Art and culture museums

Four collections – Poster, Design, Graphics and Applied Art – encompass more than 500,000 objects at the Museum für Gestaltung. Switzerland’s foremost museum of design and visual communication is also one of the leading institutions in Europe, known for its fascinating temporary exhibitions.

The Zentrum Paul Klee, which opened in 2005, is dedicated to the person, life and work of Paul Klee (1879–1940). It houses the worldwide largest collection of Klee's works. Paul Klee is regarded as one of the 20th century's most important artists.

For 30 years, the Fotomuseum Winterthur has been inspiring photography enthusiasts worldwide. However, the requirements of a contemporary museum and the needs of visitors have changed in recent years: With a new building and renovation project, the Fotomuseum therefore wants to realise its vision of a museum of the present. During the renovation phase from June 2023 to spring 2025, the exhibition rooms at Grüzenstrasse 44 will remain closed, but the museum will continue to offer events and digital services for visitors interested in photography.

The Kunsthaus Zürich boasts Zurich’s largest collection of modern art and is renowned both for its permanent art collection and its temporary exhibitions. In addition to works by Alberto Giacometti there are also significant pictures by Picasso, Monet and Chagall as well as numerous contemporary Swiss artists. The spectacular extension by David Chipperfield Architects will make the Kunsthaus Zürich the largest art museum in Switzerland.

The Museum Tinguely houses the world’s largest collection of art by Jean Tinguely, famous for his moving mechanical sculptures. Interactive exhibitions explore his influences, the work of his contemporaries and the latest trends.

The Mamco, Geneva’s Musée d’art moderne et contemporain is original in every way. Since it opened in 1994, Switzerland’s major contemporary art museum has operated a dynamic display policy.

At the heart of the charming medieval old town of Fribourg - just a few steps from the Espace Jean Tinguely / Niki de Saint-Phalle - the museum of art and history invites you on diverse journeys of discovery. And very few people know that the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire houses the largest collection of sculptures of Switzerland.

Year after year, people flock to Riehen from near and far to immerse in the art world of Hildy and Ernst Beyeler. They come to view the collection of works from classical modernism or one of the sensational exhibitions. However, the building designed by Renzo Piano and its park is worth the journey too.

The collections of the capital city’s fine arts museum, the Kunstmuseum Bern, are among the finest in the country. The innovative venue also offers a creative forum for exploring current trends in art as well as the changing world around us.

The latest attraction in the city of Fribourg – Espace 1606 – takes us on a journey back to the year 1606, and shows us what the bilingual city looked like then based on a model made from an original etching by copper engraver Martin Martini.

The Forum Würth Chur is staging a changing exhibition with a broad supporting program, consisting mostly of exhibits from the Würth Collection, which comprises 16,000 exhibits.

This international award-winning museum offers a rich variety of insights into castle life over the last 800 years.

Museums, galleries, art publishers - the Löwenbräu Areal is a much loved venue for art enthusiasts. The changing exhibitions of contemporary art have transformed this former brewery into a landmark cultural centre.

The Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle is a stroke of luck: In the high-ceilinged rooms of the disused tram depot in the heart of town, the rattling work of art by Fribourg-born Jean Tinguely is a great sight to see. Similarly, the lush "Nanas" (female sculptures) by his wife Niki de Saint Phalle delight the eye too.

Founded in 2015, after just a few years the Museo d'arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI Lugano) has become one of the most visited art museums in Switzerland.

The old centre of the village of Brè is studded with artistic details and sculptures. Discover works by local artists, such as Wilhelm Schmid or Pasquale Gilardi “Leièn”.

Since September 2015, LAC (Lugano Arte e Cultura) has been an impressive platform for contemporary creativity from southern Switzerland. The building by Ticino architect Ivano Gianola offers visitors art across 2500 square metres and a modern theatre and concert hall with space for 1000 guests.

Designer Raphael Blechschmidt gives his guests a very personal tour through his haute couture workshop, one of the last of its kind in Switzerland.

The Museo Comunale d'Arte Moderna is located in a beautiful palazzo dating back to the 16th century and overlooking the Via Borgo.

Behind the unadorned concrete façade of the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein museum of art, visitors meander through spacious rooms where the light penetrating through the ceiling sets both modern and contemporary in the best of light. And since the opening of the Hilti Art Foundation right next door, one could well say that visits here are twice as enjoyable for art lovers.

The IPFO House of Photography on Kirchgasse is a venue for internationally renowned photography exhibitions that are designed to inspire and delight people from near and far.

The municipality of Beromünster is also known as the home of Swiss radio, because Radio Beromünster has ruled the airwaves of German-speaking Switzerland since the 1930s.. You can find out more about the radio’s history by hiking along the Beromünster Radio Trail.

St. Gallen has so much to offer when it comes to museums. Attractive, internationally renowned exhibitions and countless historic collections make for a diverse museum landscape. The open art Museum is particularly worth a visit.