If you’re searching for a fun family-friendly activity in Switzerland, look no further than the Chocolarium – the Swiss chocolate factory of Munz and Minor. Located just under an hour east of Zurich, this whimsical chocolate factory invites visitors to step inside a world of chocolate magic. With interactive exhibits, hands-on displays, chocolate-making workshops, and unlimited tastings, it’s a delicious adventure for kids and adults alike. Plan to spend around two hours here to fully enjoy all that the Chocolarium has to offer.
The Chocolate Tour: A Whimsical Journey into the World of Swiss Chocolate
Our visit began with the Chocolarium tour, starting inside a theater where chocolate-shaped seats set the playful tone right away. A short film (in German with English subtitles) introduced us to the history of the Maestrani family, who founded their chocolate company in 1852. Before leaving, don’t forget to grab the Globi activity sheet – kids will love searching for hidden Globi figures scattered throughout the museum. (Tip: keep an eye out for the red-and-black checkered pattern from Globi’s outfit!)
From there, the tour winds through a series of interactive and imaginative rooms where visitors can learn how chocolate is made. The kids especially loved shaking a pole disguised as a tree trunk that “dropped” nuts into a chute—it felt like stepping straight into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Along the way, we stopped at several tasting stations. The highlight for our kids was the flowing chocolate fountains with unlimited tastes. On weekdays, you can even watch the production line in real time, with massive machines churning out chocolate right before your eyes.
Make Your Own Chocolate Bar and Courses
One of the highlights for families is the opportunity to make your own Swiss chocolate bar. For an extra fee, you choose your base chocolate—we went with rich dark chocolate—and then head to the toppings station, where you can decorate your creation with everything from gummy bears and nuts to dried fruits and colorful sprinkles. We appreciated that one counter was set lower, making it easy for kids to reach and decorate on their own. After decorating, the bar is placed in a cooling machine, which takes about 10–15 minutes. While you wait, TVs with headphones help kids be entertained. Once ready, your masterpiece is wrapped up in Chocolarium packaging, perfect to take home as a souvenir. For families who want a deeper dive, the Chocolarium offers additional chocolate-making courses that can be booked online in advance.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Chocolarium
The Chocolarium in Flawil is designed with families in mind. There’s a large factory shop filled with chocolate gifts and even a kiosk where you can design personalized packaging for your bar. A charming café offers snacks, desserts, and drinks, with seating both indoors and outdoors.
Practical amenities make the visit easy: there’s free parking (both indoor and outdoor), lockers for your belongings, barrier-free access, and stroller-friendly paths. If you’re arriving by train, you can hop off at Flawil station and follow the Schoggiweg, a scenic 30–40 minute chocolate trail walk to the factory. This adds a fun twist for active families.
Tickets and Entry Information
Tickets to the Chocolarium can be purchased online or at the factory entrance. If you have a set date in mind, you could book online so you can guarantee your entry time. We visited on a weekend and had no issues buying tickets on site without waiting. For added value, look into combination tickets that include both the Chocolarium and other nearby attractions, such as the Appenzeller Schaukäserei, where visitors can see traditional Swiss cheese being made. Check the Chocolarium website for new combo offers before your visit.
Other Things to Do Near the Chocolarium
If you’re planning a day trip, the Chocolarium pairs beautifully with nearby attractions. Earlier in the day, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Abbey District of St. Gallen, home to one of Europe’s oldest and most breathtaking libraries. For more information on family-friendly tips for a visit to the Abbey District of St. Gallen, click here. Other nearby highlights include:
- Appenzeller Schaukäserei – watch expert cheesemakers in action.
- Säntispark Bäderwelt – a waterpark perfect for families.
- Aescher Guesthouse – an iconic alpine inn dramatically perched on a cliffside.
All of these options make the Chocolarium an easy addition to a fun and diverse family day trip in eastern Switzerland.
Final Thoughts
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Chocolarium. It’s whimsical, interactive, and one of the most kid-friendly chocolate museums in Switzerland. The experience of being able to make your own chocolate bar without committing to a time-intensive course was a highlight for us. On the downside, it did feel crowded at times, and while the chocolate was very good, our family personally prefers the taste of other Swiss chocolate brands. Still, the smiles on our kids’ faces made the trip more than worthwhile. As founder Aquilino Maestrani once said: “He who sees the world through the eyes of a chocolate lover will find true beauty and happiness.” After our family visit, we couldn’t agree more.