Bookable offers in Aarau

Whether you’re into skating, ice hockey free-for-alls (“chneble”) or ice hockey, Aarau Ice Rink (KEBA) offers skating fans both young and old a varied winter leisure programme. It features a fully renovated (2016) indoor ice rink and covered outdoor ri...

The Rolling Rock skate & sports centre is the only facility of its kind in Switzerland. In addition to the spacious indoor facility for skateboards, freestyle scooters and freestyle skates, the roller sports centre, which covers an area of over 3,000 square metres, hosts a variety of other sports such as break dancing, climbing, trampoline jumping, table tennis or inline hockey and floorball.

This art museum, extended by architects Herzog & de Meuron in 2003, houses Swiss art dating from the 18th century to the present day.

Aarau is known as the city of beautiful gables. And the opportunities for shopping are just as varied and colourful as the lovingly painted undersides of its roofs. As both a traditional market town and modern shopping city, Aarau has a lot to offer for wants and needs of all kinds, no matter whether for every day or for a special occasion.

It was in the city of Aarau that the proclamation of the Helvetic Republic took place in 1798 – and this was also the first capital of modern-day Switzerland. Nowadays, you can discover these revolutionary years either on your own or as part of an exciting city tour.

Aarau is a city that exemplifies successful urban development and fascinating architecture. Its 2014 Wakker Prize award highlights the seamless integration of tradition and modernity. The careful evolution of the old town, innovative new buildings, and significant renovation projects make Aarau an exciting destination for architecture enthusiasts.

“Waldlicht Lou is looking for a home”: Opened in summer 2023, this adventure trail allows families to discover the nature and diversity of the Aarau forest together. The trail leads past Roggenhausen Wildlife Park, another great option if you’d like to extend your visit.

Once a year, Aarau’s old town is transformed into an atmospheric backdrop for the Bachfischet, one of the oldest living customs in Switzerland. With a festive lantern procession through the darkened alleyways of the old town, the end of the annual cleaning of the city’s stream has been celebrated for centuries. At the same time, the city offers numerous unique highlights that make Aarau an unforgettable travel destination.

The Aargau Jura Park is the home of Perimuk the Jura dinosaur. He’s called that because his outline looks like the perimeter of the Aargau Jura Park (how it appears on a map). He takes families on four different exciting adventures: the Perimuk trails.

The Habsburg family originated in Aargau and was one of the most prominent aristocratic dynasties in Europe in the Middle Ages. A walk along the Habsburg Path will bring their moving history to life in the impressive places where it all happened.

At the Roggenhausen Wildlife Park you can observe rabbits, ponies, goats, sheep, wild boar, deer, ibex and many other animals from up close.

Aarau combines history, nature and culture in a number of different ways. The city offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. From historical journeys of discovery to relaxing hours spent on the River Aare or interactive museum visits – there’s plenty to experience here for children and adults alike.

On 28 & 29 August 2026, around 15,000 visitors will find their way to the "Musig i de Altstadt" festival or MidA for short, in Aarau.