St. Gallen is worth a day (at least 4-5 hours) – the old town is lovely, has a spectacular Cathedral and abbey complex, and one of the best libraries in the world. 

The present **St. Gallen Cathedral (the former abbey church) was built between 1755 and 1767 in Baroque style, with the first stone church on the site dating back to around 719.

The ***Abbey Library, in Rococo-style, 1758 and 1767 (St Gallen) and has a remarkably important collection, including globes and other art. Crucially it holds the Plan of St Gall, drawn around 820, the only surviving architectural drawing from the Carolingian world and the single most important document for how early medieval monasteries were conceived. UNESCO.

The town is fairly ‘hip’ with a big university scene. It’s pleasant by bike, with lovely architecture and reclaimed industrial past.

***Textilmuseum St. Gallen is excellent, exhibits change regularly, and the collection is very impressive. Lovely space.