This spa town, 23km from Zurich, has drawn visitors to its thermal springs since Roman times. Its medieval old town and restored 1800s casino line the Limmat River.
Baden, a small town 25 kilometers northwest of Zürich, sits along the Limmat River. Romans built the first thermal baths here in the 1st century AD, and today you can swim in the 47°C mineral springs at FORTYSEVEN wellness complex. Walk through medieval streets to find the 39-meter wooden bridge, climb to Stein Castle ruins for Alpine views, or catch an evening show at the 200-year-old Kurtheater.
Getting to Baden
The town connects to Zürich through regular S-Bahn trains S6 and S12, with a journey time of 30-37 minutes. If you're driving, take the A1 motorway and use either exit 55 Neuenhof or 54 Baden. The town center is compact enough to explore on foot.
Thermal Springs Experience
Baden's 18 sulfur springs produce one million liters of thermal water daily at 47°C. At FORTYSEVEN wellness complex, you can swim in indoor and outdoor thermal pools, use the sauna circuit, or book massage treatments. Visit the Heisse Brunnen public pool (free entry, open 7 AM to 10 PM) or try the Bagno Popolare communal bath in the old town for a local experience.
Walking Through the Old Town
Badstrasse and Weite Gasse form the main pedestrian zone, with 15th and 16th-century buildings now containing shops and cafes. Cross the 39-meter covered wooden bridge to reach walking paths on both sides of the Limmat River. Look for the 1822 Lion's Fountain at the entrance of Limmatau quarter, where water still flows from the original spring.
Cultural Venues
The Historic Museum, located in the 15th-century Bailiff's Castle, displays Roman bath artifacts and industrial machinery from Baden's early electric power plants. At Museum Langmatt, walk through a 1900s industrialist's villa to see works by Monet, Cézanne, and Renoir. The Kurtheater runs about 50 performances from September to June, including Swiss and international productions.
Viewpoints and Nature
Climb the 20-minute path to Stein Castle ruins, where information panels explain the Habsburg fortress's history. On clear days, you can see the Glarus Alps from the viewing platform. The 13-kilometer Lägern trail starts at Baden's train station and follows the limestone ridge to Dielsdorf, passing through beech forests and rocky outcrops.
Local Food
Try the Spanisch Brötli, a flaky pastry filled with almond paste that local bakers created in the 1700s. Several bakeries in the old town still make these rolls following the original recipe from when they were morning deliveries to Zürich's upper class.
Swimming in the Limmat
From June to September, you can swim in the Limmat River. Use the marked swimming zones near the old town - the current becomes dangerous near the hydroelectric dams. The concrete steps along the riverbank serve as sunbathing spots, and you'll find grass areas for picnics.
