All applied art museums to visit in Switzerland

Discover the beauty of functional art at 20 applied art museums in Switzerland. These museums highlight the intersection of art and utility, showcasing pieces that are both beautiful and practical.

Are you interested in the intersection of art and craftsmanship? These are the applied art museums you should visit in Switzerland:

  1. Ariana Museum1

    Ariana Museum

     Geneva
    The Ariana Museum, located in Geneva, is a Swiss museum dedicated to ceramics and glass. It is situated in a park that shares its name. The museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the art and history of these two mediums, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in art, history, or simply looking to experience something different during their visit to Geneva.
  2. Fotomuseum Winterthur2

    Fotomuseum Winterthur

     Winterthur
    The Fotomuseum Winterthur, located in Winterthur, Switzerland, is a museum dedicated to the art of photography. Established in 1993, the museum serves as a platform for showcasing the work of contemporary photographers and artists, as well as works by 19th and 20th-century masters. It also features applied photography in various fields such as industry, architecture, and fashion.
  3. MUDAC - Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts3

    MUDAC - Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts

     Lausanne
    The Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts, also known as mudac, is situated in the city of Lausanne in Switzerland. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the region, offering visitors a unique insight into contemporary design and applied arts. It is located in the heart of the new arts district, Plateforme 10, since June 2022.
  4. Textilmuseum St.Gallen4

    Textilmuseum St.Gallen

     Sankt Gallen
    The Textilmuseum St. Gallen and the Textile Library are housed in the "Palazzo Rosso", a building constructed in 1886, located in the old town of St. Gallen. This historic building, known for its red brick facade, adds a unique charm to the museum and library, making it a notable landmark in the city.
  5. Glasi Hergiswill5

    Glasi Hergiswill

     Hergiswil (NW)
    Glasi Hergiswil, also known as Hergiswiler Glas AG, is a glassworks company founded by the Siegwart brothers in 1817 in Hergiswil, Nidwalden. The company is renowned for its exclusively handmade glassworks, a tradition that has been maintained since its inception. This unique aspect of the company offers a rare insight into traditional glassmaking techniques.
  6. Baur Foundation - Museum of Far Eastern Art6

    Baur Foundation - Museum of Far Eastern Art

     Geneva
    A prime gallery of Far Eastern art. The largest collection of its kind in Switzerland. A must-see for Asian art lovers.
  7. Museum Chasa Jaura7

    Museum Chasa Jaura

     Münstertal
    The Museum Chasa Jaura, also known as Talmuseum Münstertal, is a cultural site that was opened in 1973 in Valchava, Switzerland. It is housed in an Engadine house that is over 300 years old. The museum serves a dual purpose as it is both a local history museum and an art museum. Visitors can expect to see a variety of exhibits that showcase the history and art of the region.
  8. Vevey Photography Museum8

    Vevey Photography Museum

     Vevey
    The Swiss Camera Museum, located in the city of Vevey, Switzerland, is a museum dedicated to the art and science of photography. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of photography, from its earliest beginnings to the present day. The museum houses a vast collection of cameras and photographic equipment, as well as photographs, documentation, publications, and illustrations related to the medium.
  9. Hermitage Foundation9

    Hermitage Foundation

     Lausanne
    The Fondation de l’Hermitage is a fine arts museum nestled in the city of Lausanne, in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The museum is surrounded by the serene Parc de l’Hermitage, providing a tranquil setting for art lovers to explore the museum's collections.
  10. Carouge Museum10

    Carouge Museum

     Carouge
    Museum of ceramics. Remarkable for the building itself. An exquisite residence from 18th century with Sardinian garden.
  11. Museum Bellerive11

    Museum Bellerive

     Zurich
    The Museum Bellerive, located in Zurich, transitioned into the Centre for Architecture Zurich (ZAZ) in September 2018. This change marked the beginning of a three-year pilot project. The ZAZ serves as a vibrant exhibition and meeting place, dedicated to conveying architectural issues to a broad public.
  12. Swiss Architecture Museum12

    Swiss Architecture Museum

     Basel
    The Swiss Architecture Museum, also known as S AM, is a significant cultural institution located in Basel, Switzerland. Established in 1984, the museum has been a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions that focus on current and controversial themes in international architecture and urbanism discourse.
  13. Abegg-Stiftung13

    Abegg-Stiftung

     Riggisberg
    The Abegg-Stiftung, located in Riggisberg, Canton Bern, Switzerland, is a unique institution that combines a textile museum and a textile research institute. It offers visitors a chance to explore a vast collection of textiles, ranging from ancient to modern times, and to learn about the science and art of textile conservation and restoration.
  14. Basel Paper Mill14

    Basel Paper Mill

     Basel
    The Basel Paper Mill, also known as the Swiss Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing, is a unique museum located in the Swiss city of Basel. The museum's primary focus is on the history and techniques of paper production, the art of book printing, bookbinding and writing. Visitors can gain a deep understanding of these crafts and their historical significance.
  15. Gewerbemuseum15

    Gewerbemuseum

     Winterthur
    The Gewerbemuseum Winterthur is a unique museum located in Winterthur. It offers a broad spectrum of exhibits, ranging from everyday culture, light and design, to industrial production. Additionally, it is home to the Winterthur Clock Museum. This diverse collection of exhibits makes it a fascinating destination for tourists interested in a variety of topics.
  16. Agentenhaus Horgen16

    Agentenhaus Horgen

     Horgen
    The Agentenhaus is a significant historical site in Horgen, Switzerland. This 18th-century half-timbered building is a testament to the architectural style of the period. It is located in the municipality of Horgen in the canton of Zurich, making it easily accessible for tourists visiting the region.
  17. Museum of Fine Arts Le Locle17

    Museum of Fine Arts Le Locle

     Le Locle
    The Museum of Fine Arts Le Locle (MBAL) is situated in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It provides a diverse range of temporary exhibitions three times a year, spread across a 2,000 square meter space. This offers visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of artistic styles and periods throughout the year.
  18. Bally Shoe Museum18

    Bally Shoe Museum

     Schönenwerd
    This museum houses an impressive collection illustrating the development of shoes which is believed to be the world's largest, too.
  19. 19

    Swiss Fashion Museum

     Yverdon-les-Bains
    This museum is a gem for all fashion lovers as rare collection of more than 5000 haute-couture garments are on display.
  20. 20

    Vitromusée

     Romont FR
    The Vitromusée Romont, previously known as the Swiss Museum of Stained Glass, is a significant cultural institution founded in 1981. It is situated in the Château de Romont, in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. This museum is a notable destination for those interested in the art and history of stained glass.