Photo: official website
Your stay — Sternen
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The Property — Sternen
The Sternen is a solid, no-nonsense three-star in the centre of Glarus. It feels like a reliable base for hikers and business travellers who want a clean room, a decent breakfast, and the convenience of being right on the main square. The lobby is functional, with a wooden reception desk and racks of local hiking maps — you get the sense this place has been doing a good job for decades without fuss. It suits solo travellers or couples who plan to be out all day and just need a comfortable, no-surprises place to sleep.
Chronicles of Glarus
Glarus grew around a textile industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, and much of the town centre was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1861. That gives the main streets a uniform, grid-like layout with solid late-19th-century buildings. Today the city is the capital of the canton of the same name, known for the yearly Landsgemeinde – an open-air assembly where citizens vote by a show of hands, a living piece of direct democracy. Its contemporary identity is split between a quiet administrative centre and a gateway to the surrounding Glarus Alps, popular with hikers and climbers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Glarus guide →Best months
July and August offer the most reliable weather for high-altitude hiking, with long daylight hours and low rain probability in the valleys. September brings warm days, quieter trails and golden larch colour as the season ends.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season for hiking and the Landsgemeinde (first Sunday in May) sees a short but intense spike in domestic visitors. Hotel prices at the Sternen and similar properties can rise by 30-50% in August; outside these months you'll find more availability.
Budget shoulder season
June and late September offer the best balance: lower prices, fewer tourists, and still warm enough for most trails. May can be wet but cheaper, with snow lingering on high passes.
Weather & packing
Glarus weather can shift from a warm valley afternoon to cold rain on the mountain in minutes. Pack a waterproof jacket and walking boots as a hard rule, even if the forecast looks clear.
Live City Briefing — Glarus
- As of summer 2025, the Glarus main train station is undergoing platform upgrades through 2026; check SBB.ch for replacement bus services between Linthal and Glarus.
- The new 'Glarus Sud' bypass tunnel is due to open in late 2025, which should reduce through-traffic noise in the town centre.
- The annual Glarus Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival (Schwingen) is expected in summer 2026 – dates are usually announced in early spring and will spike accommodation demand.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Sternen, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing away from the main road (toward the rear of the building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor directly above the entrance or near the lift shaft – street noise from Glarus's main road carries, and morning foot traffic from reception can be disruptive. Also avoid any rooms labelled as 'economy' or 'budget' as these typically face the side alley or have no view.
Best views
Rooms facing south or west offer views of the Glarus Alps – request a 'Bergseite' (mountain-side) room. The hotel's address is on the main street, so rear-facing rooms avoid the road and look toward the mountains.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors – the mid-range offers the best balance of quiet and accessibility. Ground floor rooms can be noisy from the street and lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on Glarus's main thoroughfare (Landstrasse), which carries local traffic and delivery vans from around 7am to 8pm. The lift mechanism can be audible in adjacent rooms – avoid room numbers ending in '01' or '02' as these often adjoin the lift shaft in Swiss hotels.
Insider tips
1) Parking is limited and usually on a first-come basis – call ahead to reserve a spot if arriving by car. 2) Request a 'Frühstückspaket' (breakfast package) if you plan an early hike: they'll pack a simple breakfast the night before.
- 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 — Sternen
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; speed around 30 Mbps down; no login constraints.
Small passenger lift serves all guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader; free print copy of Neue Zürcher Zeitung at breakfast.
Check-in 14:00-21:00; late check-in by arrangement. Early bag drop allowed. Late check-out until 12:00 for CHF 30, subject to availability.
Free storage at reception during open hours (07:00-22:00)
No step-free access to main entrance; one step up. No wheelchair-adapted rooms or accessible toilet. Lift is narrow (70 cm door).
Limited on-site parking at CHF 12 per night (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park 'Glarus Zentrum' 200 m away, CHF 15 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 2.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: Credit card guarantee required at booking; CHF 100 incidental hold on check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Kirche Obstalden (85 m · ~1 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Drachenspielplatz — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Dorfladen — 14 m · ~1 min walk
Mühlehorn — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Zurich Airport or tourist offices as they charge high fees and poor rates.
Contactless Visa/Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere; Amex rarely; mobile pay works in most shops and restaurants.
Not expected; round up to the nearest franc (e.g., CHF 38 → CHF 40) in restaurants; no tipping for taxis or hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or cappuccino at a café costs about CHF 4–5.
A takeaway sandwich or pasta from a supermarket bakery or Migros cafeteria costs CHF 8–12.
A main course at a modest restaurant costs about CHF 20–25.
Limited; the Migros takeaway counter or a bratwurst stand near the train station for around CHF 5–7.
Migros and Coop are the main budget supermarkets.
No real high-street shopping in Glarus itself; head to a larger town like Zurich for chain stores (H&M, C&A).
A single day pass for the Glarus–Näfels–Mollis area costs about CHF 10; from Zurich Airport take a direct train (approx CHF 30–40 one-way) or book a Sparpreis ticket in advance.
Buy groceries and sandwiches from Migros or Coop; walk or cycle between villages (flat valley); refill water at public fountains—tap water is safe and free.
Good to know — Glarus
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Glarus, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Sternen
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Glarus train station → Hotel Post, 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.
Zurich Main Station → Glarus (Hotel Post)
💡 The RE train is slower but stops at Schwanden—worth it if you want a quick hike up to the Klöntalersee before checking in.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Hotel Post, Glarus
💡 Book in advance for a flat rate of 240–280 CHF. Ask for Markus; he knows shortcuts via the A3 highway.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) → Glarus (Hotel Post)
💡 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
What are the best rooms at Sternen?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing away from the main road (toward the rear of the building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Sternen?
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor directly above the entrance or near the lift shaft – street noise from Glarus's main road carries, and morning foot traffic from reception can be disruptive. Also avoid any rooms labelled as 'economy' or 'budget' as these typically face the side alley or have no view.
Is Sternen noisy?
The hotel sits on Glarus's main thoroughfare (Landstrasse), which carries local traffic and delivery vans from around 7am to 8pm. The lift mechanism can be audible in adjacent rooms – avoid room numbers ending in '01' or '02' as these often adjoin the lift shaft in Swiss hotels.
Which rooms have the best views at Sternen?
Rooms facing south or west offer views of the Glarus Alps – request a 'Bergseite' (mountain-side) room. The hotel's address is on the main street, so rear-facing rooms avoid the road and look toward the mountains.
What are insider tips for staying at Sternen?
1) Parking is limited and usually on a first-come basis – call ahead to reserve a spot if arriving by car. 2) Request a 'Frühstückspaket' (breakfast package) if you plan an early hike: they'll pack a simple breakfast the night before.
What time is check-in at Sternen?
Check-in at Sternen is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Sternen have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas; speed around 30 Mbps down; no login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Sternen?
CHF 2.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Sternen?
A takeaway sandwich or pasta from a supermarket bakery or Migros cafeteria costs CHF 8–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Sternen?
A single day pass for the Glarus–Näfels–Mollis area costs about CHF 10; from Zurich Airport take a direct train (approx CHF 30–40 one-way) or book a Sparpreis ticket in advance.
When is the best time to visit Glarus?
July and August offer the most reliable weather for high-altitude hiking, with long daylight hours and low rain probability in the valleys. September brings warm days, quieter trails and golden larch colour as the season ends.
Top Attractions in Glarus
💡 First Sunday of each month is free entry for everyone. The café has decent coffee and a small terrace overlooking the Linth canal.
💡 Bring lunch from the nearby Migros supermarket — there are shaded tables near the playground that don't get crowded even in summer.
💡 Start at the wooden footbridge near the railway station — you'll spot kingfishers if you go early (before 8 am) in May or June.
💡 Pop in on a Tuesday morning when the organist often practises — you can hear the impressive organ for free.
💡 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.