Zug

In the Middle Ages, the town belonged in succession to the noble families of the Lenzburgs, the Kyburgs and the Habsburgs. The charming Old Town, dating from the time of the Kyburgs, has a number of impressive historical buildings. The emblem of the historic centre around the Kolinplatz square is the Zytturm. The house, dating from the 16th century, is a popular meeting place. The quayside in Zug, the promenade along the lake, is a popular place for a stroll, from where you can see the famous mountains of central Switzerland such as the Rigi, Pilatus, and Bürgenstock, and on a clear day even the peaks of the Bernese Alps.

The modern part of the town of Zug between the Old Town and the station is an inviting place for window-shopping along its arcades. Specially noteworthy are the Zug Art Museum, giving an interesting overview of the art of the 20th century, the History Museum in the castle, an Africa Museum, a Fishing Museum and a Museum of Prehistoric Times.

You should not leave Zug without tasting its gastronomic specialities: "Zuger Kirschtorte" - Zug is famous for its Kirsch liqueur, distilled from the region’s wonderful fruits - and "Zuger Rötel", a particularly delicious type of fish from the lake.

Thanks to free bike hire from May to October, it’s easy to explore the town and the surrounding area on two wheels. There is an extensive network of footpaths, with several walks along the shores of the lake and over the Zugerberg or the gently rolling moraine landscape of the region. As an alternative to walking, try the paths for cycling or skating along the side of the lake. A popular biking route goes over the Zugerberg to Lake Ägeri and through the Lorzentobel valley back to Zug. On a hot summer’s day, the shady, romantic gorge of the Lorze is an attractive way to hike to the caves, complete with stalactites and stalagmites.

Thanks to its central location between Zurich and Lucerne, and good infrastructure, Zug is, of course, an excellent starting point for excursions.

26. Märlisunntig in der Zuger Altstadt
(06 Dec 2009 ) Kunsthaus Zug: ‹The Treasure of Lake Zug› - The Collection
(06 Dec 2009 - 07 Mar 2010 ) Zug Lake Festival
(26 Jun 2010 ) All Top Events in Zug

• Old Town – an impressive Old Town building from the late Gothic period, emblem of the historic centre, is the 52 m high Zytturm, rising above the other ancient towers.
• Art Museum – six annual exhibitions of modern art, artists are invited to help create the exhibition.
• Zug station – a light installation by the American light artist James Turrell has turned Zug station into a trendy work of art.
• Lake Zug – organise a boat ride or enjoy a romantic sunset from the lakeside promenade.
• Baar Caves – especially fine cave with stalactites and stalagmites in the deep, shadowy Lorzentobel valley.
• Chapel of former Cistercian abbey – impressive early Gothic monastery church near Zug, dating from the 13th/14th century, with fine choir stalls and stained glass windows.