Experience the world from a bird's perspective: Hatch from an egg, leave the nest, choose your food, encounter various threats, pick your plumage and decide on a migration strategy. The exhibitions's unique ringing system will tell you what kind of bird you are: a Bearded Vulture, a Mallard, or perhaps a Wren?
Welcome to the Swiss Ornithological Institute
Get to know Switzerland's birdlife in a whole new way. Become a bird yourself, let yourself be ringed and find out what bird you are – welcome to the visitor centre of the Swiss Ornithological Institute!

Sustainability
Winner 2017




Opening hours

Tuesday–Sunday | 10.00–17.00 |
Monday | closed |
Last admission | 16.00 |
Closed today
Allow about 2 hours for your visit.
The visitor centre is accessible by wheelchair.
Dogs are not permitted.
Immaculate Conception | 08.12.2023 | 10.00 – 17.00 |
Christmas Eve | 24.12.2023 | closed |
Christmas | 25.12.2023 | closed |
St. Stephen´s Day | 26.12.2023 | closed |
New Year´s Eve | 31.12.2023 | closed |
New Year´s Day | 01.01.2024 | closed |
Saint Berchtold | 02.01.2024 | closed |




Admission
|
Adults (aged 16 and over) |
CHF 15.00 |
Children, school children, apprentices, students, disabled visitors (with disability card |
CHF 10.00 | |
|
Children under 16 accompanied by their parents/grandparents |
free |
Friend of the Swiss Ornithological Institute, 5.- CHF off admission, 10% discount in our shop |
CHF 10.00 |
Groups
We look forward to your visit. To ensure the best visiting experience, groups of 20 or more are required to call in advance (+41 41 462 97 97). Advance booking is recommended for groups of 10 or more. Maximum group size: 70
Learn more




Getting here
The Swiss Ornithological Institute lies in central Switzerland, north of Lucerne, near the town of Sempach on the shores of Lake Sempach.
By train and bus
- By train on the Olten–Lucerne line to Sursee. From the station in Sursee by bus to Sempach; get off at "Vogelwarte".
- Or by train on the Olten–Lucerne line to Sempach-Neuenkirch. By bus to "Vogelwarte".
Timetable & tickets
By car
- Motorway A2 Basel–Lucerne
- Exit Sempach
- Follow the blue sign that says "Sempach".
- By the city gate, follow the main road to the left, in direction of the lake.
- Address: Luzernerstrasse 6, CH-6204 Sempach
- "Seevogtey" outside of the old town of Sempach (approx. 10 minutes’ walk)
- "Seebad" Sempach (approx. 5 minutes’ walk)
Go to route planner
Coaches
- Drop-off area for coaches in front of the visitor centre. Coach parking on the "Seevogtey" car park.
- The visitor centre is accessible by wheelchair.
- Dogs are not permitted.




Attractions
Visit our main exhibition "Survival" and become a bird yourself. A unique ringing system generates your personal bird profile. The film "Bird Watch" takes you on a surprising journey through Switzerland, and "Singphony" invites you to delve into the world of birdsong.
Follow birds on a surprising journey through Switzerland. The captivating scenes were filmed exclusively for the visitor centre by wildlife cinematographer Marc Tschudin. The film runs continuously, so you can start viewing any time.
"Singphony" introduces you to a bird's world of sound and communication. Listen in to the mysterious language of birds and learn the basics of birdsong.
The lakeside offers the opportunity to relax or to birdwatch. Wander through the Ornithological Institute's natural garden and look out for the birds inside and outside the aviaries.
The aviary in the lobby of the visitor centre is currently empty due to maintenance. You can admire the birds in the aviary by the lake and in our nature garden. Binoculars for bird watching can be borrowed for free at the checkout desk.
Looking for an attractive gift or special souvenir to take home? Browse our range of t-shirts, games, soft toys and more, and find a gift for yourself or a loved one. A variety of brochures, books and CDs on birds are also on offer. Come and see for yourself!
Your purchase supports the Swiss Ornithological Institute's work for the benefit of birds.
Enjoy a drink or an ice cream in our coffee corner with delightful views.
An airy lobby made from local wood joins the two compact units with loam walls that make up the visitor centre. The construction is a pioneering achievement in sustainable building. It meets the Minergie P standard of low energy consumption as well as the Minergie Eco standard requiring the use of environmentally friendly materials.
Survival
Experience the world from a bird's perspective: Hatch from an egg, leave the nest, choose your food, encounter various threats, pick your plumage and decide on a migration strategy. The exhibitions's unique ringing system will tell you what kind of bird you are: a Bearded Vulture, a Mallard, or perhaps a Wren?
Visiting time
approx. 1 hour
Bird Watch
Follow birds on a surprising journey through Switzerland. The captivating scenes were filmed exclusively for the visitor centre by wildlife cinematographer Marc Tschudin. The film runs continuously, so you can start viewing any time.
Visiting time
approx. 30 minutes
Singphony
"Singphony" introduces you to a bird's world of sound and communication. Listen in to the mysterious language of birds and learn the basics of birdsong.
Visiting time
approx. 20 minutes
Garden and aviaries
The lakeside offers the opportunity to relax or to birdwatch. Wander through the Ornithological Institute's natural garden and look out for the birds inside and outside the aviaries.
The aviary in the lobby of the visitor centre is currently empty due to maintenance. You can admire the birds in the aviary by the lake and in our nature garden. Binoculars for bird watching can be borrowed for free at the checkout desk.
Shop
Looking for an attractive gift or special souvenir to take home? Browse our range of t-shirts, games, soft toys and more, and find a gift for yourself or a loved one. A variety of brochures, books and CDs on birds are also on offer. Come and see for yourself!
Your purchase supports the Swiss Ornithological Institute's work for the benefit of birds.
Cafeteria
Enjoy a drink or an ice cream in our coffee corner with delightful views.
The building
An airy lobby made from local wood joins the two compact units with loam walls that make up the visitor centre. The construction is a pioneering achievement in sustainable building. It meets the Minergie P standard of low energy consumption as well as the Minergie Eco standard requiring the use of environmentally friendly materials.




Lake Sempach region
Home to the Swiss Ornithological Institute and many other attractions – Sempach and its surroundings have a lot to offer!

Enjoy your stay in the Lake Sempach region.

The bathing area next to the Swiss Ornithological Institute has a sandy beach, a floating platform, a water playground, a beach volleyball field, a diving tower and a restaurant.
Photo © Archiv Korporation



Self-service restaurant right next to the Seebad in Sempach.
Photo © Seeland Sempach


Restaurant in Sempach's picturesque old town of Sempach right next to the city gate.
Photo © AO Gastro AG

Enjoy select seasonal dishes in a laid-back ambience.
Photo © Restaurant Adler Sempach

Elegant Italian ristorante, welcoming tavern, stylish wine bar and leafy beer garden.
Photo © Remimag AG

Restaurant with Tex-Mex specialities in Sempach's old town right by the city gate.
Photo © AO Gastro AG

Traditional restaurant in the historical centre with local fish specialities.

Restaurant with views of the Central and Bernese Alps and Lake Sempach.
Photo © Restaurant Wirtschaft zur Schlacht

Culinary delights - at lunchtime with the daily menus and in the evening with a varied à la carte menu.
Photo © Sempacherhof Gastro AG

Caribbean ambience with palm trees, sun, colourful cabins in the beach bar in Nottwil on Lake Sempach.
Photo © Andy Hänggi
See you soon at the Swiss Ornithological Institute!

We look forward to welcoming you at the visitor centre of the Swiss Ornithological Institute.
Contact us if you have any questions!