Rapperswil, nestled on the shores of Lake Zurich, is a charming medieval town known as Switzerland’s “City of Roses.” This picturesque destination is perfect for a family day trip from Zurich, offering a blend of history, nature, and fun activities.
Rose Gardens
The town’s rose gardens feature an estimated 20,000 rose blooms from more than 600 varieties. These gardens are in full bloom from May to October, making them a must-visit during the warmer months. The colors and scents are truly amazing. The garden below the castle, ‘Rosengarten Schlossberg Rapperswil,’ is beautiful, with free admission. My kids enjoyed exploring the garden, smelling the flowers, and admiring the beautiful colors. There are stairs, so a baby carrier is preferred over a stroller. The garden also offers a lovely view of the lake, making for an enjoyable afternoon in nature.
Promenade and Wooden Bridge
This charming town is perfect for a stroll on a sunny day. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the lake promenade, taking in the scenery. My son loved running through the water fountain with its several jets. Visitors can also walk along the longest wooden footbridge in Switzerland, which connects Rapperswil to Hurden. My kids enjoyed the wooden bridge and spotting wildlife from it.
Family Friendly Activity Trail
My kids thoroughly enjoyed exploring the activity trail along the castle wall. As you round the path from the Kapuzinerzipfel Observation Deck, look for stairs leading up to the castle walls. The trail includes a climbing wall, marble run, and wooden dominos. It ends at a large playground, ‘Playground Giesi,’ which my kids really enjoyed.
Rapperswil Castle
Rapperswil Castle is a 13th-century castle that offers panoramic views of the town and lake. It was closed for renovations during our visit, but we hope to visit another time. We did walk up to the castle to take in the beautiful views of the town and lake. Adjacent to the castle is the Hirschpark, home to deer. My kids enjoyed spotting them.
Swimming
On sunny days, Seebad Rapperswil is a great option. We haven’t visited yet, but it looked tempting on a warm day. The location includes a restaurant and stairs leading into the lake.
Family-Friendly Dinning Options
There are several charming restaurants in Rapperswil. We love Dieci which is an Italian restaurant chain in Switzerland. The pizza is delicious, and my kids always enjoy it. The restaurant is family-friendly with baby chairs and a kids’ menu. There is outdoor seating overlooking the lake on a beautiful day. Another great option is Big Burger which is a newly renovated restaurant offering generous, flavorful burgers with creative toppings, crispy truffle fries, and a kid-friendly menu. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the restaurant is close to the lakeside promenade. Another family-friendly restaurant is Paia Poke Bowl which offers customizable poke bowls, a cozy indoor space with baby chairs, and outdoor patio overlooking the lake.
Rapperswil is easily accessible by train, boat, or car. Convenient parking is available nearby at Parkhaus See or City Parkhaus. Rapperswil offers a blend of history, nature, and entertainment, making it perfect for families exploring Switzerland.