Solothurn can be discovered from different perspectives: through lanes paved with old cobblestones, in its museums and on a trip along the Aare. When planning a stay, it helps to organise these options according to the time available and your interests. A museum visit offers art, history or natural history; a boat trip adds a different, longer outing. Destinations nearby also offer a distinct contrast to a city walk.
Old Town and Clock Tower
The Old Town offers romantic lanes, old cobblestones, restaurants and shops. Most of its present-day form took shape between 1520 and 1790. A range of architectural styles shapes the townscape, particularly Baroque buildings. A walking tour takes you past historic monuments and attractive fountains. This lets you combine architectural history with a stroll without making any one building the focus of your entire visit.
Solothurn’s names also refer to different historical connections. “Ambassador City” recalls the residence of the French ambassador to the Old Swiss Confederacy between the 16th and 18th centuries. Solothurn is also known as the “City of St. Ursus” after its patron saint. The Clock Tower, Solothurn’s oldest building, was erected in the early 13th century. Lorenz Liechti and Joachim Habrecht built its astronomical clock in 1545; it shows the day, month and year.
Art, history and natural history
The Solothurn Museum of Art has a unique collection of more than 8,000 works, spanning the Late Middle Ages to the present day. Its broad chronological scope makes it a fitting stop for anyone who wants to explore different periods of art during their visit. The museum offers private groups guided tours of its exhibitions and collection on request. If you plan to take advantage of this option, check the conditions in advance, as they may change.
The Museum Altes Zeughaus focuses on armour and objects from the Burgundian Wars: its armoury hall displays a unique collection of suits of armour and spoils of war from those conflicts. Hands-on stations give families the chance to explore the weight, materials and construction of selected objects. The Solothurn Museum of Natural History has a different focus. It presents animals, plants, rocks and fossils from the surrounding area. The ground-floor exhibition focuses on native mammals and explores the habitats of forests, open countryside and residential areas. Interactive features engage several senses.
Verenaschlucht Gorge and the Aare
Nearby, Verenaschlucht Gorge and the St. Verena hermitage are located in a cantonal nature reserve. Bus No. 4 runs from Solothurn main station to the south entrance of the gorge, at the St. Niklaus stop. From there, a 15-minute walk leads to the hermitage. St. Verena Chapel is built into a rock face, open towards the hermitage and accessible to the public. These details help you plan a visit to the gorge and hermitage as a separate outing alongside the attractions in the Old Town.
For a longer excursion on the water, you can start an Aare boat trip in Solothurn and travel to Biel. The journey takes just under three hours, with views of the Jura range along the way. This calls for different time planning than a museum visit or a city walk. As the service is seasonal, check the departure times before your trip. For cycling, there are routes along the Aare or the Emme, as well as routes through farming villages. Route availability and conditions may change.
Seasonal cultural events
The Solothurn Film Festival takes place every January. For over 50 years, it has been regarded as a driving force in Swiss film culture and a place for people to meet; dates and programmes vary from year to year. Solothurn Carnival is also a recurring event in the cultural calendar: it runs from Schmutziger Donnerstag (Dirty Thursday) to Ash Wednesday, with the exact dates changing from year to year. If you want to plan your visit around either event, check the dates for the relevant year.
Discover more destinations: Etziken
Return to the main travel overview: Solothurn.
