worked around 1850. The abbey, churches and Lindwurm Museum offer different ways to explore history, from sacred art to domestic life in the 19th century.
On foot and by the Rhine
A 7.8 km circular hike connects Stein am Rhein with Hohenklingen Castle and leads to the Wolkenstein viewpoint. From the medieval castle high above the town, you can enjoy views of the Rhine landscape, Stein am Rhein, Lake Untersee and Werd Island. The loop therefore links the town with the castle and viewpoint; if you prefer a river route, SwitzerlandMobility Route Via Rhenana No. 60 offers another option.
The Via Rhenana follows the right bank of the Rhine to Stein am Rhein; you can also make the trip by bicycle. The two tours offer different experiences: a circular hike to a castle and viewpoint, or a riverside route that is also suitable for cycling. From Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen can be reached by boat or train. The Rhine route between the two towns is considered one of the most beautiful river journeys in Europe. If you are planning a boat trip, check the timetable for your chosen day.
Exhibitions, dining and river bathing
The cultural programme runs throughout the year: exhibitions are held at the Kulturhaus Obere Stube from March to October, while readings, talks and concerts take place year-round. Exhibitions at KrippenWelt change annually and feature up to 600 nativity scenes from around the world. They are complemented by exhibitions of renowned artists and special collections. The legend of “No e Wili” is performed as an open-air play at irregular intervals. If you would like to plan your trip around a performance, check the dates.
The Stein am Rhein GenussPfad is a culinary tour where you change venues between courses. It begins with a local winemaker presenting their wines. As opening days and participating venues may change, it is worth checking the current offer in advance. For time by the water, there is the seasonal Espi Badi, a small river bathing area with a kiosk. A wooden barrier with a footbridge protects bathers from the Rhine’s current and depths. Opening hours and facilities may change, so check the latest information before your visit.
Location on the High Rhine
Stein am Rhein lies mostly on the right bank of the High Rhine, where the Rhine flows out of Lake Constance. The municipality also has access to Lake Constance. Its eastern and northeastern boundaries also form part of the border between Germany and Switzerland. This location where lake meets river shapes the geographical setting for the town’s cultural attractions and excursions.
Discover more destinations: Buch, Hemishofen, Ramsen
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