Experience the World Heritage with your family
Immerse yourself in the World Heritage with your family: visit enchanting landscapes and discover Switzerland's heritage! Be surprised by the diversity, authenticity and quality of Switzerland's natural and cultural treasures!
Benedictine Convent of St. John in Müstair
In Graubünden, families can discover unique frescoes from the early Middle Ages with Babette, the monastery cat. Children follow Babette through the monastery courtyard, church and museum on an exciting twelve-step discovery tour. There are lots of creative tasks waiting to be solved with imagination and a spirit of discovery. In case the Convent is too far to go, the UNESCO World Heritage site offers virtual visits: It allows one to view detailed pictures of the church furnishings, architecture and paintings and even inaccessible spaces.
Activities
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Convent tour with Babette (in german and italian)
Abbey of St. Gall
In case of adventurous families, “the missing Parchment” is recommended: Families and children search for clues with a bear to solve riddles and explore at the same time the cultural history of the UNESCO World Heritage Abbey of St. Gall! Further a guided tour through the Abbey and Abbey library cannot be missed. Besides the 170'000 books, it also accommodates one of the most important autochthonous collections of medieval manuscripts in Europe. The Plan of St. Gall, the “Evangelium Longum” and the oldest conserved German language book, the “Abrogans”, are particularly worthy to visit!
Activities
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
To get acquainted with the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, the World Nature Forum, located in Naters, Valais, is perfect! Visitors gain an overview of the site and will understand the high alpine scenery with its exciting history and its natural and cultural landscapes. The exhibition is designed in an interactive and interesting way for families and children: short films, interactive experience stations, infographics, artefacts and a panorama space.
To discover the alpine fauna and flora the best, an excursion to the Alp Bird’s Park Ischboden is suggested: diverse local birds, a plant garden can be admired, and a restaurant called “Ischbodenütte” can be visited. Entry is free of charge.
Activities
Monte San Giorgio – Museum of Fossils
For families and children, the Museum of Fossils Monte San Giorgio in Meride is a perfect experience due to its diverse content and activities for children: Families can immerse themselves in the Triassic Sea and the UNESCO World Heritage Monte San Giorgio, the prehistoric ocean “Tethys”, with virtual reality and augmented reality. Further, facilitated audio guides for children, educational paths, short films and workshops make it possible for everyone to understand and experience the fossiliferous animals, fish and reptiles of the Triassic Era in an engaging and interactive way.
Another recommendable activity for more sporty families is the “Terraces of the Val Mara”. The activity leads to educational courses, view panels, binoculars, casts and models of fossils, stone pyramids, and reconstructions of the Middle Triassic environment. Located in the woods, there is a panoramic point of Monte San Giorgio from where one can observe the imposing cliff of Calcare di Meride. It is close to one main excavation area of fossils.
Activities
Rhaetian Railway
To experience the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes, families can go on a ride on the Landwasser-Express! It takes guests on an attractive route from Filisur railway station to the Landwasser Viaduct while marvelling at typical Engadine houses, and the natural and cultural landscapes of Parc Ela. An audio system provides information about the landmark of Graubünden and part of the World Heritage, the Landwasser Viaduct. The journey may be topped by a tour with the Bernina Express! High up to the glacial glitter of the mountains, deep down to the palm tree paradise of Italy: the Bernina Express, the highest railway line across the Alps, connects northern Europe with the south. Here, the enjoyment of nature and cultural experience unify, and it becomes one of the most beautiful experiences in the Alps!
For train enthusiastic families and children, the Albula Railway Museum is the optimal place to discover the history of the railway in Graubünden and the World Heritage. Children and railway fans can admire train models and press buttons, and switches in the driving simulator of the Crocodile Engine along the Albula Line.
Activities
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town planning - Touristic Train
Families can comfortably explore the connection between urbanism and watchmaking during a ride on the touristic train! The comfortable seats of the touristic train allow visitors to effortlessly explore every corner of the city and admire the symbiosis of urban landscape and watchmaking in the UNESCO World Heritage La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle. Also, for more sporty families guided tours are an interactive way to discover the World Heritage site. Children up to 16 years old are free of charge.
Activities
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Les Barons (in German and French)
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
For adventurous families, the Expedition Tschinglen is the perfect excursion! The Tschinglen cable car takes visitors up to the Tschinglenalp (1480m), the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona. The circular hike leads to the world-famous Martinsloch alongside information boards on the geology and the Alps. To learn more about the ecology, regional development, tourism, Glarus Thrust and the World Heritage’s geological feature, the visitor centre Tectonic Arena Sardona Glarus & Elm is highly recommended. As the visitor centre uses technical aids such as iPads and playful tools such as stones, glasses and models, it is an interesting activity for old and young, families and children.
Activities
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Multimedia trail (in German)
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps
In the Laténium, Hauterive (CH), families can discover the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps through mini-bas, educational games, films and models. This enables a facilitated understanding of excavation, dating and conservation. Outside visitors can eat a picnic, walk in the archaeological park, admire the prehistoric pile dwellings or let children play on the playground. Children can even plan their birthday party at the Laténium, including a special workshop and a birthday cake in the Laténium café.
Activities
Generally: Colouring Pictures
For children, that are not yet aware of what is a UNESCO World Heritage and want to discover it in an exciting and playful manner, colouring pictures is certainly a great activity: the pictures are designed to appeal to the youngest generation and to make them aware of the World Heritage site for the first time. None of the pictures of these trips are colourful and are awaiting to be coloured and sent to: info@whes.ch or shared via Instagram #worldheritage #ourheritage!
Activity
Are you searching for more ideas and tips?
Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch