Between waterfalls and medieval villages: a day in Canton Schaffhausen
In Canton Schaffhausen, you will find varied attractions to spend a day among thunderous waterfalls and precious medieval villages.
One of Switzerland's best-known attractions is located here: it is the largest waterfalls in Europe. The Rhine Falls is a natural spectacle that is striking for the sheer volume of water thundering down over a drop 23 meters in height and 150 meters in width, with a central spur dividing the waters and housing an observation platform.
From dry land, you can enjoy the falls by entering from Schloss Laufen, a castle built right next to the river, from which you can access a scenic path that descends through forest trees to a projecting walkway over the water.
Cost of ticket 5.-Chf.
If you prefer a closer view, however, you can take a boat that goes to the foot of the waterfall, either from the castle itself or from the castle that faces it, Schlössli Wörth, and also reach the viewing platform on the central rock outcrop shrouded in water.
Prices range from 8 to 20Chf per person, depending on the length, route, presence of a guide, and observation option from the platform.
Visiting the falls is truly picturesque; autumn is a beautiful time to visit this wooded place at the height of the foliage. After making the visit, you can drive up the course of the Rhine to the idyllic village of Stein am Rhein, stopping for a few hours in the town of Schaffhausen.
The city of Schaffhausen has a beautiful medieval old town, with a few frescoed buildings, precious bay windows, and a bustling shopping scene. Take a walk through the alleys of the old town, and then go to the Allerheiligen Monastery, where you can stroll in the peace of the cloister and botanical garden.
From the center, you can finally take the stairway up through the vineyards that form the backdrop to the city on the hill ridge, to Fort Munot, a 16th-century fortress with wide open spaces from whose ramparts you can see the multitude of rooftops that tower over the historic city center. In autumn, yellowing vines lend a golden aura to this hilltop construction.
To end the day, move on to Stein am Rhein: this is a medieval village of great architectural merit, in which the old town has preserved the guild houses with their rich frescoed facades, painted wooden lattices and colorful bay windows.
A visit to the small old town, with all its quaint little streets, is a must in itself. You can add the exploration of another architectural gem, the St. Georgen monastery, just on the edge of the center, close to the river.
This Benedictine abbey hides frescoed rooms, inlaid wood halls, enameled stoves and original furniture from the abbots' rooms. The cloisters, refectory rooms, dormitories and some attached rural activity rooms are visited. A magnificent piece of history and architecture. Admission costs 5.-Chf.
To end the day, drive up (or walk, if you feel like trekking through the woods) from the hamlet to the castle that towers on the hill behind the town.
It is called Burg Hohenklingen, and admission is free. You can enter the courtyards and climb up to the tower, from which there are breathtaking views of the village, the course of the Rhine River and the surrounding forests. There is also a restaurant, which in summer has tables on a terrace with a beautiful view of Stein.
