Winterthur is a city that is less than half an hour from Zürich and it is one of the most exquisite European destinations in northern Switzerland. Traditionally this town was an industrial location, however, over time it has developed to be one of the most sought-after Swiss destinations. There are over fifteen museums in this location and the Oskar Reinhardt is one of the major contributors to the art scene in Winterthur. With a population of about a 110 000 people, Winterthur is your next destination because it is a well-equipped city with all amenities that you can think about.
Winterthur is also popular as one of the largest transport junctions in Switzerland. You can not only reach some of the best locations in Switzerland but also gain access even to Italy or Germany from this city. The rail system is well connected and the road network is very advanced. Winterthur has well-developed textile, mechanical, chemical, metallurgy, and food industries. Some unique castles and villages were built numerous decades ago and this is a perfect location that you can explore the Swiss culture among other features. You can also take a ride around the city for 20 minutes and you can explore the biggest European Rhine waterfalls.
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How to get to Winterthur
There are various ways that you can reach Winterthur, a common method is through train because the city has a well-developed train network. You can arrive at this destination aboard some of the European rail networks. The Winterthur train stations receive trains from Bern, Zürich, St. Gallen, Munich, Basel among other locations. Besides this city is just 15 minutes away from Zurich international airport. On the other hand, you can choose to drive to the city and in this mode, you will have to use the highway from Zurich, St. Gallen, or Schaffhausen.
What to do in Winterthur
There are many things you can do in Winterthur: explore the old town, visit the museums, boutiques or simply stroll down in the city. Let us explore top things to do in Winterthur.
1. Explore the Technorama
This is a science museum that does not have one to match it all across Switzerland. Technorama will give you the ultimate experience and you will get to know a lot of things because there are over 500 experiments that you can watch or choose to participate in as you explore this beautiful city. The technological center shows how ingenuity and simplicity can work in natural phenomena when technology is incorporated.
If you are coming to this location with your kids, be sure that they will learn a lot of things because the area is fun for kids. They can create their own cyclones, solve fun mathematical puzzles, or enjoy features of magnets. Both kids and adults will enjoy the experience of this location because it is an enlightening location.
More information about the museum you can find here: Technorama.
2. Explore Oskar Reinhart Collection
This is one of the most unique locations in this region because the area is well served with some exceptional artwork that you will learn to appreciate. When Oskar died in 1965, he left a collection that defines the city to this day. A big portion of this collection sits in a plush house in the woodland region northern of Winterthur, and a big part of this plush woodland hose offers a chance to visitors to have a panoramic view of the region and enjoy their visit. Reinhart had an eye for 19th-century French art and he brought a wide array of this art to this location. In the galleries, you will be greeted by art from some of the famous artists such as Degas, Monet, Sisley, Manet, and Renoir just to name a few.
Full information about the museum is right here: Oskar Reinhart Collection.
3. Fotomuseum Winterthur
This is a museum that was built in a former factory and it has the best photographs gallery in Switzerland. Numerous contemporary exhibitions are organized by the foundation and they present some of the world-renowned photographs such as Nan Goldin and Robert Frank. The museum permanent collection is quite enthralling because they approach photography as an art. Besides, they also handle photography as a functional medium and you will find huge archive images for fields such as medicine, forensics, engineering, fashion, and architecture.
The museum information is right here: Fotomuseum Winterthur.
4. Explore the Kunstmuseum Winterthur
The cultural fest continues as you go into the city’s art museum as a location that has been there for the past 100 years and it houses the research and Naturmuseum library. There is more impressionist art that is waiting for you in this location and you will get acquainted with works from famous painters such as Monet, Sisley, and van Gogh among others. There is a modern wing that was unveiled in the year 1995 and this has modern art as well as ancient art from people such as Mark Tobey, Pia Fries, and Ellsworth Kelly. You can also find art from 20th-century movements such as expressionism cubism represented by Mondrian, Ferdinand Leger, and Picasso.
Full information about exhibitions and tickets will be found here: Kunstmuseum Winterthur.
5. Visit the Kyburg Castle
This is one of those unique Swiss heritage sites and you should not be afraid because there is much to see in this location. The castle is situated above the Toss river and the architecture date back to the 14th and the 16th century and it was a location where Hapsburg property is situated. From the 15th century to the early 1700s this was the residence of the regional governor and they later updated it with some unique features to make it look like a museum. However, you should not be limited you can still tour the original dungeons, armory, medieval kitchen, and 15th-century chapel in this location. Your young ones will also be involved because there is a suit of armor that fits kids as well as spices from ancient times.
Full information about the castle is here: Kyburg Castle.
6. Marktgasse
No tour is exciting if you will not be able to indulge in local cuisine and get to know their culture. this is part of the old town and it is a pedestrianized location with restaurants and cafes which spill out in the street during the summer period. This location is quite busy but you can indulge in some swiss cuisine as you enjoy your visit to the region. If you want some shopping expedition then this is the best location that you can get anything that you have been looking for.
7. Natural History Museum
This is a place that shares the same location as the Kunstmuseum Winterthur, however, it is unique as it stands. You will find a trove of taxidermies and old specimens that date back to more than a century a there have been reconfigured to be more engaging. The galleries in this place are quite historical and there is so much that you can learn when visiting the area. Children can use tablets to participate in the tour of the museum as well as learn more about the history of this museum. This is a very family friendly place to spend hours and hours learning new stuff.
More information right here: Winterthur Naturmuseum.
8. Explore the Rosengarten
Visiting a location without enjoying some sun or outside environment can be quite challenging for many people. However, Rosengarten offers the best outdoor environment that you can go and hang out with your family as you explore Switzerland. The garden is situated on Heilberg and it is tall that it rises to the southern part of the old town and this garden was planted in the year 1964 during the 700th city celebrations. There are over 2900 rose bushes and there are over three hundred varieties of roses in this location with some having historical significance. Naturally, if you want to experience the sensation that it comes with a rose garden then visiting this location in June or July would be a perfect option.
9. Visit the Stadtkirche
Stadtkirche has been in this location since the 700s and it is rich in history and diversity because there is nothing that beats the history of a unique structure. The building was constructed in different periods therefore you are likely to see some of the different architectural designs and you cannot miss the unique experience of visiting this location. The oldest part of the building dates back to the Romanesque designs of the 12th century while the two towers were constructed in the 14th century. The simple façade gives the interior a unique color and experience and you should not miss visiting this location.
10. Gewerbemuseum
This is popularly known as the museum of applied art and design and it explores the relationship between crafts, arts, design, and industrial production of different attires. The attraction is well known for its contemporary exhibitions that can run the full gamut from design to production and they document everyday items in artistic nature. There are also recent designs as well as exceptional Kellen Berger collection which has clocks from the 16th and the 17th century.
All information about tickets, events and opening times you will find here: Gewerbemuseum.
Where to eat in Winterthur
Enjoy a meal at Restaurant Goldenberg
After you have visited different places in the city this is a perfect place that you can unwind as you grab a meal and enjoy some of the swiss delicacies. The tree-lined belvedere surrounding the vineyards marks some of the exquisite sites n the location. You can watch the sunset from this location as well as see some of the features that make it unique.
More information about the restaurant, bookings and opening times you can find right here: Restaurant Goldenberg.
Winterthur weather
Winterthur has a very pleasant weather patterns.
Summers can get pretty hot, sometimes even higher than 30 degrees, so you have to look for a shadow or rest in a restaurant as it can get pretty hard walking around.
The most pleasant time to visit is late spring and early autumn.
Winters in Winterthur are not that cold, sometimes you can get some snow or temperatures as low as -5 degrees by Celsius, but it never gets too chilly.
Full information about Winterthur weather right here: Winterthur weather patterns.
Top things to do in Winterthur conclusion
In conclusion, Winterthur is a location that you cannot get enough of if you are visiting for your first time. You can explore more places in the area because we have not exhausted all the areas that you can visit in this region.
If you have any questions about Winterthur, please let me know, I will do my best to help you.
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