The Jungfrau Region, named after Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland’s highest peak, is truly a picture perfect, breathtaking place. Tourists flock year round to catch a glimpse of its lush, rolling fields, well nourished livestock, cascading waterfalls and three, snow capped Alpine peaks: Jungfau, Eiger, and Mönch.
Best Time to Visit:
What I love so much about this region is that its beauty can be appreciated year round. If you want to see its lush greenery during warmer weather, hike up and down the mountains, and bike through the towns, I suggest traveling anytime from June through September. If fall foliage and snow capped mountains are more your thing, then October and November are the best months. Finally, if winter sports are your vibe and you need to see a white wonderland, then December to March are the best months to visit.
Language:
Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. However, the most spoken language in Interlaken and throughout the region is a Swiss-ish German dialect. Most people also speak English and French.
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
Getting Around:
Transportation throughout Switzerland is seamless, but can be a sticker shock. The country’s transportation system is direct, uncomplicated, and pristine. They truly have perfected this art. (Take note: NYC!)
Trains and cable cars are the best way to explore the Bernese Oberland; there’s no need to rent a car! The best way to plan your journey is with the SBB Mobile app. I would suggest downloading the app prior to your arrival to get the hang of it. The app is useful for train and cable car routes, times, and tickets. I did not find it necessary to book tickets hours or days in advance. Most of the time, my husband and I booked our tickets on the spot. Another tool for navigating the area is to grab a map at your hotel or local information kiosk. It can make a huge difference in visualizing the region’s different towns, sites, trains, and cable cars
Should you purchase a travel pass?
To assist with the country’s costly transportation system, Switzerland offers a variety of travel passes. Researching beforehand which pass may be best for your itinerary is definitely recommended. As someone who was only in the Jungfrau region for five days, I chose the Half Fare Pass. The Berner-Oberland Pass may also be helpful, but we didn’t purchase it this time around. Consider watching a Swiss pass guide video from either The Traveling Swiss or Aplins in the Alps. Both couples share the pros and cons of each pass on their Youtube channels.
Helpful Hint: The cable cars are more expensive than the railway system, but are worth every penny. There is something so spectacular and unique about seeing the region from the sky!
Where To Stay
(Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Interlaken)
There are numerous towns to choose from as a home base and selecting the right one for your vacation can be tough. My top choices for the region would be accommodations in either Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, or Interlaken. Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen both stand out for their convenience and beauty. Wengen’s tranquility and calmness is a great option for those seeking the ultimate relaxation trip. Interlaken, especially in the summer, is a great option given the proximity to Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
Grindelwald is a small, Swiss village enclosed by majestic mountains. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities, but also has shops, grocery stores, and delicious restaurants. The train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald takes about 35 minutes. From Grindelwald, you’ll have many access points to reach other towns and sites.
Grindelwald Hotel Options:
Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof – Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald – Hotel Kruez & Post
Bergwelt Grindelwald: This luxury mountain escape is a ten minute walk from the train station and a few short minutes away from Grindelwald First. It has an amazing restaurant, cozy bar, and all-inclusive sauna, hot-tub, and pool. I would definitely recommend checking out this spot – we loved it!
Lauterbrunnen is a picturesque, fairytale village encircled by immense mountains. The town is known as The Valley Of 72 Waterfalls; some thundering down an astonishing 300 meters from the Jungfrau mountain top. The valley has an easy, walkable pathway for any fitness level. Lauterbrunnen is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you plan to stay in Lauterbrunnen, Airbnb is the way to go! And, if Airbnb isn’t your thing, then opt for Wengen which is a short, ten minute train ride away with just as beautiful views.
Wengen is another magical village built on the mountainside nearby Lauterbrunnen. The town is only accessible by train, as cars are not permitted. The tranquility of this place truly allows you to sit back and enjoy the fairytale landscapes even more.
Wengen Hotel Options:
Maya Caprice Boutique Hotel – Hotel Schönegg Wengen. – Hotel Spa & Silberhorn Wengen
Interlaken is a town built, like its name, between two lakes: Brienz and Thun. The town is both convenient and quite beautiful, but in my opinion lacks the “wow” factor that some of the other towns possess. Many tourists choose Interlaken as a home base given its easy access to numerous routes in the Jungfrau. You’ll find great accommodations, plenty of tasty restaurants, and good shopping in town.
Interlaken Hotel Options:
Boutique Hotel Bellevue – Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa – Hotel Interlaken
Top Activities in The Jungfrau Region
The most popular attraction for adventure seekers in Grindelwald is Grindelwald First. It is filled with year round outdoor activities and some of the most stunning views of the valley and Swiss peaks. From Grindelwald main station (one stop past Grindelwald Terminal), you’ll walk about 10 minutes along the main road to the Grindelwald First gondola. The gondola ride averages 25-30 minutes before reaching the top, making stops at Bort and Schrekfeld along the way.
Activities at Grindelwald First:
| Go Hiking | Balchapsee – popular, one hour, easy hike to Bachalpsee Lake, also known as the Blue Jewel of the Bernese Oberland sitting 2265m above sea level. Marmot Trail – two hour easy trail that attracts families seeking to learn about and possibly spot marmots. The trail begins at Grindelwald First and ends in Schilt. At the end of the trail you’ll find a barbecue spot at the Bettmer Lake. Schyinge Platte – six hour hike from Balchapsee, over the Faulhorn to the Schynige Platte. This trek is long, but is distinguished as one Switzerland’s most beautiful hikes. |
| First Cliff Walk by Tissot | One of the coolest experiences in the Jungfrau, IMO! The cliff walk is a one-way loop that begins at a metal bridge perched along the side of the mountain, followed by a short suspension bridge, and ends with an epic observation platform. Tourists line up here for picturesque shots of the mountains! |
| First Flyer | You’ll be tightly secured in a seated harness and cruise along a zipline from First to Schrekfeld at a speed of up to 84 hkm/hr! |
| Eat & Drink | Hungry or parched? Check out Berggasthaus First Restaurant! This restaurant is located directly in front of the observation platform at First Cliff Walk. It offers a full menu or a bunch of buffet style stations! |
Activities at Schrekfeld:
| First Glider | Get strapped in and soar like an eagle on your stomach at 83 km/hr! You’ll board your “eagle” at Schreckfeld, get pulled backwards up to First, and then fly back down to Schreckfeld. |
| First Mountain Carts | Ride this go-kart / sled combo along 3km of road from Schreckfeld to Bort. |
Activities at Bort:
| First Trottibikes | Trottibikes are a unique combo of a scooter and a bicycle. This three mile path runs from Bort to Grindelwald and is a fun way to travel down the mountain and see more of the land. Helmets are required and provided for free! |
2. Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe):
Jungfraujoch is also referred to as the Top of Europe because it is the location of the highest railroad station on the continent at 3,454 meters. It attracts thousands of tourists year round given the unique experiences available on site. Like most things in Switzerland, tickets are exceedingly expensive. If you have the money, then it’s an experience worth doing. And if it’s not in your price range, I promise you won’t feel like you’ve missed out. Prices vary by season and location. During peak season an average ticket could cost around 236 CHF, which is equivalent to almost $250 USD. The one upside is that almost all activities at the top are included in the price, excluding Snow Fun Park.
The Jungfraujoch is only accessible by train. To get here, you can either hop on the Eiger Express (cable car) from Grindelwald Terminal or take the train from Lauterbrunnen or Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg. Both routes to Kleine Scheidegg are beautiful and I wouldn’t miss either experience (whether you chose to go to the top of Jungfraujoch or not). From Kleine Schedegg you’ll hop on a luxurious train for the final part of your journey.
Here are some of the main attractions you’ll find here:
| Ice Palace | Dubbed as many tourists favorite activity, The Ice Palace is a series of corridors containing ice sculptures of bears, eagles, and many other animals. The “palace” is carved into Aletsch, Europe’s longest glacier. |
| Sphinx Observation Deck | In just 25 seconds you’ll travel 100 meters on an ultrafast lift to the observatory, which is an international research station. Here, the views are nothing short of amazing! |
| Alpine Sensation | The Alpine Sensation is a 250m long corridor that pays tribute to the miners who built the railway and highlights the history of their hard work. |
| Snow Fun Park | The park is open from mid-May to mid-October and offers skiing, sledding, snow-tubing, and snowboarding in the summer. |
| Jungfrau Panorama | Virtual panoramic film highlighting the amazing views from on top of the mountain. |
| Mönchsjochhütte | A 45 minute hike through a glacier path to Switzerland’s highest altitude serviced mountain hut. |
| Lindtt Swiss Chocolate Experience | Walk around and indulge in these delicious treats because when in Switzerland…. you must eat Swiss chocolate! |
3. Mannlichen:
Männlichen is a 2,343m-high mountain ridge separating Lauterbrunnen Valley and Grindelwald. It’s worth visiting for its unbeatable panoramic views of the Jungfrau Region. In the summer, it is a point of departure for countless treks including to Alpiglen or Kleine Scheidegg. The Liselotte, or Royal Walk, theme paths are great routes for families. In the winter, you’ll find winter walking trails and sled runs, as well as a restaurant with spectacular views.On a clear day, you can take in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, and Lake Thun. To reach Männlichen, you can either take the gondola from Grindelwald or the cable car from Lauterbrunnen-Wengen.
4. Staubbach Falls & Trummelbach Falls
Lauterbrunnen is known as the Valley of 72 Waterfalls and Staubbach Falls is perhaps the most famous and hardest to miss! Staubbach Falls is the third tallest waterfall at 297m. It’s located just a short walk from the train station. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike up a short dirt path to a lookout behind the waterfall.
Trummelbach Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a series of ten glacier waterfalls thundering down inside a mountain. Trummelbach is fed the meltwater from the glaciers of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau and carries 20,000 liters of water per second down the mountain. The waterfalls are accessible via a networks of tunnels, bridges, and pathways. You can either climb the many stairs to the 10 viewpoints or take the funicular close to the top and walk down. I would definitely opt for the latter. It’s a quick, easy thing to do and only costs 14 CHF.
5. Paragliding in Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken
If you are a thrill seeker looking for the ultimate experience, this is a must do! You can either launch from a mountain and fly over the green, lush U-shaped fields of Lauterbrunnen or fly over the crystal clear lake in Interlaken. There are multiple companies and like everything else, the cost is a hefty one!
6. Explore Murren Village
The picturesque, charming, car-free village of Mürren is perched on the mountainside overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s a wonderful place for hiking enthusiasts who seek to enjoy the beauty of Switzerland. In the winter, you’ll find skiing for all levels and the town is actually the highest altitude ski resort in the Bernese Oberland. To get here, you can hop on the No. 141 public bus which runs from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren every thirty minutes just outside the Railway Station.
7. Mount Schilthorn
To reach Mount Schilthorn summit, board the cable car in Stechelberg, Gimmelwald, Mürren, or Birg. At the top, you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views and wine-and-dine in the world’s first revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, at an altitude of almost 3,000 meters. In 1969, Schilthorn was featured in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and is also referred to as the “James Bond Mountain.”
8. Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm sits atop the Hardermatte mountain in the Bernese Alps. From Interlaken Ost train station, walk five minutes along the water and continue to follow the signs for the funicular station. The funicular has large, clear-glass window panels to take in the amazing views on the ten minute ride to the top. You can also access Harder Kulm on foot by hiking through a strenuously steep path (no thanks!). Harder Kulm’s viewing platform, known as Two Lakes Bridge, is an astonishing place that captures the beauty of the surrounding lakes and Swiss Alps. From opposite points of the viewing platform, you’ll have spectacular views of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. After you’re done getting some epic photos, enjoy some cheese fondue at Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant!
9. Boat Cruise in Interlaken
Step onboard and enjoy the magnificent scenery of either Lake Brienz and/or Lake Thun. You’ll find plenty of options exclusively on GetYourGuide, Airbnb, and Tripadvisor during the spring and summer months.
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