🇨🇭 Appenzell, Switzerland
Alte Metzg
📍 6, Gaiserstrasse, Appenzell, 9050
Your stay — Alte Metzg
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Appenzell.
The Property — Alte Metzg
Alte Metzg occupies a centuries-old former butcher's shop on Appenzell's main street, its creaky wooden beams and low ceilings preserving a genuine sense of history. The lobby feels more like a cosy parlour than a reception desk, with local artwork on the walls and the faint smell of woodsmoke in winter. It suits independent travellers who value character over frills — the kind of place where you get a handwritten welcome note and honest advice on walking routes. The USP is location: you step out directly onto the car-free lane that threads through the old town's painted facades.
Chronicles of Appenzell
Appenzell began as a 16th-century market settlement at the foot of the Alpstein massif, earning town rights in 1513. Its architecture is defined by the Appenzell style: painted gables, wrought-iron signs, and narrow wooden shutters that owe as much to Swabian settlers as to local craftsmen. The Catholic-Lutheran split of the 1520s shaped two separate half-cantons — Appenzell Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden — making Appenzell town the capital of the smaller, more rural Innerrhoden. Today it thrives on folk culture: yodelling, alphorn, and the annual Landsgemeinde (open-air assembly) that has met on the same square since 1403. Modern identity rides a careful line between tourist-friendly boutique shopping and a defiantly traditional farming mindset.
Best Time to Visit
Full Appenzell guide →Best months
June and September: weather is warm (18–22°C) but not oppressive, hiking trails are clear, and pre-booked crowds thin out midweek. July works too if you don't mind the school-holiday rush.
Peak / festival surge
July into early August is the busiest season, pushed by school holidays across Europe and the Appenzell folk music festival in early August. Hotel prices in June 2026 for this stay are moderate (around CHF 140–180 for a double), but August rates often jump 20% higher.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best budget deals — prices drop 15–25%, the weather is still pleasant (10–15°C) especially for low-altitude walks, and you share the streets mostly with locals, not coach tours.
Weather & packing
Appenzell sits at 780m, so even June evenings drop sharply to 8–12°C — bring a light fleece or windproof jacket. The Föhn wind can spike temperatures suddenly, making layering essential: pack a sturdy waterproof as well, because afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Live City Briefing — Appenzell
- The Appenzell railway station is undergoing platform upgrades until late 2026 — expect a 5-minute walk to the temporary bus stop during construction, but train services to St. Gallen run as normal.
- A new walking trail from Appenzell up to the Seealpsee (mountain lake) opened this spring, bypassing the steepest section of the old path; it adds 20 minutes but is far safer in wet weather.
- The annual 'Appenzeller Landsgemeinde', the open-air civic assembly, takes place on the last Sunday of April — for June visitors, the square's wooden stands are still up, offering a rare view of the historic meeting structure.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Alte Metzg, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floor facing the rear courtyard or garden. These are usually quieter and more private than those overlooking the street or the hotel entrance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception, breakfast room, or any common areas. Also skip rooms directly above or next to the kitchen or bar, as these can be noisy in the evening and early morning.
Best views
Ask for a room at the back or side of the building for a quieter outlook, possibly onto a courtyard or the hillside. Front-facing rooms may have a street view but more traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Typically the top floor is calmest, especially at the far end of the corridor away from the lift and stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
In a small Swiss town like Appenzell, street noise is generally low but morning deliveries and church bells are common. Check if the hotel has double-glazed windows.
Insider tips
Book directly with the hotel by phone or email — they may offer a better rate or upgrade. Also ask if they have a room with a balcony; these often have better ventilation and a more pleasant stay in summer.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Alte Metzg
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx. 30 Mbps download; no login, just accept terms.
No passenger lift. First-floor rooms accessible only by stairs (historic building).
No digital newsstand. Complimentary printed Swiss newspapers (NZZ, Blick) at breakfast. Building is a converted 18th-century butcher’s house with original wooden beams.
15:00–22:00 (weekdays), 15:00–20:00 (weekends). Early bag-drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs CHF 30, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage in locked room behind reception; open 08:00–22:00 daily.
No step-free entry (one step at front door). No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Ground-floor common areas only.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Appenzell Bahnhof car park (100 m), CHF 8 per night (uncovered, first-come). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night; applied automatically at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Credit card guarantee required at booking; CHF 50 incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Stephanskapelle Appenzell (144 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Pfarrkirche St. Mauritius (162 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Reformierte Kirche (272 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Lourdeskappelle (278 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Museum Appenzell — 213 m · ~3 min walk
Spielplatz Bärestee — 335 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 443 m · ~6 min walk
Rot Tor Apotheke — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Flauderei — 270 m · ~3 min walk
Appenzell — 484 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaus at airports and tourist offices which give poor rates.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels; contactless and mobile pay are common.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service; round up bills or leave 5-10% in restaurants, no tips for taxi drivers unless exceptional, and tip hotel staff 2-5 CHF for housekeeping or porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee at a café around 4-5 CHF.
A slice of pizza or a sandwich from a bakery for 10-15 CHF.
Main course at a modest restaurant for 20-30 CHF.
Local farmers' markets on Saturdays in Appenzell town have affordable grilled sausages and bread; the main square has seasonal stalls.
Migros, Coop and Aldi are the main budget supermarkets in the area.
Appenzell has small independent clothing shops; for affordable high-street brands go to St. Gallen or shop online.
Buy a local day pass for buses around Appenzell (about 10-15 CHF). From Zurich Airport, take the train to Appenzell via St. Gallen (around 30 CHF each way with a supersaver ticket).
Eat at Migros or Coop supermarket cafeterias for cheap meals; buy a Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited train/bus travel if visiting multiple regions; book accommodation with kitchen access to self-cook from grocery stores.
Good to know — Appenzell
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Emergency Contacts
AppenzellWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Appenzell, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alte Metzg
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 443 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Rot Tor Apotheke — 277 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Zurich Airport (ZRH) Bus Terminal → Appenzell, Post (via St. Gallen bus station)
💡 Cheapest option, but the PostBus from St. Gallen to Appenzell is a local route with narrow winding roads – scenic but queasy for some. Bring a book; there's no WiFi on PostBus. Last bus from St. Gallen departs 20:00.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Alte Metzg, Appenzell
💡 Fixed fare 320 CHF – cheaper than metered taxis. Use appenzell-taxi.ch and book at least 24 hours ahead. Ask for a German-speaking driver; they'll show you shortcuts via Herisau that avoid St. Gallen traffic.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) tram stop (Platform 3) → Alte Metzg, Appenzell (walk from Appenzell station, 3 min)
💡 Use the SBB app and select 'AIL' route: tram 12 from airport to Zurich HB, then direct IC train to St. Gallen. The final narrow-gauge train to Appenzell is privately run – your SBB ticket covers it. Arrive at Alte Metzg by turning right out of the station, it's the third building on Hauptgasse.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Appenzell station (via St. Gallen)
💡 Buy a SuperSaver ticket online in advance to cut costs to around 52 CHF. The last leg from St. Gallen to Appenzell is on a narrow-gauge line with great views of the Alpstein – sit on the right side heading out of St. Gallen.
About Appenzell
Wikipedia ↗Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden (German: Kanton Appenzell Innerrhoden [ˈapn̩tsɛl ˈɪnərˌroːdn̩] ; Romansh: Chantun Appenzell Dadens; French: Canton d'Appenzell Rhodes-Intérieures; Italian: Canton Appenzello Interno), in English sometimes Appenzell Inner-Rhodes, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Sw...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alte Metzg?
Request a room on the upper floor facing the rear courtyard or garden. These are usually quieter and more private than those overlooking the street or the hotel entrance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alte Metzg?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception, breakfast room, or any common areas. Also skip rooms directly above or next to the kitchen or bar, as these can be noisy in the evening and early morning.
Is Alte Metzg noisy?
In a small Swiss town like Appenzell, street noise is generally low but morning deliveries and church bells are common. Check if the hotel has double-glazed windows.
Which rooms have the best views at Alte Metzg?
Ask for a room at the back or side of the building for a quieter outlook, possibly onto a courtyard or the hillside. Front-facing rooms may have a street view but more traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Alte Metzg?
Book directly with the hotel by phone or email — they may offer a better rate or upgrade. Also ask if they have a room with a balcony; these often have better ventilation and a more pleasant stay in summer.
What time is check-in at Alte Metzg?
Check-in at Alte Metzg is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alte Metzg have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx. 30 Mbps download; no login, just accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alte Metzg?
CHF 2.50 per person per night; applied automatically at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Alte Metzg?
A slice of pizza or a sandwich from a bakery for 10-15 CHF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alte Metzg?
Buy a local day pass for buses around Appenzell (about 10-15 CHF). From Zurich Airport, take the train to Appenzell via St. Gallen (around 30 CHF each way with a supersaver ticket).
When is the best time to visit Appenzell?
June and September: weather is warm (18–22°C) but not oppressive, hiking trails are clear, and pre-booked crowds thin out midweek. July works too if you don't mind the school-holiday rush.
Top Attractions in Appenzell
💡 If you visit on the last Sunday in April, you'll witness the Landsgemeinde vote — it's free and unique, but get there by 11am to see the procession.
💡 Pack a Swiss army knife and buy a half-wheel of Appenzeller cheese (CHF 8–12) from the farm at the far end — they offer a taste before you buy.
💡 Arrive before 9am on a weekday to see the weekly farmers' market set up — it's locals-only and quiet, with better photo light.
💡 Skip the audio guide; the English captions on exhibits are sufficient. Best ten-minute stop is the upstairs room with hand-painted furniture.
💡 Skip the expensive beer spa. Instead, buy a CHF 3 'Bierverschnitt' (beer-and-lemonade mix) in the shop — locals drink it after hiking.