Things to do in Grindelwald
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Grindelwald
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Full ski season: the linked First and Grindelwald Wengen areas run from early to mid December through Easter.
Late November weekend ski openings in good snow years, but most lifts, hotels and restaurants stay shut until mid December.
Skiing ends around Easter to mid April, lifts close for revision and the spring dead season begins.
Dead shoulder: skiing over, high trails snowbound and many hotels and restaurants closed; base lower and day trip up.
Summer hiking season: Bachalpsee and the Eiger Trail run June to October, with high trails best July to September.
The connoisseur month until lifts stop late in October: larches turning, crowds gone, most things still open.
The deadest month apart from ski opening weekends: First and Mannlichen lifts shut, Pfingstegg shut, many businesses dark.
What's on
- World Snow Festival 18-24 January (2027 edition)
International teams carve giant snow blocks on the Barenplatz by the station, free to watch.
- Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB Mid July each year
Trail races from 16km to the 250km E250 fill the village with runners and supporters.
- Swiss National Day 1 August
Bonfires and village festivities at the height of the summer season.
Best things to do in Grindelwald
First Cliff Walk by Tissot
A free cliff walkway and viewing platform at First, reached by the 25 minute gondola from the village.
Bachalpsee
The postcard lake above First that mirrors the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn on a calm early morning.
Jungfraujoch
Europe highest railway station at 3,454m above the Aletsch Glacier, spectacular only on a clear day.
Eiger Express
A 15 minute tricable ride from the Terminal to Eigergletscher, passing close under the Eiger north face.
Pfingstegg
A small cable car to a quiet terrace above the glacier gorge, with a summer toboggan and Fly Line.
Kleine Scheidegg
The railway pass directly beneath the Eiger north face, hub for terraces, walks and the Jungfrau line.
Sportzentrum Grindelwald
The village pool, ice rink and huge indoor rope park that saves rainy days and family rest days.
Grindelwald Museum
A small village museum of Eiger ascents, guides, farming and the local one runner Velogemel sled.
Where to stay in Grindelwald
Village centre and Dorfstrasse
first timers without a car
Station, shops, restaurants and the First gondola on foot, with the Bergwelt, Schweizerhof and Kreuz and Post.
Kirchbuhl and Terrassenweg
sun, quiet and the classic Eiger view
A short uphill walk buys morning sun and quiet lanes above the centre, paid for with the climb home.
Grund and Grindelwald Terminal
first lifts, trains and parking
Fastest access to the Eiger Express, Mannlichen gondola and trains, but the thinnest evening village life.
East end toward First
quiet chalets and First access
Prettier and calmer past the Firstbahn, but the station and most restaurants are a bus ride west.
Think twice about
- Valley road far west beyond the Terminal and far east toward the gorge
No safety problem, but a convenience trap for car free travellers: early last bus, dark uphill walks and costly taxis.
- Isolated chalet lets above the village lanes
Fine with a car, but cut off after village buses stop in the evening, with dark roads and little pavement.
Best restaurants in Grindelwald
Restaurant 1910 Gourmet by Hausers
A six table starred gourmet room in the Belvedere, serving regional tasting menus.
Glacier
Fine dining behind floor to ceiling glass facing the Eiger north face, with a deep wine cellar.
Barrys Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
The big warm central dining room for fondue, grills and group dinners, with a long bar.
Restaurant Belvedere
The Belvedere main restaurant, polished Swiss cooking and Eiger views without tasting menu ceremony.
Golden India Grindelwald
The village top rated Indian restaurant, generous curries and Eiger views when fondue fatigue sets in.
Ristorante Pizzeria Da Salvi
A family friendly Italian of pizzas and pasta, the practical answer for mixed groups and children.
Cafe 3692
A small hillside cafe named for the Wetterhorn height in its windows, worth the climb for cakes and calm.
Onkel Tom's Hütte
Homemade pizzas and wine in a tiny wood lined hut on the upper Dorfstrasse, the best cheap central dinner.
Outdoor things to do in Grindelwald
Grindelwald-Wengen Ski Area
The main ski area shared with Wengen, long scenic intermediate runs in the amphitheatre under the Eiger.
Grindelwald-First
The sunny First ski sector plus prepared sledge runs, including the long Faulhorn descent via Bussalp.
Eiger Trail
A mostly downhill 6km path directly beneath the Eiger north face from Eigergletscher to Alpiglen.
Mannlichen
The gondola summit between Grindelwald and Wengen, start of the Royal Walk and the Panorama Trail.
Royal Walk
A short climb from Mannlichen station to a crown viewpoint over the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau wall.
Panorama Trail
A gentle downhill walk from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg with the north face in front of you throughout.
Faulhorn
The big ridge climb from First past Bachalpsee to the historic summit hotel on the Faulhorn at 2,681m.
Gletscherschlucht
Walkways and tunnels through the roaring glacier gorge, with a suspended spider web net over the river.
Best hotels in Grindelwald
Bergwelt Grindelwald - Alpine Design Resort
The village modern luxury flagship, with a serious spa and premium Eiger balcony suites in the centre.
Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof
A five star family run grand hotel near the station, with large rooms, gardens and a spa.
Hotel Kreuz & Post
A dependable family run four star by the station, with a liked Swiss restaurant and an Eiger roof terrace.
Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald
The family run Eiger view institution, with pools, a ski bus and the village starred table.
Hotel Fiescherblick
A small design boutique hotel on the quiet Kirchbuhl hillside, personal and breakfast praised.
Boutique Hotel Glacier
A 28 room design boutique with terrace whirlpool suites, a spa and fine dining, on the Grund side.
Eiger Lodge Easy
The smart budget base next to Grindelwald Terminal, hostel format with a praised free buffet breakfast.
Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald
A large capable four star resort on the eastern Dorfstrasse, with spa, pool and easy First access.
Is Grindelwald expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | CHF 140 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | CHF 320 a person |
| Splurge | CHF 650 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- First Cliff Walk by Tissot: a few days ahead
- Jungfraujoch: weeks ahead
- Eiger Express: a few days ahead
- Grindelwald-Wengen Ski Area: weeks ahead
- Grindelwald-First: a few days ahead
- Mannlichen: a few days ahead
- Faulhorn: a few days ahead
- First Flyer: a few days ahead
- Book Eiger view rooms and the 1910 Gourmet and Glacier tables weeks ahead in season.
- Reserve a Jungfraujoch seat in peak season and buy First and Jungfrau tickets online to skip queues.
- Hold the Jungfraujoch day flexible, check summit webcams the night before, and swap days to dodge cloud.
- Buy ski passes online early; dynamic pricing makes the ticket window the most expensive option.
Is Grindelwald safe?
- Check operating status and trail pages each morning; summer trails carry snowfields into July.
- Thunderstorms make via ferrata cables and exposed ridges lethal; leave the Rotstock and Faulhorn early.
- Jungfraujoch at 3,454m affects exertion and alcohol tolerance; take medical advice if in doubt.
- In winter stay on marked pistes and sledge runs unless equipped and informed for avalanche terrain. Emergency 112.
Grindelwald travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Jungfraujoch in bad weather is a full price white out; go only on your clearest forecast day.
- First at midday in August stacks gondola, Flyer and cart queues; ride the first gondola instead.
- Do not pay full window prices while holding a valid pass, and skip taxis for distances the bus covers.
- Pfingstegg earns its fare for the terrace, toboggan and glacier walks, not for the short ride alone.
Getting around Grindelwald: public transport and more
- Use Grindelwald station for the village and First, and Grindelwald Terminal for the Eiger Express and Mannlichen gondola.
- Trains from Interlaken Ost take about 35 minutes and run all year, even in the dead seasons.
- Village buses link the stations, Grund, First, Pfingstegg and the gorge, but largely stop around 19:00 to 20:00.
- Park at the Terminal multi storey if you must drive; in peak weeks the road and car parks fill by mid morning.
Who Grindelwald suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | OK |
Make Grindelwald your trip
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