PlizioGo
This hearty local variation of Alpine macaroni includes potatoes, cheese, onions, and is traditionally served with applesauce in mountain inns.
A local specialty puff pastry filled with raisins and a sweet wine mixture; look for it in traditional bakeries around the main square.
Stop by a dairy shop (Käserei) to taste the authentic Urner Alpkäse, produced in the surrounding mountain pastures.
Grab some traditional Swiss baked goods and the famous Urner Pastete directly from family-run bakeries in the town center.
You can find high-quality Swiss knives and various items celebrating the legend of William Tell in the local souvenir shops.
The grounds of this historic monastery offer a tranquil retreat with beautiful views over the town and the valley.
Take a walk in the protective forest above Altdorf, which provides peaceful trails and has shielded the town from avalanches for centuries.
Water temperature…
Altdorf is the capital of the Canton of Uri and is situated in the Reuss Valley, shortly before the river flows into Lake Uri. The city is inextricably linked to the legend of William Tell, the Swiss national hero who is said to have shot the apple from his son's head here. In honor of this tale, the famous Tell Monument, a work by sculptor Richard Kissling from 1895, stands in the town hall square. Historically, Altdorf benefited from its location on the Gotthard route, which has been the most important passage across the Central Alps since the Middle Ages. The architecture is characterized by stately townhouses rebuilt after the great fire of 1799. Culturally, Altdorf is known for the Tell Plays, which regularly perform Friedrich Schiller's drama. Today, the town serves as a major administrative center and a starting point for excursions into the Central Swiss mountains and to the Klausen Pass. Local industry includes metalworking and electrical engineering companies.
Your journey, your memory
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Create a postcardThe most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -4 | -4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 2 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 101 | 81 | 102 | 107 | 163 | 176 | 173 | 190 | 124 | 110 | 103 | 106 |
See what it looks like near Altdorf right now.
Altdorf: Gitschenen · 1.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Your day in Altdorf, the heart of Switzerland, begins at Lehnplatz, where the Tell Monument commemorates the national hero. After visiting the magnificent St. Martin's Church, a short walk takes you to the Bürgli Tower for a breathtaking view. The afternoon is dedicated to culture, with the historic Tell Theatre and the peaceful Capuchin Monastery. The evening concludes with a stroll through the alleys, past the painted facades of old houses, feeling the deep history of this place.
Morning at the Tell Monument requires umbrellas on the open Lehnplatz. At noon, the baroque interior of St. Martin's Church offers a perfect, dry refuge. In the afternoon, we explore the Bürgli Tower carefully on wet steps. We conclude the day in the historic Suvorov House, where indoor exhibits keep us dry from the Alpine rain.
A frosty morning at Lehnplatz makes the Tell Monument shine in the winter light. At noon, we warm up in the heated St. Martin's Church. In the afternoon, we enjoy clear views of the snowy Uri Alps from the Bürgli Tower. The day ends early at sunset near the Capuchin Monastery, before the cozy old town lights up for the evening.
On two wheels, you'll discover Altdorf in a dynamic way. From the Tell Monument, you'll cycle to St. Martin's Church and then to the viewpoint at Bürgli Tower. After a cultural break at the Tell Theatre and a hearty lunch, the route takes you to the peaceful Capuchin Monastery. The day ends with a relaxed ride through the alleys, admiring the historic facades before leaving Altdorf with new impressions.
A brisk ride through wet Altdorf connects the sights quickly. We use mudguards against the spray at Lehnplatz. At noon, we dry off during a long break in the old town. The climb to the Capuchin Monastery is challenging on wet asphalt, but rewards us with a misty, mystical view over the Uri region.
Cold wind accompanies us through winter Altdorf. We cycle on cleared paths from the Tell Monument to St. Martin's Church. The crisp winter air makes the peaks of the Schächental appear within reach. After a warming lunch, we explore the historic alleys before finishing the tour at the Capuchin Monastery before dark.
You can easily reach Altdorf by car. Park in the center and immerse yourself in history on foot. The morning belongs to the legendary William Tell at Lehnplatz and the majestic St. Martin's Church. After lunch, explore the cultural heart of the city around the Tell Theatre. The day concludes with a visit to the tranquil Capuchin Monastery. This cluster-walking concept lets you forget the car and experience Altdorf intensely.
Comfortable sightseeing despite the rain thanks to short distances from the parking lot. The morning starts at the central car park, from where we quickly reach the Tell Monument. At noon, we enjoy the cozy gastronomy of the old town without getting wet. The afternoon is spent at the Suvorov House, followed by a short drive to the monastery.
Atmospheric car tour through snowy Uri. We start at the frosty Lehnplatz and enjoy the warmth of the vehicle between stops. The drive to St. Martin's Church offers views of snow-covered rooftops. After lunch in the old town, we finish the tour at the Capuchin Monastery with crisp winter air and mountain views.
A museum in Altdorf dedicated to the Swiss national hero William Tell.
Historical brickworks, a former brick kiln in Altdorf.
Schloss Rudenz, a castle with a distinctive tower in Altdorf.
Schloss A Pro, a manor house with a park in Altdorf.
The Herz Jesu church, a Catholic church on the shore of Lake Lucerne in Flüelen near Altdorf.
