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Glarus

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City
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Glarus (Switzerland)
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Practical info — Glarus

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • The grid layout of the streets, unique in Switzerland due to the rebuilding after the 1861 fire, makes navigation easy but intersections can look similar.
  • Because the town is surrounded by steep mountains, the sun disappears behind the peaks early in the afternoon, so plan outdoor photography for midday.
  • The Landsgemeindeplatz is mostly empty but comes alive on the first Sunday of May for the traditional open-air voting assembly.
  • For an impressive natural experience, take the short bus ride up to the Klöntalersee, an alpine lake famous for its mirror-like reflections.

🍽 Food

🍽
Glarner Pastete

Try this traditional flaky pastry filled with almond or plum purée at a bakery along the main street.

🍽
Zigerhörnli

Look for this hearty pasta dish made with the strong-smelling local green cheese (Schabziger) in traditional taverns.

🍽
Adler Bräu

Order a fresh pint from the local Glarus brewery, widely available in pubs around the town center.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Glarner Tüechli

These colorful paisley bandanas are a historic local export; find them in boutique clothing or souvenir shops.

🛍
Schabziger Cheese

Pick up a cone of this bright green, herb-infused cheese at a local grocery store or dairy shop to take home.

🧘
Burgkapelle St. Michael

Walk up the small hill to this historic chapel for a peaceful view over the rooftops of the grid city.

🧘
Linth River Walk

Stroll along the pedestrian paths by the Linth river, connecting Glarus with the neighboring village of Ennenda.

Highlights of 2026

1

Glarus is the capital of the eponymous canton and is situated in the deep valley of the Linth at the foot of the Glärnisch massif. The city is architecturally unique in Switzerland, as it was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1861 according to a strict gridiron plan. This modern urban design was intended to prevent future fires and gives the town a spacious, almost metropolitan feel despite its small size. Historically, Glarus was a center for the textile industry, particularly fabric printing, which led to great prosperity in the 19th century. A political curiosity is the Landsgemeinde, one of the oldest forms of direct democracy, which takes place annually in the open air at the town hall square. The Glarus region is also famous for its prominent mountain peaks and the renowned Schabziger cheese. Today, Glarus combines its industrial tradition with modern administration and serves as the cultural center of the region with a significant art museum. The surrounding mountains offer diverse opportunities for alpinism and hiking.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-4-415101416151172-3
Rain mm10181102107163176173190124110103106

Live webcam – Glarus

See what it looks like near Glarus right now.

Glarus › South-east: Rathausplatz · 0.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
12,425
Coordinates
47.03960, 9.06670

Facts

  • The devastating city fire occurred on the night of May 10-11, 1861.
  • Is the smallest cantonal capital in Switzerland.
  • The Landsgemeinde takes place on the first Sunday of May each year.
  • The town church from 1866 was designed by architect Ferdinand Stadler.
  • Schabziger cheese has been produced here under legal protection since 1463.
  • Located at an altitude of 472 meters at the foot of the Vorder Glärnisch.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Glarus (10)

Kunsthaus🏛 museum

The Kunsthaus Glarus is a significant museum for contemporary art in eastern Switzerland.

Anna Göldi-Museum🏛 museum

This museum commemorates Anna Göldi, who was executed as the last witch in Europe.

Badi Netstal👨‍👩‍👧 family

A popular outdoor pool in Netstal offering cooling and swimming fun on hot summer days.

Vorder Glärnisch🌿 nature

A prominent mountain peak near Glarus, very popular with hikers and mountaineers.

Schlafstein🌿 nature

A peak in the Glarus Alps that is a destination for challenging mountain tours in the region.

Rundchopf🌿 nature

A mountain peak near Glarus known for its views of the surrounding Alpine landscape.

Gemeindehaus Glarus🏺 historical

The town hall of Glarus is the city's administrative centre and a historically important building.

Reformierte Kirche Ennenda⛪ religious

A significant Baroque church in Ennenda appreciated for its architecture and acoustics.

Stadtkirche⛪ religious

This significant church defines the cityscape of Glarus and was rebuilt after the great fire of 1861.

Katholische Kirche 3 Könige⛪ religious

A Catholic church in Glarus that serves as a place of reflection for the community.

Frequently asked questions

What is special about the city structure of Glarus?
After a fire in 1861, the city was rebuilt in a grid-like and very modern fashion.
In which canton is Glarus located?
Glarus is the capital of the canton of Glarus.
What is Schabziger?
A famous Glarus herb cheese produced using a special process.
What can you see at the Kunsthaus Glarus?
It features changing exhibitions of contemporary art in a modern building.
Which mountain dominates the view?
The Glärnisch is the prominent mountain massif directly west of Glarus.
Glarus: where is it located?
Glarus is located in Switzerland.
Glarus: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kunsthaus, Anna Göldi-Museum, Badi Netstal.
Glarus: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Glarus: why is it worth visiting?
Glarus is the capital of the eponymous canton and is situated in the deep valley of the Linth at the foot of the Glärnisch massif.
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