Zurich Open Top Bus, Chocolate and Cheese Factory Tour Appenzell

Experience Zurich, Swiss chocolate, and cheese in one full-day tour. Starting with an open-top bus tour of Zurich’s landmarks, then heading to the Chocolarium and Appenzeller Schaukäserei for tastings and demonstrations, this tour offers a tasty mix of sights and flavors. It concludes with a visit to St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it ideal for travelers seeking a blend of city, countryside, and culinary delights.

What we love most about this tour is the chance to see Zurich from a different perspective on the open-top bus, plus the opportunity to indulge in hands-on chocolate and cheese experiences. The scenic drive through the Swiss countryside adds a peaceful touch, and the stop in St. Gallen offers a charming cultural finish.

A potential drawback is the timing, especially if you’re hoping to see real-time cheese production—many factories are more museum-like today—and some attractions may be closed or less impressive during certain seasons. Also, with a price tag around $125 per person, you’ll want to consider whether the value aligns with your expectations for quality and depth of experience.

This tour works best for travelers who want a balanced day of sightseeing, tasting, and culture, especially those who enjoy a bit of the outdoors, with enough time in each stop to get a sense of local flavors and history.

Key Points

• City exploration in style: The open-top bus offers a relaxed way to see Zurich’s main landmarks while enjoying commentary.
• Taste the best of Swiss chocolate and cheese: Guided tours at the Chocolarium and Appenzeller Schaukäserei give authentic insights and tastings.
• Cultural city visits: Stops in St. Gallen highlight UNESCO World Heritage architecture and Swiss tradition.
• Balanced pacing: The schedule includes enough time to appreciate each stop without feeling rushed.
• Seasonal considerations: Some attractions may be less active or closed in winter, affecting the experience.
• Value for money: For the price, you get a full day of diverse experiences, but some reviews suggest the guide’s engagement varies.

A Detailed Look at the Zurich, Chocolate, and Cheese Tour

Starting in Zurich: The Open-Top Bus Tour

The day kicks off at Zurich’s main bus station, centrally located and easily accessible. You hop onto a red open-top bus for a one-hour guided city tour. This is perfect if you want a quick, scenic overview of Zurich’s prominent spots—think Lake Zurich views, historic buildings, and iconic landmarks.

The audio guide is included, and from the reviews, it seems that the bus offers a good balance of sightseeing and commentary—though some travelers felt guides could be more engaging. You’ll pass Zurich station, a hub for Swiss and European rail traffic, offering a glimpse into the city’s transportation backbone, along with the ShopVille shopping mall, which is open every day, and the Urania Observatory, a historic spot with stellar views.

Other highlights include the Schwizerische Kreditanstalt (the first Swiss bank, now Credit Suisse), and the Wesendonck villas, linked to Richard Wagner. Passing by the Fifa headquarters and the Heinrich Escher mansion, the city tour offers a well-rounded look at Zurich’s history, finance, and architecture.

One reviewer, AnneMaree, enjoyed the guide, saying, “Thanasis was a delightful, entertaining and obliging guide,” emphasizing the importance of a good guide in elevating the experience. Others, however, felt the guide could do more to share information rather than just chat with the driver.

Transition to the Countryside: Scenic Drive

After the city tour, you reboard your air-conditioned vehicle and drive through the Swiss countryside for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. This leg is a great chance to relax and enjoy the lush scenery, with views of rolling hills, farms, and distant mountains.

Chocolarium: The “Factory of Happiness”

Your first stop in the countryside is the Chocolarium in Flawil. This interactive chocolate factory is billed as the “Factory of Happiness,” and it lives up to that with tastings and hands-on exhibits. Here, you’ll learn about Swiss chocolate craftsmanship, from bean to bar, and see how chocolates are made (or at least how they used to be before hygiene regulations limited raw production visits).

The guided tour lasts about an hour, and reviews praise the delightful experience—with visitors noting it’s a “self-guided” walk but still very engaging. The tastings are a highlight, allowing you to savor various rich flavors. Some travelers mention the experience is ideal for chocolate lovers, and the setting is fun and colorful, perfect for families or anyone with a sweet tooth.

Cheese Making in Appenzell

Next, it’s a short drive to Appenzell for the cheese factory visit. The Appenzeller Schaukäserei is more of a demonstration and tasting experience than a working cheese factory. Visitors will see cheese artisans at work, learn about the unique techniques used to craft the renowned Appenzeller cheese, and sample cheeses at different stages of aging.

However, some reviews note the limitations—many factories are not producing cheese at the moment, especially during off-peak seasons, so what you see is more of an exhibit than an active production. “You might find the experience more about the history and tasting than watching cheese being made,” as one reviewer mentions. The aromas, sounds, and sights still bring the tradition alive.

In total, you get about 1 hour and 30 minutes here, with plenty of time to sample the cheeses and appreciate the craftsmanship.

Exploring Appenzell: Swiss Charm

After the cheese experience, you have free time in Appenzell, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque villages. With its quaint cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and frescoed facades, it’s a postcard-perfect setting. You can stroll around the Landsgemeindeplatz, the open-air gathering spot, and visit cozy cafes serving local fare.

The surrounding Alps provide scenic views perfect for photos or short hikes. The reviews highlight the charm and hospitality of the village, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed break.

Final Stop in St. Gallen: A Cultural Gem

On your return, you stop for about 30 to 45 minutes in St. Gallen. This city boasts a UNESCO World Heritage-listed abbey, with its stunning library and cathedral. Many reviews mention this as a highlight, describing it as a “beautiful, historic site,” and a great way to round out the day with some cultural appreciation.

Return to Zurich

The drive back takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, giving you a chance to unwind after a busy day. The tour concludes back at the starting point, with plenty of time to reflect on your Swiss adventure.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

This tour suits travelers who enjoy a blend of city sights, scenic drives, and culinary experiences. If you love chocolate and cheese — and who doesn’t? — you’ll appreciate the interactive nature of the visits. It’s ideal for those who want a full day of diverse experiences without the hassle of planning each stop.

However, if you’re looking for deep immersion into cheese or chocolate production or prefer less commercialized attractions, this may feel more like a taste test than a full behind-the-scenes experience. Also, the timing can be tight, especially if attractions are not fully operational during certain seasons.

Detailed Breakdown: What to Expect at Each Stop

Zurich City Tour: Expect a comfortable open-top bus ride that covers major landmarks. It’s a quick overview, approximately 1 hour, with an audio guide providing context. The guide’s enthusiasm varies, but the scenery and sights speak for themselves—beautiful lakes, historic buildings, and modern architecture.

Scenic Drive: The drive through the countryside is about an hour and a half, offering peaceful vistas and a chance to relax before more sensory delights.

Chocolarium: This interactive factory is designed to engage your senses—visual displays, tactile exhibits, and tastings. It’s a fun and delicious stop, especially for those who love chocolate.

Cheese Factory: Expect visual demonstrations of cheese-making, with samples of cheese at different stages of aging. It’s more of an exhibit than a working factory, but the authenticity and tradition shine through. Some reviews note the experience is limited in scope but still worthwhile for cheese lovers.

Appenzell Village: A walkable, picture-perfect spot, with frescoed houses and scenic vistas. The free time here allows for informal exploring, shopping, or just soaking in Swiss village life.

St. Gallen: The UNESCO-listed abbey and library provide a cultural and historical highlight, perfect for history buffs or those wanting to see Swiss religious architecture.

Practical Considerations

Pricing: At around $125, this tour offers a comprehensive experience, but it’s important to weigh whether the attractions—many of which are more museum-like—justify the cost. Some reviews mention variable guide engagement, which can impact perceived value.

Timing: The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours, so it’s best suited for full-day travelers. The season can affect visits, especially at the cheese and chocolate stops, which may be less lively outside peak times.

Group Size: Limited to 27 travelers, the group is manageable and allows for interaction, but keep in mind that some parts of the day are self-guided or involve walking at your own pace.

Accessibility: The tour is near public transportation, but walking in quaint villages and some stops may involve uneven terrain.

Food: Lunch isn’t included, so you may want to bring snacks or plan to eat in Appenzell or St. Gallen.

FAQs

Is transportation included? Yes, the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the countryside drives and transfers between stops.

How long do we spend in each place? Expect about 1 hour for Zurich city, 1 hour 20 minutes at the Chocolarium, 1.5 hours at the cheese factory, and 30-45 minutes in St. Gallen, with extra free time in Appenzell.

Are the attractions seasonal? Yes, some shops and production facilities may be closed or less active during certain times of the year, which could limit what you see.

Is this a guided experience at the factories? The chocolate and cheese stops are mainly guided or self-guided exhibits, not full production tours. As one reviewer noted, the cheese factory is more of a museum-like experience.

What about food? There’s no lunch included, so plan accordingly. The stops do offer tastings, but you might want to bring snacks or have a meal before or after the tour.

Can I customize the experience? Since it’s a fixed itinerary, customizing isn’t possible, but the stops are designed to give a well-rounded taste of Zurich and Swiss culinary traditions.

Is this tour good for families? Many reviews suggest it’s family-friendly, especially since the chocolate and cheese experiences are interactive and fun. Just watch for the walking involved in some stops.

Final Thoughts

This Zurich, chocolate, and cheese tour makes for a full, flavorful day in Swiss culture. It balances sightseeing, tasting, and regional charm, with enough flexibility to enjoy each stop at your leisure. While it may not satisfy those seeking deep behind-the-scenes experiences or intensive production tours, it offers a lively, approachable way to experience two iconic Swiss treats and the scenic beauty of the countryside.

It’s perfect for curious travelers who want to combine sightseeing with tastings and cultural highlights without the stress of planning multiple visits on their own. If you’re comfortable with a structured schedule and enjoy a bit of the outdoors, this tour provides a memorable taste of Switzerland’s culinary and cultural treasures.