History is everywhere in Solothurn. When in this small and ancient city, set at the southern end of the Jura and framing the Aare, turning in any direction seems to unveil another historical marvel. But for all its historic splendour, Solothurn is also a thoroughly contemporary location, proven by a thriving arts and culture scene, premium shopping, and much more besides. There’s truly something for everyone, which is why we’ve picked out six of our favourite reasons to pay this unique place a visit. Get your trip underway by visiting solothurn-city.ch.
Try standing in the middle of Solothurn’s beautiful Old Town and face the soaring St. Ursen Cathedral. When you do, it’s impossible not to want to know more about this incredible building and the city that houses it. Join a guided tour (available in English every Saturday until October) and start unlocking the secrets of Solothurn, as a knowledgeable guide leads you through winding alleys and across grand public squares.
It won’t take long after arriving to realise that Solothurn has a huge amount of art and culture to entice visitors. Considering its relatively compact size, the city boasts an impressive number of museums covering all kinds of topics, from natural history to contemporary art, plus specialist venues like a museum covering “sentimental literary trivia” or the Hair and Comb Museum. And don’t miss gorgeous Waldegg Castle, built as a summer residence for the wealthy Besenval family in the 17th century. Like we said, history is everywhere in Solothurn.
Leap forward into modern times by indulging in some serious retail therapy, as Solothurn caters perfectly for shopaholics. Head to the Old Town and it’s easy to spend a few hours – or more – browsing the independent stores and stylish boutiques. Then reward yourself after all that ‘hard work’ with a meal at one of Solothurn’s many excellent restaurants or cafes. As well as plenty of traditional Swiss dishes, you’ll also find tons of global offerings and street food.
Thanks to an altitude of over 1,280 metres above sea level, Weissenstein is a Solothurn unmissable. Luckily, you don’t have to ascend by foot, as there’s a cable car to whisk you smoothly from Oberdorf to the summit. Once you’ve arrived, fully soak up the views by embarking on one of the area’s numerous hikes. There are short and simple routes if you want to take it easy or ridge routes if you’re after a challenge. But don’t worry, as both are stunningly scenic, providing unbeatable panoramic views.
You don’t even have to ascend a mountain to enjoy breathtaking views, as you’ll find out if you take a boat trip along a stretch of the Aare that runs through the city. Both historical and natural and scenery abound as you sail – admire the striking Baroque architecture and look out for storks in Altreu as an unexpected but very welcome treat. Life moves perfectly slowly in Solothurn, and never more so than on a leisurely boat trip. Plus, if the weather is good, you can even consider taking a dip in the cooling waters.
More Baroque delights await at this celebration of the era and its influence on Solothurn. Taking place from August 10-18 in 2024, the annual Baroque Days Festival is a chance to glimpse back through history in a fun and fascinating way. Powder, pomp and wigs are all on the agenda, as are guided tours through some of the numerous grand buildings, theatrical performances to transport people back to Baroque times, fencing demonstrations, special gastronomic offerings, Baroque games, and much more.
Start planning your Solothurn adventure today at solothurn-city.ch.
