I’m a world traveler, content creator, and luxury travel planner passionate about crafting authentic adventures for fellow wanderers. Having explored over 60 countries across all 7 continents, I've gained a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and wildlife. Not everyone knows where in the world they want to go next. I hope the blogs within the following pages give you the clarity and travel inspiration you need to say yes to adventure.
Traveling through Switzerland feels straight out of a fairytale! The country is just as picturesque as it’s said to be. In this Switzerland Travel Guide, I share my recommendations for the best places to stay in Switzerland, including Schilthorn, Interlaken, and Grindelwald.
Schilthorn is a 2,970-meter (9,744-foot) summit overlooking the village of Mürren and offers a range of unique dining experiences, cinematic history, and spectacular views.
Best Way to Get To Schillthorn
From Lauterbrunnen, take a train to Grütschalp, then proceed to Mürren. From Mürren, an aerial cableway will take you directly to the Schilthorn summit in about 32 minutes.
While traveling through Switzerland, you’ll become familiar with unique ways of getting around. Due to the high altitude and small populations, some villages are entirely car-free! Some transportation options include aerial cableways (also known as gondolas), funicular trains, and cogwheel railways.
Bonus Tip: When visiting Switzerland, take advantage of the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited train, bus, and boat rides.
Key Experiences
Piz Gloria
Piz Gloria is a revolving restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn summit (approximately 2,970 meters high) that offers 360-degree views of over 200 alpine peaks. The restaurant was famously featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Piz Gloria’s menu includes light snacks and regional specialties to light snacks, which diners enjoy as the restaurant rotates every 45 minutes.
Birg
Birg is a 2,677-meter summit in the Bernese Alps on the eastern flank of the Schilthorn. Here, you’ll find several opportunities for great views and a nice spot to grab a bite to eat.
Bistro Birg: A cozy spot with snacks, refreshments, and stunning views.
Thrill Walk: A glass-bottomed pathway along the cliff, offering an exhilarating experience.
Skyline Walk: A platform extending over the cliff, providing unobstructed views of the valley and peaks.
Spy World
Spy World is an interactive exhibition that celebrates Piz Gloria’s cinematic history as a set of the James Bond movie. The exhibit features a thrilling bobsleigh ride, a helicopter simulator, and original memorabilia.
Interlaken is a resort town in central Switzerland. Its name comes from the German word meaning between two lakes as the town sits between…you guessed it, two lakes – Brienz Lake and Thun Lake.
Interlaken offers charming streets, unique shops, and a playground for adventure seekers.
Top Adventure Activities
Take a boat tourof Lake Thun & Lake Brienz. Plus, you’ll get to explore St. Beatus Caves’ ancient limestone formations.
Take a kayak tour through the turquoise waters of Lake Brienze.
Hike to Harder Kulm. For the avid hikers, this trek has an elevation of 2,500 feet and covers 5.1 miles of trail, finishing with awe-inspiring panoramic views.
Visit Trummelbach Falls, cascading through the mountain’s heart
Skydive from a helicopter where your jump will start over iconic locations like Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
Experience a thrilling canyon swing where you’ll freefall from 100 meters above the Grindelwald Gorge.
Bungee jump over Stockensee Lake. Your jump will start from a Gondola located 134 meters above Stockensee Lake.
Description: A 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Interlaken, offering elegant accommodations and world-class service.
Amenities: Extensive spa facilities, fine dining, and sophisticated rooms.
Hotel Metropole Interlaken
Description: A centrally-located modern hotel offering panoramic views of the Jungfrau region.
Amenities: Rooftop restaurant, wellness facilities including sauna and fitness center, and contemporary rooms.
Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage
Description: Luxurious riverside hotel blending traditional elegance with modern comfort.
Amenities: A spa with an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center; fine dining; spacious rooms with beautiful river and mountain views.
Bonus Tip: Booking with Adventures By Sky unlocks exclusive perks on hotel bookings and more!
Day Trips from Interlaken
Gimmelwald This charming, car-free village is a step into Swiss tradition, where you’ll find local farms and beautiful alpine views.
Things to do in Gimmelwald
Honesty Shop: Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the famous Honesty Shop, which depends entirely on the concept of honesty. With no salespeople or cameras watching the store, visitors are trusted to pay for their goods by leaving an envelope with the correct amount of money in the honesty box. The shop sells souvenirs, local crafts, food, and drinks.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is a must-see when visiting Switzerland; this charming village features quaint,chalet-style homes starkly set against stone cliff faces and breathtaking waterfalls.
Bonus Tip: Plan to visit the waterfall when it is lit up in the summer, making the view even more spectacular.
Summer Fun: Mini-golf, swimming, and paragliding take on extra beauty set in this idyllic town.
Talmuseum: This museum is located in a 16th-century mill and features several exhibits that explore local history and cultural artifacts like the art of lace-making, alpine cuisine, woodworking, and more
Take a scenic walk to Wengen: From Lauterbrunnen, you can take a scenic walk to Wengen. The walk takes between 50 and 70 minutes as you meander through lush fields and view snow-capped mountains. In Wengen, you can enjoy the car-free village that boasts exceptional hiking routes, including trails to Kleine Scheidegg, Eigergletscher, and Männlichen. Or, ride the mountain karts to Grindelwald. The mountain karts resemble a turbocharged tricycle with brakes for a fun ride through scenic countryside.
Best Places to Stay in Lauterbrunnen
Hotel Staubbach
Description: Cozy hotel with warm hospitality and stunning views of Staubbach Falls and Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Amenities: Comfortable rooms, complimentary breakfast, attentive staff, and a tranquil garden area.
Chalet Rosa
Description: Charming chalet-style hotel for a more intimate stay.
Amenities: Scenic views, stylish rooms, complimentary breakfast, and a relaxed atmosphere.
** Don’t forget to try Swiss fondue while you’re here**
Lucerne
Lucerne, a charming lakeside city surrounded by majestic mountains, is the perfect gateway to some of Switzerland’s most iconic destinations. Day trips from here to breathtaking spots like Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald are easy.
Things to do in Lucerne
Visit Mt. Pilatus, where a scenic cable car ride, a cogwheel railway journey, and a relaxing cruise on Lake Lucerne await.
Mt. Titlis is another must-see, offering year-round access to Europe’s highest suspension bridge—the thrilling Titlis Cliff Walk—alongside the Glacier Cave and panoramic dining with stunning alpine views.
Grindelwald Travel Guide
Overview
Grindelwald is one of the best places to go in Switzerland if you’re an adventure lover! Set in a stunning valley, 1000 meters above sea level, Grindelwald is surrounded by the iconic peaks of the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch, this beautiful alpine village offers endless thrill-seeking opportunities.
Top Adventure Activities
Topping the list of adventure activities in Grindelwald is Grindelwald First, a stunning minor summit located high above the picturesque village of Grindelwald in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps. First, not to be confused with the chronological term, is both the name of the mountain and the starting point for unforgettable alpine experiences.
To access First, hop on the Grindelwald First gondola, which takes you on a scenic ride through alpine landscapes, offering breathtaking views. Upon reaching the summit station, you’ll find a hub of high-adrenaline activities listed below.
First Cliff Walk by Tissot: This suspension bridge, perched 45 meters above ground, hugs the mountain cliffs and offers awe-inspiring views over the valley and distant alpine meadows.
First Flyer: Strap into a secure harness and zip 800 meters along a cable at speeds up to 84 km/h from First Mountain to Schreckfeld Mountain, with panoramic mountain views.
First Glider: Fly like an eagle on the First Glider, where you’ll soar over alpine meadows at thrilling speeds of up to 83 km/h.
First Mountain Cart: Navigate a rugged mountain path on a unique summer sledge, starting at Schreckfeld and ending at Bort.
First Trotti Bike: Take a Trotti Bike (a scooter-bicycle-combo) from Bort back to Grindelwald for a fun downhill ride. Perfect for families. Note: there is a minimum height requirement of 125 cm.
Located at the Pfingstegg gondola station, this exhilarating 725-meter toboggan ride twists down a scenic hillside, with lift access back up for repeat rides.
About an hour from Grindelwald, the Gelmerbahn is Europe’s steepest open funicular railway. Originally built to transport materials, it now provides a stunning, one-of-a-kind journey through the Swiss Alps – ascending backward at a thrilling angle to reveal a beautiful turquoise lake.
Hike this six-kilometer trail along the base of the Eiger’s north face. The route offers incredible mountain views and is suitable for moderate-level hikers who want to get up close to Grindelwald’s iconic peak.
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Ride the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch – the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters. Board at Grindelwald Terminal, transfer at Kleine Scheidegg and ascend through tunnels to the Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier. At the summit, you can explore the Ice Palace, the Sphinx Observation Terrace, and the Alpine Sensation tour, which allows visitors to explore a 250-meter tunnel.
Whether you’re seeking thrilling rides, serene hikes, or jaw-dropping viewpoints, Grindelwald offers a perfect mix of adventure and natural beauty. Whether hiking through alpine villages, cruising on serene lakes, or exploring iconic mountain peaks, this country has something for every traveler.
If this Switzerland travel guide has you excited about the idea of visiting Switzerland, reach out to me today so we can start planning your adventure – with exclusive Adventures By Sky perks!
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