Places to Visit in Grindelwald: Family Friendly Guide

Are you planning your trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland, and need tips on planning your itinerary? This post is a great start.

Grindelwald is nestled in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, surrounded by a stunning mountain landscape, including the iconic Eiger.

The village offers a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, and mountain adventures, making it a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

We spent four days in this stunning village, which was simply surreal! Imagine charming chalets, endless mountain scenery, breathtaking gondola rides, and delicious cuisine. It truly is a dream destination.

Grindelwald is also an excellent base for multiple-day trips, which we certainly took advantage of and made some day trips. Read our favorite day trips from Grindelwald.

In this post, I share the best places to visit in Grindelwald and offer tips and recommendations for your trip.

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission for any sales made through such links – at no extra cost to you.

What is Grindelwald, Switzerland, Known For?

Grindelwald is a village in the Alps, specifically the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland, known for its beautiful scenery and winter sports activities.

Additionally, Grindelwald is known for its famous attractions, such as visiting the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, the GoldenPass line, and the Schilthorn.

Things To Do In Grindelwald

Visit First Mountain

Visiting First Mountain is one of the top things to do in Grindelwald. There is much to enjoy, from an incredibly scenic Gondola ride to views and activities.

Once you are at the top of the First, there is much to do; your biggest headache will be picking your activity.

You can purchase tickets to the Gondola here or at the station. The price is CHF 64 per traveler. Tip: Make sure to ride it to the top.

First Cliff Walk 

First, Cliff Walk is one of Grindelwald’s most popular places. It is very close to the Gondola stop and does not take too much of your time.

Plan about 20-30 minutes for this activity. The “walk” is a walkway on the side of a mountain with breathtaking views.

First Cliff Walk is open year-round, but visiting on a clear day is highly recommended. No additional tickets are required.

Hike to Bachalpsee Lake 

Bachalpsee Lake is at the top of my list of places to visit in Grindelwald. It is billed as an “easy” 50-minute (one-way) hike.

While the trail is clean, clear, and “easy,” it was not a walk in the park. However, we did manage to complete the hike with a kid.

The hike is beautiful. You are immersed in gorgeous mountains. You will likely run into small herds of cows (maybe even more than once), see beautiful birds, and come across many lookouts where you will stop for a minute or two.

Overall, the hike is more like 65-75 minutes each way. It takes longer than 50 minutes. However, it is worth every second of your time. 

As a side note, while the path is clear for those with small children, it is not necessarily stroller-friendly unless it’s a stroller with bigger wheels.

While there are plenty of hikers, once you get to the lake, there is much room for everyone to spread out.

You will have your privacy. The views are unbelievable. It is hard to describe how beautiful this place truly is.

We loved being there so much that we even forgot our toddler’s nap time was way past due (he fell asleep in our arms, which he never does, on the way back. It was not fun to carry him around). 

Schynige Platte Hike 

If you are an avid hiker and are up for a challenge, you can try the First to Schynige Platte hike.

It is one of the best places to visit in Grindelwald. The hike is about 6 hours long and offers views you won’t easily forget. More information about this hike is here.

You may have guessed we skipped this hike because we were traveling with a child, but do let us know how much you love it if you do it!

Other Activities on the First Mountain

There are other paid activities you can do when you are visiting First. If you have time and a spirit that calls for more adventures, here are some additional options for your trip to First. 

• First Glider. It is a fun activity resembling a zipline, but instead, it is a flying bird. The 800-meter-long flight goes as fast as 83 km/h. 
• First Flyer. It is similar to the first Glider but without the bird! The views and trills are still spectacular, however.  
• First Mountain Cart. The First Mountain Cart experience in Grindelwald offers an exhilarating downhill ride on a three-wheeled cart along a specially designed track. This activity provides an exciting and unique way to experience the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps while enjoying a thrilling adventure.
• First Mountain Restaurant. Spectacular views, fresh air, and a wide selection of fresh food and drinks. 

Jungfraujoch Excursion

Jungfraujoch Excursion (Top of Europe) is one of the top places to visit in Grindelwald, and not only in Grindelwald. This is the activity that everyone who sees Grindelwald must make time for.  

Jungfraujoch is also known as the Top of Europe because, at 3,454 meters / 11332 ft, it is the highest train station in Europe.

Read More: Day trip to Jungfraujoch

Visiting Jungfraujoch Excursion (Top of Europe) is a bit pricey. But it is worth it. This is not where you should try to make room for savings. I highly recommend visiting Jungfraujoch. 

For pricing and more information, you can also visit this site.

Please note that booking your tickets weeks or months before your trip here is generally unnecessary. The better option is to wait and pick up tickets a day or two before your visit. This is to ensure that you will have good weather during your stay. 

When you visit, dress in layers. Even during summer days, it can get pretty cold here.  

At the top, there are shops, restaurants, snow activities, and a lot more to do. The experience is one to remember. The Jungfraujoch is open year-round, but visit on a clear day.

Jungfraujoch Activities

Beyond incredible trains, Gondola rides, and beautiful snowy mountains, here are some other things you can do on top of the Jungfrau: 

• Alpine Sensation. The 250-meter-long corridor connects Sphinx Hall and Ice Palace, and it features frosty temperatures, 30 memorial tablets, music, and one giant snow globe. 
• Ice Palace. You can observe different ice sculptures created by other artists here.  
• Sphinx Observatory Deck. Incredible views of mountains covered in snow. 
• Snow Fun Park. You can enjoy snow activities here, even during the summer months. 
• Hike to the Monchsjoch Hut. This is a 45-minute-long hike, and you will see many people on its path. However, if you are not up for a walk, ensure you still get out in the snow and outside the building. Even at the base of the trail, the snow is fresh, the views are spectacular, and the air is fresh and crispy. We had a lot of fun. 

Gletscherschlucht (Glacier Canyon Walk) 

Glacier Canyon Walk is another top place to visit in Grindelwald. While you may spend half a day visiting First or Top of Europe, visiting the Glacier Canyon Walk does not have to be a considerable time commitment. It is a short but impressive activity.

It is located near the center of Grindelwald (about a 35-minute walk or 5-minute drive. There is also a bus you can take here).

You walk on a walkway curved in the middle of a glacier, surrounded by rock walls from each side and a river below.

There is also a very cool “spider web” that you can walk on (or jump on) constructed several meters above the Lutschine River. For more information and tickets, you can visit this website. 

Grindelwald Village 

It is easy to get distracted by the many places to visit in Grindelwald, but exploring the village is a good idea. The town is beautiful and very picturesque.

There are also many restaurants and some shops to explore. Time permitting, I highly recommend spending some time in the village.

Evening strolls in cozy village streets with some hot cocoa were so relaxing!

Gondola Rides 

If you take my recommendation about places to visit in Grindelwald, which I discussed above, you can cross this activity off your list. However, if you cannot dedicate half or full days to visiting First or Top of Europe, I recommend jumping on a Gondola in Grindelwald. The views are stunning. 

Day Trips From Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland, is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding region. Here are some of the best day trips from Grindelwald:

• Jungfraujoch: a popular day trip destination with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers
• Lake Brienz: a beautiful lake with clear blue waters and opportunities for boating and swimming.
• Schilthorn: a mountain peak accessible by cable car with panoramic views and a revolving restaurant.
• Interlaken: a nearby town with a charming Old Town center and many outdoor activities such as hiking and paragliding.
• Gstaad: a luxury resort town with high-end shopping and dining options.
• Lauterbrunnen is the most picturesque little town with the famous Staubbach and Trummelbach waterfalls.
• Bern, Wanger, and Murren.

Grindelwald Hikes 

What makes Grindelwald so beautiful is how snow mountain peaks, green mountain valleys, and an incredibly cozy village merge to create this beautiful place. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that hiking in Grindelwald is a worthwhile experience. Here are some hikes you can look into: 

• Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail – is an easy, family-friendly hike. 
• Eiger Trail – another family-friendly hike at the bottom of Eiger Mountain. 
• First, go to Bachalapsee – an easy, family-friendly walk to Bachalapsee Lake. 
• First to Schynige Platt – ~ 6-hour hike from First to Schynige Platt. 

What is the Best Time to visit Grindelwald?

You can visit Grindelwald in any season. Each season is guaranteed to offer you the best nature and adventures. However, if you are not into winter sports or are unwilling to travel there for just views, go for the spring-summer months. Remember, July-August is the peak season, so expect higher rates and more crowds.

Where to stay in Grindelwald?

You can easily find accommodations in Grindelwald, Switzerland, in a traditional chalet or a Boutique hotel.

We wanted to stay at a boutique hotel, a quiet place overlooking Grindelwald Village, and a family-friendly Hotel. Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald was a perfect combination of both. It offered various services and activities to adults and kids. If we are back in Grindelwald in the future, we would certainly consider staying here again, with or without the kids.

You can learn more about the hotel by reading my ultimate Belvedere Grindelwald Hotel Review.

How many days do you need in Grindelwald?

Plan to stay at least three days in Grindelwald. If you want to do some of the activities mentioned above, such as Jungfraujoch and Bachalpsee, you may have to count them as one-day activities because the entire experience takes time.

Plus, if you make some day trips from Grindelwald, you can stay here more than that. We chose to wait five days in Grindelwald and four days in other cities because we made significant day trips directly from Grindelwald.

How to get to Grindelwald?

You can get to Grindelwald by car or train. The nearest international airport is Zurich, which is about 2.5 hours away. You can also take a train, which is about 3 hours long. 

Whether renting a car or relying on trains is a personal choice. Traveling with a child, we opted for a vehicle and had no trouble getting around or finding parking. 

Don’t forget to check out other Switzerland posts below for more tips and inspiration!

• Best day trips from Grindelwald
• Staying in Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald (Review)
• How to spend a one day in Lucerne
• A day trip to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)