Visiting the Swiss Alps soon and looking to explore the village of Lauterbrunnen? You won’t be disappointed, it is straight out of a storybook! Here’s a Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland Guide with the best things to do, see, and eat while you’re there.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland Guide: Best Things to Do, See, and Eat
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Top Things To Do in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Explore the Village of Lauterbrunnen
Walk through the old town and delight in the jaw dropping views you can see just from their main street. Lauterbrunnen sits in one of the most picturesque valleys of the Swiss Alps, so no matter where you are in town, you’ll be sure to have stunning views of the rock faces and mountain peaks surrounding this small town.
On your stroll, be sure to visit Lauterbrunnen Church, a charming alpine church complete with stained glass windows, an old tower bell, and of course, mountain views as a backdrop.
*Do* Go Chasing Waterfalls
Lauterbrunnen means “many fountains,” and there’s no mystery to this moniker — Lauterbrunnen Valley is home to an incredible 72 waterfalls! The most famous is Staubbach Falls, an almost 1,000 foot free fall waterfall, which makes it one of the highest in Europe.
In the summer, you can also hike to the stunning Trümmelbach Falls. You’ll pass through lush alpine meadows and smaller falls on the easy two-mile hike to the World Heritage Site. When you arrive, you’ll understand the hype. At a rate of 5,000 gallons per second, glacial melt cascades over ten different falls for a total fall of over 600 feet through carved canyons and narrow chutes sculpted by thousands of years of abrasion!
Afterwards, choose between retracing your steps to make it a four mile round trip hike or catching the bus back to Lauterbrunnen if the falls left you too breathless to walk back.
Hike It Out
Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the largest conservation areas in Switzerland, so there are some incredible hikes in the area. Here are some crowd favorites:
Tanzbodeli: considered one of the premier hiking trails in the area, this 16-mile loop hike climbs out of the valley all the way to Tanzbodeli, giving you panoramic, breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding Lauterbrunnen. The hike has a steep grade, so this one is best for trained hikers.
Panoramaweg: this is one of the more popular hikes in the valley because of its easy grade and jaw dropping views along the entire trail. It’s 3 miles each way, so it’s the perfect trail to pack a picnic and have lunch in one of the most beautiful spots in the Alps. Grab some rostis—a traditional Swiss to-go lunch that’s essentially a mix between hash browns and a potato pancake, usually topped with a fried egg and cheese—to feel even more like a local.
Stechelberg: this hike allows for some major flexibility, as it can be anywhere from four to sixteen miles depending on what you want. Live out your Sound of Music fantasies on this easy walk along the falls through the alpine valley under the glacial peaks soaring above you!
Don’t feel like hiking? Biking is also very popular in Lauterbrunnen and there are plenty of places to rent bikes in the village!
Indulge in Some Local Delicacies
You want to know what’s better than Swiss cheese? Melted Swiss cheese, aka fondue! Hotel Oberland is known for their fondue, and you’ll get why once you dip your first piece of bread. Reserve a table ahead of time because it can be difficult to snag one last minute.
While you’re there, try one of their famous rostis because what’s better than melted Swiss cheese? That’s right: melted Swiss cheese with crispy fried potatoes.
Head to the Top of Europe: Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is referred to as the “top of Europe,” and is the highest rail station in the whole continent. Sit back and relax on a two hour train ride from the Lauterbrunnen/Grindelwald station, or an hour and a half aerial cable car from nearby Grindelwald.
Once you get to the top, there are three different dining options, research exhibits, glacier themed attractions, and of course, panoramic views to keep you busy.
I mean, can you believe that view from the top!? Tickets are pricey but I highly recommend it!
Take a Cable Car to The Schilthorn
Ride a cable car straight from Lauterbrunnen Valley up to the summit of Schilthorn for 360-degree views of the nearby glacial peaks. And pro tip: purchase a Schilthorn Boarding Pass prior to your arrival to ensure you don’t have any wait to get to the top!
Once you do make it up there, enjoy a meal at Piz Gloria, the rotating restaurant that owes its name to the James Bond movie filmed there in 1963. You can even test your 007 courage on the Skyline Walk, a path overlooking the sheer walls of the peak, or the Thrill Walk, a 650-foot-long path that brings you precariously down to the vertical rock face of Schilthorn.
Splurge on a scenic helicopter ride
From Lauterbrunnen or nearby Interlaken, you can book a Scenic helicopter ride to bring you up close and personal with the views of the mountain peaks and valleys, usually with a focus on the Jungfraujoch area. This once-in-a-lifetime experience gives you front row seats to the incredible beauty of the Alps.
Paraglide through the Alps
The Swiss Alps are the outdoor adventure capital of Europe, meaning Lauterbrunnen is the perfect spot to push your comfort zone with some daring thrills. Paragliding in the alps is consistently one of the most recommended activities during a stay in Lauterbrunnen. This thrilling ride will put you 2,500 feet above the ground with nothing between you and the sights to block the view.
Airtime Paragliding is located right in Lauterbrunnen and provides an all-inclusive experience.
Whitewater Raft on the Mighty Lütschine
Travel to nearby Interlaken to tackle some world class Whitewater Rafting the Mighty Lütschine. You can choose between a more leisurely boat trip or a nonstop wild water adventure depending on if you’re looking for views or an adrenaline rush.
Check Out the Neighboring Villages
Even though Lauterbrunnen is sometimes referred to as “the most beautiful village in Switzerland,” the nearby villages each hold their own charm and beauty worthy of a visit.
Grindelwald: a traditional Swiss village located right under the Eiger, Metterberg, and Wetterhorn peaks. If you go during winter, be sure to test drive a velogemel—a specialty snow bike that’s been used as transportation in Grindelwald since 1911.
Murren: located right below the Schilthorn, this car-less village has all of the charm and beauty you’d expect from a small mountain village.
Wengen: take the train from Grindelwald or do the notoriously precarious Lauberhorn downhill ski run to get into this car-less village. If you’re looking for an even bigger challenge, visit at the end of March for the famous Lauberhorn Run, when people from around the world come to run up the downhill ski route!
Interlaken: if you’re looking for adventure, look no further than Interlaken, famed for its plethora of options to get your adrenaline pumping. Raft, canyoneer, bungee jump, skydive, paraglide, and mountaineer your way through this small valley.
Switzerland Cow Parade in Lauterbrunnen
If visit in the autumn, you might be lucky enough to witness the Lauterbrunnen Alpabfahrt – the swiss cow parade when the farmers bring the cows down from the mountains for winter! We were so fortunate to be in Lauterbrunnen on that day, and it was amazing to see all the cows dressed up in flower crowns and bells parading through the streets.
To see the cutest video of the cows parading down the main street in Lauterbrunnen, click here.
Skiing and Sowboarding Lauterbrunnen
We visited in later Summer/early Autumn so it obviously wasn’t ski season, but come wintertime, Lauterbrunnen is a great hub for skiers! For more info on skiing in Lauterbrunnen, visit here.
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Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland Guide: Best Places to Eat + Drink
Highest Rated Restaurants:
Known for its cheeses, chocolates, and small-batch wines, the Swiss Alps are the perfect place to indulge in some of the most delectable treats. Check out these restaurants for the best of the best.
- Hotel Oberland: Get. The. Fondue. You really can’t go wrong with melted cheese, and the Hotel Oberland provides a cozy atmosphere to gaze lovingly into your pot of fondue.
- Airtime Cafe: sit back and relax with some coffee and pastries in this charming cafe or grab some sandwiches to pack for a hike. The cinnamon rolls are somewhat of a legend here, so don’t miss out. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are also available at Airtime!
- Hotel Restaurant Steinbock: grab a seat on their terrace for amazing views while you indulge in their tasty thin-crust pizzas.
- Weidstübli: fantastic European fare with a great ambiance tucked away from the main stretch of Lauterbrunnen right up against a rock face with views of falls.
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Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland Guide Where to Stay
Hotel Oberland - Best Lauterbrunnen Hotel
We had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Oberland, which is located right in the middle of Lauterbrunnen’s main street! This quaint swiss chalet has 29 rooms and is a perfect spot to stay.
I highly highly HIGHLY recommend booking a room with a balcony, the views are INCREDIBLE! Some even have views of the Staubbach waterfall. I mean, just look at the view from the room we stayed in:
I think I’ve mentioned it twice already in this post (it’s that good), but definitely visit the restaurant in Hotel Oberland and get the fondue! I also ordered the Roti on another day and it was equally delicious.
There you have it: the ultimate Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland guide! Any questions about visiting Lauterbrunnen? Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram and I’d be happy to help!
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xx Chels
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