Marthalen is nestled in the beautiful canton of Zurich. It is a charming village that offers a glimpse of the Swiss rural experience.
This village has probably not been on your radar, but it actually should be, for very simple reasons. First of all, this village has many beautiful corners to explore. Second, it’s not yet a tourist magnet.
Third, it is in the canton of Zurich and quicker to reach by train or car. Fourth, there are some fantastic attractions around this village within a 10-minute radius.
So, join me and explore the hidden gem of Switzerland. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Explore The Village
What impressed me most about this village are the many wood-frame houses, which are very similar to the ones in southern Germany.
Marthalen is probably the only village in Switzerland that has such a high density of wood-frame houses.
What makes Marthalen special is that many Swiss villages have one road that is particularly beautiful, but Marthalen has many roads that are very beautiful.
Many of the Swiss villages are quickly explored, but not so for Marthalen.
Although you may find that the roads look similar, there are many beautiful corners to be discovered. Thus, it’s a good idea to sneak out of the road once in a while.
Many of these alleys are beautiful, especially during spring when you can find a lot of blooming flowers, which really makes a visit to this village extra exciting.
Marthalen is a charming Swiss village that ranks among the most beautiful ones, but interestingly, it’s not a very touristy village.
You may find Marthalen very authentic as you’ll see the real face of Switzerland.
There’ll be few cars, sometimes tractors, and few people walking by, yet there are restaurants, shops, and museums around.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the village center, where you can see the city hall, the nicest house in the village. Marthalen has so many beautiful streets and corners.
I recommend taking at least two or three hours to stroll around the alleys. Pay close attention to the houses, not only to the ones at the center.
Some of them are really beautifully decorated.
Ortsmuseum Marthalen
The Ortsmuseum Marthalen showcases everything about the local farmer culture. The museum is housed in a traditional timber-framed building, which itself is a piece of history.
The building reflects the architectural style typical of the area. It opens every first Sunday of each month.
You should definitely go to the local museum, which showcases a lot of traditional gear that was used in agriculture until the 1950s or 1960s.
If you visit this village on the first Sunday of the month, I really recommend you visit this museum.
The museum’s official website
Wine Culture
Marthalen lies in the wine country of Zurich. It is not as famous as the other nearby villages for its vineyards and wine.
You have so many opportunities for wine tasting. You can visit the vineyards.
The vineyards offer a chance to taste local wine and also give a scenic view of the vineyards that surround the village.
Food And Restaurants In Marthalen
Generally, smaller villages in Switzerland at best have just one shop and a restaurant, but Marthaken has more than one.
The local specialties are asparagus during spring, various meats, and fish. You can also taste the local wine in these restaurants.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Marthalen where you can taste local specialties, wine, and Swiss cuisine:
Gasthof Zum Rossli
Stube Marthalen
Restaurants Ochsen
Im Nageli
Restaurant Freiihof
Day Trips From Marthalen
Marthalen is beautiful and perfectly located to be combined with other great attractions nearby.
The first to mention would be the Rhine Falls, Europe’s highest river waterfall. The Rhine Falls is only 10 minutes away from Marthalen.
You’ll arrive at the castle of Laufen.
From there, you have balcony viewpoints on the side of Zurich, which costs you CHF 5 per person.
I suggest you take a boat ride to go very close to the waterfall. You can also visit another beautiful village, Rheinau.
You can reach there in less than 10 minutes by car.
Rheinau has been a settlement since Roman times. The big highlight will be a visit to the monastery on the island.
In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful places in Northern Switzerland. Also, you should visit the church. The church itself is also very much worth seeing from the inside.
If you want to know more about Rheinau, let me know in the comments section. I will write an article on Rheinau.
Moreover, a short trip to Zurich offers you a blend of modernity and tradition.
