Discover both the historic and the modern sides of Aarau, observe the city from above, embark on a culinary journey of discovery, or explore the surroundings by bicycle. On tours accompanied by experts, you will gain insights into the city’s hidden treasures.
14 qualified city guides with plenty of experience and extensive knowledge offer exciting guided tours for individuals, groups and schools in different languages (German, French, English, Spanish, Italian). Tours for school classes from public schools are free of charge.
On this guided tour through the charming old town area, the history of Aarau takes centre stage. You will discover exciting historical facts about the founding of the city, peppered with anecdotes and amusing stories. As well as the sights and highlights, you will also discover Aarau’s hidden treasures. This tour is also suitable for school classes.
The Obertorturm (Upper Gate Tower) is the landmark of Aarau and the highest city tower in Switzerland. It is thought to have been built in the early 13th century. On this tour you will visit the residence of the tower watchman at giddy heights and gain an insight into the almost 500 year old clockworks. You will also be able to explore the creepy dungeon and hear the chilling tales about what happened there. This tour is also suitable for school classes. The visit to the tower requires you to climb stairs so sensible footwear is recommended.
Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages on a visit to the Oberturm (Upper Tower), Aarau’s landmark and the highest city tower in Switzerland. The tower’s guardian, who will be dressed in traditional historical garments, will welcome you with a drink in the watchman’s residence. You will learn about the tower, from the dungeon all the way up to the guardian’s residence and hear lots of thrilling tales from the Middle Ages. The visit to the tower requires you to climb stairs so sensible footwear is recommended.
Leave your everyday life behind for one or two hours and experience the Oberturm (Upper Tower), Aarau’s landmark, from a different perspective. The focus of this guided tour is food in the Middle Ages. What did the people eat back then? How was it served? What did they have to watch out for? Take a trip into the culinary world of the Middle Ages and also enjoy a medieval drink if you wish. The tour will be led by a city guide dressed in traditional historical garments. The visit to the tower requires you to climb stairs so sensible footwear is recommended.
As well as a guided city tour in the traditional sense of the word, you will explore the most important sights in the old town and other different locations in Aarau from a woman’s perspective and learn about fascinating female personalities from Aarau’s history. This tour is also (particularly) suitable for men.
Take a tour through the Aarau of the Helvetic Republic era, learn about important historical figures and discover special architectural features from the defining years between 1798 and 1803. You will discover interesting facts about the city’s history, as well as plenty of unexpected sights.
View Aarau from the city’s highest viewing point - the rooftop terrace of the high-rise AEW building. Before or after your tour through the wonderful old town, you can head up to the skies in the lift. From above and below, this guided tour offers you plenty of historical information, humorous anecdotes and gripping stories about Aarau and its residents.
The Schlössli Town Museum is one of the oldest buildings in the city area. It reflects and conveys the city’s history in a vibrant way. During this guided visit, your journey through time starts in the 16th century and finishes in the 20th century, and offers you an insight into Aarau’s history through the exhibited items. This tour is also suitable for school classes. First and second year primary school classes can book with Schlössli directly.
A classic old town centre tour – enriched with three culinary highlights and wine tasting sessions. Divided into six stages (three parts for the guided tour, three aperitifs at different places right in the heart of the old town) you will discover the historical side of Aarau and indulge in regional delicacies presented by the country inn Landgasthof Hirschen in Erlinsbach. The entire tour lasts around three hours.
Go on a relaxed stroll through the old town centre and delve into the exciting history of Aarau, visit the sights and listen to anecdotes about the lives of the city’s residents. Afterwards, we will be delighted to serve you an aperitif. The "aarau info" team will be happy to advise you.
Water has always been of great importance, and still plays an important role for the residents of Aarau today. This guided city tour will lead you along the waterways to the Stadtbach (city stream) and the city’s watermills and fountains, and will give you a deeper understanding of the significance of water for Aarau and its population since its foundation right up until the present day.
The politician and writer Heinrich Zschokke was an important Aarau personality. A tour following his footsteps offers exciting insights into the city’s history, particularly during the early 19th century.
In Aarau, art is not just waiting to be discovered in museums, but can also be viewed in the city centre. On this tour, the artworks in public spaces are related to the city’s history and visitors are provided with fascinating background information on the lives of the artists and their relationship to the city.
Discover the city of Aarau on two wheels and explore the idyllic residential and recreational areas around the old town centre. Aarau doesn’t only have an exciting history to offer, but also countless sights in and around the city.
