Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Half-Day Tour from Zurich
Description
Visit the magnificent Rhine Falls and the pretty village of Stein am Rhein on this 5-hour trip from Zurich. With a guide, you'll travel along part of the Grand Tour of Switzerland, passing through gently rolling vineyards and picturesque farming villages near the German border. Marvel at the powerful Rhine Falls - Europe’s largest waterfall - from clifftop Laufen Castle and enjoy breathtaking views from the panoramic glass lift. Witness an incredible 700,000 liters of water per second thundering over a 150-meter-wide drop into the basin below. In summer, you can opt for an unforgettable boat ride that brings you up close to the mighty cascades (optional). Continue to the beautifully preserved town of Stein am Rhein, where a guided walking tour reveals its richly frescoed, half-timbered buildings and fascinating medieval architecture. Perfect for those short on time, this tour offers a memorable snapshot of Swiss history, culture, and natural beauty - all in just half a day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Sit back and relax on a comfortable coach while listening to your multilingual guide explaining about Switzerland's interesting history and culture. The journey takes you along the Grand Tour of Switzerland through picturesque landscapes with gently rolling vineyards and charming farming villages close to the German border.
Reach the first highlight of this afternoon at splendid medieval Castle Laufen – the mighty Rhine Falls! Enjoy about one hour leisure time at Europe's biggest waterfalls and one of Switzerland's major tourist attractions! Delight unique views from the panoramic lift and see how an average of 700'000 liters of water per second plunge across a width of 150 meters into the basin below. The Belvedere panoramic trail brings you to the viewing platform right above the falls where you feel the spindrift of the rumbling waters. Take an optional boat ride (summer only, additional costs) close to the falls. Enjoy an hour here to see an exhibition, admire panoramic views from the glass elevator, or walk to the viewpoints above and around the falls to thrill at their roar and power. The site also has a playground, shops, and restaurants. Perhaps opt for a boat ride (subject to availability and not included in price) to experience the crashing cascades close up.
Continue via Schaffhausen with its well-known Munot Fortress and passing through the beautiful countryside to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein. On a guided stroll, you learn about the well-preserved old town with its many distinctive buildings. Most of these half-timbered houses are made of stone with delicate wooden windows and stun visitors with their exceptional frescoes. The most prominent of these houses is the White Eagle, whose fresco counts as the oldest preserved mural painting of the Renaissance in Switzerland.
Drive back to Zurich in the evening, where the tour ends.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Optional boat ride: CHF 12 per adult / CHF 8 per child (April to October, subject to availability, payable on site by credit card or in cash)
- The boat ride is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility or strollers
Reviews(824)
This was a great tour. The Rhine Falls were magnificent. Our tour guide arranged a boat for just our group so we were not squashed.
Overpriced. The tour guide was informative. They should not wait for anyone who is late. We waited about 1l20 minutes to board the bus at the last stop because 5 people were late.
Definitely pay the extra fee and take the boat ride up to the waterfalls. Kay was worth it. The village tour of Stein am Rhein is very neat. Nothing like it.
The trip to the fall was spectacular. The hike to the falls was a moderate. The viewpoint was amazing. The boat ride was good, didn’t get wet. Highly recommended
Our guide was Michelle, who was kind and attentive at all times, offering to take photos for us and to provide explanations, and our driver was Hugo. The trip to the falls took 1 hour. Once we arrived, the first thing we did was take a boat along the river and under the falls for 15 minutes of the trip. Afterward, we went up to go to 3 viewpoints at different heights and see the falls closer up. Finally, there is a small museum inside the castle, and before getting on the bus back, you can buy something to eat or buy a souvenir at the gift shop.
Beautiful views both at the falls and in the small village. I would say we enjoyed the full day trips out of Zurich more, but if you only have 1/2 day, this is a great option. It was very good!
Wear comfortable shoes to take in the whole wonderful experience. It is amazing...the tour director, the location for pick up and drop off...the drive was scenic too and safe! Once you get there you encounter the most beautiful scene!!!
If the weather is hot make sure you have personal fans. The boat ride to the falls was fun and the town of Rhein en Stein was very pretty.
I went on the tour to see the largest falls in Europe. Loved it, but the quaint little town we went to afterwards blew me away!! cutest cutest little town I’ve ever been to.
A moderate half-day tour followed the promised program and had a knowledgeable guide with good English! We did this during a heat wave so it was hard, but still went very well.
