Beautiful village of half-timbered houses, maintained with a real tradition makes Marthalen a unique excursion from Zurich.

by Marc Gottwald

A village for dreamers

It’s early in the morning.

The sun’s rays are slowly gilding the fields and trees of the northern tip of Switzerland. A breathtaking mood. One hardly suspects that this part belongs to the canton of Zurich when one compares this rural idyll with the big city.

Right in the middle is a small and relatively unknown community: Marthalen. One of the most beautiful communities in Switzerland and not even 45 minutes by train from Zurich.

Are you looking for places to dream? After a top excursion?

Then we’ll know where you’ll be next: in this Marthalen.

A Swiss legend

Because almost the entire village is built uniformly from ring houses, a real gem. The Marthalers are visibly proud of their village. Above all, that the Swiss cycling legend Ferdy Kübler comes from Marthalen. He was the first Swiss Tour de France winner and was almost 100 years old.

A Swiss legend

Because almost the entire village is built uniformly from ring houses, a real gem. The Marthalers are visibly proud of their village. Above all, that the Swiss cycling legend Ferdy Kübler comes from Marthalen. He was the first Swiss Tour de France winner and was almost 100 years old.

What else is special about Marthalen?

In addition to the beautiful, intact village, the friendliness of the Marthaler was positively noticed. Everyone greets everyone here, whether young or old. A really nice tradition.

Landscape formed by glaciers

If you walk out of the village, you will notice the hilly landscape, so-called «Drumlins».

Until about 10,000-15,000 years ago the whole region was still completely under ice. Glaciers have pushed out masses of gravel and boulders and formed the clearly visible hilly landscape (drumlins).

The region around Marthalen was first inhabited in the Iron and Roman Age, Marthalen itself has officially existed since 1424.

Tip: The village is very interesting for everyone, from students to families and pensioners. Incidentally, you can combine the excursion with a walk along the idyllic Thur (river).

The most important things in brief

An intact village of half-timbered houses makes Marthalen a village for dreamers.

Arrival: 45 minutes comfortably by train without changing trains from Zurich main station to Marthalen station; 30 minutes by car from Zurich, free parking available

Food: Restaurant Freihof, Gasthaus zum Rössli and Gasthof Ochsen all with good ratings on Google; Bäckerei Gut (tried it myself and highly recommend it)