Baden (Switzerland)

By plane

Zurich Kloten airport is within easy reach by train. There are 5 connections between Baden and the airport per hour. One of them is a direct connection, with the others it is necessary to change trains at Zurich main station respective Zurich Oerlikon. The ride takes about 35 minutes.

By train

Baden is served by rail. Baden train station is right in the heart of the town. Located just outside Zürich, it is served by the S6 (37 min) and S12 (30 min) lines of the Zürich S-Bahn commuter rail network. If you have an all-zone Zürich transport card and are coming from Zürich, you should buy a single ticket from Otelfingen (for S6) or Dietikon (for S12). Connections westwards are available by Aargau local trains S23 and S27 to Olten and Waldshut as well as interregional trains to Basel and Berne. For Zürich S-Bahn map, tickets and timetables see the Zürich local transport website . For Aargau local rail map, tickets and timetables see (German only). For interregional train connections see the SBB website .

By car

Baden is near the major A1/E30 motorway. Use either exit 55 Neuenhof or 54 Verzweigung Baden. Between those two exits, you drive through the Baregg, a famous tunnel . Famous, because it was a major source of traffic jam before the 3rd tunnel was built.

The town centre is small enough to walk around, with a pleasant pedestrianised shopping street, and riverside walkways.
To explore further afield you might like to take a bus from the main station. Pay with coins in the machine on board, or at certain bus stops. Alternatively, buy a 6 journey strip card from the train ticket office for the price of 5 journeys.
Note with all trains & busses the "halbtax" option ('1/2' button on the machines) is for local people who have spent Fr. 150 on an annual half fare pass.

• Stein CastleWalk up the hill in the middle of town to the old ruins of a Habsburg castle, the Stein, for an excellent view of Baden, Wettingen, and surrounding communities. On clear days the Glarner Alps can be seen.

• Historic Museum Baden & Bailiff’s Castle

  phone: +41 56 2227574
  address: Wettingerstrasse 2
  The museum gives a full historical overview about the baths and industry, that shaped the town. The museum is housed in a castle, which was used, among other things, as a school, hospital and prison before the museum moved in in 1913.

• Museum Langmatt

  phone: +41 56 200 86 70
  address: Römerstrasse 30
  For those interested in Impressionist art. The museum is housed in the former villa of Sidney and Jenny Brown-Sulzer. Brown was the founder of BBC, which in 1991 - after the merger with Swedish Asea - was renamed to ABB. A beautiful self-service café belongs to the museum, which is perfect for a relaxing break after the museum visit.

• Children's museum

  phone: +41 56 222 14 44
  address: Ländliweg 7
  If you are travelling with children then this museum could be an interesting option.

• Covered wooden bridgeThis is the fifth iteration of the bridge. The first one was constructed in the 13th century.

• Lion's FountainThe fountain was created in 1822 and was frequently remodeled.

• Wettingen AbbeyThis used to be a Cistercian monastery. It was founded in 1227 and dissolved during the secularisation of 1841, but re-founded at Mehrerau in Austria in 1854. The buildings are listed as a heritage site of national significance. Since 1976 the premises have been used by the Wettingen Canton School. Roman Catholic services are held every week in the former abbey church, and weddings are also celebrated there. Furthermore Restaurant Sternen, the oldest guest house in Switzerland can be found here.

• Have a stroll around the Bäderquartier (Bathing quarter)It is located at the Limmat river 10 minutes by foot from the town centre. Enjoy a coffee in the georgeous ATRIUM Hotel Blume and marvel at the stunning atrium.

• Visit a thermal bathOnce you are there you may want to go to a thermal bath. The city is named Baden (to bath/bathe) because of the natural geothermal springs were originally ducted into baths by the Romans. The springs are claimed to be the most mineral rich in Europe. The main bath is called Thermalbaden and is closed since summer of 2011. It is supposed to reopen in 2021 after extensive renovation. As of April 2019 the construction works are progressing swiftly. The hotels Limmathof and Blume, which are located around the thermal area by the river, have private thermal baths.

• Local food market

  address: Weitergasse
  Most Saturday mornings there is a local food market (Farmers Market) in Weitergasse and sometimes special events (e.g.cultural or sports activities or special markets) go on in front of the Train Station (Bahnhofplatz- Badstrasse)

• Swim in the LimmatDuring the summer, walk along the beautiful Limmat (river). It is recommended to go for a swim on sunny days when the current is not too strong, however, be wary of the nearby dams. There should be warning signs if it is too close to a dam, but to be sure, you'll know it's a safe area if there are many locals nearby swimming as well. A safe and popular place is marked on the map.

• Crest hike over the LägerenIf you are an avid hiker you should go for this tour. It takes around 4 to 6 hours to do the 13km all the way to Dielsdorf, but it is also possible to descend earlier towards Wettingen. You will be rewarded with views to the alps and the black forest in Germany. Proper shoes are important. Take a train/bus back from Dielsdorf to Baden. A gpx track can be found in the link to the MySwitzerland website. The start of the trail is close to the wooden bridge.

• Grand Casino Baden

  phone: +41 56 204 07 07
  address: Haselstrasse 2
  The Grand Casino Baden is one of only six casinos in Switzerland with an unlimited gambling concession granted by the Swiss government.

• Go to the theater

  phone: +41 56 210 98 70
  The Kurtheater is a guest performance house.

• Hike up to the Geissberg-ChänzeliYou will be rewarded with beautiful views over the city.

• Badstrasse & Weite GasseThe main pedestrian street is bustling with shoppers during the day. Lots of clothes shops, and various chain stores including 'Manor' (huge department store) and 'Merkur' (get your Swiss chocolate here). Look out for the Badener Stein, locally made chocolate sweets with a high alcohol content. They are delicious. There's a market on Saturday morning near the Stadtturm, the old town clock tower.

Budget

• Elanet

  phone: +41 56 210 45 30
  address: Haselstrasse 21
  Very tasty Indian meals.

• Manora RestaurantA self-service restaurant on the highest floor of Manor shopping mall. With outdoor terrace, which offers splendid views to the Stein ruin.

• Martinsberg Restaurant

  phone: +41 56 203 43 33
  address: Wiesenstrasse 32
  The canteen of the local vocational school. It is also popular with workers of the nearby companies due to its reasonable prices and good quality meals. It is possible to sit outdoors with nice views over Baden during the warmer months of the year.

Mid-range

• Stadtbistro Isebähnli

  phone: +41 56 222 5758
  address: Bahnhofstrasse 10
  Excellent (but expensive) Swiss style food. Often full (make a booking).

• Schwyzerhüsli

  phone: +41 56 222 6263
  address: Badstrasse 38
  Swiss specialities including fondue, at a reasonable price. Can be smokey inside. Average online ratings.

• Restaurant Bar Hirschli

  phone: +41 56 210 0955
  address: Badstrasse 9
  Creative cooking, east meets west. Lunch menus at a reasonable price. Very good online ratings.

• Berner

  phone: +41 56 406 19 92
  address: Zürcherstrasse 82, Neuenhof
  Has fairly standard Swiss food garden seating for the summer.

• Landhaus

  phone: +41 56 406 29 37
  address: Zürcherstrasse 128a
  An old-style Swiss restaurant, though it's led by a Finnish lady. Plain but good quality food - bring your appetite because portions are massive (in particular the 'Garettli' ;-). Please note: these guys aren't open on Saturday evening and the whole of Sunday. They also have rooms to rent.

• Posthorn

  phone: +41 56 4062712
  address: Zürcherstrasse 164, Neuenhof
  Was called 'Tra la Gente' for some time. It's a recently renovated Italian place with quality food in a classy atmosphere.

• Rüssler

  address: Rüsslerstrasse 37, Neuenhof
  An old-style Swiss restaurant up the Rüssler hill in Neuenhof. This is a favourable destination if you want to combine a solid meal with a nice stroll/hike - they're near a junction of hiking paths.

Splurge

• Hertenstein Panorama Restaurant

  phone: +41 56 221 10 20
  address: Hertensteinstrasse 80
  High quality meals with beautiful views.

• Rebstock Baden

  phone: +41 56 221 12 77
  address: Untere Halde 21
  Creative French Kitchen in Old Town Baden. Chef Didier Mortaigne, entertains both in humor and good food. Fluent in English, French, German, and Swiss German. The interior is warm and inviting. Winter menu is Wild Game, Lamb, Sqaush and Pumpkin Harvest Foods, and Lille style Mussels and Fries. Great for business entertaining, romantic interlude, or comfort French food with friends. 50 meters to parking. 10 minutes walk from the Baden Train Station. Views, possibly most authentic in Baden. Reservations recommended.

• Restaurant Schloss Schartenfels

  phone: +41 56 426 19 27
  address: Schartenfelsstrasse, 5430 Wettingen
  Considered one of the best (and priciest) restaurants in the region with beautiful views over Baden. Located in a castle.

• Gasthof Sternen

  phone: +41 56 427 14 61
  address: Klosterstrasse 9
  The oldest restaurant in Switzerland. Classy quality food, nice rustical setting and a nice selection of wines. Bit on the high-end regarding budget and a very popular destination at times. Also has rooms to stay.

• Müllerbräu Biergarten Baden

  phone: +41 79 598 50 32
  address: Dynamostrasse 6
  Big beergarden round the back of the brewery. Popular and crowded, but only open in the summer, if there is no rain.

• Triebguet Frischluftbar

  address: Kanalstrasse
  An outdoor bar on a deck by the river under the tall Mellingerstrasse bridge.

• Mr Pickwicks

  phone: +41 56 222 63 40
  address: Löwenplatz 8
  English themed chain pub. Smokey. Popular with English speaking expats and Swiss people who want to practice their English. Has Sky Sports.

• Mojo

  address: Nordhaus 3
  Brand new Japanese themed bar and sushi restaurant near the station. Spacious, stylish, and modern

• LWB Baden

  address: Stadtturmstrasse 1
  Big club under a concrete railway underpass. Very young (teenaged?) crowd.

• Rossini

  phone: +41 56 222 08 81
  address: Haselstrasse 29
  Has a large selection of Cuban cigars. Every Thursday, drinks are half price from 18h to 20h. Keep in mind that smoking is allowed in this bar. It smells accordingly.

• Kiste

  phone: +41 56 209 01 00
  address: Zürcherstrasse 1
  During the day a cafe. At night a bar and a club with very diversified events.

Budget

• Youth Hostel Baden

  phone: +41 56 221 67 36
  address: Kanalstrasse 7
  Calm, yet central location.

Mid-range

• Pension Frau Meise

  phone: +41 565355901
  address: Untere Halde 15
  A small and cute guesthouse with its own little café in the middle of the old town

• Gasthaus zum HirschenOutside Baden, in Kirchdorf dorf; a charming little village further up the valley. There's a bus every 20mins into Baden, which takes 15mins. Good clean modern rooms in an old traditional Swiss building. Single room Fr. 95.

• Zys Hotel

  phone: +41 56 437 01 01
  address: Alberich Zwyssig - Strasse 78, Wettingen

Splurge

• Du Parc

  phone: +41 56 2031515
  address: Römerstrasse 24, 5400 Baden
  Central location. Piano lounge bar. Very close to ABB/GE/Ansaldo offices.

• Blue City Hotel

  phone: +41 56 200 18 18
  address: Haselstrasse 17, 5400 Baden
  Business hotel. The hotel offers single and double rooms, meeting rooms, a restaurant and a bar/lounge on top of the building. Very central (1 minute to the train station, 2 minutes to the ABB/GE/Ansaldo complexes), quite expensive.

• Atrium Hotel Blume

  phone: +41 56 200 02 00
  address: Kurplatz 4, 5400 Baden
  The Hotel Blume is opposite the main baths. Famous for its old world charm, with the main atrium having been built in 1840. A place to stop and see if only for a coffee.

• Hotel Limmathof

  phone: +41 56 200 17 17
  address: Limmatpromenade 28, 5400 Baden

Hop on a train into Zurich, or in the other direction to Basel or to Bern (via Olten).
There is one direct and one change-over train to Waldshut in Germany every hour.