Solothurn

Solothurn is a small baroque gem on the River Aare, often called Switzerland's most beautiful baroque city. With 17,000 residents, it punches well above its weight with 11 museums, churches, and fountains—all tied to the town's fondness for the number 11 (the 11th canton to join Switzerland). French ambassadors resided here from 1530 to 1792, leaving behind architectural grandeur. The old town is walkable in an hour or two, making it an ideal overnight or weekend stop between Basel and Bern, or as a base for Jura mountain excursions.

Pronounced SOLL-Low-Toorn in English, Solothurn is called Soleure in French and Soletta in Italian. The town is traditionally Catholic, though not strictly so—visitors mainly need to know that some shops close on holidays. Solothurn's history dates to Roman times (Salodurum, 15-25 BC), and it celebrated its 2,000-year jubilee in 2020. The city earned the nickname "Ambassadorenstadt" (City of Ambassadors) when French ambassadors to Switzerland made it their seat. The cathedral of St. Ursen dominates the skyline, honoring the legendary Roman legionnaires Urs and Victor, city saints who were martyred for their Christian beliefs.

Solothurn has a four-season central European climate. Winters hover around zero degrees with possible snow; summers are warm, often in the 20s and 30s (Celsius). The nearby Jura mountains are significantly colder with snow lasting into spring. From October to February, temperature inversions create persistent fog over the Swiss flatland, sometimes blanketing Solothurn in thick grey fog for days.

Solothurn Main Station is the primary arrival point, located 500m south of the old town across the river. The best view approaching the old town from the station is via the Kreuzackerbrücke foot bridge. Regional buses, trams, and trains connect to surrounding areas. For the most scenic arrival, use the foot bridge rather than the larger vehicle bridges. A taxi rank is available at the station.

The town is small enough to explore easily on foot—the old town can be fully explored in one to two hours. Regional bus, train, and tram routes serve destinations outside the town centre. A taxi rank is available at the main station for onward travel.

Summer (June-August) is ideal for swimming in the Aare and outdoor activities. The Fasnacht (Carnival) takes place in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, transforming the town with locals in fancy dress, brass bands, and pop-up bars. Late April brings Beer Days; May hosts the Solothurner Literaturtage literature festival; June features Slow Up cycling events and the Märetfest market festival. Christmas markets populate the old town from late November through December. Avoid October-February if you dislike fog.

Hotels and guesthouses concentrate in and around the old town. The Youth Hostel Solothurn (Landhausquai 23) offers dorms from Fr. 31.50 for members and doubles from Fr. 49 per person—a good budget option next to riverside bars and restaurants. An der Aare hotel (Oberer Winkel 2) has single rooms from Fr. 120 and doubles from Fr. 157. TCS Camping Solothurn sits next to the Aare, about 15-20 minutes' walk from the old town. Reserve early during film or literature festivals.

Solothurn has a surprisingly large restaurant scene for its size. Local specialities include Soledurner Wysüppli (Solothurn wine-soup) and Solothurner torte (cream sandwiched between biscuits). Italian and Swiss cuisine dominate, with a few Thai options. Budget options include Pittaria (Theatergasse 12) for Middle Eastern fare at Fr. 12-25, Bistro Vorstadt near the station with low Swiss prices, and Härdöpfu-Huus offering very Swiss potato dishes with exactly 11 menu items. For local beer, try the Öufi Brewery (Fabrikstrasse 4) for tours and tastings, or the Wyssestei and Buechibärger beers in local shops. The "Zwei für Eins" voucher booklet (available October-October) offers two-for-one deals at select restaurants.

The St. Ursenkathedrale dominates the skyline with free entry; climb the tower for views over the town, river valley, Jura mountains, and on clear days the Alps (tower closed in winter). The Zeitglockenturm (clock tower) is the oldest building in town with an astronomical clock. The Bastion fortifications north-east of the old town offer free alpine views on clear days. Museums include the Kunstmuseum Solothurn (free, with Hans Holbein, van Gogh, and Klimt works), Museum Altes Zeughaus (Fr. 6, weapons and armour), and Naturmuseum Solothurn (free, local fauna and geology). Active options include swimming or floating the Aare (free), hiking the Verena gorge to the Einsiedelei hermitage (30-45 minutes), or taking the Weissenstein cable car (Fr. 28 return) for panoramic views.

Store hours are strictly regulated: Monday-Friday closes 18:30 (except Thursday until 21:00), Saturday 17:00, Sunday closed. The Ladedorf shopping centre in nearby Langendorf stays open until 21:00 on Fridays. The main railway station has stores open seven days a week until 22:00. Main shopping streets are Hauptgasse and Gurzelngasse. Farmers markets occur Wednesday and Saturday mornings (07:15-12:15) on Hauptgasse and Gurzelngasse. Supermarkets (Coop, Migros, Aldi, Lidl) are located between Bieltor and Solothurn West, not in the old town itself.

Solothurn is extremely safe with very low crime levels and no scams or crimes targeted at tourists. Standard European precautions apply. For medical emergencies, the Unfallzentrum is at Bürgerspital Solothurn. Swiss emergency numbers: 112 (general), 117 (police), 118 (firefighters), 144 (ambulance).

From Solothurn's central transport hub, most of Switzerland is reachable within a few hours. Destinations include: Basel, Bern, Biel/Bienne, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Spiez, Thun (1 hr 7 min via Bern), and Zurich. The Berner Oberland (Interlaken, Kandersteg) is 1.5-2 hours away. The Jura mountains are closer: take the train to Moutier or Weissenstein for hiking. Saint-Ursanne is a beautiful medieval village on the Doubs river. The Emmental region offers rolling forested hills and historic towns like Burgdorf and Willisau.

From Solothurn, connections radiate in all directions. North to Basel (1 hour) and the Alsace region; east to Lucerne and central Switzerland; south to the Berner Oberland for Alpine scenery at Interlaken or Kandersteg; west to Biel/Bienne for watchmaking heritage (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle) or Neuchâtel for the Val de Travers and absinthe country. The regional train network makes car-free exploration straightforward, though the Jura foothills and Emmental are particularly scenic by bicycle.