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Solothurn
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Explore Solothurn’s Baroque old town, Aare paths, Jura landscapes, historic villages and regional food in north-western Switzerland.

Solothurn is a compact but varied canton in north-western Switzerland, extending from the broad Aare valley and the railway town of Olten to the wooded Jura foothills and the farming landscapes around Bucheggberg and Wasseramt. Its position between Basel, Bern and Zürich gives it excellent connections, yet much of the canton retains a measured, provincial character. The landscape changes quickly: riverside paths and fertile lowlands give way to limestone ridges, forested slopes and elevated viewpoints above the Mittelland.
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The cantonal capital, Solothurn, is the region’s cultural centre and one of Switzerland’s most coherent historic towns. Built beside the Aare, it is known for pale-stone Baroque architecture, arcaded streets, fountains, guild houses and the imposing Cathedral of St Ursus. The Old Town is compact enough to explore on foot, while the river, promenades and nearby Verena Gorge provide a more spacious counterpoint. Solothurn’s historic identity was shaped by its long association with St Ursus and its position as a Catholic allied city of the Old Swiss Confederacy, but its present-day atmosphere is also influenced by film, literature, music and its active cultural calendar.
North of the city, the Jura rises towards Weissenstein, the canton’s best-known mountain destination. The ridge offers walking, views across the Swiss Plateau and access to a landscape of beech woodland, pasture and limestone formations. Oensingen and Balsthal provide gateways to further Jura scenery and historic fortifications, while the western districts around Grenchen and the Aare combine agriculture with the legacy of engineering and watchmaking. In the east, Olten is a practical base for rail travel and a lively urban centre in its own right, with riverside paths, theatres and access to the surrounding hills.
Solothurn’s food culture reflects the geographical position between the Jura and the Swiss Plateau. Restaurants and traditional inns serve Swiss standards alongside regional produce, while farm shops and markets highlight cheese, bread, fruit, vegetables and locally made specialities. The Aare and Jura create opportunities for cycling, walking, canoeing and quieter nature observation. Travellers who allow time beyond the capital will find a region of contrasting scales: an elegant historic town, an important railway centre, rural villages, industrial towns and a mountain ridge within relatively short distances.

When is the best time to visit Solothurn?

Best: June–August · 23–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January260
February555
March1065
April1470
May1975
June (best)2380
July (best)2585
August (best)2480
September2075
October1470
November965
December460

Getting to and around Solothurn

How to get there

Solothurn and Olten are reached easily by Swiss Federal Railways services from major cities including Bern, Basel and Zürich, although journey patterns vary by route. Olten is an especially important national interchange, while Solothurn has direct rail links towards Bern, Biel and the Basel area. The canton has no major international airport; Zürich Airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg and Bern Airport are the principal nearby air gateways, all outside Solothurn and requiring onward rail or road travel. Motorways and main roads provide access from the A1 and A2 corridors, with local roads continuing into the Jura and rural districts.

Transportation

Rail is the most practical way to move between Solothurn, Olten and other larger towns, with regional buses extending into villages and upland areas. Services become less frequent in rural Jura districts, so check the return connection before setting out. A car is useful for combining small villages, historic sites and trailheads, but roads towards the Jura can be winding and parking is restricted in historic centres. Solothurn is well suited to walking and cycling, and paths along the Aare offer relatively easy routes; mountain walks around Weissenstein require more planning, suitable footwear and attention to weather.

Top city travel guides in Solothurn

The cities of Solothurn, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Solothurn

Solothurn’s attractions range from a compact Baroque city to open Jura landscapes and the industrial heritage of the Aare corridor. In the capital, visitors can explore the Old Town, museums, churches, riverside promenades and cultural venues, then continue towards the Verena Gorge for a wooded walk close to the centre. The Weissenstein area provides mountain paths, broad views and winter activities when conditions allow, while the Jura around Balsthal and Oensingen combines hiking with castles and historic villages. Olten offers a more urban experience, including riverside routes and access to nearby countryside. Families and heritage enthusiasts can also explore the Bally shoe museum in Schönenwerd, where the history of a major local footwear enterprise is presented through design, manufacturing and social history. Across the canton, cycling routes follow the Aare and quieter rural roads, while farm shops, woods and village churches provide slower-paced alternatives to formal sightseeing.

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Best landmarks in Solothurn

Solothurn’s most recognisable landmark is the Cathedral of St Ursus, whose monumental Baroque façade and interior dominate the Old Town above the Aare. Nearby streets reveal the city’s diplomatic and patrician past through ornate fountains, guild houses and grand residences, while the clock tower and remnants of historic fortification add medieval layers. The Aare itself is a defining geographical landmark, shaping the city’s promenades and long views towards the Jura. Above the canton, the Weissenstein ridge forms a prominent natural landmark and one of the clearest viewpoints across the Swiss Plateau. In the western Jura, Neu-Bechburg Castle above Oensingen is an important medieval fortified residence with commanding views into the surrounding landscape. The railway landscape around Olten, although more functional than monumental, is also historically significant: its junction and bridges represent the transport infrastructure that helped transform the canton in the nineteenth century.

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Explore Solothurn on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Solothurn

Dining in Solothurn reflects the canton’s position between the Aare lowlands and the Jura. Traditional restaurants and inns serve familiar Swiss dishes such as rösti, regional sausages, cheese-based meals and seasonal game, while town-centre restaurants offer contemporary interpretations and international choices. Local farms contribute vegetables, fruit, dairy products and meat, and markets and farm shops are useful places to find seasonal produce and practical picnic supplies. In the Jura foothills, country inns often provide a more rural setting, while Solothurn has the broadest choice of cafés, bakeries and restaurants. Olten’s dining scene is similarly varied, with options around the station and old town. Menus change with the season, and visitors should distinguish established regional produce from dishes marketed more broadly as Swiss specialities.

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Best bars in Solothurn

Evening life in Solothurn is concentrated in and around the Old Town, where traditional pubs, wine bars, cafés and smaller venues occupy historic streets and lanes. The city’s cultural calendar, including film, music and theatre, gives the evening scene interests beyond drinking, although particular venues and programmes change over time. Olten has a more contemporary urban rhythm supported by its larger population, railway traffic and cultural institutions, with bars and restaurants around the centre. Elsewhere in the canton, nightlife is chiefly based on village inns, local clubs, seasonal events and the social life of restaurants rather than a large nightclub circuit. Weissenstein and the rural Jura are destinations for sunset views and evening meals, not late-night entertainment, and visitors should arrange their return transport in advance.

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Best nightclubs in Solothurn

Evening life in Solothurn is concentrated in and around the Old Town, where traditional pubs, wine bars, cafés and smaller venues occupy historic streets and lanes. The city’s cultural calendar, including film, music and theatre, gives the evening scene interests beyond drinking, although particular venues and programmes change over time. Olten has a more contemporary urban rhythm supported by its larger population, railway traffic and cultural institutions, with bars and restaurants around the centre. Elsewhere in the canton, nightlife is chiefly based on village inns, local clubs, seasonal events and the social life of restaurants rather than a large nightclub circuit. Weissenstein and the rural Jura are destinations for sunset views and evening meals, not late-night entertainment, and visitors should arrange their return transport in advance.

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Best shops in Solothurn

Solothurn’s Old Town is the canton’s most appealing shopping environment, with independent boutiques, bookshops, galleries, bakeries and shops selling design objects and Swiss-made gifts among historic façades. Olten offers a practical selection of high-street retailers, everyday services and cafés, particularly around its centre and station area. Markets and seasonal stalls provide regional cheese, bread, fruit, vegetables and other farm products, while rural districts are the best places to look for direct-from-producer sales, though opening arrangements vary. Craft items, local food and small design pieces make more useful souvenirs than generic alpine merchandise. Schönenwerd’s association with the Bally footwear company gives the area a particular connection with shoe and fashion history, while the wider canton also has galleries and specialist shops rather than extensive luxury retail.

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Solothurn essentials

Currency and Payment
Solothurn uses the Swiss franc, written as CHF. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, shops, restaurants and transport facilities, especially in Solothurn and Olten. Carry some Swiss franc cash for smaller rural businesses, market purchases, lockers, farm shops or establishments with minimum card-payment limits. Switzerland is not part of the euro area; some businesses may accept euros, but change and exchange rates are usually less favourable. Confirm whether a card terminal charges in Swiss francs or offers a conversion into another currency.
Safety
Solothurn is generally straightforward for visitors, with the usual need to protect valuables in busy stations, festivals and crowded public places. Outdoor safety matters more in the Jura: trails can be muddy, rocky or icy, weather can change quickly, and mobile reception may vary in wooded or elevated areas. Take care near the Aare, particularly around slippery banks and changing water conditions. Drivers should allow for cyclists, agricultural vehicles and narrow mountain roads, while cyclists and walkers should use marked routes and respect private land and forestry operations.
Emergency Situations
The Swiss emergency numbers are 112 for the general emergency service, 117 for police, 118 for fire and 144 for ambulance. In the mountains, Rega’s air-rescue number is 1414, subject to the circumstances and available communications. Give the exact location, trail name, road number or map reference where possible, and state whether anyone is injured. The national numbers apply in Solothurn as elsewhere in Switzerland. For less urgent medical concerns, ask accommodation staff or a local medical service for current advice rather than using emergency lines.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked paths in the Jura and follow signs concerning forestry, grazing land and nature protection. In the Old Town, respect residents by keeping noise down late at night and do not block doorways or narrow pavements for photographs. Swiss public transport etiquette generally values punctuality, quiet carriages where indicated and orderly queues. Tipping is not compulsory, but rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is common. At churches and religious buildings, dress and behave respectfully, and ask before photographing private interiors or people.
Local Tips
The most rewarding itinerary usually pairs the historic capital with either the Aare valley or the Jura rather than trying to cover every district in one day. Olten is more than a transport interchange, with riverside walks and cultural venues, while the villages around Bucheggberg offer a quieter agricultural landscape. Mountain viewpoints can be cooler and windier than the lowlands, even in summer. Markets and seasonal events vary, so check local municipal or tourism information before planning around a particular date. Swiss shops often close earlier than international visitors expect, especially outside larger centres.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloGrüezi[Gree-tsee]
GoodbyeAde[Ah-day]
YesJa[Yah]
NoNein[Nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[Bit-teh]
Thank youDanke[Dahn-keh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[Ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht's?[Vee gates?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[Goot. Oond deer?]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[Shpreh-chen Zee Eng-lish?]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[Ish fer-shtay-eh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte die Speisekarte sehen, bitte[Ish mehr-teh dee Shpy-zeh-kar-teh zay-en, bit-teh]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[Ish es-seh kyan Flysh]
Cheers!Prost![Prohst!]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte[Ish mehr-teh beh-tsah-len, bit-teh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![Hil-feh!]
Go away!Geh weg![Gay vek!]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![Roo-fen Zee dee Po-lee-tsai!]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![Roo-fen Zee eye-nen Artst!]
I'm lostIch bin verloren[Ish bin fer-lo-ren]
I'm illIch bin krank[Ish bin krank]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...[Ish mehr-teh kauf-en...]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[Ish shau-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[Vee feel kost-eht es?]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[Das ist tsoy-er]
Can you lower the price?Könnten Sie den Preis senken?[Kern-ten Zee den Price zen-ken?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[Vee shpaht ist es?]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[Es ist ine Oor]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[Halb (10)]
MorningMorgen[Mor-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[Nahch-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[Ah-bend]
YesterdayGestern[Ges-tern]
TodayHeute[Hoy-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[Mor-gen]
1Eins[Eyns]
2Zwei[Zvy]
3Drei[Dry]
4Vier[Veer]
5Fünf[Foonf]
6Sechs[Zex]
7Sieben[Zee-ben]
8Acht[Acht]
9Neun[Noyn]
10Zehn[Tzen]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/das...?[Vo ist ine/das...?]
What's the address?Wie ist die Adresse?[Vee ist dee Ah-dress-eh?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Könnten Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?[Kern-ten Zee meer (owf der Kar-teh) tsay-gen?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[Vahn komt der next-e (Boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ....)[Ine Ticket (nahkh ....)]

History of Solothurn

Prehistoric Settlement and the Aare Valley

The Aare valley and the lower Jura have supported human settlement since prehistoric times. Rivers, fertile ground and routes through the Jura made the area useful for farming, movement and exchange, while archaeological discoveries across the canton show successive Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age activity. The exact character of settlement varied between the lowlands and the uplands, but the enduring pattern is clear: communities occupied the river corridors and cultivated or grazed the Jura margins. These early landscapes established transport and settlement lines that later urban and rural development repeatedly followed.

Roman Salodurum

The Roman settlement of Salodurum developed at present-day Solothurn beside the Aare, probably in the first century AD. Its position on routes linking the Rhine region with the Swiss Plateau gave it strategic and commercial importance. Remains incorporated into later buildings, along with archaeological evidence from the town and surrounding area, preserve traces of Roman administration and urban life. The name Salodurum is the source of Solothurn’s name, and the Roman foundation provides the earliest clearly documented basis for the canton’s principal settlement.

Medieval Solothurn and the Church

After the Roman period, Solothurn developed as a medieval settlement and became closely associated with the cult of St Ursus, a Christian martyr traditionally linked with the city. Ecclesiastical institutions and powerful regional families shaped the town, while the Aare supported trade and communication. In the later Middle Ages, Solothurn expanded its political influence beyond the immediate river settlement. Churches, defensive traces and the street plan of the Old Town reflect the gradual transformation from a medieval centre into a more substantial urban polity.

Solothurn Joins the Swiss Confederacy, 1481

Solothurn entered the Swiss Confederacy in 1481, alongside Freiburg, after a period of alliance-building and political negotiation among the cantons. Membership strengthened the city’s security and connected it to the confederate network, while Solothurn later became an important Catholic canton in northern Switzerland. Its political and religious identity continued to influence architecture, education and public life. The town’s later Baroque appearance cannot be separated from the wealth, church patronage and civic confidence that developed during the early modern period.

The Baroque City and the Ambassadorial Era

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Solothurn served as the seat of the French ambassador to the Swiss Confederacy. The presence of French diplomatic representatives brought money, status and international connections to the city. Local patrician families built or remodelled residences, and churches and civic buildings acquired the restrained but substantial Baroque character still visible today. The Cathedral of St Ursus, aristocratic houses and formal public spaces express this period of Catholic patronage and diplomatic importance, giving Solothurn an architectural identity distinct from many neighbouring towns.

Industry, Railways and Regional Transformation

The nineteenth and twentieth centuries brought industrial and transport change across the canton. Olten became one of Switzerland’s most important railway junctions, linking major national routes and encouraging commerce, employment and urban growth. Solothurn and surrounding districts developed engineering, manufacturing and other industries, while Grenchen became strongly associated with watchmaking and Schönenwerd with the Bally footwear enterprise. These developments altered the balance between rural communities and industrial towns, and their legacy remains visible in railway infrastructure, factory architecture, museums and the social geography of the canton.

Modern Cultural and Landscape Heritage

Contemporary Solothurn combines industrial and transport heritage with an increasingly prominent cultural and recreational identity. The Solothurn Film Festival has helped establish the capital as a national meeting place for Swiss cinema, while the Old Town, Aare banks and Jura recreation areas support year-round visitation. Former industrial communities have adapted to changing economies, and rural districts continue to balance agriculture, conservation and residential development. The present canton is therefore not simply a preserved historic landscape: it is a working region where Baroque urban heritage, railway modernity and Jura countryside coexist.

Solothurn in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Solothurn, Switzerland

Discover Solothurn like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more!

  • Comprehensive information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants
  • Detailed descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for every location
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More about the Evendo app

Planning a trip to Solothurn, Switzerland? Make the most of your journey with Evendo, the ultimate app-based travel guide that brings everything you need into one place. From top attractions to local dining spots, we've got you covered.

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Solothurn
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  • 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions
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Welcome to Solothurn, Switzerland's hidden gem brimming with historic charm and modern attractions. Evendo is here to ensure you experience the very best of this beautiful city. Whether you're wandering through the enchanting Old Town, marveling at the grandeur of St. Ursen Cathedral, or exploring the artistic allure of the Kunstmuseum, Evendo has all the information you need.

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Our app also offers unique features such as historical insights, travel essentials, and curated local advice to ensure you get the most out of your visit. Use the 'Near me' feature to discover attractions around your current location and navigate through the city with ease. Best of all, Evendo is 100% free to use, with no hidden costs or in-app purchases.

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