Travel Guide: 3-Days in Grindelwald
If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest while daydreaming about planning a trip to Switzerland, chances are Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen Valley have popped up on your feed. With dramatic alpine peaks, cascading waterfalls, and the sound of cowbells echoing in the distance, this region looks almost too picturesque to be real. Fortunately, I can confirm, it’s every bit as magical in person.
Whether you're chasing adventure or just soaking up the views, a 3-day stay in Grindelwald is the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights of the Jungfrau region. Since spring is just beginning to bloom, this itinerary focuses on warm-weather adventures — think high-alpine hikes, mountain carts, and unforgettable views.
Where to stay:
Grindelwald is located in the Jungfrau region within the Bernese Oberland. Although Interlaken is a convenient, central base, I recommend actually staying within the region itself to truly enjoy all that mountain towns have to offer! The cities I recommend are Grindelwald, Wengen, and Murren. For this itinerary, I will focus on using Grindelwald as your home base, but Wengen and Murren, with their car-free, tranquil vibes, are also incredible alpine towns to stay in. If you would like recommendations in smaller cities, send me an email, and we can plan your perfect trip!
Recommended Hotels in Grindelwald:
Getting Around:
The Swiss transportation system is incredible. After living here for over a year, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen a train run late.
If you are planning on exploring multiple regions in Switzerland, I highly recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass. With this you get unlimited travel by train, bus and boat as well as free admission to more than 500 museums and discounts on mountain excursions. The SBB Mobile app is your best friend for planning routes and connections. If you get the Swiss Travel Pass, you can link your travel pass into the app for easy booking!
You can drive to Grindelwald as well if you have rented a car but you will not need it once you arrive! Ensure that your hotel has parking available!
3 Day Itinerary for Grindelwald
Day 1: Arrive and Explore Grindelwald
Morning: Most travelers arrive via train from Interlaken. Make sure to get a window seat because the views along the route are jaw-dropping! You will arrive at Grindelwald Terminal right in the center of the village. Check into your hotel and drop your bags.
Afternoon: Set off to explore the Grindelwald Village. Stroll along Dorfstrasse, the adorable main street, and explore cute shops, cozy cafés, and alpine vibes. If you are looking for a quick bite, Clubhaus Café has nice sandwiches and spots to sit outside. If you are ready to stretch your legs, take a 25 minute walk to Glacier Gorge. Once carved by glaciers, it is now a dramatic canyon with suspended walkways between 300m high rock walls.
Evening: Grab a crisp glass of Chasselas, a favorite Swiss wine, or a pint of Hefeweizen and enjoy it on your hotel balcony or patio and soak in the sites. The valley changes colors as the sun begins to set, and quite frankly, I will never get over those views! For dinner, keep it simple with pizza at Onkel Tom’s Hütte pizzeria! They do not take reservations but I promise you, it is worth the wait. The Grazioso or Sotto Voce are next level - both are unique and full of flavor!
Day 2: Cliff Walks & Mountain Carts
Morning: Hopefully you booked a room with a balcony because nothing compares to waking up with a coffee on the balcony breathing in fresh mountain air! If you do not have a balcony room, no worries, just take a nice stroll through town and stop into Grindelwald Bakery for a croissant!
Once you are ready to go, head to the Firstbahn gondola up to First. Get ready because the views are breathtaking! At the top, walk the First Cliff Walk by Tissot, a circular trail and suspension bridge along the rock face with panoramic views.
Afternoon: Time to hike! If you are hungry, grab lunch at Berggasthaus First either before or after the hike or pack a picnic to enjoy en route! Set off on the hike to Lake Bachalpsee, a stunning alpine lake framed by flowering alpine meadows and snow capped mountain peaks. The route is around 8-10km and will take you ~2 hours. There are yellow signs along the trail to keep you on track!
Before heading down the mountain, do not miss the First Mountain Carts. My friends and I did this and truly had the time of our lives. I would explain it as Mario Kart meets alpine thrill ride. I do recommend booking this in advance and try for the later afternoon. Once finished, if weather permits, take the walk back into Grindelwald by the paved pathways or for an easy route, take the gondola back down.
Evening: For a true Swiss dinner with a twist, head to Barrys Restaurant & Bar. They have everything from moite-moite fondue to Swiss burgers to French Cordon Bleu. Finish off the day with a nightcap at the Bergwelt food cart or on Barry’s terrace.
Day 3: The Valley of Waterfalls
Morning: On your final morning, grab a coffee at The Eiger Bean for a local roast. If you stick to this itinerary, I recommend getting an early start on your day because we are heading over to Lauterbrunnen valley!
There are a few ways to get there but for a more scenic and fun route, take the gondola from Grindelwald Terminal to Männlichen. Once you arrive at Männlichen, then take the cablecar to Wengen. This may sound complicated but I promise you it isn’t! If you are worried, ask your hotel and they will help you coordinate the cablecars!
Once you arrive in the car-free mountain village of Wengen, take the hike down to Lauterbrunnen. It is an easy, paved 3km downhill trail with unforgettable views. If you are needing something easier on the knees, take the cogwheel train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen!
Afternoon: Once in Lauterbrunnen, grab a light lunch at Airtime Cafe Bakery. Lauterbrunnen Valley is breathtaking and famous for its waterfalls but in my opinion, the real show stopper is the one you don’t initially see - Trummelbach Falls. When my parents visited last year, my mom was hell-bent to see this underground glacier fed waterfalls and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Great recommendation, Mom! To get here, you can take a 40 minute walk or the 141 bus. After all of this adventure, head back to the Lauterbrunnen train station and take the train to Grindelwald.
Evening: For your final dinner, treat yourself to something special! Here are two of my favorite recommendations:
Hotel Fiescherblick features a changing Chef’s Choice coursed menu that is influenced by classic French dishes but pulls inspiration from Japan and Scandinavia.
Restaurant Glacier offers elegant, alpine inspired meals with French persuasion and expertise.
As you finish your night off on the terrace with a nightcap, take in the starry night surrounded by the mountains and reflect on the adventure, serenity, and pure joy the Jungfrau region has gifted you.
A few tips and tricks:
The weather in the Jungfrau region can change in an instant, so be sure to pack a lightweight, waterproof rain jacket — something easily packable and reliable. Also having layers that you can shed if you get warm! For day trips, I recommend a light but supportive backpack; I use the Rab Protium 20L backpack and it’s been perfect for alpine adventures.
As you’ve probably gathered, hiking is a big part of the experience here. I’ve worn the Danner Mountain 600 hiking boots on countless weekend trips and can’t recommend them enough — durable, comfortable, and trail-ready.
Whenever possible, book your tickets in advance — especially for popular activities like the First Mountain Carts or the gondolas. It saves time and guarantees your spot.
Not all restaurants take reservations, but if one does, grab it early. Places fill up quickly, and unless you’re okay with dining late, it’s best to plan ahead.
And lastly — skip the bottled water! Swiss tap water is some of the cleanest in the world and completely safe to drink. You'll find public fountains along hiking trails and in villages where you can refill your bottle, unless marked otherwise.
