Schaffhausen

Schaffhausen, a small Swiss city near the German border, sits along the Rhine River. Its medieval old town features the circular Munot fortress and Renaissance-era buildings with colorful frescoes. Visitors can take boat rides on the Rhine, explore nearby vineyards, or visit Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall, just a short distance away.

Wandering the Old Town

You can easily explore Schaffhausen's car-free old town on foot. As you walk the cobblestone streets, you'll notice 171 decorative oriel windows on many buildings. On Vordergasse, the Haus zum Ritter stands out with its detailed Renaissance frescoes depicting civic virtues. In the central Fronwagplatz square, you'll find historical statues atop public fountains. The Münster (cathedral), originally part of a Benedictine monastery, dates back to 1104 and houses a famous bell that inspired Friedrich Schiller's poem "The Song of the Bell."

Climbing Munot Fortress

The large circular Munot fortress is a prominent feature of Schaffhausen's skyline. Built between 1564 and 1589, this 16th-century fortification now serves as a viewpoint. From the top, you can see the old town's red rooftops and the winding Rhine River. Visit at sunset to hear the Munot guard ring the tower bell at 9 PM sharp – a tradition that has continued for centuries. In summer, the fortress courtyard hosts open-air cinema screenings and cultural events.

Experiencing Rhine Falls

A 10-minute train ride from Schaffhausen takes you to Rhine Falls, where water cascades 23 meters over a 150-meter-wide rock face. Several viewing platforms allow you to get close to the falls. For a more immersive experience, take a boat ride to the central rock in the middle of the falls. Water volume increases in June and July due to snowmelt. At night, colored lights illuminate the falls, creating a striking visual effect.

Cruising the Rhine

From April to October, you can take boat trips on the Rhine between Schaffhausen and Lake Constance. The route to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein passes vineyards and forested hills. You'll go under arched stone bridges and see hilltop castles along the way. Many visitors choose to cycle one way along the riverside path and return by boat. Another option is an evening dinner cruise with views of the illuminated Munot fortress as you pass Schaffhausen.

Tasting Local Wines

The sunny hillsides around Schaffhausen produce quality wines, especially Pinot Noir (locally called Blauburgunder). You can visit a local winery to try crisp white Riesling-Sylvaner or fruity Pinot Noir reds. The Museum of Viticulture in nearby Hallau explains the region's winemaking history. For a more active experience, walk the hour-long Blauburgunderland Panorama Trail through the vineyards, where information panels describe grape cultivation and wine production methods.

Getting There and Around

Trains run hourly from Zurich Airport to Schaffhausen, taking 50-60 minutes. The compact old town is easy to navigate on foot. To visit Rhine Falls, take a train to Neuhausen Rheinfall station (5 minutes) or use the tourist train that runs between Schaffhausen and the falls in summer. You can rent bikes to cycle along the Rhine to nearby towns like Stein am Rhein. Regional buses connect to smaller villages in the surrounding area.