Altstadt (Old Town) Aarau

Aarau's Altstadt is small enough to see in an hour but rich enough to reward a longer stay, and the best way to approach it is as a place where people live and shop, not as a museum. The old town sits on a rocky terrace on the south bank of the Aare, in the middle of the canton of Aargau, and it is protected by a ring of old walls and towers that survive in part. Streets are lined with tall, narrow houses, and many of them have the deep, decorated eaves for which the town is famous, covered in a separate entry. Walking through the narrow lanes, you can see how a medieval town fitted into its site, with houses pressed together and fountains at the crossings.

The practical side of the old town is easy to enjoy. Bakeries, cafés, small restaurants and shops fill the ground floors, and the main streets are pedestrian, so you can stroll without worrying about traffic. Local specialities include the carrot cake, called Rüeblitorte, because the canton of Aargau has long been known as the carrot canton, a nickname that stems from the importance of carrot growing in the region. Aarau holds a carrot market, the Rüeblimärt, in autumn, when the old town fills with stalls selling carrots, cakes and other regional produce, and it is one of the best-known local events. Another traditional event is the Maienzug, a children's festival and procession held every summer, which has been a fixture of Aarau life for generations and draws crowds to the old town.

The surroundings are part of the charm. The Aare flows just below the old town, and a walk along the bank gives a view back at the rooftops and towers, as well as access to green areas and bathing spots. The Schachen park, with its lawns and old trees, lies along the river and is a favourite place for locals to relax. Other attractions are within walking distance, including the Aargauer Kunsthaus, the museum of Swiss art, and the Naturama, a natural history museum with a modern building near the station. The railway station is only a few minutes from the old town, and trains to Zürich and Basel run frequently, so the town is a convenient day trip.

The old town is free to explore and open at all hours, though shops close on Sundays and some restaurants on Mondays. It suits visitors who enjoy quiet, small-town atmosphere, photographers and those interested in architecture. Allow one to two hours for a walk, and longer if you stop for a meal or visit a museum. Wear comfortable shoes for cobbled streets and look up for the details above the shop windows. The town is quietest in the morning and early evening, and busiest on market days and during festivals.