Switzerland / Zurich & Northern Switzerland / Rhine Falls & SchaffhausenRhine Falls & Schaffhausen
Europe's Biggest Waterfall by Volume
The Rhine drops 23 m over a 150 m-wide rock step at Neuhausen, the largest waterfall in Europe by the water it carries, fullest in June and July with snowmelt. Viewing platforms at Laufen Castle reach out over the spray, and small boats run to the rock in the middle of the falls from spring to autumn. Schaffhausen, 3 km upriver, is a medieval town of painted oriel windows below the round Munot fortress. An easy half day from Zurich (40 minutes by train), often a stop on the way in from the airport.
Highlights
- Rhine Falls from the Laufen Castle platforms
- Boat to the rock in the middle of the falls
- Fireworks over the falls on the eve of Swiss National Day (31 July)
- Munot fortress
- Painted oriel windows of Schaffhausen
- Stein am Rhein's frescoed square
Things to do
- Rhine Falls viewing platforms at Laufen CastleMorning · 1h 30m
- Boat to the Rhine Falls rockApr–OctMorning · 1h
- Riverside walk from the falls to SchaffhausenAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Schaffhausen Old Town and the MunotAfternoon · 2h
- Day out to Stein am RheinAfternoon · 3h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – September
Heads up
No Boats to the Rhine Falls Rock
The boats to the rock in the middle of the falls run from about April to October. In winter the falls carry far less water, but the Laufen Castle platforms stay open.
- Swiss National Day — 1 August is the national holiday: bonfires on the hills, fireworks and lantern parades, and brunch on farms. The biggest display is over the Rhine Falls on the evening of 31 July; book the viewing tickets and trains ahead.