Welcome to the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland, known for its iconic mountains, famous valleys, traditional villages, alpine lakes, and endless miles of hiking trails.
Roughly 1 million tourists visit this area every year. But in reality, you could spend a lifetime here and never experience everything this place has to offer. So how do you choose what to pack into your short trip to the Jungfrau Region?
If we haven’t met, we’re Jana and Brett, Aplins in the Alps, and we’ve spent years traveling Switzerland, and for the past year and a half we’ve called Interlaken our home. Today we’re gonna show you how to spend 1 incredible week in the Jungfrau Region.
But even if you’re coming for less than a week, we’ve still got you covered. If you’ll have just 1 day, prioritize day #1 from this list. If you have 2 days, pick days 1 and 2. The more time you have, the more you can fill your itinerary! Let’s get started with our favorite place.
Want to Watch instead of Read?
Day 1: Mürren and Gimmelwald
If we had just one day in the Jungfrau Region, we’d head straight to Mürren and Gimmelwald!
In fact, this was the first place we visited in the area way back in 2012 on our honeymoon. And without exaggeration, we’ve probably been here 100 times since!
Perched up on the cliffs above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Mürren is a cozy car-free village with classic chalets, lush gardens, and some of the nicest tourist shops we’ve seen in the region, And don’t forget to constantly look at the imposing mountains across the valley, the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Insider Tip #1: These 3 peaks are the epitome of the Jungfrau Region, and can be seen from all over the area. The legend goes that the monk (Mönch) is guarding the young maiden (Jungfrau) from the ogre (Eiger).
Just a few hundred meters and a short funicular ride above the village is Allmendhubel. This has Brett’s favorite playground in the whole region, and we both think it’s one of the prettiest picnic spots.
But this is also our favorite place to hike in the entire region! We’re talking alpine pastures with the tings and dings of cowbells, mountain huts where you can stop to eat, waterfalls you can hike behind, and endless beauty.
You can either ride the cable car, walk down the road, or follow a trail from Mürren to Gimmelwald, which is a quiet, working farming village, and worth a visit for a few reasons.
- First, there are loads of self-service farm fridges.
- Second, there are a lot of farm animals around here.
- Third, it has the world’s first “honesty shop,” which is just a super fun concept.
- And last, you can drink one of the top-rated dark beers in the world, which also happens to be one of Brett’s favorite Swiss beers.
Insider Tip #2: To see the best of both villages, we recommend making a big loop. And you can take advantage of that since there are two different ways to get up here. You can ride up from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren, and ride down from Gimmelwald to Stechelberg. Or go in the opposite direction.
Just a reminder that our 1-Week Guide to the Jungfrau Region has a minute-by-minute timeline including how to get to Mürren and Gimmelwald, where to eat, hiking directions, and a whole lot more — like visiting the Schilthorn.
Day 2: Grindelwald, Switzerland
There are 2 main valleys in the Jungfrau Region: Lauterbrunnen Valley, where Mürren and Gimmelwald are located, and Grindelwald. So if you have 2 days in the area, we think it’s worth visiting both!
Grindelwald is a wide open valley, with the village of Grindelwald nestled at the bottom. The main street in town is filled with hotels, restaurants, and too many tourist shops to count. But it’s the hillsides and nearby mountains that you won’t want to miss.
The most popular is Grindelwald First. A gondola ride sweeps you up to the top, where the brave among you can cross a Cliff Walk, and the rest can admire the valley views from the panoramic terrace. We also recommend hitting the trail to Bachalpsee. Not only is this a pretty alpine lake that reflects the nearby mountains, it’s also another great picnic spot.
Insider Tip #3: There’s one main gravel path from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee. But there are a handful of parallel trails between the 2 spots as well. Use the SwissTopo app to follow one of these alternate routes with the same views but fewer crowds.
Now, most tourists love the adventure activities at Grindelwald First. And while they’re exciting, we don’t necessarily think they are worth the long lines.
Insider Tip #4: The Flyer, Glider, and Mountain Carts often have 2-3 hour wait times…while we rarely see a wait time for the Trottibikes. And we’re not being dramatic. I honestly don’t know if we have ever seen more than “zero minutes” listed on the boards in the 4 summers that we’ve been visiting here.
So, if you want to do an adventure activity, we recommend the Trottibikes, where you can whiz down to Grindelwald in style. But be careful — these things are super fast and you’ll need to ride your breaks the entire time!
Another adventurous option would be to check out Pfingstegg, which offers a summer toboggan run and a fly line experience.
Like we mentioned earlier, we don’t spend a ton of time in Grindelwald village because the village itself can be busy and touristy. But we often walk in the hills just outside of town for the scenery and restaurants.
Insider Tip #5: For example, here are some of our favorite places that you’ll want to save on your map: Eiger Bean, Cafe 3692, and Stallbeizli Heubode.
Day 3: Männlichen and Lauterbrunnen Valley
If you have a third day in the Jungfrau Region, head up to a spot that will allow you to see everywhere you’ve been during the previous two days. We think Männlichen, which is perched on a ridge that separates the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys, has the best views in the entire region.
Now, a lot of you have asked us questions about how to reach these destinations. That’s why our 1-Week Guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to use public transport to follow each day’s itinerary. For example, how to reach Männlichen from anywhere you may be staying in the region — Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and more — including riding on top of a cable car! And once you’re there at Männlichen, the views just keep getting better and better as you climb the short but steep walk up to the summit.
And if you have kids, or wanna pretend that you’re 10 years old again, spend some time at my favorite playground in the entire region — complete with a giant cow and wooden bowling lane.
There are a few hikes from here. One is a flat, wide gravel trail with endless views of the big 3 peaks. And another takes you on a cow-themed trail downhill that ends at yet one more super fun playground.
Insider Tip #6: From Männlichen, you can ride down to Grindelwald on one side or to Lauterbrunnen on the other. And since you don’t need a full day at Männlichen, it pairs perfectly with a visit to either location.
But Lauterbrunnen Valley, also known as the Valley of 72 Waterfalls, is one of the hotspots in the Jungfrau Region for a few reasons.
Obviously, the landscapes are just magnificent! This narrow valley was carved out by glaciers, leaving behind lots of waterfalls along the sky-high cliffs. Trümmelbach Falls is actually inside the mountain, making it perfect for a rainy day.
The village is small, but there are a couple of nice cafes and food trucks, and of course we recommend walking to see the Staubbach Waterfall.
Insider Tip #7: But don’t make the mistake most people do by turning around here! Take in the most beautiful part of Lauterbrunnen by continuing to walk further toward the back of the valley. Or, if you really want to make the most of your time, consider renting e-bikes for a few hours!
Day 4: Lake Brienz
When someone asks us what the must-sees are in the Jungfrau Region, the simplest answer is we recommend spending some time in Lauterbrunnen Valley, some time around Grindelwald, and some time on the lakes — which brings us to Lake Brienz.
Hop on a boat and cruise to our favorite spot on the lake: Giessbach. And then make your way up to the Grandhotel Giessbach. Even if you’re not staying overnight here, this hotel has a few different restaurants with panoramic terraces you won’t want to miss. And while you’re there, why not pop inside and check out the classic decor as well?
But the real reason to visit Giessbach is to see the Giessbach Falls!
Insider Tip #8: Now Swiss water is some of the cleanest in the world. But did you know that if you eat here, you can literally order water from the waterfall! Jana thought this was so cool.
The falls cascade down from the mountains above into Lake Brienz below. You can walk across a pedestrian bridge for great pictures. Or, our best recommendation is to take the short hike uphill to literally walk behind the falls!
After our friends and family come to visit, they always mention that Giessbach was one of their favorite highlights because it’s such a unique experience.
Insider Tip #9: We’ve also heard from some of you who chose to stay here for the first night or two that you were in the region. And a huge perk to that, in addition to the swanky decor and gushing waterfall, is that guests at the Grandhotel Giessbach get a free Nostalgia Pass. This is a Guest Card with some pretty sweet benefits, which we explain more about in this blog.
You can pair your time at Giessbach with 2 nearby options:
- Walk along a lakeside path and spend a lazy afternoon swimming in the lake or having a drink on the shore.
- Or check out the village of Brienz. It’s small, but offers a beautiful lakefront promenade and some of the most typical Swiss architecture you’ll find. Plus, you might enjoy:
- An outdoor museum filled with historic Swiss buildings and artisan crafts
- A chance to learn about — and even hand-paint — one of those famous carved wooden cows
- The Swiss Woodcarving Museum
- Or a local brewery
Day 5: Schynige Platte and Wilderswil
If you have 5 days in the Jungfrau Region, we’d add Schynige Platte to your itinerary. And if you’re hoping for an ultra scenic train ride, then you’ll certainly enjoy the 1-hour journey in historic cogwheel carriages up the mountain, past alps, above lakes, and through forests.
When you arrive at Schynige Platte, there are a few different hiking loops to choose from, and nearly all of them provide you with mountain views on one side and lake views on the other.
And if you already have any of our Guides, then you know we include detailed hiking instructions and maps, plus alternate routes if you need something shorter or easier.
After your feet hit the trail, you can play “Eye Spy edelweiss” as you wander through the alpine flower garden, let your kids play on the sweet action playground, enjoy traditional Swiss food from the restaurant’s terrace, or listen to a live alphorn concert!
Hop on board the scenic cogwheel train to head back down the mountain. (Or take a short snooze to the rhythmic chug, chug, chug of the train!)
Insider Tip #10: The ride ends in Wilderswil, where we think it’s worth lingering in this charming village to explore a bit more!
- Traditional Swiss homes and gardens
- An awesome playground with a super fast slide
- Great farm fridges
- Plenty of benches to enjoy the beautiful scenery
- Castle ruins that are nearly 800 years old
- And even a brewery where you can sample local beer, whisky, and spirits.
Insider Tip #11: As a bonus tip for any of the days during your stay in the Jungfrau Region, spend an evening at Harder Kulm. The views are always spectacular, but sunset is magical up here because you can see the golden glow on the mountains and reflections on the bright blue lakes. This is one of the only mountain destinations that’s open late in the day so you really can enjoy the whole evening up here.
Day 6: Jungfraujoch
If you have 6 days to spend in the Jungfrau Region, well, lucky you! With this much time, we’d consider adding Jungfraujoch to your itinerary.
But here’s the thing…Jungfraujoch Top of Europe is the most touristy, most marketed, and one of the most expensive experiences in the whole area — which means it’s not a good fit for everyone. After talking about this with hundreds of travelers, our best advice is to trust your gut. If you think it’s can’t-miss, then go for it! But if it doesn’t sound like something you’d enjoy, feel the freedom to skip it.
We’ve included a step-by-step tour of this highlight in our 1 Week Itinerary because, despite what we just mentioned, it is pretty incredible.
- The train to Jungfraujoch travels through tunnels in the Eiger and Mönch that were carved by hand over 100 years ago.
- It’s the highest train station in Europe for crying out loud, and the only spot in the region where you can easily stand at an elevation of over 10,000 feet.
- You’re guaranteed to have snow 365 days a year. So if you’ve never touched snow in your life, this is a great chance. Talk about coldplay 😉
- There’s an Ice Palace made from pure ice. And it’s a fun spot to channel your inner figure skater skills.
- You can mail a postcard from the highest post office in Europe.
- And you can even hike 45 minutes across a glacier to a mountain hut, perched at nearly 12,000 feet!
Insider Tip #12: It’s important to mention that it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to reach Jungfraujoch depending on where you’re coming from, and you’ll probably spend a good chunk of the day here. So it’s best to get an early start. And keep in mind that spending time at this high altitude will probably make you more tired than usual.
But after all the fun, you can still enjoy a few cool experiences on your way down.
- Ride the scenic and slow train from Kleine Scheidegg down to Grindelwald.
- Kick back with a view by stopping along the train ride for an enticing cream cake or a refreshing drink.
- Or pick a nice hike like the Jungfrau Eiger Walk to Kleine Scheidegg, the Eiger Trail down to Alpiglen, or the Panorama Trail to Männlichen.
Day 7: Thun, Switzerland
If you’ve decided to stay a full week in the Jungfrau Region, then pat yourself on the back. Because today you’ll have the chance to round out your trip by exploring the last major area: Thun.
This town sits on the far end of Lake Thun, and truly has something for everyone. You can’t miss the castle perched on the hill. If you trek up there, visit the church next door too for great views of the mountains. There are multiple covered wooden bridges. Well, actually they are locks and you can see the mechanisms inside. Wander along the riverside canals and even see if you can spy surfers!
Insider Tip #13: My favorite gelateria in all of Switzerland (so far!) is here: Gelateria La Favolosa. And, as you can imagine, this bigger town also has a few great coffee spots, breweries, and restaurants too.
Speaking of eating, hop on a bus for a lakeside picnic in the beautiful gardens of a nearby castle. Or ride a boat to another town for a meal on the lake. And if you want to explore even more of Lake Thun, plan a visit to Spiez, the St. Beatus-Höhlen Caves, or the Weissenau Nature Reserve.
Insider Tip #14: If you’ve followed us for a while, then you know we’re foodies. And we include pages of the best restaurant recommendations in each of our Guides. And one of our all-time favorite restaurants on Lake Thun is Luegibrüggli. Not only does it have incredible food, but look at these views over the water!
Shop our Swiss Itineraries
Vacation always flies by too fast, and so did this itinerary! But we’ve planned out all of the details for you in our 1-Week Guide to the Jungfrau Region. So check that out, and all of our Swiss itineraries, and we’ll see you in Switzerland!
