This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Solothurn.
Solothurn, Switzerland, is situated in the northwest of the country near the Weissenstein Jura Mountains. In the French part of Switzerland, it is called "Soleure" and in the Italian region of Switzerland, the name "Soletta" is used. The official language is German, but many locals use a variant of the Almanic Swiss German dialect, which is hard to understand for foreigners who know some High German.
Solothurn is not only a town, but also a municipality as well as the capital of the canton of Solothurn. The town has a rich history, which dates back to the Roman Empire. The first small Roman Settlement was founded in the first century AD and developed quickly. Nowadays just under seventeen thousand people call Solothurn their home. The charming Old Town, which was constructed between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, is a must-see for architecture lovers. It combines different architectural influences and a certain unique Swiss style. Eighteen structures in the town of Solothurn are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance.
While there are numerous hotels, bed and breakfast places, holiday apartments, your options for a hostel in Solothurn, Switzerland, will be limited. The summer months and the school holidays are busy, so keep that in mind if you want to book a hostel in Solothurn, Switzerland, or any other budget accommodation. Your Solothurn, Switzerland hostel is located around six hundred metres from Solothurn Railway Station and doesn’t offer any parking spaces for guests.
The scenic Old Town of Solothurn has an excellent international reputation. In the late twentieth century, it was awarded the Wakker Prize for the excellent preservation and development of the architectural heritage. Among the listed buildings that belong to the Swiss National Heritage are the Visitation Convent, the Jesuit Church with Kollegium, the Cantonal Museum, and the town council house ("Rathaus" in German). Two worth-visiting museums are on the list, as well -- the local Art Museum, which mainly exhibits contemporary Swiss works; and the Naturmuseum, which displays animals, plants, and rocks that are characteristic for the region around Solothurn. Sport enthusiasts can try out various hiking and mountain biking paths in the nearby Weissenstein Jura mountain range, allowing spectacular views of the surrounding area. Golf and different sorts of water sports such as kayaking are available, too.
Written by local enthusiast for Solothurn hostels
Flo
