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Olten

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City
PlizioGo—°1219
Olten (Switzerland)
ℹ️

Practical info — Olten

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Find the 'Kilometer Zero' stone on Platform 12 at the main station, the heart of the Swiss rail network.
  • Cross the 1803 Old Wooden Bridge to enter the historic Old Town directly.
  • Follow the Swiss Writers’ Trail to find over 70 audio stations featuring stories by local authors.
  • Check out the satirical listening stations on Quai Cornichon along the Aare river.
  • Enjoy a walk along the Aare riverside promenade, a popular spot for locals to relax.

🍽 Food

🍽
Bahnhofbuffet Olten

A legendary meeting spot for people from all over Switzerland with a cult following.

🍽
Restaurant Flügelrad

Located right next to the station, it is famous for serving excellent Cordon Bleu.

🍽
Schlosserei Genussfabrik

Housed in a former locksmith shop, featuring hip decor and one of the best terraces in town.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Altstadt Olten

The car-free Old Town is lined with independent boutiques, bookstores, and specialty shops.

🛍
Lindt Chocolate Shop

A factory outlet shop located in the industrial area, well-suited for chocolate lovers.

🧘
Wildpark Mühletäli

A peaceful, free wildlife park on the edge of town, home to deer and raccoons.

🧘
Capuchin Monastery

A serene complex offering a quiet atmosphere and a simple church just steps from the center.

Highlights of 2026

1

Olten is a significant city in the Canton of Solothurn and is regarded as Switzerland's most important railway junction. Due to its central location in the Mittelland, the main North-South and West-East rail lines intersect here, making the city a strategic economic center. The historic Old Town is picturesquely situated on the Aare river and is accessible via a famous covered wooden bridge, which was rebuilt in the 19th century following a fire. Olten has a rich literary tradition and is known as the 'City of Writers', being the home of prominent authors such as Peter Bichsel and Alex Capus. The city also houses several significant museums, including the Natural History Museum and the Olten Art Museum. Thanks to its excellent transport links and proximity to the Jura mountains, Olten is a popular starting point for business travelers and nature lovers alike.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-104913171918141040
Rain mm8365828312911812412487968092

Live webcam – Olten

See what it looks like near Olten right now.

Olten: Alte Brücke · 0.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
18,362
Coordinates
47.35200, 7.90100

Facts

  • Olten is the location of the zero point for the kilometer markers of the Swiss Railways.
  • The famous wooden bridge over the Aare was rebuilt in the year 1803.
  • Within 30 minutes by train from Olten, one can reach 80% of the Swiss population.
  • Olten was the center of the Swiss General Strike in 1918.
  • The city houses the only museum of hair culture in Switzerland.
  • Olten has its own municipal theater, which was founded in 1870.

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 Olten (21)

Stadttheater Olten🎭 culture

The central theatre of the city of Olten for various cultural performances.

Haus der Museen🏛 museum

A museum center in Olten combining natural history, archaeology, and history.

🕒 Dec 25,26,31,Jan 01 off; Tu-Su,PH 10:00-17:00; easter +1 day💶

Wildpark Mühletäli👨‍👩‍👧 family

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

🕒 24/7

Kulturzentrum Schützenmatt🎭 culture

A venue in Olten for concerts, theatre, and cultural events.

Zielemp🏰 castle

Zielemp is the ruin of a hilltop castle above Olten.

Römische Villa🏺 historical

The Roman Villa in Olten is a Roman villa complex with preserved wall remains.

Galgen🏺 historical

A historical site in Olten indicating a former place of execution.

Prähistorische Wehranlage Dickenbännli🏺 historical

Remains of a prehistoric fortification on a hill near Olten.

Kunstverein Olten🏛 museum

An institution in Olten promoting contemporary art through exhibitions.

Geissflue🌿 nature

Geissflue is a hill in the Jura mountains near Olten.

Käsloch🌿 nature

The entrance to a natural cave in the surroundings of Olten.

🆓

Känzeli🌿 nature

A viewpoint near Olten offering a wide view over the city.

Skulpturenweg📍 landmark

A walking path in Olten lined with various art sculptures.

Walderlebnispfad Bannwald📍 landmark

An educational trail in the Bannwald forest near Olten that teaches nature topics.

Galerie 23🏛 museum

A gallery in Olten providing space for rotating art exhibitions.

Chaos-Platz📍 landmark

A public square or meeting place with cultural significance in Olten.

Stadtturm🗼 tower

A prominent tower in Olten that was part of the historical city fortifications.

Stadtkirche⛪ religious

The central Catholic city church of St. Martin in Olten with two towers.

Martinskirche⛪ religious

The significant St. Martin's Church in Olten, a landmark of the city.

Pauluskirche⛪ religious

A church in Olten serving the Christian community as a place of worship.

Piratenschiff👨‍👩‍👧 family

Piratenschiff in Olten is a great destination for families with children to play.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Olten known as a transport hub?
Thanks to its central location, Switzerland's most important railway lines meet here.
What is the landmark of Olten?
The old wooden bridge over the Aare, which connects the old town with the station district.
Are there museums in Olten?
Yes, including the Natural History Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Art Museum.
What is the Oltner Schriftstellerweg?
An acoustic city tour with stories by well-known Swiss authors at 70 stations.
Can you go hiking from Olten?
Yes, the nearby Jura hills offer wonderful hiking trails, e.g., to Born or Belchenflue.
Olten: where is it located?
Olten is located in Switzerland.
Olten: what is there to see?
Highlights include Stadttheater Olten, Haus der Museen, Wildpark Mühletäli.
Olten: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Olten: why is it worth visiting?
Olten is a significant city in the Canton of Solothurn and is regarded as Switzerland's most important railway junction.
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