Things to Do in Grindelwald

1. Schwarzhorn: This small but pristine summit on Schwarzhorn is one of the top sights to see in Grindelwald. If you are an adventure junkie, happy with heights, trying the First Cliff Walk here is definitely a great experience. The metallic walkway, along the side of the cliff is accompanied by views of peaks, Alpine pastures, distant lakes and a waterfall, all of which are simply breathtaking!

For thrill-seekers, there’s also the First Flyer which offers an 800m long ziplining experience with speeds at more than 80 kmph. First is home to plenty of hikes, and you can also hire mountain carts or “trotbikes”, for a fun riding experience with friends and family. This destination should definitely be ‘First’ on your travel list!

Location: 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland

2. Eiger Trail: Seasoned hikers and climbers love the Eiger trail, a hike route that is six kms long and one of the most enjoyable things to do in Grindelwald Switzerland. The pathway has been frequented by climbers for over 90 years as they embark on gruelling ascents of rock 1,600 meters high.

Board the Jungfrau railway to Eigergletscher and watch through binoculars as you’ll spot climbers making their way up this wall. The 6kms long walk to Alpiglen Station takes a couple of hours to climb, and a good amount of precautions are taken with ropes fastened to the rock beside the path if the road gets a tad bit dangerous. Don’t miss out on spectacular landscapes views offered by Grosse Scheidegg and the Wetterhorn, north of the trail.

Location: 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland
Price: CHF 50/adult

3. Jungfraujoch: The journey to Jungfraujoch is one of the best things to do in Grindelwald and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you simply cannot miss out on. A train leads up to Kleine Scheidegg from Grindelwald Grund, and once there, you can board another train to the highest railway in the world - Jungfraujoch. Situated 3,454 meters high the snow-capped beauty from this point is unparalleled!

At the highest stop, you can take a peek at the beautiful Aletsch Glacier, before heading to the `The Top of Europe’. Head up higher to the Sphinx Observatory for panoramic views of sights that stretch all the way up to France, or visit the Ice Palace, a frozen wonderland.

Location: 3984 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Price: High Season (June, July, August) – CHF235
Low Season (November and early December) – CHF184
Rest of the Year – CHF210
Timings: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 01:30 PM - 06:00 PM

4. Männlichen: The Grindelwald–Männlichen gondola cableway will take you up 1,300 meters to the Männlichen mountain peak, and every bit of it is absolutely worth it! The thrill of the trip lies in the snow-clad view from atop, but what’s even more magnificent is the journey to the top.

The cable car journey is 30 minutes long and the scenery that you’re welcomed by is absolutely sublime! In spring, there is an abundance of wildflowers all around that add to the beauty. You can also head up to the town of Wengen which offers some splendid sights, too.

Location: 3823 Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

5. Grindelwald Museum: Grindelwald was amongst the first villages in the Bernese Alps which was home to tour guides that showed tourists around, back in the 18th century. Get to know the history of this Alpine village at the famous Grindelwald Museum.

With galleries that showcase the life and early sights here, including the fire at the end of the 19th century, that devastated Grindelwald, the museum has plenty to see. Learn about how the cable-car and railway network was built a century ago, check out vintage mountaineering gear and farming tools, and take a look at the traditional handicrafts of the Bernese Alps

Location: Dorfstrasse 204, 3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland
Price: CHF 7 per adult
CHF 2 per child
Timings: 0 am – 12.30 pm / 1.30 pm - 6 pm

6. Grosse Scheidegg: Amongst the most adventurous things to do in Grindelwald is this lofty walking paradise which is a great place for a hike. Ride in a gondola and make your way up to Grosse Scheidegg, following that begin your hike or short trek amidst mountain pastures, where you’ll find cattle accompanying you on your walk.

You’ll spot herds of chamois and marmots, and flocks of Golden Eagles swooping overhead. Prepare for some mind-blowing views that are accompanied by waterfalls, glaciers, and ofcourse, the ever-prominent Alps in the distance.

Location: 818 Grindelwald, Switzerland

7. Gletscherschlucht: Ten minutes from Grindelwald Station is Gletscherschlucht, a ravine cut by Lower Grindelwald. Walkways have been fastened to the walls so you can make your way across without any hassle. These walkways are similar to rope bridges or ‘Spiderweb Bridges, suspended at a height over the fierce meltwater.

Walking over these is an experience in itself, especially if you’re an adventure enthusiast! The walkways lead you into the ravine where on your way you’ll witness tourists climbing over the craggy rock-faces or riding through the canyon.

Location:3818 Grindelwald, Switzerland

8. Mountain Biking: Grindelwald’s railways and cable-cars are compatible with mountain bikes, so if you’re traveling in summer prepare for long trails of mountain biking that are an absolute treat! Go down the trail smoothly and be welcomed by views of flowery pastures and the mountains beyond, as you ride along the asphalt road. Mountain biking in Grindelwald is an unhurried experience where the visual vistas look as if they’ve been picked right out of a movie!

Location: Eiger Trail, Bernese Oberland
Price: CHF32 per adult

9. Downhill Skiing: As winter is coming, Grindelwald transforms into a series of pistes within minutes. Around the town are three ski areas, namely Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen, Bodmi Arena and Grindelwald-First. To reach Grindelwald-First, hop into a gondola and make your way up to the extensive pistes that stretch for kilometers amidst a beautiful backdrop.

If you are a newbie at downhill skiing, you can start lower in the valley, called the Bodmiarena, or practice at the resort’s main ski school and partake in activities like skiing, snow-tubing and tobogganing. Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen is further down and is preferred by novice skiers where 110 kilometers makes way for the world-famous Lauberhorn World Cup Tour.

Location: Multiple locations
Price: CHF300 per adult

10. Sledging: Although a winter activity, sledging is a must among things to do in Grindelwald Switzerland while in Grindelwald. Apparently, there’s no place better than this one to indulge in some fun in the snow. Grindelwald is home to the longest toboggan run which meanders from the peak at Faulhorn all the way down to Grindelwald.

Rent helmets and glares at the resort, pick your sled at one of the stations, and make your way to Bussalp midway down or to the very top of the hike, by bus. This run, called Big Pintenfritz stretches for more than 1,600 metres and the descent is a smooth one so you can enjoy the views of Jungfrau and Eiger, thoroughly!

Location:Faulhorn, Bernese Alps
Price: CHF39 per adult

Grindelwald seems like paradise at night, especially in the winters, when you’re nestled in the snow-capped Alps with the stars lighting up the night sky. But that’s not all. Grindelwald also has a terrific nightlife scene, and the best things to do in Grindelwald include shaking a leg at some of the best places there:

1. Challi Bar: Which plays country and western music making sure you have your feet tapping to the beats all night.

2. Le Plaza Club Disco: Located in the popular Sunstar Hotel, this discotheque is one of the most popular dance spots in Grindelwald, that sees a lot of high-profile tourists and locals frequenting it.

3. Disco Mescalero: A Mexican restaurant and bar popular for its delicious burrito and upbeat vibe, where you’d want to stay and sway all night long!

4. Other exciting activities in Grindelwald by night include:

a) Sledding: Pull up your woolen socks and sleeves, button up those sweaters and grab a sled or toboggan to enjoy plenty of runs down a lighted trail! Grindelwald’s Green Village lies at the foot of the slopes and offers a spectacular view of the large jump. Even if you aren’t keen on sledding, you can always watch the night skiers hit the brightly lit trails which is equally fun! Find yourself a nice big cup of hot chocolate, keep warm, and enjoy this delightful experience by night.

b) A mountain stay: As much as the mountains and its adventure sports are enthralling by day, residing in the mountains is one of the unique things to do in Grindelwald Switzerland! At sunset the mountains start to turn red, owing to the reflection of the sky and on clear nights you might just spot a shooting star to make your experience a truly memorable one. The few lights from the village cast their light on the Eiger Mountain of the Bernese Alps, making it appear even prettier than it otherwise is. Grindelwald promises a truly magical night, be it shopping, relaxing, dining, or otherwise!

1. Grindelwald First: First is a small summit on the Schwarzhorn slopes in the Bernese Oberland. It is popular as a cable car station high above Grindelwald, and is also known for being a popular hiking area with the Bachalpsee close by. Travel up to the peak in a spacious 6-seater gondola for around half an hour and be welcomed by breathtaking views of mountain peaks hidden under a blanket of snow.

2. Bachalpsee Lake: The glacial waters reflecting the Alps beyond are the perfect place to soothe your senses and soak in the beauty of Grindelwald, all at once. Fondly called the ‘Blue Jewel’, Bachalpsee Lake is a postcard perfect destination with radiant waters, cottages lining the beautiful blue palette and the magnificent mountains in the distance, which add to the beauty of the destination. When visiting First, amongst the best things to do in Grindelwald include taking a peaceful walk and stopping by the Bachalpsee Lake.

3. Pfingstegg: What’s Grindelwald without a ride in a toboggan and what’s a toboggan ride if not in Pfingstegg? Go on a summer run in Alp Pfingstegg which is easily accessible and can be reached quickly in a gondola. A winding ride through lush alpine meadows is a great Alpine experience for all, young or old. This is also a starting point for many hikes that lead upto a landscape with two glaciers, that’s also a World Heritage Site.

4. Glacier Canyon: An impressive masterpiece of nature, the Glacier Canyon is 300m deep and was formed by the lower Grindelwald glacier, which carved its way through the rock over a period of time. The canyon is a popular tourist destination, especially for adventure enthusiasts. The gushing waters from the canyon cascade over the mountains before hitting the Lutschine River. Being accessible all through the year is also why it is a favourite amongst all. One of the most popular activities here that tourists love is the 170 m2 SPIDERWEB which spans the canyon so people don’t just enjoy a ride along the waters of the river below, but also seek thrill in scrambling or climbing up the rocky surface high above the roaring Lutschine River. Exploring this sight is one of the most fun things to do in Grindelwald Switzerland.

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By Air: Being a village, Grindelwald has no direct airport access. The closest international airport is Zurich and from here you can board a train or a car that'll drive you up to Grindelwald in 3 hours. Some tourists even prefer Basel's international airport which is equally far from Grindelwald as Zurich is.
The third option is to fly into Switzerland's capital, Bern. Bern is just an hour from Grindelwald.

By Road: Grindelwald is one of the few holiday resorts in Switzerland that's easily accessible by car. If you're a local, or already holidaying in some part of Switzerland, you can take Highway A6 or A8 and travel to Interlaken. The exit from Wilderswil will lead you to the beautiful resort of Grindelwald.

By Rail: If you're keen on traveling by train so as to enjoy the spectacular views for longer, you can travel to Interlaken-Ost by an international train and then switch to the Berner Oberland Bahn train which is around a 35-minute journey to Grindelwald.

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The best time to explore Grindelwald is between June to September when the temperature is cold enough to enjoy sightseeing and activities, but there is barely any rainfall, so travelling gets easy. Temperatures are as high as 15°C by day and drop to 7°C by night. The average temperature all year round at Grindelwald is 7.5°C which is great, because that quite makes it an all-weather destination. If you’re keen on experiencing snowfall, you can also pay it a visit between December to February when temperatures drop as low as -3°C and the town lies under a blanket of thick snow.

By train, Grindelwald is 15 kms away from Interlaken. The road route is slightly longer which is 21 kms from Interlaken.