Lenzburg Castle - is it worth a visit in 2024?

9 Highlights at Lenzburg Castle

• Lenzburg Castle is a knight and dragon castle from the Middle Ages. It is one of the oldest hilltop castles in Switzerland.
• The medieval castle complex has a spacious courtyard, a later added knight's house and a baroque garden
• Medieval concerts and dance courses or experience days in the castle are among the regular events.
• A museum inside the castle informs about the life of people in the Middle Ages. Knights, noblemen and scoundrels are presented
• In the rose garden of the museum you can relax surrounded by the fine scent of roses.
• The public guided tour "Judge, Executioner, Miscreant" introduces you to the ancient administration of justice and lets you experience a prison cell first hand.
• For the public guided tour "With 5 objects through space and time" you choose these objects yourself and experience the stories behind them.
• The Children's Museum lets your kids tinker and paint in knight and princess outfits or explore dragons. In this way, they experience a bit of everyday life in the castle 1000 years ago.
• The magnificent panorama from the castle hill at 508 m above sea level offers a view of other Aargau castles in the surrounding area.

The offer at Lenzburg Castle

Aargau is known for its numerous mighty castles. How you want to visit Lenzburg Castle is entirely up to you. You can either explore it yourself or book one of the guided tours

The Museum

The museum and the diverse exhibitions at Lenzburg Castle are suitable for both children and adults. In the residential museum, you will embark on a journey through time from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. This also includes the prison with its original cells.

The children's museum is a real paradise. There the children can dress up, do handicrafts and paint, and discover secret corners of the castle. In addition, there is always a children's exhibition to learn even more about the Middle Ages

In general, the museum has a lot to offer. There are always new exhibitions. So let yourself be surprised.

Private guided tours of Lenzburg Castle 2022

Lenzburg Castle offers two different private guided tours. They have a group rate and must be reserved in advance

Castle history in 20 minutes

In this short outdoor tour, you'll learn who used to live at Lenzburg Castle and how these personalities left their mark on history

• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Group size: up to approx. 50 people
• Price per group: CHF 90

1000 years of castle history

In this one-hour guided tour you will get a closer look at the life of knights, bailiffs and noblemen in the last 1000 years. You can choose the focus of the tour yourself

• chivalry and nobility in the Middle Ages

• Everyday life in the Middle Ages

• Law and punishment in the Middle Ages and early modern times

• Through space and time (all epochs)

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Group size: up to 20 persons

• Price per group: CHF 150 excl. admissions

The history of Lenzburg Castle

Lenzburg Castle is one of the most important and oldest hilltop castles in Switzerland. In the early 11th century, the Counts of Lenzburg settled here. Afterwards, in the 13th century, the castle was taken possession of by the Habsburgs, who extended the complex with a gatehouse, Rotterhaus and fortification belt.

After the Confederates conquered Aargau in 1414, a Bernese bailiff also resided here, who enlarged the castle with a Pfisterei (bakery) and other houses.

However, the history of the castle is relatively complicated and extensive, as the so-called Lenzburg changed hands several times. Last but not least, the poet Frank Wedekind grew up here. The polar explorer Lincoln Ellsworth owned the castle from 1911.

Since 1956, the castle has belonged to the town of Lenzburg, which established a foundation together with the canton of Aargau. The historic building was restored and furnished for the public. Now the Lenzburg is open to the public and can be visited from April to October.

Swiss Activities tips about Lenzburg Castle

Visit the inner courtyard

Especially when the weather is nice, don't miss the beautiful inner courtyard. Surrounded by flowers and trees you can spend a break there in the shade and linger. From the south and west bastion you also have a unique view of the city of Lenzburg with the Jura chain in the background.

Look in at the children's museum

Are you traveling with children? Then plan enough time at the Children's Museum. They'll be able to really let off steam there, discover hidden corners of the Bug, try on costumes, and do as much crafting and painting as they want.

Stock up on souvenirs

The museum store has a wide range of postcards, jewelry and other souvenirs. Also nice are the regional products like syrup or jam to give as gifts.

If you are interested in more castles in Switzerland, we recommend our related articles:

• The 20 most worth seeing castles of Switzerland.
• Chillon Castle
• Wildegg Castle

Catering in Lenzburg Castle

The castle bistro is located in the Bernerhaus and is only accessible with an entrance fee to the castle (without the museum). It is run by the Mercure Hotel Krone and operates on a self-service basis. There you can order drinks, hot dishes, cakes and snacks for a short break or to linger.

You can pay with CHF, EUR or card (Maestro, Visa, Mastercard)

Opening hours Lenzburg Castle

Lenzburg Castle is open from April to October including Sundays and public holidays

How to get to Lenzburg Castle

Lenzburg Castle is located in the canton of Aargau above the old town of Lenzburg on the 508 meter high Schlossberg.

by car

The best way to reach Lenzburg Castle by car is via the A1. Take the Lenzburg exit and drive up the Schlossberg outside the old town. From Zurich you need 0:40 hours, from Basel and Luzern 0:50 hours and from Bern 1:15 hours.

The castle area is a car-free zone, which you can only use to bring or pick up people with disabilities. However, there are marked parking spaces further down. From the parking lot you walk about 10-15 min.

by public transport

You can also reach Lenzburg by train. From the train station Lenzburg you walk about 20-30 min up the Schlossberg. The path leads you first through the old town and then up to the castle. If you want to go faster, you can take the regional bus 391 from the train station SBB to the castle parking lot or Kronenplatz. The bus ride takes about 8 minutes.

Practical information

*## What you should look out for

• No dogs are allowed in the castle. Assistance dogs are excluded.
• Not all facilities and exhibition areas are accessible to people with disabilities.

Lenzburg Castle is a popular destination in the canton of Aargau. Combined with the charming old town of Lenzburg, the castle is perfect for a half or full day excursion.