Appenzell
Switzerland's storybook heartland, below the cliffs of the Alpstein.
Appenzell is the Switzerland of the imagination: a village of hand-painted facades and tidy squares in a green, rolling country of cowbells and living traditions, beneath the dramatic limestone Alpstein. It is the base for the Ebenalp and the famous Aescher cliff guesthouse, and one of the most photogenic, culturally distinct corners of the Alps.
Car or train?
Skip the car. Appenzell is well served by trains and easy to get around on foot or by mountain lift. Parking is tight and a car is more hassle than help.
How it scores
Best for
- ✓Storybook villages
- ✓Photographers
- ✓Culture & tradition
- ✓Day hikers
- ✓Families
Who should skip it
- ✕High-altitude thrill-seekers
- ✕Luxury-resort seekers
- ✕Anyone wanting a glacier
Signature experiences
- The Ebenalp cable car and the Aescher cliff guesthouse
- The painted facades and the village square
- The Seealpsee lake hike beneath the Säntis
Biggest mistake
Treating it as a half-day photo stop. Stay a night to see the village empty in the evening and to hike the Alpstein at first light.
Worth the splurge
A night at the cliffside Berggasthaus Aescher, or a Säntis cable-car day.
Build a trip around Appenzell
Routes, itineraries, and guides that put this base to work.
More reading
The Best Time to Visit the Swiss Alps
A month-by-month guide to the Swiss Alps: the September sweet spot, high summer in the Jungfrau and Zermatt, world-class ski winters, and where the lakes still work in the shoulder.
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The Best Day Trips from Zurich by Train
The best easy rail day trips from Zurich, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls, with how long each one takes and which is worth your one free day.
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Glacier Express vs Bernina Express: Which Scenic Train Should You Ride?
The honest head-to-head on Switzerland's two famous panoramic trains, which one is actually worth your day, and exactly who should pick which.
6 min read
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