Stein am Rhein Day Trip from Zurich

I did a day trip to stein am rhein this past June. I wasn’t a huge fan. I was also in st. gallen for a few nights this past sept. and enjoyed my time there. I had an interest in seeing the library at the abbey. There’s a nice old town there that was not full of people like stein am rhein. So, I think that would be a good option. I’ve also spent some time in Zurich and like it more than most here. Also did a day trip to colmar and really liked that. But I haven’t been to Rothenburg to have an opinion on the comparison. Another place I really, really liked was Freiburg, Germany. But that might be too far for a day trip from Zurich. Wait, how about Basel? I was there for a few nights and really like that too. Another place that was not full of tourists.

I’m afraid I haven’t been very helpful as I pretty much like every place. 😊 Good luck! I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever you decide.

P.S. Glad to see you are staying in Wengen. My favorite place. 😊 Be sure to go up to mannlichen. I’d also like to suggest a boat ride on lake brienz if you have time. The color of the water is just amazing and impossible to describe. But, I also enjoyed the boat ride on lake thun, stopping at a few of the castles. Again, no bad choices in Switzerland. And for mountains from lucerne, my favorite is mt riggi via the boat and train.

Have you seen forum member shoe's guide for hiking in the lauterbrunnen area?

https://lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.com/

Sorry, i get a little carried away talking about my favorite place, switzerland. 😊

One last thought . 😊 Have you been to munich or will you be going there on this trip? I was also in Salzburg this past sept. and munich was a good day trip. I also did a day trip to zell am see because it was easier to get to compared to Hallstatt. It was a nice day, but I didn’t like it enough to recommend it.

If you have time in Salzburg, there are great views from Mönchsberg. Just be careful if you use the restroom up there. My sister almost got stuck in it. 😊 It has some weird space age door.

Well if you want a different experience then try a day trip to Bellinzona which is the capital of the Ticino, which is the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. Pretty much everything down there from attitude to the style of housing is going to be very different to what you have experienced in the Germanic part of Europe. I like to think of it as an organised and efficient version of Italy.

From Zurich it is an hour an a half or so by train, with not changes, so you'll have plenty of time to explore the city, visit the castles and have a meal - experience Italian style dining.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/bellinzona/

Look, Stein am Rhein is very pretty, and pure (like Monschau), as opposed to surrounded by a modern city (like many medieval centers in Belgium, for example, or Vitre or Dinan in France.) But it's very well-touristed. I liked it, but it does have something in common with the places you named.

Aarau, which may be harder to get to, has a very different architecture to it, unlike anyplace else I've been. It has slightly less to do than Stein am Rhein, but is still very nice to walk around the Old Town. (Surrounded by a modern city.)

Don't forget the Rheinfall, and much farther west, Augusta Raurica.