PlizioGo

Solothurn

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
PlizioGo—°2166
Solothurn (Switzerland)
ℹ️

Practical info — Solothurn

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Look out for the number 11; there are 11 churches, 11 fountains, and even a clock with only 11 hours.
  • Climb the tower of St. Ursus Cathedral for the best view over the Baroque city.
  • The historic center is car-free; it's best to park in the 'Baseltor' or 'Bieltor' parking garages.
  • Take a boat trip on the Aare river, for example to the stork village of Altreu.
  • The city is especially lively on market days (Wednesday and Saturday mornings).

🍽 Food

🍽
Solothurner Torte

A fine specialty with meringue and hazelnuts, available in the confectioneries of the old town.

🍽
Öufi Beer

The local beer ('öufi' is Bernese German for eleven) can be tasted directly at the brewery by the Aare.

🍽
Aare Fish

Enjoy fresh fish in the restaurants located directly on the riverside of the old town.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Marketplace

Twice a week, this is the place for regional produce, flowers, and cheese.

🛍
Old Town Boutiques

In the alleys, you'll find many owner-operated shops for jewelry, fashion, and crafts.

🧘
Verena Gorge

A mystical hermitage in a gorge on the outskirts of the city, a very powerful and quiet place.

🧘
Aare Riverside Path

Walk downstream towards Zuchwil for peace and nature right by the water.

Highlights of 2026

2

Solothurn is considered the most beautiful Baroque city in Switzerland, situated on the banks of the Aare at the southern foot of the Jura mountains. The city's architecture is shaped by the period between 1530 and 1792, when Solothurn was the seat of the ambassadors of the French kings, giving the city a noble, French flair. The standout structure is the St. Ursus Cathedral, a masterpiece of early Neoclassical style built from bright Solothurn marble. A fascinating feature of the city is the magic number eleven: there are eleven churches, eleven fountains, eleven towers, and a clock with only eleven digits. The medieval city fortifications, including the prominent Zeitglockenturm (clock tower), are well-preserved today and invite historical exploration. Culturally, Solothurn is internationally known for the Solothurn Film Festival and the Literature Days, while the Aare riverside with its cafes features high recreational value.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-104812161818141040
Rain mm7762808313011712112783948287

Live webcam – Solothurn

See what it looks like near Solothurn right now.

Solothurn: Stadt · 0.4 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
16,777
Coordinates
47.20800, 7.53700

Facts

  • Solothurn joined the Swiss Confederation as the tenth canton in the year 1481.
  • St. Ursus Cathedral features eleven altars and eleven bells.
  • Solothurn served as the seat of the French embassy from 1530 to 1792.
  • The Old Arsenal (Altes Zeughaus) houses one of Europe's most significant collections of armor.
  • The 12th-century Zeitglockenturm is the oldest structure in the city.
  • The city of Solothurn has exactly eleven guilds, reinforcing the importance of the number eleven.

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

Sights in the town Solothurn (16)

Naturmuseum🏛 museum

A museum in Solothurn showcasing local flora, fauna, and geology.

🕒 Tu-Sa 14:00-17:00; Su 10:00-17:00🆓

Steinmuseum Solothurn🏛 museum

A specialized museum in Solothurn dedicated to the history of stone.

🕒 May-Oct: Tu-Sa 14:00-17:00; May-Oct: Su 10:00-17:00💶

Kosciuszko Museum🏛 museum

A museum in Solothurn dedicated to the Polish national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko.

🕒 Sa 14:00-16:00💶

Konzertsaal🎭 culture

The Solothurn Concert Hall provides a festive setting for musical events in the city.

Sommerhaus Vigier🏰 castle

Sommerhaus Vigier is a magnificent country manor in Solothurn known for its Baroque architecture.

Theater Delly🎭 culture

Theater Delly is a welcoming small stage in Solothurn for cabaret and local theatre.

Voliere Solothurn👨‍👩‍👧 family

The Solothurn Aviary is a small bird park in the city garden housing various local and exotic birds.

Kloster St. Joseph⛪ religious

The Monastery of St. Joseph in Solothurn is a historic monastic complex with a peaceful atmosphere.

Pyramide📍 landmark

The Pyramid in Solothurn is a striking modern attraction within the city area.

Turmterrasse📍 landmark

The Turmterrasse has a beautiful view over the rooftops of Solothurn.

🕒 Apr-Oct Mo-Sa 09:30-11:45,13:30-17:30; Apr-Oct Su 13:00-17:3💶

Kunstspielwelt Frida🎭 culture

Kunstspielwelt Frida is an interactive art and play space for children in Solothurn.

Platz der Union🌿 nature

The Platz der Union is a viewpoint in Solothurn offering a wide view of the surroundings.

Sankt Niklaus⛪ religious

Sankt Niklaus is a historic church in the district of the same name in Solothurn.

Dreifaltigkeitskirche⛪ religious

Dreifaltigkeitskirche is a church in Solothurn's baroque old town.

Krummturm🗼 tower

The Krummturm is a striking defensive tower of the Solothurn city fortifications with a characteristically crooked roof.

Güggi Quartierspielplatz👨‍👩‍👧 family

A cozy neighborhood playground in Solothurn for families.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Solothurn considered the most beautiful Baroque city in Switzerland?
The architecture was heavily influenced by the French ambassador, resulting in magnificent buildings like St. Ursus Cathedral.
What is the significance of the number 11 in Solothurn?
Solothurn has 11 churches, 11 fountains, and 11 towers, representing a centuries-old tradition of the city.
How much time should be allocated for a city tour?
Half a day is sufficient to explore the old town and main attractions comfortably on foot.
Which museum is particularly recommended?
The Old Armory (Alte Zeughaus) houses one of the most impressive weapon collections in Europe and is well worth a visit.
Are there good excursion destinations nearby?
The Weissenstein, Solothurn's local mountain, has a fantastic view and is accessible by cable car.
Solothurn: where is it located?
Solothurn is located in Switzerland.
Solothurn: what is there to see?
Highlights include Naturmuseum, Steinmuseum Solothurn, Kosciuszko Museum.
Solothurn: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Solothurn: why is it worth visiting?
Solothurn is considered the most beautiful Baroque city in Switzerland, situated on the banks of the Aare at the southern foot of the Jura mountains.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Switzerland →

Nearby cities