Discover Altstätten: City History and Vineyard Trails

Altstätten is located in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, in the Alpine Rhine Valley between Lake Constance and Buchs. The city lies where the Rhine plain meets the foothills of the Alpstein; to the east and south, there are unobstructed views across the plain of the Alpine Rhine. If you are looking for a hotel in Altstätten, you can plan your trip around whether you would like to focus on city history, a hike through vineyards, or natural and industrial history.

City History in the Old Town and Prestegg

The historic old town features medieval and Baroque architecture. The Prestegg houses the Prestegg Museum and the Diogenes Theatre under one roof. The building has been a protected monument since 1972; the museum is the regional museum for the Rhine Valley. The classic city tour covers historic buildings and the history of the city and its residents. Check the dates before your trip.

Other tours have their own focus: “Witch Hunts & Executions” explains selected stages of a witch trial in Altstätten, using the example of two women executed for witchcraft. “City Detectives” is aimed at children and leads through narrow lanes, houses and squares. It explores how people used to live in Altstätten. Architectural traces and historical ways of life are thus presented alongside specific stories from the city.

Markets are also part of local life: markets are held regularly in Altstätten; the city received market rights in 1425. During the carnival processions, the Röllelibutzen perform a polonaise at the end on the Breite.

Vineyard Trails and Views

For a longer hike, the vineyard section of the Rheintaler Höhenweg offers a clear time estimate: it is 13.5 kilometres long and takes about four hours. When there is no snow, this section can be hiked year-round. The route lists the Altstätten SG, Stadt bus stop and the Appenzellerbahn railway stop in Altstätten SG as its endpoints. Before setting out, check the conditions relevant to your day.

A separate viewpoint is located in the Fideren section of the Altstätten hiking route. From there, you can see across large parts of the Rhine Valley and the mountains of Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein. This viewpoint can be considered a highlight in its own right alongside the vineyard hike; the two descriptions refer to different sections and should not be combined into a single route.

Nature and Industrial History in Bannriet

The Schollenmühle is a former peat factory in the Bannriet nature reserve. Its exhibition covers nature and peat, linking natural history topics with the site’s former use. The grounds also include a viewing tower and two observation huts. If you are planning a visit, check the current conditions on site.

Candles, Viticulture and Regional Specialities

Hongler has been producing candles since 1703 and offers seasonal public factory tours for families and individuals. The tours include the opportunity to see two candle-drawing machines that are 45 years old. The specific offering is seasonal, so check the dates before planning your visit.

Altstätten’s viticulture offering includes a small wine museum. A culinary city tour takes visitors to several tasting stops featuring Rhine Valley specialities, including bread, vegetables, cheese and wine. Information about viticulture and samples of regional products complement each other, but are not the same experience.

Plan Your Journey

Altstätten is a stop for express trains between St. Gallen and Chur. Check the connection and timetable for your travel day. The different time estimates and themes can help you decide whether to focus your stay on city attractions or the longer vineyard hike: the hike is described as taking about four hours, while the museum, tours and markets are separate programme options.

Discover more destinations: Lienz, Oberriet, Widnau, Au, Rheineck, St. Margrethen, Berneck, Balgach.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rhine Valley.