A Guide to Switzerland’s Finest Chocolate Factory Tours with Insider Tips from a Local
- Stefan
- Feb 4, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 3
Switzerland is world-famous for chocolate, and visiting a factory is one of the sweetest experiences you can have on a trip here. From historic names like Cailler to the modern Lindt Home of Chocolate, each factory offers tastings, tours, and a glimpse into Swiss craftsmanship.
Having toured them myself, here are the best chocolate factories in Switzerland with practical tips, travel advice, and a few hidden extras to make the most of your visit.
Our recommendation for your journey to the Lindt Home of Chocolate is to begin with a boat trip from Zurich Bürkliplatz to Kilchberg. It is the short lake cruise you'll want to take. Since there are two boats going in opposite directions, you can either take the long tour along the Gold Coast (east side) of Lake Zurich or the short tour along the Silver Coast on the west side.
Once you arrive in Kilchberg, head straight towards the main street. After crossing the main street, look for a little path (Pilgerweg) located between the first and second row of buildings. This shortcut leads you directly to the factory, allowing you to bypass walking along the main road. This convenient route offers a quick and easy way to reach the Lindt Home of Chocolate, making your visit smoother and more direct.
Upon entering the main hall of the Lindt Home of Chocolate, visitors are immediately met with a notable feature: a large chocolate fountain. This fountain serves as a focal point and introduction to what the venue has to offer.
The Lindt Home of Chocolate provides various interactive experiences, including chocolate-making courses. These sessions, led by experienced chocolatiers, teach participants about chocolate crafting techniques, from tempering to molding, allowing them to create their own chocolate pieces.
Additionally, the facility offers guided tours of the factory. These tours give insight into the chocolate-making process, from the selection of cocoa beans to the finished product, showcasing the precision and skill involved.
Online pre-registration for courses and tours is advised due to their popularity and the likelihood of them being fully booked well in advance. This ensures visitors can participate in these hands-on experiences.
To finish your day at the Lindt Chocolate Factory, make sure to enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate and a sweet treat in the café.
Insider tip 1: The factory outlet, which is not located in the main building but a short walk away, near the parking area, offers a variety of Lindt chocolates at exclusive discounts. It's ideal for purchasing gifts or personal treats.
Insider tip 2: During the summer, the nearby Kilchberg pool, heated with steam from the Lindt factory, provides a refreshing spot to cool off and relax. This pool is part of the Kilchberg Badi, which also offers pleasant lake access for those wishing to swim in the lake.
Insider tip 3: For those wishing to swim in the lake while on a budget and preferring not to pay the entrance fee for Kilchberg Badi, consider taking a short 10-minute walk along the main road to Rüschlikon Badi. This facility is free and provides all the essentials of a badi, including bathrooms, changing rooms, kids pool, a cafeteria, and a pleasant green area for relaxation.
Insider tip 4: I recommend booking your museum/ tour tickets as early as possible — Lindt often sells out.
We also wrote an entire article about visiting the Lindt chocolate factory, where we explain the above and a lot more.
House of Läderach: Take the train from Zurich HB or drive by car to Bilten in Canton Glarus. Although it's a bit smaller than the Lindt Chocolate Factory, it's my favorite chocolate, so I often come here because they have great deals on large pieces of chocolate (e.g., 2 for the price of 1). While you're there, you can create your own chocolate, which is fun for kids.
You pour your choice of chocolate into a mold and then add sweets and sprinkles before it sets. The House of Läderach also has a nice café where you can enjoy a sweet treat and coffee. Similar to Lindt, you can also book a tour of the factory and other experiences on their website. Although smaller than Lindt’s Zurich chocolate factory, Läderach is a fantastic example of a family-run chocolate factory in Switzerland where quality comes first.
Insider tip 1: The House of Läderach likely won't fill an entire day, so consider extending your visit to the area by exploring the nearby town of Weesen. Park your car at Parkplatz Weesen | Speerplatz and head down to the Linthpromenade. Follow the canal into the town of Weesen. It's a beautiful walk with stunning views over Lake Walensee. You'll be surprised to find palm trees along the way. You can walk as far as you like; we usually stop for a drink at Lago Mio and then turn around.
Insider tip 2: Continue walking from Lago Mio (Insider Tip 1) and visit the beautiful Seerenbach Falls. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Weesen to Betlis and walk from the pier up to the falls. It is an easy, mostly pram-friendly hike. You can read about the entire hike to Seerenbach falls here.
Insider tip 3: One of my favorite viewpoints in Switzerland is not too far from Läderach. Drive up to Amden and park your car at Parkplatz Amden | Arvenbüel. From there, embark on a 30-40 minute hike to Aussichtspunkt Chapf. This spot offers an amazing view over Lake Walensee, a fjord-like lake surrounded by mountains. It's a breathtaking scene that captures the natural beauty of Switzerland, making it a must-visit for anyone in the area.
Insider tip 4: If you're in the area by car, take a 30-minute drive up to Klöntalersee, one of our favorite mountain lakes. You can park your car at Parkplatz Klöntal Campingplatz and begin your walk around the lake from there.
On my fourth day in Switzerland and my first day at my first job here, my employer gave me a box of Aeschbach chocolate. It was the best chocolate I ever tried. Now, I still buy one of their wooden boxes every time I visit. It is priced at almost 40 CHF, but it makes for an amazing present.
Chocowelt Aeschbach is located halfway between Lucerne and Zug, and from both towns, you can easily reach it via the local S1 train. The ride takes about 15-25 minutes, depending on where you start, with Root D4 station just around the corner.
Entry to the small museum is an affordable 15 CHF, where you can indulge in as many different chocolate samples as you like. Creating your own chocolate here is similar to Läderach but costs only 10 CHF—almost half the price—and you get a slightly larger chocolate bar.
What makes ChocoWelt by Aeschbach special is its smaller scale, which offers a less crowded, more intimate experience, giving you a nice family feeling throughout your visit. Overall, the museum is smaller but has a lot to offer. You can create your own chocolate bar, mold a little chocolate donkey, enjoy a chocolate fountain, and even play some fun chocolate-themed games.
Insider tip 1: The café downstairs serves an amazing brunch and breakfast, and on sunny days, you can relax on the terrace by the nearby river.
Insider tip 2: For a perfect end to your visit, take a short drive to Parkplatz Meggenhorn and visit the nearby castle, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps.
Insider Tip 3: This one’s a little random, but worth it. If you’re driving, stop by the nearby Limi Hütte — they serve one of the best Cordon Bleu schnitzels I’ve ever had. Just a heads-up: it’s cash only.
This is not just a chocolate factory tour; it's an experience designed for all ages, especially captivating for children over 5. The tour is beautifully crafted, offering fascinating insights and plenty of chocolate tasting opportunities. The highlight for many is the chocolate decorating activity, and the friendly staff add to the experience. Reachable by public transport, the journey to the factory is an adventure in itself, complete with a walk along the Schoggiweg, where you'll see animals and a playground.
Maison Cailler – The Classic:
Located in Broc, Maison Cailler is a step into the real-life Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The tour is a mesmerizing walk through the history of chocolate and the development of the Cailler brand. Don't miss the opportunity to sample various chocolate flavors as you explore. After your visit, continue your culinary journey by visiting the Gruyères cheese factory and the castle, rounding up your day with a taste of Swiss heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate Factories in Switzerland
What is the best chocolate factory in Switzerland to visit? The Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg near Zurich is the most popular and impressive. It has the world’s largest chocolate fountain, interactive exhibits, and guided tours. For a more traditional experience, Maison Cailler in Broc is a classic choice.
Is there a chocolate factory in Zurich I can visit? Yes. The Lindt Home of Chocolate is the main Zurich chocolate factory and is located in Kilchberg, just 15 minutes from Zurich city center. It is easy to reach by boat, train, or car.
Are there other chocolate factories near Zurich worth visiting?
Yes. Aeschbach in Root and Läderach in Bilten are both reasonable trips from Zurich by train or car. They are smaller than Lindt but offer hands-on chocolate-making and good deals in their outlets, making them excellent day trips from Zurich.
How much does it cost to visit a chocolate factory in Switzerland? Prices vary depending on the factory. Entry to Lindt Home of Chocolate is around 15–20 CHF, while ChocoWelt by Aeschbach starts at 15 CHF. Workshops where you create your own chocolate usually cost extra, between 10 and 30 CHF.
Do I need to book my chocolate factory tour in advance? Yes, it is strongly recommended, especially for Lindt in Zurich and Maison Cailler. Tours and workshops often sell out weeks in advance. Smaller factories like Aeschbach or Läderach may have same-day availability but booking online is still safer.
Which chocolate factory in Switzerland is best for kids? The Maestrani Chocolarium is especially family-friendly with fun exhibits, chocolate decorating, and a “Schoggiweg” trail with animals and a playground. Läderach and Aeschbach also have hands-on chocolate-making activities children enjoy.
Are chocolate factory tours included with a Swiss Travel Pass? Generally no. The Swiss Travel Pass covers train and public transport, but entrance to chocolate factories is separate. However, the pass makes reaching many factories much easier, such as Cailler in Broc or Aeschbach near Zug. You can read more about passes in our all-inclusive Switzerland travel card guide.
Can I buy discounted chocolate at the factories? Yes. Almost every chocolate factory in Switzerland has an outlet shop. Lindt has one near its main building in Kilchberg, and Läderach often runs “two-for-one” promotions on large chocolate slabs. These are great spots to buy gifts at lower prices.
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