Zug

Zug is one of Switzerland's smallest cantons and also home to countless international companies. But a trip to Zug is above all about a pretty old town on the water, cherry trees, stalactite caves and the sunsets that Lake Zug is known for.

Zug and the Lake

The old town of Zug crowds the shoreline with its Zytturm clock tower, castle and fishermen's houses; in 1435, part of it slid into the lake. In the evening, locals and visitors gather on the promenade, because the sun sets directly over the water here. A funicular takes you up the Zugerberg, a plateau with hiking trails and views of the Rigi and Pilatus. Low taxes have attracted many commodities and crypto firms, and the area is known colloquially as "Crypto Valley."

Baar, Cham and the Hinterland

Baar is the largest rural municipality and the starting point for the Höllgrotten, stalactite caves in the Lorzentobel gorge with calcareous tufa formations and underground lakes. Cham lies on the northern shore and, with St. Andreas Castle and the Villette park, has beautiful lakefront grounds. To the east, at an elevation of around 700 meters, lies Lake Ägeri, a clear swimming lake where the Battle of Morgarten took place in 1315 – a monument commemorates it. Menzingen and Neuheim show the agricultural side of the canton.

On Lake Zug, the lakeside path leads from Zug to Walchwil, a sunny village at the foot of the Rossberg with vineyards and swimming spots. In Unterägeri and Oberägeri on Lake Ägeri, you can rent pedal boats in summer or hike on the Raten, and in winter cross-country skiers glide along the trails at Raten and Gottschalkenberg. The Zug Cherry Market in the fall is a celebration of the region's fruit-growing culture.

Food and Best Time to Visit

The Zuger Kirschtorte, soaked in kirsch and layered with Japonais meringue bases, was invented in 1915 by a Zug confectioner and is famous worldwide. In the fall, Rötel appears on the table, a rare char from Lake Zug. In spring, standard-tree cherry orchards bloom around Zug, and the harvest takes place in June. Zug lies on the Zurich–Lucerne railway line and is about 25 minutes from both cities; boats cruise on Lake Zug and Lake Ägeri. The best time to visit is from April to October.