You don’t have to go far to immerse yourself in a fairytale setting: Switzerland also has its castles and is about to open them to the public for an entire day! An opportunity to enter medieval castles, lakeside fortresses and ancient noble residences, letting yourself be guided by stories of travelers, figures from the past and paths to discover.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026, for Swiss Castle Day, an event this year involving 32 castles distributed across three linguistic regions of Switzerland. The theme chosen for the 2026 edition is “Travel”, a perfect through-line for exploring places where for centuries armies, merchants, nobles, pilgrims and ordinary travelers have passed.
Which Castles to See on Swiss Castle Day
The event takes place every year on the first Sunday of October and is the main gathering organized by the Swiss Castles Association together with its member castles, with the aim of transforming, even if only for a few hours, the historic heritage into an experience to be lived, with programs designed especially for families and culture enthusiasts.
For the October 4, 2026 edition, there are 32 fortresses and residences involved, from the canton of Bern to Ticino, passing through French- and German-speaking Switzerland. Among them are some particularly evocative names: Chillon Castle, perched on Lake Geneva (but also the towns of Morges, Nyon, Prangins, Grandson and Yverdon), the Bellinzona Fortress, Gruyères Castle, Thun Castle, Lenzburg Castle and Rapperswil Castle. The list also includes lesser-known castles, offering the chance to build an itinerary off the more classic routes.
The programs vary from one structure to another and are all tied to the theme of travel. It is therefore possible to choose your own “travel program” based on the castle and the activities offered.
The Year’s Theme and Other Information
The theme “Travel” chosen for this edition allows looking at the castles from a different perspective, not only as historical buildings to photograph, but rather as places through which to reread the movements and encounters that have marked Swiss history. The day thus invites us to imagine the people who traversed these fortresses and the surrounding territories, following the traces left by trade, wars, migrations and cultural exchanges. In some cases the journey also becomes a physical path inside the same castles, among courtyards, towers, historic halls and spaces normally less accessible.
There isn’t a single ticket valid for all 32 castles: hours, visiting modalities and any costs vary depending on the chosen structure. The official programs for October 4, 2026 are published online and allow you to check for each castle the appointments scheduled during the day.
Therefore, before setting out, it is advisable to consult the page for the chosen castle and check opening hours, entry prices and any reservations. Some structures have already published their standard rates: for example, Grandson Castle charges in autumn an entrance fee of 16 francs for adults and 8 francs for children and youths, while Spiez Castle offers a standard ticket of 12 francs for adults and 5 francs for children aged 6 to 16.
