From windsurfing on Lake Constance to hiking in the Appenzell Alps, there are many activities to enjoy near our hotel in St. Gallen city center. Be sure to visit the Stiftsbezirk, also called the Abbey District. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the Abbey of St. Gall, an 8th-century cathedral with a beautiful baroque library filled with medieval manuscripts. The pristinely preserved monastery houses 1,200 years of history. Spend the day shopping in Old Town or catch a show at Theater St. Gallen. For a culinary tour of the area, take a trip to Appenzeller® cheese factory and the Maestrani Swiss chocolate factory.
Spend an enchanting afternoon in St. Gallen's Old Town, a pedestrian area full of boutiques, jewelry shops and unique cafés known as "first-floor restaurants," centuries-old buildings whose well-lit first floors have been converted into restaurants. Catch a game at AFG Arena, and then head to the shopping center below the stadium or to IKEA beside the stadium. Be sure to visit the upscale Bahnhofstrasse of Zürich, a premier shopping and recreation area with stores for many world-famous brands like Louis Vuitton and Burberry.
Situated at the corners of 4 countries, St. Gallen acts as the ideal base for your travels throughout Europe. First, visit Appenzell, a traditional Swiss village with many shops, restaurants and cultural events. Next, head to Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, and tour the small city on the Citytrain, a unique mode of transportation that starts in the Mitteldorf district and takes you past beautiful vineyards, the landmark Red House and Rheinpark Stadion. About 90 minutes from Vaduz is the ski village of Ischgl in Austria, where you can enjoy biking on mountain trails, skiing and shopping. From there, head to Munich in Germany to see the famous Maximilianstrasse, an area known for its impressive architecture and designer shops.