Rapperswil Zürichsee
The Rapperswil Zürichsee tourism region lies in eastern Switzerland on the upper Lake Zurich, centred on the town of Rapperswil-Jona, known as the "Rose Town" for its many rose gardens. The region combines a historic medieval old town and castle with a lively lakeside promenade, while the lake itself dominates the landscape and offers swimming, boating and water sports. Beyond the lake, the region reaches into surrounding hills and mountain areas such as the Flumserberg, Amden-Weesen and Einsiedeln, offering hiking, biking and outdoor experiences. It is a largely rural and small-town area close to the city of Zurich, with a strong cultural scene of museums, galleries and festivals. The town of Rapperswil-Jona forms the central hub, with its castle, wooden footbridge across the lake and the islands of Ufnau and Lützelau nearby.
Summer activities
Summer in the Rapperswil Zürichsee region is defined by the lake and the surrounding mountains. The Lake Zurich shoreline offers numerous lidos and bathing spots, while the lake itself invites swimming, stand-up paddling, sailing, wakeboarding and pedal-boat trips, with boat cruises and ferries connecting the towns and islands. Hiking ranges from the lakeside Zurichsee circular route and the Jakob's Way to Einsiedeln to mountain trails in the Flumserberg, Amden-Weesen and Hoch-Ybrig areas. Cyclists and mountain bikers find varied routes and pump tracks, and family-friendly themed trails and adventure parks such as Atzmännig round out the outdoor offer.
Culture and entertainment
The Rapperswil Zürichsee region has a lively and varied cultural scene. Rapperswil-Jona is home to a contemporary art centre, a city museum telling 800 years of local history, and the castle with its exhibition, while the Kunst(Zeug)Haus and the Vögele Kultur Zentrum host changing shows. The region also offers classical concerts, a summer music festival, cinemas and open-air screenings, and a floating theatre that docks at various points on the lake. Traditional festivals such as the Christkindlimärt Christmas market, the autumn Chilbi fairs and the Rääbechilbi lantern procession give the area a strong sense of local tradition.
