We discover Lenzburg and its fascinating castle, one of the oldest hilltop castles in Switzerland. Located in the canton of Aargau, the castle, together with the small picturesque town centre at its foot, is the perfect destination for a day trip and offers space for picnics and relaxation. Not to be missed is also the museum inside, which tells the story of the castle, the local aristocracy and the people of the village in the Middle Ages. We visited this fascinating place in spring, on a sunny Saturday morning, and here is all the information and some advice for your visit.
We love... Lenzburg!
Located in Canton Aargau, on the banks of the Aabach River and at the far end of the Seetal, the small village of Lenzburg (see location on Google Maps) and its imposing Lenzburg Castle are the perfect destination for a day trip. Dating back to at least the 11th century, this historic building has a long and troubled history, as a witness to centuries of conflicts and battles until 1960, when the property was acquired by the town of Lenzburg and the Canton of Aargau with the aim of renovating it and opening it to the public. Today, the castle is certainly one of the canton’s major attractions and attracts visitors from neighbouring regions and bordering Germany, who come here to get to know the place and visit its museum, which offers an interesting insight into the history of the area and the lives of nobles and common people in the Middle Ages. We visited this fascinating place in spring, on a sunny Saturday morning, and here is all the information and some tips for your visit.
Our visit
The town of Lenzburg
The small town of Lenzburg and its historic heart can easily be reached on foot from the train station with a walk of just over 10 minutes. You can find the route at this link. With its characteristic horseshoe-shaped layout, the old town centre has retained its old character and the main street, the Rathausgasse, is home to many historic buildings, bars and restaurants that are often open on Sundays (which is rather unusual in Switzerland).
When following the route from the train station to the castle, a walk through the old town is a must. Then reach the ‘Durchbruch’ passage at the western edge of the old town and cross it to reach the Rathausgasse. Here, among the historical buildings, we recommend a visit to the Town Hall (Rathaus) – in this location since the founding of the city -, the city church (Stadtkirche) – just outside the Durchbruch and dating back to the 16th century – and the numerous historical fountains scattered around the centre. After your visit, follow the path for another 15 minutes until you reach the entrance portal to the castle.
Lenzburg Castle
The Castle is certainly one of the main attractions of the Canton Aargau and certainly the main attraction of the town of Lenzburg. It is easily reached from the old town centre with a short climb of about 15 minutes or directly from the train station with a 25-minute walk.
Once you reach the entrance gate and walk down the driveway, you will find yourself in a large, elegant courtyard, which is partly wooded and furnished with picnic tables and benches. You will have to pay an entrance fee to enter the castle. The cost varies depending on what you intend to visit: access to the outdoor areas only (courtyard, baroque garden and bistro) costs CHF 5.00 per person, while full access to the castle, including the museum and indoor areas, costs CHF 14.00.
Although the outside areas of the castle, in particular the baroque garden, are well worth a visit, we also recommend a visit to the museum and the castle interior, which are well preserved and partly reconstructed, but which contribute to an understanding of the history of the place and the life of the castle’s inhabitants and nobility. During the summer period, there are also itinerant shows and guided tours (in German) in which you can take part. More information on events and guided tours can be found here (in German).
Lenzburg Castle is accessible for 2023 from 1 April to 29 October, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last admission to the museum and interior areas at 4:00 p.m.).
It is not possible to take luggage or large backpacks inside the castle, but they can be deposited in the lockers next to the shop. However, be sure to bring a 1 franc coin with you! There is also a small bistro in the baroque garden for a light lunch or an afternoon snack.
More information on the castle can be found on the official website.
What to see in the surroundings
The Aargau Museum circuit is one of the largest in Switzerland and includes four castles, two historical abbeys and various other attractions. Lenzburg Castle is part of this circuit, to which Hallwyl Castle – which we had already visited on a pleasant excursion around Lake Hallwil -, Wildegg Castle and Habsburg Castle also belong.
On the official website of the Aargau Museum you will find all the attractions belonging to the circuit and ideas for extending your visit.
Museums and castles aside, we recommend a visit to the picturesque old town of Aarau, the capital of Canton Aargau and just over 20 minutes away from Lenzburg.
How to get there
Arriving by public transport
See the location in Google Maps. Lenzburg and the castle of the same name can be easily reached by public transport. To find the best travel option for you, as always we recommend using the SBB website or the SBB App that you can also use to check the timetables and operating status of the lines and purchase tickets.
Arriving by car
See the location in Google Maps. Lenzburg and the castle of the same name can also be easily reached by car. To find the best travel option for you, as always we suggest you use Google Maps. In Lenzburg, three parking areas are available here, here and here.
Tips
1
If you don’t feel like eating at the bistro or one of the restaurants in the old town, picnics are allowed in the castle courtyard! Take a seat at one of the tables or benches in the park and enjoy your meal!
2
If you are planning to visit the other castles on the Aargau Museum circuit, we suggest purchasing the Schlösserpass – the castle pass – which offers access at a reduced price to the three castles of Lenzburg Castle, Hallwyl and Wildegg. You can buy it at the box office of any of the three castles and it is valid for two years.
3
Are you planning a trip or a weekend getaway here and have any doubts or questions? Let us know by leaving a comment below and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
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