6 Best Things To Do In Schaffhausen, Switzerland - Updated 2024

things to do in schaffhausen switzerland
Johanna
Johanna 
Updated
| 4 min read

From its name alone perhaps, you’ll probably guess that Schaffhausen is one of those medieval towns culturally nearer to Germany. This is duly influenced by its proximity to the German border. More than its language though, the German influence has seeped in its architecture, embodied perhaps in the circular Munot fortress that looms over their hill.

You’ll see interesting details in the old town such as oriel bay windows, pastel houses, and decorative frescoes. Because of this, Schaffhausen was mistaken to be part of Germany during World War II, and Allies dropped bombs on its outskirts. Schaffhausen is the only town in Germany to have been bombed during World War II.

There are a lot of interesting historical architecture to see in this area. Here are just some of them:

Tip from tour guide

While in Schaffhausen, admire the half-timbered houses along the Rhine and the ancient fortress of Schaffhausen. By the way, it is in this town that the only world-famous watches in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, IWC, are created! Of course, the largest waterfall, Rhine Falls, in Europe is here too!

1. Check out Munot Tower

Schaffhausen - Munot - Feuerthalen IMG 9843
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roland zh used under CC BY-SA 3.0

High above the rest of the town is the city’s landmark, Munot Tower. Munot is a ring-shaped fortress, the origin of which dates back all the way to the 16th-century. The tower has a designated guard that’s old as the tower itself. You can find a record of all the guards, dating back all the way to 1377. Going back to the tower is like traveling back through the Renaissance period. The facade has 171 beautiful oriel windows and narrow streets. The tower was used as a guide for trading ships who needed to set anchor because Rhine Falls made it impossible to travel further. Munot Tower is one of the best areas to see the whole city. And every night, at around 9 pm, the Munot guard rings the bell, a tradition that signifies that all inns and town gates should already close.

Munot Tower

Address: Schaffhauserland Tourismus Herrenacker 15, 8201 Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Website: Munot Tower

Visited this place?

2. Stroll through the rooms at House zum Ritter

Zum Ritter Schaffhausen
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Human talent extends itself to a tremendous stretch in House zum Ritter. The whole house exterior is covered in Renaissance frescoes. It is one of the most important pieces of work north of the Alps. The artwork was done by Tobias Stimmer. The original piece was carefully taken off and is now displayed in the Museum zu Allerheiligen. The fresco was painted in 1942 and depicts the adventures of a knight.

Haus zum Ritter

Address: Schaffhauserland Tourismus Herrenacker 15, 8201 Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Website: Haus zum Ritter

Visited this place?

3. Feel the sanctity of Munster Schaffhausen's portal and interior

Schaffhausen Münster Hauptschiff 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Photo: Andreas Pr... used under CC BY 3.0

Munster is one of the two churches that are part of Switzerland’s places of national significance in Schaffhausen. Munster Basilica was built in 1064 AD and was rebuilt several times through the years. Eventually, it transitioned to become the Reformed Church of the city in 1524. It is now part of the complex of the Allerheilgigen Abbey and is found at the center of the old city. One of its many interesting artifacts is the first pipe organ from the 15th-century called the swallow’s nest organ. It was removed during the wake of the Reformation and was only reintroduced based on the specifications of architect Franz Muller and builder, Kuhn.

Munster Schaffhausen

Address: Münsterplatz Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Website: Munster Schaffhausen

Visited this place?

4. Go back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic times at Schweizersbild Rock Shelter and the Herblingen and Grüthalde settlements

Rock Shelter 9, Bhimbetka 03
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bernard Gagnon used under CC BY-SA 3.0

For those looking for some pre-historic artifacts, you’ll find that a lot of Paleolithic artifacts and Neolithic burial grounds have been found in Abric cave including a plate with engravings of two horses. You can check out the relics at Kanton Schaffhausen. You can also check a couple more sites of historic significance at the Herblingen and Gruthalde neolithic settlements.

Abri Schweizersbild

Address: Kanton Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Website: Abri Schweizersbild

Visited this place?

5. Walk through old charm town or Altstadt

Stein am Rhein - Häuser am Rathausplatz
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Zacke82 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you need further proof of German influence here in Schaffhausen, check out their name for their old town. The old town in the German language is also known as the Altstadt. It is the historical centre in the city wall as opposed to a neustadt or new town. The entire old town of Schaffhausen is part of Switzerland’s list of heritage sites of national significance. Here, you can find the Old Saints Abbey, Restaurant Thiegarten, and the Church of St. John. You can also spot several beautiful Baroque houses with 170 oriel windows, a status symbol of the rich merchants back then. You’ll find that, because much of the old town, is pedestrianized, that there is very little traffic. It’s easy to go back in time during the Gothic and Baroque times when the streets are as beautiful as this.

Schaffhausen Tour

Address: Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Website:

Visited this place?

6. Rheinfall Waterfall or Rhine Waterfall (from USD 89.0)

Rheinfall - Laufen 20070521 038
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roland zh used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Rhine Waterfall is the largest plain waterfall in Europe. Much of the town’s development owes itself to Rhine Waterfall. Many shippers were forced to settle here because the Rhine made the area impassable for ships. Therefore, they had to stack their goods in this area. Rheinfall is shared by Schaffhausen and Zurich. An interesting fact about Rheinfall is that most fish cannot swim up its waterflow. Only a few eels can worm their way up through the rocks. The water crashes down 21 meters (69 feet) across and 150 meters (492 feet) wide. It’s best seen in July where the water level is at its highest.

Visited this place?

Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich

Duration: 5 hours 15 minutes

329 reviews

Stroll around. Drink a little wine.

One other thing that makes Schaffhausen so famous is the hilly region of Randen, where you can try Schaffhausen’s old version of Pinot Noir. You can do this before or after you’ve cycled or walked through the town or this lovely spot along the Rhine riverside. There are also those who chose to see the Rhine through the Schaffhausen to Kreuzlingen River tour. It is almost 50 kilometers (31 miles) long, where you’ll see not just Schaffhausen’s section of the river but you can pass through other medieval towns such as Stein am Rhein as well, where you can find houses with similar intricate frescoes like that of House zum Ritter. Many consider this to be one of the finest river trips in Europe.

Whatever the case, you’ll find something Schaffhausen that’ll appeal to the old soul in you. If you’re lucky, you can also catch the International Bach Festival every two years where music plays both as foreground and background to the stunning architecture of this historic place.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Johanna Michelle Lim is a brand strategist, creative director, and travel writer based in Cebu City, Philippines. She swims in jellyfish-infested oceans, treks through mountains, rides rickety...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Schaffhausen (canton)
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.