Although
many Swiss turn their modest balconies into hanging gardens worthy of Babylon,
there are many gardens throughout the country that are worth a journey, and
most of them are free.
Zurich Botanical Gardens Part of
Zurich University, a lovely spacious area near to Zollikon tram stop. It has
beautiful planting, nicely labelled, with greenhouses, water features, an
allotment growing herbs and vegetables, a cheap café and plenty of places to
sit and relax. Open all year. Free entrance.
Gardens and
arboretum, Zürich Mythenquai. By the
lake near Bürkliplatz, a large grassy area lovely for strolling, with a small
arboretum and aviary.
Zurich Utoquai and Seefeldquai from
Bellevue to Zürichhorn This side of the lake offers a half-hour walk
through grassy areas where you can sit and admire the view. The plants and
sculptures around Lakeside and Zurichhorn are particularly nice.
China Garden, Zurich A little
gem in the park close to Zurichhorn, a gift from the town of Kunming. Small
entry fee. This is a Chinese garden in miniature, with traditional features
such as rocks, water features, pavilions, a zigzag bridge, and waterlilies and
magnolias. There’s also a cheap takeaway café there. Or take a picnic.
Rose garden, Rapperswil (SG) In the
city of the roses, the small rose
garden at the foot of the castle features many varieties, in bloom from June to
September. Take the long boat trip from Zürich
Bürkliplatz, or go by train. www.zsg.ch, www.sbb.ch
For events in Rapperswil including free guided tours in
August, contact Tourist Information at 055 220 57 57. (Gill)
Insel Ufenau in the
Zurichsee is worth stopping off at, to spend an hour exploring nature.
Enea’s Tree Museum, Rapperswil-Jona
An
ultra-modern garden designed to show off many different tree varieties
collected by Swiss landscape artist Enzo Enea on his travels. You can see trees
in a natural, landscaped setting and also buy them in the garden shop. Driving
recommended. http://www.enea.ch/
Meier Garden Centre, Dürnten (between
Rüti and Hinwil) (ZH)
More
than just a garden centre, it’s worth a half day trip in itself to see the
indoor and outdoor plant displays, seek
answers to all your gardening questions, add to your plant collection and enjoy
a coffee or lunch in the airy café. Also new this year, a Butterfly House with
European and imported species.
Villa Boveri Baden (AG) Formal
gardens at the villa once owned by ABB founder Walter Boveri.
Schloss Arenenberg (TG), in the
grounds of Napoleon III’s former castle, on the shores of Lake Constance. The
gardens alone are worth seeing, and you can also make a RailAway tour with
reduced entrance to the charming house. Napoleon Museum at Schloss Arenenberg
St. Gallen Botanical Gardens (SG) are
extensive, well laid out and full of interesting plant varieties. Free entry. St Gallen Botanic Gardens
Merian Park, Basel (BS). An
extensive park and garden on the outskirts of the city, featuring irises,
fuchsia, roses, rhododendrons, peonies and many other special displays, as well
as a café and museum. Entrance free. Take tram 10 or 14 from Basel SBB station. Merian Park Basel
Schöntal sculpture garden.
Paola reports, ‘Sculpture garden
and gallery in a partially restored monastery (dating back to the 1100 century)
- the place is awesome, totally unexpected.’ http://www.schoenthal.ch
The trip can also include a visit to Balsthal http://www.balsthal.ch/ ‘nice village, with good restaurants and two castles (ruins of a castle in Balsthal itself and a castle nearby), close to Olten (SO) and not far from Aarau.’
The
Ticino region of southern Switzerland
has many beautiful and exotic gardens.
Locarno Camellia Park and exhibition
every May www.myswitzerland.com
Isola de Brissago in Lago
Maggiore http://www.isolebrissago.ch/en
The
Lausanne Jardin Botanique is open
year-round and also features special exhibitions. http://www.musees.vd.ch/fr/musee-et-jardins-botaniques/
The
Geneva Botanical Gardens near the
city centre is part of a series of parks. The Gardens feature a plant library,
a herbarium as well as the extensive gardens and conservatory. Free entrance,
open all year round.
Insel Mainau (DE) An
island in the Bodensee (Lake Constance) with extensive gardens featuring
seasonal displays of tulips, rhododendron, roses and dahlias as well as an
orchid house and well maintained flower beds, herb garden and plant shop. Jazz
program in August, restaurants. Travel by car (park on German side and take
bridge) or train via Konstanz and boat (look for RailAway offer in summer
season). www.mainau.de
Be your own tour guide!
No
need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main
sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street
map.
The
following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra information
from our members.
Featured town: Bern
You
can also visit the Swiss Parliament on a guided tour of Bern - book in advance and take pass.
In
coming guides, discover these cities - see links on right:
Basel Altstadt
St. Gallen cathedral area
Schaffhausen
Chur
Bellinzona
Murten
Konstanz
Zurich
Zug
Luzern
Plus
why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:
Geneva
- see http://www.geneva.info/
Fribourg
– on the French/German language border
Appenzell
– an old-fashioned town
Lugano
– gateway to three lakes
Locarno
– on Lago Maggiore
And
more…
Compiled
by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011. Amended April 2016
With
contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga
Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman,
Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.
