Eastern Switzerland

St. Gallen is the cultural center of Eastern Switzerland, yet it never feels heavy or overwhelming. The historic core is compact, walkable, and easy to navigate with children. You can see a lot here without committing to long indoor visits or tightly scheduled programs.

What actually matters in St. Gallen is concentration, not quantity. The Abbey of Saint Gall, a UNESCO-listed site, forms the historical heart of the city.

Nearby, the Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library) is the main highlight for families. The recommended visit time is 30-45 minutes, which is exactly why it works well with kids-impressive, focused, and not exhausting.

The St. Gallen Cathedral is free to enter and worth a short stop of around 20 minutes. Its interior is calm and visually striking, offering a cultural experience without long explanations.

Outside, the old town itself becomes part of the experience, especially the distinctive bay windows (Erker) that line the streets.

One unexpected highlight for families is Red Square / City Lounge, an open and unconventional urban space. Children instinctively treat it as a play area, while adults appreciate the pause and atmosphere.

Honest limitation: The library is smaller than many expect, and closing times are early. Checking opening hours in advance is essential to avoid disappointment.

Appenzell feels like stepping into an illustrated storybook. Painted houses, small independent shops, and a strong village atmosphere create an immediate connection, especially for children. There is no need for explanations or structured activities here-the place works simply by walking through it.

The Appenzell Old Town is compact and easy to explore on foot. Streets are short, colorful, and lively without feeling busy. Families naturally slow down, stop for photos, and browse local shops without feeling rushed or overloaded.

A key stop for families is Appenzeller Schaukäserei, where cheese production is presented in a clear, well-organised way. The visit is brief, structured, and includes tastings, which helps keep children engaged without overstaying attention spans. It adds cultural context without turning into a long indoor experience.

Beyond the village itself, the surrounding area offers farms, grazing fields, and seasonal local events that reinforce the region’s rural character. These elements don’t require strict planning and fit well into a flexible family day.

Säntis is the most recognisable natural landmark in Eastern Switzerland and a major highlight for families when conditions are right. The cable car from Schwägalp reaches the summit in about 10 minutes, making the ascent manageable even with children. From the top, the views are wide, dramatic, and among the most impressive in the region.

At the summit, families will find panoramic viewpoints, a restaurant, and a small exhibition. The experience is compact and well organised, which helps prevent fatigue, especially for younger travellers.

The surrounding Alpstein Mountains offer a range of hiking options, from easy walks to more demanding routes. Families benefit most from choosing shorter trails that focus on scenery rather than distance. This keeps the day balanced and avoids unnecessary strain.

There are also clear limitations to consider. The cable car is expensive, and during peak periods the summit can feel crowded. Arriving early significantly improves the experience and reduces time spent waiting.

Seealpsee is located in the heart of the Alpstein Mountains and is one of the most accessible alpine lakes for families in Eastern Switzerland. The walking route to the lake is relatively easy, well-marked, and suitable for children, making it a natural choice for a relaxed outdoor day.

The lake itself is calm and open, surrounded by steep alpine slopes that reflect beautifully on the water. This is not a destination built around activities or schedules. It works best when approached slowly, with time to sit, observe, and let children move freely without pressure.

There is a simple restaurant near the lake, but many families prefer to bring their own food. This allows more flexibility and avoids time constraints, especially when children want to stay longer than planned.

Seealpsee also works well outside peak summer months and even for quiet winter walks, depending on conditions.

The main limitation is that Seealpsee is not designed for fast visits. Families expecting constant entertainment may find it too quiet. For those who appreciate space, nature, and unstructured time, it often becomes a highlight of the trip.

Lake Constance (Bodensee) stretches across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, but the Swiss side feels noticeably calmer and more relaxed. The landscape is flat and open, making it especially suitable for families with children who prefer easy walks, cycling, and time near the water.

Recommended towns along the Swiss shore include Rorschach, Romanshorn, and Berlingen. Each offers similar advantages: accessible lakeside paths, picnic areas, small harbours, and a generally unhurried atmosphere. Families can easily combine short boat rides with lakeside walks or cycling on flat terrain.

Boat trips on Lake Constance vary by route, typically costing 15-35 CHF per person. These rides are short enough to keep children engaged without becoming tiring and provide a different perspective of the region.

The main limitation is that evenings tend to be very quiet, which may feel uneventful for families used to urban environments. During the day, however, the balance of water, space, and simplicity works extremely well.

Kronberg is one of the few locations in Eastern Switzerland that is clearly designed with families in mind. It combines nature with structured activities, making it an effective stop for children who need more movement and variety during a trip.

The area includes a cable car, a Bobbahn (summer toboggan run), playgrounds, and several short walking trails. The setup allows families to choose how active they want the visit to be, without committing to a long or demanding schedule. Children usually engage quickly, while adults can enjoy the surrounding alpine views.

That said, timing is critical. During warmer months, the area can become busy around midday, which leads to queues and waiting times-something that can quickly frustrate younger travellers.

Kronberg works best as a half-day stop rather than a full-day destination. It fits well into an itinerary that balances active attractions with quieter nature-based locations elsewhere in Eastern Switzerland.

Guarda is a small, car-free village known for its traditional sgraffito houses. Walking through it feels quiet and intimate, with no traffic and no pressure to rush. It works best as a short stop combined with a scenic drive.

Hoher Kasten offers wide panoramic views reached by cable car. The experience is compact and visual, making it suitable even for families with limited time or younger children.

The Vaduz-Appenzell Road is not just a transfer route but one of the most scenic drives in the region. Gentle curves, open landscapes, and frequent viewpoints turn the drive itself into an experience.

Along Untersee, the quieter section of Lake Constance, the atmosphere is noticeably calmer. Fewer visitors, flat paths, and open water create ideal conditions for relaxed walks and picnics.

Walensee adds a more dramatic contrast, with steep cliffs and deep water, while remaining less crowded than more famous lakes.