Switzerland · 2026 itinerary
Glarus 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Glarus: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
Modern art museum in a converted factory building by the river. Shows rotating exhibitions of Swiss contemporary artists. The permanent collection includes works by the Glarus-born painter Ernst Stück
🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 (Thu until 20:00), closed Mon
Free entry💡 First Sunday of each month is free entry for everyone. The café has decent coffee and a small terrace overlooking the Linth canal.
Hotels near Kunsthaus Glarus →A small, well-kept public park at the edge of the old town with a playground, benches, and a pond with ducks. The lawn is good for a picnic, and the view of the Glärnisch mountain is clear from the ea
🕐 24 hours
Free entry💡 Bring lunch from the nearby Migros supermarket — there are shaded tables near the playground that don't get crowded even in summer.
Hotels near Kläui Park →Naturfreundehaus · ££
CrazyNett · ££
Deeper Into Glarus
A paved path running alongside the straightened Linth river, about 3 km from the town centre to the Näfels lake area. Flat and easy walking with benches and info boards about the canal's history (buil
🕐 24 hours
💡 Start at the wooden footbridge near the railway station — you'll spot kingfishers if you go early (before 8 am) in May or June.
The main Protestant church in the town centre, rebuilt in the 19th century with a striking neoclassical facade and a tall spire. The interior is simple but airy, with clear glass windows that flood th
🕐 Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00, Sun 11:00-17:00
💡 Pop in on a Tuesday morning when the organist often practises — you can hear the impressive organ for free.
Coop Restaurant
Bergli
Final Favourites & Departure
Small local history museum in a 17th-century townhouse. Displays include old farming tools, 19th-century textiles, and a room dedicated to the 1778 Glarus flood
💡 Ask at the desk for the key to the museum's tiny herb garden out back — it's not signposted but worth five minutes in summer.
Bürger & Steakhouse City Glarus
Glarnerstübli
Getting Around Glarus
Get off at 'Glarus, Rathaus' stop. It’s a 2-min walk downhill to the hotel. Buy a day pass for 8 CHF if you’re exploring.
The RE train is slower but stops at Schwanden—worth it if you want a quick hike up to the Klöntalersee before checking in.
Book in advance for a flat rate of 240–280 CHF. Ask for Markus; he knows shortcuts via the A3 highway.
Take the direct IC train from Zurich Flughafen to Ziegelbrücke, then change to regional train to Glarus. Sit on the left for Matterhorn views near Linthal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Glarus?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Kunsthaus Glarus and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Glarus?
See our full best time to visit Glarus guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Ochsen, Post, Freihof. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.