Appenzell Switzerland: Why You Should Visit + Tips

Where is Appenzell?

Appenzell is a village of 5000 inhabitants located in the rural mountainous areas of eastern Switzerland.

It's very close in proximity to Austria and the principality of Liechtenstein, and the closest city is St.Gallen in Switzerland.

This part of Switzerland speaks Swiss-German as the primary language.

What is Appenzell known for?

Food and Drink

When in Switzerland, you will most probably have come across Appenzeller beer and cheese.

We love the beer, as it's equivalent in flavor and texture to every Bavarian and Austrian beer that we have had in the past.

Appenzeller cheese is one of my wife's favorites, as it is flavorful and aromatic, so she is definitely an Appenzeller cheese pilgrim. This cheese is great with potato Rösti and cheese Spätzle!

Then there is also the Alpenbitter, a traditional distilled high-percentage liqueur made with a selection of herbs.

As we visited just weeks before Christmas, we spotted Biberli (Bärli-Biber), an almond marzipan-filled gingerbread pastry. It's a specialty of the town and can only be found in Appenzell.

Architecture & Old Town

The regional architecture, with many buildings that are over 500 years old, is a main incentive for travelers to stop by.

The Appenzeller farmhouse style is prevalent here. The characteristics include nonexistent balconies, windows arranged side by side, and the fact that the farmhouses are built facing the southeast.

Incidentally, the town center features colorful buildings that look like candy from the sky.

I think the best part of the village is how it has been set up. The village center is completely car-free, which helps in appreciating the astonishing buildings and little local boutiques.

Religious Confessional Parity

A curious fact, is that Appenzell and the area were split into two districts, which is due to the Christian Reformation some 500 years ago.

So, you have a Catholic town center in one district and an evangelist town area, which is in another district. Several villages are therefore located in either one of the two cantons.

Regional festivities, such as the Silvesterchlausen, highlight the difference. The evangelists never accepted the Gregorian calendar and still follow the Julian calendar.

For example, the evangelists of Appenzell still celebrate the old Sylvester date (just like the Orthodox and Scots, btw.), which is the 13th of January.

Traditions

Age-old musical traditions can still be experienced on a visit to Appenzell during the summer months. Some of these are combined at organized folklore evenings, and they include:

• Yodeling — A tradition passed down by herdsmen.
• Satirical song signing
• Cowbell music
• Talerschwingen — A coin is rolled around in an earthenware pot.
• Alphorn Music

In September, you can take part in the annual cattle drive, which is known as Alpabzug in Appenzell. This tradition resembles the Almabtrieb in neighboring Austria.

For a truly unique experience, head to Appenzell to ring in the new year, as they celebrate the Silvesterchlausen, a living Swiss custom.

Men dress up in elaborate colorful costumes with wooden masks and move about the village yodeling and singing, ushering in the new year.

This can be experienced twice, once on Sylvester Day (31st December) and the second time on the old Sylvester Day, the 13th of January.

To learn more about the unique Appenzeller spirit, local traditions, and folklore, visit the Appenzell museum in the old town. They have over 30000 objects on display that tell the tale of the village throughout the ages.

Mountains

Outdoor enthusiasts like to hang out in Appenzell all year round. The summer months draw in hikers with the breathtaking panorama of Appenzell.

Some of the best hikes include trails to the Ebenalp, Seealp Lake, Wildkirchli caves, Säntis Summit, and the Hoher Kasten. The latter offers unparalleled Rhine Valley views.

Winter turns the snow-covered mountain pastures into a wonderful ski resort, and especially families appreciate the setting, which is very beginner- and child-friendly.

Day Trips

Turn Appenzell into your base and plan a few excursions from this idyllic mountain village.

St.Gallen (Saint Gall) and the abbey, which is known for its pristine medieval library collection. The village of Appenzell was ruled by the abbey. The name, Appenzell, translates to the abbey's cell, which reminds us of the age-old connection. 20 to 30 minutes distance by car or train.

Liechtenstein and its capital, Vaduz, make for a great day trip. The micronation is famed for its historical independence and much more. This itinerary is best suited with a rental, as it's a 40-minute road trip. Bus connections are scarce across this border.

The Bodensee lake (Lake Constance) is a large freshwater body that serves as the disputed border between Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Head to one of the villages along the lake or visit the stunning medieval old town of Konstanz. By car, it's about 1 hour, and by train, a 1 ½-hour trip from Appenzell.

Getting There

The nearest international airport from Appenzell is located in Zürich. From Zürich International Airport to Appenzell it's a 1-hour journey with a car rental or hop on a 1 ½-hour-long train ride.

Switzerland's train connection is probably one of the best in the world, and I think you should definitely take advantage of it while you are in the region.

Purchase single train tickets or get hold of a Swiss Travel Pass if you intend to move about the country, visiting other similarly linked villages in Switzerland (such as Lauterbrunnen).

If you prefer more independence and a good road trip, and to visit places that are not that accessible and more far-off in the eastern Swiss mountain region, get a rental.

With a car rental, keep in mind to purchase a highway vignette. They only sell an annual vignette, and the alternative, small rural roads in this area, comes with frequent 30 km/h restrictions and strategically placed speed cameras.

If you are just stopping by Appenzell on a day trip, park your car at the Zielplatz, where you get 1 ½ hours of free parking.