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Aarau

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City
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Aarau (Switzerland)
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Practical info — Aarau

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Look up in the Old Town to spot over 80 beautifully painted eaves, known as 'Dachhimmel'.
  • Visit Wildpark Roggenhausen for free to see deer, wild boars, and rare domestic breeds.
  • Check out the station clock at the railway station, it's one of the largest in Europe.
  • Walk along the Aare River to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and riverside recreation.
  • Visit in early November to experience the Rüeblimärt, a massive market dedicated to carrots.

🍽 Food

🍽
Aargauer Rüeblitorte

The famous local carrot cake, usually glazed and decorated with tiny marzipan carrots.

🍽
Aargau Wines

Try excellent local wines like Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) from the nearby vineyards.

🍽
Rüebliwurst

A seasonal specialty found during the carrot market, a sausage infused with carrot bits.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Rathausgasse

A pleasant street in the Old Town filled with independent boutiques and specialty shops.

🛍
Weekly Market

Visit the Graben area on Saturday mornings for fresh local produce and specialties.

🧘
Alpenzeiger Viewpoint

A peaceful spot above the city offering a great panoramic view of the Alps.

🧘
Aare Riverside

The green paths along the river offer many quiet spots for sitting and relaxing.

Highlights of 2026

2

Aarau is situated at the southern foot of the Jura Mountains on the Aare River and serves as the capital of the Canton of Aargau. Founded around 1240 by the Counts of Kyburg, it passed to the Habsburgs in 1273 and was later conquered by Bern in 1415. The city holds a unique place in Swiss history as it became the first capital of the Helvetic Republic in 1798, making it the de facto first capital of modern Switzerland. The pretty old town is renowned for its numerous intricately painted eaves, known as 'Dachhimmel', which mostly date back to the 16th century. Today, Aarau is a major administrative and service center, benefiting from its central location between Zurich, Basel, and Bern. It is also home to significant cultural institutions, such as the Aargauer Kunsthaus, which has one of the most important collections of Swiss art from the 18th century to the present day.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-104913171918141040
Rain mm8365828312911812412487968092

Live webcam – Aarau

See what it looks like near Aarau right now.

Aarau › North-west: Stadtkirche Aarau · 0.4 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
21,503
Coordinates
47.39200, 8.04400

Facts

  • Aarau served as the first capital of Switzerland for six months in 1798.
  • The city is famous for over 70 painted eaves dating from the late Gothic and Renaissance periods.
  • The cantonal capital is situated at an elevation of 384 meters above sea level.
  • The Aargauer Kunsthaus opened in 1959 and was expanded in 2003 by Herzog & de Meuron.
  • The Stadtkirche (city church) was constructed between 1471 and 1478 in late Gothic style.
  • Aarau is a vital railway hub with direct SBB connections to all major Swiss cities.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Aarau (21)

Stadtmuseum Aarau🏛 museum

A museum presenting the local history and culture of the city of Aarau.

🕒 Tu,We,Fr 11:00-18:00; Th 11:00-20:00; Sa, Su 11:00-17:00

Ruine Rosenberg🏰 castle

The remains of a historical castle ruin, also known as Ruin Horen, in Aarau.

Aargauer Kunsthaus🏛 museum

One of Switzerland's most important art museums, featuring an extensive collection in Aarau.

🕒 Tu-We 10:00-17:00;Th 10:00-20:00;Fr-Su 10:00-17:00;Mo off💶

Naturama🏛 museum

The Aargau nature museum in Aarau has exciting insights into the environment and earth history.

🕒 Tu-Su 10:00-17:00

Wildpark Roggenhausen👨‍👩‍👧 family

A popular wildlife park in Aarau showing native animal species in a natural environment.

Theater Tuchlaube🎭 culture

A theatre in Aarau offering a diverse program of performing arts.

Golattikeller🎭 culture

A small theatre in Aarau known for its intimate atmosphere and cultural diversity.

Theater 49🎭 culture

Theater 49 is a small theatre in Aarau's old town.

Naturreservat Grien🌿 nature

A valuable nature reserve near Aarau providing habitat for many species.

Amphibienbiotop🌿 nature

A specialized nature reserve in Aarau for the promotion of amphibians.

NSG Schiebestandweiher🌿 nature

A nature reserve at a pond in Aarau, important for species conservation.

Voliere Inseli👨‍👩‍👧 family

A small aviary in Aarau that is home to various bird species.

🕒 24/7🆓

Schützenhaus📍 landmark

The shooting house in Aarau, built in 1924.

Hasen📍 landmark

Part of the local wildlife park where rabbits can be observed in their natural environment.

Murmeltier/Steinbock📍 landmark

An area of the wildlife park dedicated to marmots and ibexes.

Ankenkübel🏺 historical

Historic remains in Aarau pointing to its medieval past.

Pfarrei St. Nikolaus⛪ religious

Pfarrei St. Nikolaus is a parish church in Aarau's old town.

Kirche Kirchberg⛪ religious

Historic church on the Kirchberg hill with a wide view over the Aare valley.

St. Peter und Paul⛪ religious

A Christian church in Aarau dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.

Kidsville👨‍👩‍👧 family

A playground in Aarau offering various play opportunities for children.

Biobad Biberstein🎡 recreation

Biobad Biberstein is a natural swimming pond with biological filtration in Biberstein near Aarau.

🕒 Su-Th 9:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 9:00-21:00; Sept 15-Apr 30 off

Frequently asked questions

What is the old town of Aarau known for?
Aarau is famous for its more than 70 painted eaves, the so-called "Giebel".
What is the Schlössli Aarau?
It is a medieval town castle that today houses the city museum with interesting cultural history exhibitions.
Is Aarau easily accessible by train?
Yes, Aarau is centrally located on the main line between Zurich and Bern and has excellent connections.
When does the Rüeblimärt take place?
The traditional carrot market takes place every year on the first Wednesday in November in the old town.
Which art museum is located in Aarau?
The Aargauer Kunsthaus displays one of the most important collections of Swiss art from the 18th century to the present.
Aarau: where is it located?
Aarau is located in Switzerland.
Aarau: what is there to see?
Highlights include Stadtmuseum Aarau, Ruine Rosenberg, Aargauer Kunsthaus.
Aarau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Aarau: why is it worth visiting?
Aarau is situated at the southern foot of the Jura Mountains on the Aare River and serves as the capital of the Canton of Aargau.
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