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Place in Aargau, Switzerland
Photo: Nojer2, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Baden is a town in the Zurich region of Switzerland. It has a lively shopping centre, and a beautiful old town with traditional Swiss buildings, and small castle, all on the banks of the river Limmat which flows from Lake Zurich. Half of the town is dominated by the industrial/office complexes of General Electric, ABB and Ansaldo and the local economy is dependent upon their power plant manufacturing, but historically people were attracted to Baden for its thermal baths.
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Ruine Stein
Walk up the hill in the middle of town to the old ruins of a Habsburg castle, the Stein, for an excellent view of Baden, Wettingen, and surrounding communities. On clear days the Glarner Alps can be seen.
Historisches Museum & Landvogteischloss
The museum gives a full historical overview about the baths and industry, that shaped the town. The museum is housed in a castle, which was used, among other things, as a school, hospital and prison before the museum moved in 1913.
For those interested in Impressionist art. The museum is housed in the former villa of Sidney and Jenny Brown-Sulzer. Brown was the founder of BBC, which in 1991 - after the merger with Swedish Asea - was renamed to ABB. A beautiful self-service café belongs to the museum, which is perfect for a relaxing break after the museum visit.
Kindermuseum
If you are travelling with children then this museum could be an interesting option.
Holzbrücke
This is the fifth iteration of the bridge. The first one was constructed in the 13th century.
Löwenbrunnen
The fountain was created in 1822 and was frequently remodelled.
Kloster Wettingen
This used to be a Cistercian monastery. It was founded in 1227 and dissolved during the secularisation of 1841, but re-founded at Mehrerau in Austria in 1854. The buildings are listed as a heritage site of national significance. Since 1976 the premises have been used by the Wettingen Canton School. Roman Catholic services are held every week in the former abbey church, and weddings are also celebrated there. Furthermore Restaurant Sternen, the oldest guest house in Switzerland can be found here.
It is located at the Limmat river 10 minutes by foot from the town centre. Enjoy a coffee in the gorgeous Atrium Hotel Blume and marvel at the stunning atrium.
Once you are there you may want to go to a thermal bath. The city is named Baden (to bath/bathe) because of the natural geothermal springs were ducted into baths by the Romans. The springs are claimed to be the most mineral rich in Europe. The main bath is called Fortyseven.
Most Saturday mornings there is a local food market (Farmers Market) in Weitergasse and sometimes special events (e.g. cultural or sports activities or special markets) go on in front of the Train Station (Bahnhofplatz- Badstrasse)
During the summer, walk along the beautiful Limmat (river). It is recommended to go for a swim on sunny days when the current is not too strong, however, be wary of the nearby dams. There should be warning signs if it is too close to a dam, but to be sure, you'll know it's a safe area if there are many locals nearby swimming as well. A safe and popular place is marked on the map.
If you are an avid hiker you should go for this tour. It takes around 4 to 6 hours to do the 13 km all the way to Dielsdorf, but it is also possible to descend earlier towards Wettingen. You will be rewarded with views to the alps and the black forest in Germany. Proper shoes are important. Take a train/bus back from Dielsdorf to Baden. A gpx track can be found in the link to the MySwitzerland website. The start of the trail is close to the wooden bridge.
The Grand Casino Baden is one of only six casinos in Switzerland with an unlimited gambling concession granted by the Swiss government.
The Kurtheater is a guest performance house.
You will be rewarded with beautiful views over the city.
Very tasty Indian meals.
A self-service restaurant on the highest floor of Manor shopping mall. With outdoor terrace, which offers splendid views to the Stein ruin.
The canteen of the local vocational school. It is also popular with workers of the nearby companies due to its reasonable prices and good quality meals. It is possible to sit outdoors with nice views over Baden during the warmer months of the year.
Excellent (but expensive) Swiss style food. Often full (make a booking).
Swiss specialities including fondue, at a reasonable price. Can be smokey inside. Average online ratings.
Creative cooking, east meets west. Lunch menus at a reasonable price. Very good online ratings.
Has fairly standard Swiss food garden seating for the summer.
An old-style Swiss restaurant, though it's led by a Finnish lady. Plain but good quality food - bring your appetite because portions are massive (in particular the 'Garettli'). It isn't open on Saturday evening and the whole of Sunday. They also have rooms to rent.
It's a renovated Italian place with quality food in a classy atmosphere.
An old-style Swiss restaurant up the Rüssler hill in Neuenhof. This is a favourable destination if you want to combine a solid meal with a nice stroll/hike - they're near a junction of hiking paths.
High quality meals with beautiful views.
Creative French Kitchen in Old Town Baden. Chef Didier Mortaigne, entertains both in humor and good food. Fluent in English, French, German, and Swiss German. The interior is warm and inviting. Winter menu is Wild Game, Lamb, Sqaush and Pumpkin Harvest Foods, and Lille style Mussels and Fries. Great for business entertaining, romantic interlude, or comfort French food with friends. 50 m to parking. 10 minutes walk from the Baden Train Station. Views, possibly most authentic in Baden. Reservations recommended.
Considered one of the best (and priciest) restaurants in the region with beautiful views over Baden. Located in a castle.
The oldest restaurant in Switzerland. Classy quality food, nice rustical setting and a nice selection of wines. Bit on the high-end regarding budget and a very popular destination at times. Also has rooms to stay.
Big beer garden round the back of the brewery. Popular and crowded, but only open in the summer, if there is no rain.
An outdoor bar on a deck by the river under the tall Mellingerstrasse bridge.
English-themed chain pub. Smokey. Popular with English speaking expats and Swiss people who want to practice their English. Has Sky Sports.
Japanese-themed bar and sushi restaurant near the station. Spacious, stylish, and modern.
Big club under a concrete railway underpass. Very young (teenaged?) crowd.
Has a large selection of Cuban cigars. Every Thursday, drinks are half price from 18h to 20h. Keep in mind that smoking is allowed in this bar. It smells accordingly.
Calm, yet central location.
A small and cute guesthouse with its own little café in the middle of the old town
Outside Baden, in Kirchdorf dorf; a charming little village further up the valley. There's a bus every 20 min into Baden, which takes 15 min. Good clean modern rooms in an old traditional Swiss building. Single room Fr. 95.
Central location. Piano lounge bar. Very close to ABB/GE/Ansaldo offices.
Business hotel. The hotel offers single and double rooms, meeting rooms, a restaurant and a bar/lounge on top of the building. Very central (1 minute to the train station, 2 minutes to the ABB/GE/Ansaldo complexes), quite expensive.
The Hotel Blume is opposite the main baths. Famous for its old world charm, with the main atrium having been built in 1840. A place to stop and see if only for a coffee.
The main pedestrian street is bustling with shoppers during the day. Lots of clothes shops, and various chain stores including 'Manor' (huge department store) and 'Merkur' (get your Swiss chocolate here). Look out for the Badener Stein, locally made chocolate sweets with a high alcohol content. They are delicious. There's a market on Saturday morning near the Stadtturm, the old town clock tower.
By train
Baden is served by rail. Baden train station is right in the heart of the town.
By car
Baden is near the major A1/E30 motorway. Use either exit 55 Neuenhof or 54 Verzweigung Baden. Between those two exits, you drive through the Baregg, a famous tunnel .
The town centre is small enough to walk around, with a pleasant pedestrianised shopping street, and riverside walkways.
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