Obermeilen is a district of Meilen, a municipality on the shores of Lake Zurich. Exploring the area takes you from traces of early settlements to historic buildings and recurring festival traditions.

Archaeological traces and architectural history

In January 1854, remains of a human settlement dating from pre-Roman times were discovered at Rorenhaab in Obermeilen. The discovery dates to the 19th century, while the remains themselves point to a much older settlement.

The Old Schoolhouse was built in 1835 by the newly founded Obermeilen School Cooperative in the style of a farmhouse. It served as a schoolhouse until 1936, as a kindergarten from 1942, and as an after-school club from 2004. This succession of uses tells a story not only of the building’s history, but also of the different purposes it served over time.

Haus Schlehstud offers another architectural point of interest. Designed by Hans Fischli in 1933, it was the former home and studio of the Fischli family. Unlike the schoolhouse, which was built in the farmhouse style, it was the first flat-roofed building in Meilen. Today, Haus Schlehstud is a protected building of regional importance.

The Meilen Local History Museum has four permanent exhibitions about Meilen’s past, as well as changing themed exhibitions. If a particular exhibition is a key reason for your visit, check the current programme. The pile-dwelling room shows how European pile-dwelling research began in Obermeilen.

Festivals and local specialities

The schoolchildren’s games day is part of Obermeilen’s annual autumn festival. The festival is still held at the same time of year and with roughly the same programme. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the event dates.

At the traditional Suuserchilbi, white Suuser is served in three styles: sweet Goofesuuser, lightly fermented Wiibersuuser and strong Mannesuuser. The names therefore refer to varieties that differ in sweetness, fermentation and strength. For a local culinary experience in Obermeilen, the Grieser fishery offers fresh Lake Zurich whitefish bites to enjoy.

Bridge, circular trail and connections

Since June 2012, a suspension bridge measuring 60 metres long and just under 1.5 metres wide has crossed the Beugenbach ravine between Meilen and Obermeilen.

Public transport in Meilen also includes the Horgen–Meilen Lake Zurich ferry and various scheduled boat services. Check the timetable for your planned connection, as services and times may change.

The Meilen Adventure Trail is an easy circular route of approximately 5 to 7 kilometres, taking around 3 to 4 hours and about half a day to complete. It is suitable for children aged 7 to 12, and a free app accompanies the trail. If you plan to do it, check the current availability of the route and app.

Discover more destinations: Zumikon, Männedorf, Zollikon, Hombrechtikon, Küsnacht, Herrliberg, Stäfa, Meilen

Back to the main travel guide: Meilen.