What to Do in Appenzell: 7 Beautiful Places to Visit.
What to do in Appenzell? Planning a trip to Appenzell and wondering what to do?
Let us show you the region’s most iconic attractions – from Lake Seealpsee and the world-famous Äscher mountain restaurant to the Säntis.
Getting to the best photo Spots in Appenzell.
Getting to Appenzell from Zurich.
Compact, wild, and full of charm — the Appenzell region in Eastern Switzerland may be small, but that’s exactly what makes it so special.
Getting to Appenzell is surprisingly easy. By train, you can reach Appenzell in about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Zurich. Take the SBB train to St. Gallen or Gossau.
From there, take the Appenzell Railways straight to Appenzell village center.
Appenzell has five mountain cable cars and many hiking trails.
Once you arrive, getting around is simple.
Walking distances are short.
If you do not want to walk, you have great options.
Use the Appenzell Railways, a local on call taxi called a Ruftaxi, or the five cable cars.
These options make it easy to reach every corner of the region in a comfortable and more sustainable way.
“Appenzell is synonymous with the most beautiful Swiss traditions”
Swiss Tourismus | What to do in Appenzell?
Lake Seealpsee – The Mirror of the Alps.
Lake Seealpsee is one of the best starting points for hikes in the Alpstein.
Lake Seealpsee is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. It sits in Appenzell Innerrhoden at 1,143 meters above sea level.
Steep rock walls frame the water, and on calm mornings the lake turns into a perfect mirror. Seealpsee is also a great starting point for hikes in the Alpstein.
From here, you can hike to Meglisalp or continue toward the famous Aescher mountain inn.
How to get to Lake Seealpsee.
Your starting point is Wasserauen. From the main parking area, a steep paved road leads up to the lake.
If you want the prettier route, take the hiking trail.
Turn left near Hotel Alpenrose. The path goes across alpine meadows and then into the forest.
It takes a bit longer, but the scenery is much better.
You will also pass traditional Appenzell huts along the way.
Food and stops at the lake.
Right at the shore, you will find two mountain restaurants.
They are called Forelle and Seealpsee.
In mid summer, usually July and August, cows graze on the meadows near the lake. On your hike, you will pass a lot of traditional huts where you can buy the famous Appenzeller cheese.
It is one of those simple Appenzell moments that feels very real.
Photo Tip, Lake Seealpsee.
Come at sunrise for the best light. The first sun hits the peaks behind the lake and the reflections are at their best.
In the afternoon, the sun disappears behind the Säntis and the lake is mostly in the shade. The wooden rowboats at the shore make great photo subjects.
You can rent a boat and row out on the lake.
It costs around CHF 5 to 7 for 30 minutes.
Äscher Restaurant near Appenzell is famous for a reason.
National Geographic – A Destination of a Lifetime.
Äscher Restaurant is one of the most iconic photo spots in Appenzell. It has not been a hidden gem for a long time.
In 2015, it became famous around the world. National Geographic featured Äscher on the cover of its book Destinations of a Lifetime.
Since then, many travelers have added Äscher Restaurant in Appenzell to their Switzerland bucket list.
How to get to the Äscher Restaurant?
The easiest way is to take the cable car up to Ebenalp. From there, it is about a 20 minute walk down to Äscher Restaurant. The trail goes through the Wildkirchli caves. The route feels dramatic and very special.
You can also hike up from Wasserauen. This route goes in the direction of Lake Seealpsee first. Important tip: Do not hike all the way to the lake.
Shortly before Lake Seealpsee, turn right near the rock wall and continue toward Restaurant Äscher.
Photo Tip, Äscher Restaurant.
Sunrise is the best time for photos. The first light hits the cliff and turns the rock walls into a warm and red light.
That is when Äscher Restaurant looks its most dramatic. While you are there, take time to enjoy the experience. Try the famous Äscher breakfast, called “Äscher Zmorge” (means Äscher Breakfast in Swiss German).
Sit outside on the terrace if the weather is good. Homemade jam and a fresh croissant are a perfect start to the day.
A voucher from Äscher Restaurant also makes a great gift.
Hoher Kasten in Appenzell has the best views over the Rhine Valley.
Hoher Kasten – a mountain with a view.
Hoher Kasten is in Appenzell Innerrhoden, right on the border of the canton of St. Gallen. It is one of the best viewpoints in Eastern Switzerland.
The rotating restaurant with a 360 degree view.
The summit sits at 1,794 meters above sea level. At the top, you will find the only rotating restaurant in Eastern Switzerland. The restaurant completes one full rotation in about one hour.
You get a changing 360-degree panorama while you are eating or enjoying a coffee. The views include the Rhine Valley, Lake Constance, and the Alpstein range.
In summer, you can also visit the alpine flower garden.
Moreover, you can walk the Europe Panorama Trail.
How to get to the mountain called Hoher Kasten?
The cable car from Brülisau takes you to the summit in about 8 minutes.
If you prefer hiking, there are great options. Every trail offers beautiful views over the Rhine Valley and the Appenzell region.
One of the best hikes starts at Montlinger Schwamm.
From there, hike via Kamor up to Hoher Kasten.
This is one of our favorite hikes in Eastern Switzerland. It is scenic and very rewarding. Depending on your route, plan about 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Photo tip, Hoher Kasten.
The 360-degree panorama makes photography easy up here.
Every season offers you a strong composition. The autumn fog can create a mystical and magical atmosphere.
SAXERLÜCKE IS THE INSTAGRAM PHOTO SPOT IN APPENZELL.
Saxerlücke is the Instagram photo spot in Appenzell.
Saxerlücke near Appenzell sits at 1,649 meters above sea level. It is one of the most impressive photo locations in the Appenzell region.
The sharp rock towers of the Kreuzberge rise into the sky like giant fingers. You have probably seen photos of Saxerluecke on Instagram.
Even though it is not allowed, some people camp on the narrow meadow in front of the gap. Please do not do this.
Nature and other hikers will thank you.
Getting to Saxerlücke.
The easiest way to reach Saxerluecke is by cable car from Frümsen to Staubern Restaurant.
Important note: Frümsen is in the canton of St. Gallen. It is on the other side of the Alpstein range.
If you are coming from Appenzell, the drive takes longer.
Plan extra travel time for this day.
From Staubern Restaurant, a panoramic hiking trail leads to Saxerlücke in about one hour.Along the way, you get beautiful views toward Fälensee and Säntis.
Photo tip, Saxerlücke.
If you want a more challenging hike, you can also start on foot from Frümsen.
Another option is the hike from Brülisau via Saemtisersee and Bollenwees to Saxerluecke.
Plan around three hours to reach the gap. This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Appenzell region.
EGGLI, STEINEGG IS APPENZELL STRAIGHT OUT OF A STORYBOOK.
Eggli Restaurant, a hidden photo spot in Appenzell.
This photo spot near Appenzell is still a bit of a hidden gem in Eastern Switzerland. The Eggli restaurant offers beautiful views of the Alpstein range and the Rhine Valley.
The most popular photo motif near Eggli is a winding farm road across an alpine meadow. In the background, you see the Alpstein mountains.
Because the path crosses a flower meadow, timing matters. For the best photo, pay attention to when the meadow gets cut. In Appenzell, meadows are often mowed after Corpus Christi in early June.
This photo spot is very easy to reach. There is no hike and no cable car. It is only a five minute walk from the restaurant Eggli.
The parking lot belongs to the restaurant.
The mountain parking lot belongs to the Eggli restaurant. It is good etiquette to support the place if you park there. The terrace view is stunning. The local Appenzell sausage is also worth trying.
Photo tip, Eggli Steinegg.
Drive up the narrow, winding road to the restaurant Eggli.
The restaurant sits at around 1,200 meters above sea level.
Even on the drive up, you will find many great photo opportunities. About halfway up, there is a small yellow wooden barn with a beautiful tree next to it.
In summer, cows often graze in front of it. It looks like a classic Swiss postcard scene.
A HIDDEN GEM IN APPENZELL, SCHLATT IS A PICTURESQUE VILLAGE.
Our insider tip, the most beautiful village in Appenzell.
If you are looking for the best photo spots in Appenzell and skip Schlatt, you are missing a real local secret.
This small farming village sits on top of a rounded hill between Appenzell and Teufen.
It is about a 15 minute drive from Appenzell village.
From far away, you can already spot St. Josef Church in the center.
Our photo tip for Schlatt.
Park near the church in the village center. Then follow the trail uphill for about 10 minutes. From the top, you get a beautiful view of Schlatt. The church tower is the main landmark.
This view can be especially stunning on foggy days. With a bit of luck, Schlatt looks like a small island floating above a sea of clouds.
Restaurant Bären, home of the traditional “Chlausezüg”.
During the Christmas season, Restaurant Bären in Schlatt displays one of Appenzell’s oldest traditions. The “Chlausezüg” is shown here during Advent.
It is a tall tower made from many hand painted gingerbread pieces. The images tell stories from the region.
But the restaurant Bären is also worth a visit in summer. The sunny terrace has a beautiful view of the Alpstein.
The food is excellent, and it is a great place to slow down..
SÄNTIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PHOTO SPOTS IN APPENZELL.
The Landmark of Eastern Switzerland.
No list of the best photo spots in Appenzell is complete without the Säntis.
From the viewing platform on the Säntis summit, you get an impressive panorama. On clear days, you have panoramic views toward Germany and Austria. You can even see the Swiss Säntis.
Getting to Säntis.
The large gondolas of the Säntis cable car take you from Schwägalp up to the summit. The ride takes about 10 minutes.
Important: the summit often has strong wind and fast changing weather. Temperatures can differ from those at Schwägalp. Don’t forget to bring a warm jacket.
For a more active adventure, hike up on foot.
If you want to hike to the Säntis, the fastest route starts at Schwägalp. It goes via the Tierwies restaurant.
A more scenic route is much longer. It goes via Wasserauen, Seealpsee, Meglisalp, Rotsteinpass, Lisengrat, and the Säntis. This hike is considered challenging. The views are incredible.
In the early morning or evening, you may spot an Alpine ibex with is majestic horns. Ibexes often come down from the Altmann mountain near the Säntis.
Every hike to the Säntis is demanding.
If you are not used to mountain terrain, do not like heights, or are not very fit, skip the hike to Säntis.
Choose an easier hike in Appenzell instead. A great option is the hike to Schäfler.
In winter or in very wet conditions, we strongly advise against hiking to the Säntis. Rocks can be slippery. In winter, avalanche risk can be high.
THESE 7 PHOTO SPOTS IN APPENZELL ARE SOME OF THE BEST DAY TRIPS IN SWITZERLAND.
If you have never been to Appenzell, it is time to plan a trip.
Seealpsee, Äscher Restaurant, or Saxerlücke. These seven photo spots in Appenzell are some of the most beautiful places in Switzerland.
Each location has its own character. Each one offers unforgettable photo opportunities.
Many more great places in Eastern Switzerland.
Appenzell has much more than these classic spots.
There are many other viewpoints, hikes, and hidden corners to explore.
Pack your camera. Lace up your hiking boots. And go.
What to do in Appenzell
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PHOTOGRAPHER IN APPENZELL.
PHOTO Workshop IN APPENZELL?
Do you want to head out and take your photography to the next level?
Join us for a photo workshop near Appenzell in St. Gallen. We offer classes focused on landscape photography and photo editing.
Sign up for our email list to get updates and details. This is the easiest way for us to send you all workshop information. We would love to have you with us.
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