Appenzell Village
Appenzell, Switzerland
A small town of painted facades and flower-decked windows at the foot of the Alpstein hills. Stroll the main street, try the local cheese, and plan the visit for a weekday when the centre is quieter.
Appenzell is the main town of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden and lies at an altitude of 780 metres at the foot of the Alpstein massif. The village was first mentioned in 1071 as "Abbacella", a name meaning "economic centre of a monastery". Its present appearance dates back to a major fire in 1560. Along the main street stand brightly painted wooden houses, some with curved or broken gables. The late Gothic town hall was built in 1561–1563.
Also worth seeing are the Catholic parish church of St Maurice and several chapels. The village is the tourist hub of the Appenzell region and is connected by rail to Gossau, St Gallen and the Alpstein area. One to two hours is enough for a walk around. On the first Tuesday in October the canton's cattle show takes place, when the village is livelier.
- Nearest town
- Appenzell, Switzerland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.3306, 9.4094
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- EischenCampsite2 km from Appenzell VillageTentsCaravansElectricityShowers
- Campingplatz JakobsbadCampsite6 km from Appenzell VillageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping St. Gallen-Wittenbach LeebrückeCampsite15 km from Appenzell Village · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Waldcamping FeldkirchCampsite15 km from Appenzell Village · 128 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping WerdenbergCampsite19 km from Appenzell VillageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- ManserCampsite20 km from Appenzell VillageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Appenzell Village?
Appenzell Village is in Appenzell, Switzerland, at GPS 47.3306, 9.4094. It is about 11 km from St. Gallen.
Can you camp near Appenzell Village?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Eischen, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Appenzell Village?
Places worth a stop nearby: Seealpsee (7 km), Abbey Library of St. Gallen (11 km), Säntis from Schwägalp (11 km) and Meersburg (42 km).
When is the best time to visit Appenzell Village?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)