If you are looking for a dream village in Switzerland, Grindelwald is the right place for you. It is located in the heart of the famous Swiss Alps near the village of Lauterbrunnen. It is a mountain paradise, ideal for those who love exploring mountain villages and are addicted to outdoor activities and adrenaline. However, you can always just relax and unwind near nature. No matter how you choose to spend your time, you will have the surrounding mountains and valleys as the perfect backdrop ! In this article, you will find all you need to know about visiting Grindelwald in the summer.
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Things to know before visiting Grindelwald, Switzerland
This small village in the Bernese Alps is one of Switzerland’s most popular winter skiing and summer hiking destinations. Adventurers often use Grindelwald as a starting point for hiking the North Face of the Eiger and other famous trails ! But, as we said earlier, you can also relax in the luxury hotels or in a spa admiring the magnificent mountain views. Because of its location, you can easily add Grindelwald to your Swiss Alps itinerary or use it as a base to visit other famous nearby places like Lauterbrunnen, Iseltwald, Interlaken etc. Grindelwald will give you unique travel experiences.
Grindelwald and Switzerland are expensive destinations, mainly due to accommodation, transport and activities. But, you could skip the “pricey” activities and choose the free or more affordable ones. Of course, the time you will need in Grindelwald depends entirely on the activities you are going to do ! Another thing to keep in mind is that you will not be able to use Europe’s free roaming in Switzerland. So, to avoid wasting a lot of money on mobile data, we strongly recommend buying a digital e-SIM card for Switzerland.
We always want to help you organize your travels in the easiest and safest way. Our advice is you should always prioritize your safety and have travel insurance, especially if you are not traveling in a group or going to adventure destinations like Grindelwald. As you will likely be hiking or trying other outdoor activities that Grindelwald is famous for, we strongly advise you to purchase your own travel insurance to be fully covered and relaxed !
How to get to Grindelwald ?
Access to Grindelwald is quite easy. You can visit it either by train or car. Both ways will give you amazing views of the Bernese Alps ! Grindelwald is definitely walkable and drivable. So, once you get to Grindelwald, everything is within walking distance. But of course, you can drive to some points and then hike. It totally depends on your preferences and needs.
1-By train
Grindelwald is very close to Interlaken which is the main starting point to reach the Swiss Alps. You can get to Interlaken from any major city in Switzerland (Geneva, Bern, Zurich, Lucerne). So, once you arrive in Interlaken, you can board the train heading to Grindelwald. The train station is centrally located in the village, so you can easily go to your hotel even with your luggage. In addition, trains between Interlaken and the villages of the Swiss Alps run regularly !
If you plan to visit more places in Switzerland, we recommend that you get the Swiss Travel Pass which gives you unlimited travel by train, boat and bus. In this case, it is really worth it, as you will save a lot of money and time. Transportation in Switzerland is quite pricey, so choose what is right for you and your itinerary !
2-By car
As big road trip enthusiasts, a road trip through the Swiss Alps was a dream come true for us. Driving through the spectacular scenery of these Alps is a bucket list experience. It is obviously not for everyone, as it is a more tiring and expensive way to explore this beautiful region, but it’s really worth it ! If you do not have your own car, we suggest you rent a car in Interlaken which is the nearest city. When you get in the car, use your GPS and you will easily navigate Grindelwald and the Alps. Be aware that there are not many parking lots and you will need to pay a parking ticket almost everywhere.
Why visit Grindelwald in summer ?
Although Grindelwald is an amazing place to visit all year round, the beauty of this village in summer is on another level. We had the opportunity to visit it both in winter and summer. But, if you get the chance to visit it under the sun in the warm weather, just do it ! Everything was green with colorful flowers and clear skies. The scenic mountain drives made us feel like we were in a fairytale village and we tried to enjoy every single moment. Even the simplest thing like a walk in the village was a real treat under the sun. As for outdoor activities, you can go hiking, paragliding, cliff walking etc. Such activities are not available in winter. But, if you love skiing, snowboarding and winter landscapes in general, you can also visit during the winter. No matter what season you visit, Grindelwald will leave in awe !
Where to stay ?
You can find plenty of accommodation available either in Grindelwald or anywhere in the Swiss Alps. If you want to be close to hiking trails, we recommend staying in Grindelwald, especially if you do not have a car ! Otherwise, you can visit it as a day trip from the nearby towns without seeing much. Of course, if you rent a car, you have the freedom to choose any village in the Swiss Alps as your base. Keep in mind that hotels and Airbnb’s are quite expensive. But, by booking them in advance, you manage to find good deals. Imagine waking up to the view of the Bernese Alps. It is pure magic.
Is Grindelwald worth visiting ?
Our answer is as simple as a big “Yes”. We have visited many places in Europe, but Grinderlwald, Lauterbrunnen and Iseltwald are some of our favorites by far ! Nothing beats the wonderful mountain views, the narrow streets, the wooden cabins decorated with colorful flowers, the various activities, but above all the inner peace you can feel there. This trip to Grindelwald will leave you with the best impressions.
Best things to do in Grindelwald in summer
1-Stroll through Grindelwald Village
The first thing to do when you arrive in this mountain paradise is to leave your luggage and walk around the beautiful village. Wherever you go, you will have the glorious Bernese Alps as the backdrop. You can go for a walk, have a coffee or eat a delicious meal. In Grindelwald, you will find almost everything, as it is well equipped. You can also go shopping or even to the museum to learn more about this Swiss gem ! Since there are many shops, restaurants and cafés, you can have a whole day exploring the village for a relaxing start to your trip.
2-Reach the top of First Mount (via gondola)
Getting to the top of First Mountain is one of the best things to do in Grindelwald in the summer. The First cable car is also known as the gondola and takes about 30 minutes to the top, in a 6-person cable car ! On the way, you will have breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks. Once you arrive at the top, there are great activities to do (more on that later). For a more relaxing time or a break from the activities, you can go to the local restaurant. It serves delicious meals with stunning panoramic views of the peaks. We strongly recommend that you book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues, especially during the peak summer season.
3-Visit First Cliff Walk
At the top of First Mountain, you will find the famous First Cliff Walk which is a fantastic walkway made up of a death-defying structure. It allows you to walk in without anything under it. It clings to the the cliff of the First Mountain and offers mind-blowing views. However, if you are afraid of heights, we are not sure that this activity is for you. First Cliff is free and open all year round ! So, we highly recommend adding this to your Grindelwald list.
4-Try Grindelwald’s famous outdoor activities
As you said earlier, once you climb to the top of First Mount, there are many adventure activities that you can do. From mountain cart and trottibike to first flyer and glider, whatever you choose, you will have a lot of fun. But, what are all these activities ? So, the Mountain Cart is basically a mechanical device between a go-kart and a sled. The Trottibike is a stand up scooter with bicycle wheels.
The other two are mainly for adrenaline lovers ! For the First Flyer, you will be in a seated position and fly down to a zip line (about 800 meters). And the last activity is First Glider which is quite similar to the previous spot. But, you will fly like an eagle suspended from a cable. It is for four people (suitable for families). Get ready to fly at speeds of up to 70 km an hour ! If you are brave enough and love such activities, you will really love your time at the top of First Mountain. However, always make sure to take the necessary precautions and wear your helmet.
5-Take the Eiger Express
The Eiger Express is the most spectacular cable car (gondolas) in Grindelwald. It takes you from Grindelwald (terminal) to the Eiger Glacier station. From there, there is a direct connection that takes you to the Jungfraujoch station. Of course, you also have the option to hike to Jungfraujoch without using the train ! The Eiger Express consists of modern cable cars with the capacity to carry 26 passengers in each cable car. It is also very fast, since the journey to Junfraujoch only lasts 15 minutes, instead of over an hour. To be honest, we have never seen anything like it, so it is a must-do in Grindelwald.
6-Go to Glacier Canyon
Exploring Glacier Canyon is another top thing to do during your stay in Grindelwald. It is known as “Glacier Canyon” or “Gletscherschlucht”. It is a narrow glacier gorge with a small river running through it with 300m high rock walls. You can easily reach the canyon either by car, bus (take the bus 122 to Gletscherschlucht) or on foot (around 30 minutes). It is undoubtedly an impressive walkway that is also suitable for family with children. The whole family can have fun enjoying the unique natural beauty of the canyon. However, it is a popular thing to do in Grindelwald, so depending on what time of year you visit, it can get very crowded !
7- Cross the Grindelwald River Trails
In the surrounding area of Grindelwald, you will find a flowing mountain river. The source of the river comes from the melting snow of the mountains. That is why the color of the water is so blue and clear creating an even more beautiful landscape. Nothing is more refreshing than exploring this area of Grindelwald and feeling the fresh air of the fast-flowing river, especially on hot summer days ! If you have a car, it is much easier to find hidden spots where the river passes and admire the incredible views.
8-Visit the Grindelwald museum
As we said earlier, you will also find a museum in the center of Grindelwald where you can learn more about its history. The museum is centrally located, about 1 kilometer from the train station. So, if the weather is not good or you want to do a relaxing activity, you should definitely consider visiting the local museum and enjoying the Grindelwald films and exhibitions.
9-Take a day trip to Lauterbrunnen
You can’t leave the Swiss Alps without visiting Lauterbrunnen. This small village is another gem of this famous Swiss region with 72 waterfalls pounding down the valley rock faces. Since it is close to Grindelwald, most people visit it as a day trip ! For us, it is one of the most dreamy places we have ever been. Honestly, we couldn’t believe our eyes when we first stepped into this fairytale village. Wherever you go in Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen should be at the top of your bucket list.
10-Go to Interlaken
Interlaken is the closest city to the villages of the Swiss Alps. So, you could use it as a base for your trip to the Alps. Regular trains run between Interlaken and Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen etc. Although it is a bigger city, it retains its authenticity. It offers stunning mountain and lake views. Its natural beauty will leave you speechless, especially its turquoise lake ! Strolling around and admiring the lake and colorful flowers is a real treat in spring and summer.
11-A day trip to Lake Blausee
Lake Blausee is a lake located in the NaturePark of Blausee and only 35 minutes from Interlaken (accessible by car or public transport). This little lake is one of the best day trips you can take from Grindelwald. The emerald color of the water and the surrounding mountains create an amazing scenery. If you want to spend the day at Lake Blausee, there is also a restaurant and various activities to spend a fun day.
Final Thoughts
Grindelwald and the Swiss Alps in general are some of our favorite destinations in Switzerland. As summer and sun lovers, we really love spending our days in the Swiss mountains exploring real gems like Grindelwald. The natural beauty, countless outdoor activities and attention to detail in everything make it a unique destination not to be missed !
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