The rose gardens along Rapperswil's lakefront contain around 15,000 roses in several hundred varieties. Laid out between the lake promenade and the old town walls, they run for several hundred metres and are at their best from late May through June. Entry is free and the gardens are open year-round, though obviously most rewarding in the flowering season.
The gardens are closely associated with the town's self-proclaimed identity as the City of Roses, a branding that dates to the 19th century. They are well-maintained and the lakeside setting — with the castle hill behind and the water in front — makes them genuinely picturesque. On clear mornings before the tourist boats arrive, it is a quiet and beautiful walk.