What to Do in Appenzell, Switzerland: 7 Scenic Places + Photo Spots
Wondering what to do in Appenzell? This is the shortlist we would give friends visiting the region for the first time. If you want the classic first visit, start with Seealpsee, Äscher, and Säntis. If you prefer quieter places with a more local feel, go to Eggli, Schlatt, and Saxerlücke.
How to get there from Zurich
Getting to Appenzell is easier than many people expect. From Zurich, the trip usually takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Take the SBB train to St. Gallen or Gossau, then continue with Appenzell Railways into the village center. Parking in Appenzell is limited, so public transport is often the easiest option.
Why Appenzell works so well for day trips
One of the best things about Appenzell is how compact the region is.
Once you arrive, you can reach many highlights by train, cable car, short walks, or local transport. That makes it a very good base for scenic day trips without long transfers.
Why it’s worth visiting
Seealpsee is one of the classic places to visit in Appenzell and still one of the most rewarding. The lake sits below steep rock walls and has exactly the kind of mountain scenery many visitors hope to find in Switzerland. Even though it is well known, it still feels calm and special early in the day.
For photography, it is one of the strongest locations in the region because the lake, the wooden boats, and the surrounding peaks all work well together in one frame.
What to know before you go
Start in Wasserauen. From the main parking area, a steep paved road leads toward the lake, but the more scenic option is the trail via Hotel Alpenrose through forest and meadows.
The walk is not long, though it is steeper than many first-time visitors expect. Sunrise is the best time to be here, when reflections are strongest and the area is still quiet. If you want to extend the outing, Seealpsee is also a good starting point for hikes toward Meglisalp or in the direction of Äscher.
Why it’s worth visiting
Äscher is one of the most famous places in Appenzell and one of the region’s most unusual landmarks. Built into the cliff, it is the kind of place that looks surprising even when you already know the photos.
The setting is what makes it special: the inn itself, the steep rock wall above it, and the walk through Wildkirchli that gives the whole outing more character than a simple viewpoint stop. For first-time visitors, it is one of the easiest ways to experience the drama of the Alpstein without committing to a long hike.
What to know before you go
The easiest route is by taking the cable car to Ebenalp and then walking down through the caves toward Äscher. The route is short, but timing matters. If you want soft light and fewer people, go early. Many visitors talk about sunrise at Äscher, but real sunrise usually means hiking up in the dark or staying nearby, because the first cable car is often later than first light.
It is also worth checking current access and seasonal opening times before you go.
Why it’s worth visiting
Hoher Kasten is one of the easiest high-reward viewpoints in the Appenzell region. The summit gives you broad views across the Alpstein, the Rhine Valley, and far beyond on clear days.
Because the top is so open, it works especially well for visitors who want a panoramic mountain experience without a demanding hike. It is also one of the best places in the region for getting a real sense of the landscape around Appenzell.
What to know before you go
The cable car from Brülisau makes this a very straightforward outing, which is why Hoher Kasten is such a strong choice for mixed-weather days or shorter trips. For photography, the open summit makes composition easy and flexible, especially with long layers of hills and mountains in the distance.
Autumn can be particularly beautiful here when fog sits low in the Rhine Valley. If you prefer hiking, there are longer approaches too, but most visitors come for the easy access and the wide views.
Why it’s worth visiting
Saxerlücke is one of the most striking photo spots in the wider Appenzell area. The reason is the Kreuzberge, a line of sharp rock towers that make this landscape look much more dramatic than the softer hills lower down.
It is one of those places that feels instantly memorable in person. If you want a stronger, wilder mountain setting than the classic tourist stops, Saxerlücke is one of the best choices in the region.
What to know before you go
Although many people connect it with Appenzell, the easiest route usually starts from Frümsen in the canton of St. Gallen. From Staubern, the trail to Saxerlücke is scenic and relatively straightforward in good conditions, though it is still a proper mountain walk.
If you are staying in Appenzell village, plan extra travel time. The path is popular, but it remains one of the most rewarding hikes for photographers because of the rock formations and depth in the landscape. Stay on the path and avoid camping at the gap.
Why it’s worth visiting
Eggli is one of the easier photo spots in Appenzell and a good example of why not every worthwhile place has to be a major summit. The view here feels very local: a winding farm road, open meadow, scattered buildings, and the Alpstein rising in the background.
It is a simple composition, but a very effective one. If you want a classic Appenzell landscape without a long hike, Eggli is one of the best options.
What to know before you go
Drive up toward Restaurant Eggli and walk a few minutes to the viewpoint. Even the road up can offer small photo stops worth noticing. The best-known image here is the curving road leading into the landscape, especially in soft evening light.
Timing is important, because the meadow usually looks best in late spring or early summer. Later in the season, the scene changes once the grass has been cut. Since this is working farmland, it is important to stay respectful and remain on paths where possible.
Why it’s worth visiting
Schlatt feels very different from the better-known mountain highlights in this guide. Instead of dramatic peaks, it offers mood, local character, and a softer kind of beauty.
The village sits on a rounded hill between Appenzell and Teufen and has a calm, traditional feel that many visitors overlook. If you want a place that feels more local and less expected, Schlatt is one of the best short detours in the area.
What to know before you go
Park near the church in the village center and walk uphill for around 10 minutes to reach the best viewpoint back over the village. Fog and low cloud can make this place especially photogenic, because Schlatt often looks like a small island above the mist.
It is not a place for dramatic mountain action, but it is one of the most rewarding spots for atmosphere. This is also a good option on days when the higher mountains are covered in cloud.
Why it’s worth visiting
Säntis is the best-known mountain in the Appenzell region and the summit that gives the Alpstein its biggest sense of scale. If you want the most famous high viewpoint in the area, this is it.
On clear days, the views stretch far beyond the surrounding mountains, and in dramatic weather the summit feels even more impressive. For many visitors, Säntis is the place that completes a first trip to Appenzell.
What to know before you go
The easiest route is by cable car from Schwägalp, which makes Säntis accessible even if you are not planning a full mountain hike. Hiking to the summit is much more demanding and should only be considered in proper conditions with enough experience.
Even when the valley feels mild, the summit can be cold, windy, and exposed, so bring more layers than you think you need. If you are lucky, you may also spot ibex in the area.
What to do in Appenzell
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Planning a Trip to Appenzell?
We’re Alina & Chris, photographers based in Eastern Switzerland. We know the Appenzell region well and love sharing scenic places, practical local tips, and photo spots that are actually worth the stop.
If you’re looking for a photoshoot in Appenzell or the Alpstein, feel free to get in touch.