Gossau Carnival and Fürstenland Guggen Festival
Three-day carnival in January with a large festival tent, Guggen open-air on the marketplace and a carnival procession through town. Numerous Guggen bands and themed groups create a lively atmosphere.
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Gossau
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Gossau
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit Walter Zoo, a popular family zoo featuring an impressive chimpanzee enclosure.
- Gossau is located on the Way of Saint James (Jakobsweg); follow the yellow shell markers for a lovely hike towards Herisau.
- Schloss Oberberg (Oberberg Castle) features both history and a restaurant with great views over the region.
- Use the city as a convenient base for trips to St. Gallen or the nearby Appenzell region.
- Free parking can often be found near the sports facilities if you want to explore the center on foot.
🍽 Food
🍽
Olma-Bratwurst
This famous sausage is from the St. Gallen region. Eat it traditionally WITHOUT mustard at a local butcher or snack stand.
🍽
Appenzeller Siedwurst
Taste this boiled sausage with Chääshörnli (cheese pasta) at one of the traditional guesthouses in the center.
🍽
Castle Cuisine
Treat yourself to a fine dinner at Schloss Oberberg featuring regional products and a magnificent view.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Gossau Weekly Market
Held regularly on Kirchplatz, offering great specialties from Eastern Switzerland.
🛍
Local Cheese Shops
Look for small village dairies in the area for authentic Appenzeller cheese.
🧘
Espel Forest
A quiet forest area nearby, excellent for relaxed walks away from the traffic.
🧘
Park near Walter Zoo
Even outside the zoo, there are green areas that offer peace and quiet.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Gossau is located in the canton of St. Gallen in the heart of Eastern Switzerland and serves as a significant regional center between St. Gallen and Wil. The history of the municipality is closely linked to agriculture and later to the textile industry, with the townscape now characterized by a blend of tradition and modernity. Gossau has evolved into a key economic hub, benefiting from its excellent transport links via the A1 motorway and the main SBB railway line. A regional highlight is the Walter Zoo, which, as the largest private zoo in Switzerland, attracts numerous visitors. Architecturally, the Catholic Church of St. Andreas with its tall spire is a dominant feature in the town center. Gossau also has a wide range of educational facilities and is an important site for trade and services. The surrounding landscape is handy for hiking and cycling, highlighting the town's natural residential quality. Despite its growth, Gossau has maintained its village charm within its various districts.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: Abenteuerland Walter Zoo · Schloss Oberberg · Altes Rathaus Schwänberg (1630)
- Nearby: Herisau (4 km)
- Population: ~17.043
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 94 | 74 | 92 | 91 | 141 | 139 | 144 | 146 | 103 | 100 | 87 | 102 |
Live webcam – Gossau
See what it looks like near Gossau right now.
Gossau: Ballonteam S. Zeberli - SG · 1.6 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- First documented mention occurred in the year 824
- Home to Walter Zoo, the largest private zoo in Switzerland
- Major transportation hub in Eastern Switzerland
- Headquarters for significant logistics companies
- St. Andreas Church defines the local skyline
- Former site of a prominent embroidery industry
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.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→14:432.8 km walk5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 15–21 €Entries 18€ · Transport 0€
Start your day in the heart of Gossau at St. Andrew's Church. After a glimpse into local history at the Gossau Museum, treat yourself to lunch. In the afternoon, stroll to the outdoor pool for a refreshing break before ending the day with a touch of modern culture at Werk 2. The evening is for exploring local gastronomy.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
St. Andrew's Church
Notice the modern stained-glass windows, which contrast with the old architecture.
🚶 5'0.09 km
📍
10:02 · 47'
Gossau Museum
The museum is housed in a historic building. Ask about the history of the house itself.
🚶 9'0.28 km
📍
10:58 · 47'
Fürstenlandsaal Hall
Check the local event calendar; concerts or plays are often held here.
🚶 20'0.85 km
📍
12:05 · 47'
Gossau Outdoor Pool
Even if you don't swim, the park area is convenient for a relaxing break.
🚶 34'1.55 km
📍
13:26 · 47'
Werk 2 Cultural Centre
A center for alternative culture. Look out for art installations in the outdoor area.
09:00→14:368.3 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
Hop on your bike and start in the center at St. Andrew's Church. The first stage takes you up to Oberberg Castle with its great view. After lunch at Walter Zoo, where you can marvel at exotic animals, cycle through the green Espel area. The day ends with a well-deserved refreshment at the Gossau outdoor pool.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
St. Andrew's Church
The excellent starting point to orient yourself in the city center.
🚲 11'1.39 km
📍
10:08 · 47'
Oberberg Castle
The climb is worth the view. There is a beautiful courtyard to rest in.
🚲 26'3.91 km
📍
11:21 · 47'
Walter Zoo
Plan enough time, especially for the tropical house. You can also have lunch here.
🚲 15'1.99 km
🚲 9'1.02 km
📍
13:19 · 47'
Gossau Outdoor Pool
The excellent place to cool off after a long day of cycling or just to put your feet up.
09:00→14:117.3 km drive5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 16–22 €Entries 18€ · Transport 1€
Take advantage of the car's flexibility to explore Gossau and its surroundings. Park in the center and discover the old town on foot (Cluster A). Then drive to the historic Oberberg Castle (Cluster B) for a fantastic view. The afternoon belongs to the impressive Walter Zoo (Cluster C), a highlight for the whole family. A short detour to the Espel area (Cluster D) rounds off your eventful day.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
St. Andrew's Church (Cluster A)
Park in one of the central parking garages and explore the first cluster on foot.
🚗 3'0.09 km
📍
10:00 · 47'
Gossau Museum (Cluster A)
A short walk from the church. Here you can immerse yourself in local history.
🚗 7'1.3 km
📍
10:54 · 47'
Oberberg Castle (Cluster B)
Drive to the castle and park there. Enjoy the view and a walk around the castle.
🚗 16'3.91 km
📍
11:57 · 47'
Walter Zoo (Cluster C)
The zoo has a large parking lot. Plan to spend the rest of the afternoon here.
🚗 10'1.99 km
📍
12:54 · 47'
Espel area (Cluster D)
A final stop in the green to round off the day before heading to dinner.
Sights in the town Gossau (10)
Altes Rathaus Schwänberg (1630)🏛 museum
A historic building from 1630 in Gossau that preserves local history as a museum.
🌐 schwaenberg.ch🕒 Su [1]
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous attraction for families in Gossau?
The Walter Zoo is a popular destination with many animal species and a large adventure land.
Are there historical buildings in Gossau?
Oberberg Castle gives a great view and houses a restaurant with a historical ambiance.
Which chocolate is produced near Gossau?
In Flawil, right next to Gossau, is the Maestrani chocolate world (Chocolarium).
How is Gossau connected in terms of transport?
Gossau is conveniently located on the Zurich, St. Gallen railway line and directly on the A1 motorway.
What cultural events are there?
Various markets and local festivals like the Gossauer Märt shape the cultural life.
Gossau: where is it located?
Gossau is located in Switzerland.
Gossau: what is there to see?
Highlights include Abenteuerland Walter Zoo, Schloss Oberberg, Altes Rathaus Schwänberg (1630).
Gossau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
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