Aarau’s self-guided walking and scavenger hunt tour offers an engaging way to uncover the city’s rich history and charming highlights. Visitors can explore the picturesque Upper Town, marvel at the iconic Alte Kantonsschule, and discover the Old Mills along the Aare River at their own pace. The tour encourages active participation through puzzles and creative photo tasks, revealing hidden gems and architectural details that showcase Aarau’s cultural legacy. With discounted pricing and flexible accessibility, this tour provides an immersive experience for travelers seeking to explore the city’s stories and uncover its hidden treasures. What else can this tour offer adventurous visitors?
Key Points

- This self-guided walking and scavenger hunt tour in Aarau allows visitors to explore the city’s main highlights, including the Upper Town, Alte Kantonsschule, and Old Mills.
- The tour encourages active engagement through solving puzzles and completing creative photo tasks, enabling visitors to discover hidden gems at their own pace.
- The Alte Kantonsschule, a former cantonal school, is a prominent landmark with a neoclassical façade, offering insights into Aarau’s educational heritage.
- The picturesque Old Mills along the Aare River showcase the area’s industrial past and provide a glimpse into Aarau’s rich cultural legacy.
- The tour includes creative photo tasks designed to encourage visitors to capture unique perspectives and explore hidden corners of the city.
Contents
- Key Points
- Overview of the Tour
- Highlights of the Upper Town
- Exploring the Alte Kantonsschule
- Discovering the Old Mills
- Finding Hidden Gems
- Creative Photo Tasks
- Tour Pricing and Inclusions
- Meeting Point and Access
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are the Opening Hours of the Tourist Office?
- Is the Tour Suitable for Young Children?
- Can the Tour Be Completed in One Session?
- Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?
- Can the Tour Be Booked for a Private Group?
- Recap
- More Walking Tours in Aarau
- More Tours in Aarau
- More Tour Reviews in Aarau
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Aarau we have recnetly reviewed
Overview of the Tour

The self-guided walking and scavenger hunt tour in Aarau explores the city’s main highlights, including the Upper Town, Alte Kantonsschule, and Old Mills, allowing visitors to discover hidden gems at their own pace.
Available in English, French, and German, the tour immerses participants in Aarau’s history and culture through solving puzzles and answering questions about the sights.
With creative photo tasks along the way, the experience encourages visitors to engage actively with the environment.
The tour has no time limit, giving explorers the freedom to wander and uncover the city’s secrets at their own rhythm.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, this self-guided adventure is a unique way to experience the charms of Aarau.
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Highlights of the Upper Town

As participants embark on the self-guided tour, they’ll explore the charming Upper Town, which boasts a wealth of architectural gems and historical sites.
The iconic Alte Kantonsschule, a former cantonal school, stands as a testament to the city’s rich educational heritage, its neoclassical facade commanding attention.
Nearby, the Old Mills along the Aare River offer a picturesque scene, with their well-preserved structures dating back centuries.
Wandering the cobblestone streets, visitors can admire the quaint historic houses and churches that line the winding paths, providing a glimpse into Aarau’s captivating past.
The self-guided nature of the tour allows travelers to discover these highlights at their own pace, seeing the town’s timeless charm.
Exploring the Alte Kantonsschule

One of the most prominent landmarks on the self-guided tour is the Alte Kantonsschule, a former cantonal school whose neoclassical façade commands attention as visitors explore the charming Upper Town.
This historic building dates back to the 19th century and offers a glimpse into Aarau’s educational heritage.
As part of the scavenger hunt, travelers will uncover fascinating facts about the Alte Kantonsschule, such as its role in shaping the local community and the architectural details that adorn its exterior.
Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the city’s past, this stop on the tour promises to provide a deeper understanding of Aarau’s rich cultural legacy.
Discovering the Old Mills

Nestled along the banks of the Aare River, the Old Mills invite visitors to uncover the area’s industrial past and the ingenious water-powered machinery that once powered the local economy. As you explore the historic buildings, you’ll discover how the mills harnessed the river’s flow to grind grains, saw lumber, and perform other vital tasks. Look for the impressive water wheels and intricate gears that illustrate the ingenuity of the mill’s designers. Be sure to snap photos of the picturesque riverside setting and the well-preserved mill structures, which offer a fascinating glimpse into Aarau’s industrial heritage.
| Historic Machinery | Power Sources | Products Produced |
|---|---|---|
| Water wheels | River water | Flour |
| Gear systems | Waterpower | Lumber |
| Grinding stones | Water flow | Textiles |
| Sawblades | Hydropower | Agricultural goods |
Finding Hidden Gems

Along With the well-known attractions, the scavenger hunt challenges participants to uncover Aarau’s hidden gems – those tucked-away spots and lesser-known details that reveal the city’s rich history and culture.
As you explore the picturesque streets, keep an eye out for:
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The charming courtyards and alleyways that showcase Aarau’s medieval architecture.
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Intricate carved doorways and ornate building facades that are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
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Unique shops, artisanal workshops, and local eateries that offer a glimpse into the city’s vibrant creative scene.
Creative Photo Tasks

As you navigate the scavenger hunt, you’ll encounter creative photo tasks that encourage you to capture unique perspectives and moments within Aarau. These tasks might ask you to frame a particular architectural detail, snap a striking cityscape, or get creative with your surroundings to produce a memorable shot.
The photo challenges are designed to make you see the city in a new light, exploring hidden corners and finding unexpected angles. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a casual snapper, these creative activities will add an extra layer of fun and discovery to your self-guided tour.
Embrace your inner artist and let your creativity shine as you document your Aarau adventure.
Tour Pricing and Inclusions

The self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt in Aarau is priced at a discounted rate, starting from $7.80 per person – a saving of up to 50% off the regular price.
This inclusive package provides participants access to the self-guided experience through the Explorial app, which they can use at their own pace to explore the city’s main highlights.
The tour includes:
- Self-guided walking tour via the Explorial app
- Creative photo tasks to complete along the way
- No time limit to explore at your own pace
An internet connection is required to access the app and content. Guests can reserve their spot now and pay later, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option to discover Aarau.
Meeting Point and Access

To begin the self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt in Aarau, guests must head on over to the Aarau Info (Tourist Office), which serves as the designated meeting point.
Here, they’ll receive a game code that allows them to unlock the activity through the Explorial app and commence their exploration at their own convenience.
Once the app is unlocked, participants can embark on their adventure, navigating the charming streets of Aarau at their own pace, solving puzzles, and capturing creative photos along the way.
The tour doesn’t have a set time limit, so guests can take their time uncovering the city’s hidden gems and main highlights, making this a truly self-guided and flexible experience.
Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Opening Hours of the Tourist Office?
The Aarau Info (Tourist Office) is open from Monday to Saturday, typically from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors can obtain information about local attractions, accommodations, and events during these operating hours.
Is the Tour Suitable for Young Children?
The tour may not be suitable for very young children, as it involves solving puzzles and completing creative photo tasks. It’s better suited for older children and adults who can explore at their own pace.
Can the Tour Be Completed in One Session?
Yes, the tour can be completed in a single session. The self-guided nature of the activity allows users to explore at their own pace without time limits, enabling them to finish the experience in one continuous outing.
Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?
Yes, discounts are available for seniors and students on this tour. The tour is priced from $7.80 per person, with potential savings of up to 50% through discounts offered for qualifying individuals.
Can the Tour Be Booked for a Private Group?
The tour can be booked for a private group. The Explorial app allows users to create a customized tour experience for their own group, providing a unique and engaging activity at their preferred pace.
Aarau: Scavenger Hunt and Self-guided Walking Tour
Recap
Aarau’s scavenger hunt and self-guided walking tour offers a unique way to explore the city’s historic highlights at your own pace.
From the charming Upper Town to the iconic Alte Kantonsschule and picturesque Old Mills, the tour encourages active engagement through puzzles and creative photo tasks, revealing hidden gems and architectural details.
With discounted pricing and flexible accessibility, this immersive experience lets you uncover Aarau’s rich cultural legacy.
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