Balgach lies between vineyards and the Rhine Valley and is a municipality in the Rheintal constituency of the canton of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland. A magnificent banquet hall in the Old Town Hall shows just how much local history can be discovered in a small space.
Town Hall History and Grünenstein Castle
In 1596, the top floor of the Old Town Hall was converted into a banquet hall. The grotesque illusion paintings on the plank walls have been almost completely preserved and are considered unique in Switzerland and a cultural asset of national importance. The Town Hall was once a medieval tithe barn. In 1969, it was restored, placed under heritage protection and opened to the public; visiting arrangements may vary. The hand embroidery machine in the Town Hall can be viewed by arrangement with the embroiderer. Guided tours are also available.
Grünenstein Castle stands on a rocky promontory above the Rhine Valley. Its castle park is private but may be crossed; the gates have been open to everyone since the 1980s. When visiting, please observe the local notices about the private area. This allows you to appreciate the castle’s striking setting while respecting the private nature of the park.
Vineyards, Rebhüttli and Wine
The surrounding vineyards are part of Balgach’s cultural and culinary landscape. Among the vines high above the town stands the Rebhüttli, an important feature of the municipality’s landscape. It was built more than a hundred years ago as a shelter for winegrowers, burned down at the end of 2012 and was subsequently rebuilt. Its history connects viticulture with a distinctive local landmark.
The 2026 events calendar lists FiirobedWii as a recurring summer event on the terrace of the Schmidheiny winery. For the listed dates, it mentions refreshing wine and savoury cheese platters from the Chäshütte Balgach. If you are planning to attend a future edition, check the dates and offerings.
Nature and Farm Visit Experience
The Höchstern nature reserve is of national importance and offers opportunities for walks and local recreation. The viewpoint of Weidenschnägg is located near Höchstern, above the protected area. A report from February 2024 notes that existing ponds in the fen were dredged and extended to the northeast; the Alpine newt and smooth newt are considered indicator species there. The landscape thus combines outdoor recreation with a close-up look at the fen habitat.
The Eichhof in Balgach offers a farm visit experience: cows, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and peacocks are joined by ride-on toy tractors and a large sandpit for children. Another way to experience a field from an unusual perspective is RhyLa. This digitally designed maize maze winds through the cornfield and covers around 3.5 hectares, with more than 3,000 metres of paths. It also features a four-metre-high viewing tower. Before visiting, it is worth checking the relevant dates.
Exercise and Views
The family-friendly Balgach indoor swimming pool offers public swimming, swimming lessons and aqua fitness. There is a skate park at the Riet sports facilities. Balgach also has a modern, certified athletics track, offering further sporting opportunities; the facility also includes a children’s playground, a public toilet and an e-bike charging station. The options vary considerably, from swimming and training to skating.
On 22 May 2026, a street workout facility opened in Balgach as a free training option accessible to everyone. It is designed for bodyweight training, known as calisthenics, and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced athletes.
The church is another prominent landmark: it stands above the main road and offers views across the Rhine Valley, of the Säntis massif and towards nearby Vorarlberg. The present-day church was officially dedicated to the Holy Three Kings and consecrated on 28 October 1831.
Discover more destinations: Berneck, Oberriet, Diepoldsau, Marbach, Rheineck, Au, Rüthi, Altstätten.
Return to the regional travel overview: Rheintal.
