Grindelwald is a picture-perfect town in the Swiss Alps known for its hiking, Alpine villages, and adventure activities. This is one of my favorite destinations in Switzerland, so I’ve created the ultimate guide to help you travel to Grindelwald, Switzerland.

Switzerland Travel Guide

Pro Tip: Most people visit Grindelwald as a day trip from Lucerne, Bern, Zurich, or Interlaken. But there’s enough to do here that I recommend spending at least a night or two.

Here’s how to travel to Grindelwald, Switzerland!

When To Go

May to August is the peak travel season, so be prepared for high prices and crowds. Book your accommodation and tours as early as possible to save money and ensure availability. Because Grindelwald is in the Alps, summer daytime temperatures rarely go above the mid-80s, and the evenings can be chilly, so bring layers. Rain is common during these months, so always have a rain jacket.

September, October, and November are shoulder months. Accommodation rates will drop, and the crowds will have thinned. Temperatures will be pleasantly cool during the day and cold in the mornings and evenings. The leaves will be changing color, and these are perfect months for hiking and other outdoor activities.

December to February is ski season when prices and crowds are comparable to the summer, especially around the holidays. Grindelwald is a winter wonderland with every kind of snow activity during these months. Bring your warmest layers and sturdiest boots. Many shops, restaurants, and activities will have limited hours, so you’ll need to research any activities you want to do in advance.

March and April are shoulder months when the snow melts and the wildflowers start blooming. Daytime temperatures will be cool, so you’ll want layers for the cold mornings and evenings. You can score some great accommodation deals during these months!

What To Do

Ride the cable car to Grindelwald First, walk the Cliff Walk, hike to Bachalpsee Lake, do the First Flyer zip line, and ride a mountain kart back down.

Go on a helicopter ride.

Walk through the Gletscherschlucht Ravine.

Ride the Alpine toboggan.

Treat yourself to a spa service.

Visit the Grindelwald Museum.

Go paragliding.

Ride the train to “The Top of Europe.”

Have a traditional fondue meal.

Shop (or window shop) in the picturesque Alpine town.

Where To Stay

I stayed at the Bergwelt Grindelwald resort, a chalet-style hotel with an incredible spa, restaurant, pool, and stunning views from every room.

Grindelwald has incredible accommodations for every budget and preference. So from ski-in/ski-out hotels to historic homes to boutique inns, here are the best hotels and vacation homes in Grindelwald.

Where To Eat

Glacier (Swiss, International, $$-$$$).

Avocado Bar (Pub, $$-$$$).

Restaurant 1910 Gourmet by Hausers (Swiss, $$$$).

Restaurant Kreuz & Post (International, $$-$$$).

C und M Cafe Bar Restaurant (European, $$-$$$).

Restaurant Belvedere (European, $$$$).

Alte Post (Swiss, $$-$$$).

Restaurant La Marmite (International, $$$$).

Barrys Restaurant, Bar & Lounge (Burgers, Bar, $$-$$$).

Cafe 3692 (Cafe, $$-$$$).

Onkel Tom’s Hutte (Pizza, Wine Bar, $$-$$$).

Candlelight-Dinner Pfingsteggbahn (Eating on a cable car, $$$$).

Best Day Trips

Mt. Pilatus: Start by taking the aerial cable cars up to the top of Mt. Pilatus, then hike around the peak. Go back down via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and take a scenic boat ride back to your starting point.

Lauterbrunnen: This Alpine town is in a neighboring valley. Lauterbrunnen is very similar to Grindelwald. – both towns have quaint downtowns for shopping and eating, hiking trails, cable cars, and stunning views. But the waterfalls are a compelling reason to visit Lauterbrunnen.

Bern. Bern is the “Beer Capital of Switzerland,” so you should definitely do a beer tour when you’re here. Other great things to do are stroll through the medieval Old Town, admire the famous Renaissance fountains, climb the tower of Berner Münster, watch the Zytglogge Clock Tower show at the top of every hour, see the city’s famous bears, and walk across the Nydeggbrücke bridge.

Lucerne. Highlights of the lakefront town are a walking tour of the historic City Center, boating on the lake, walking on top of the original city walls, eating at Scala Restaurant, seeing the Lion Monument, doing a chocolate tasting, and marveling at the Chapel Bridge. Lucerne would also be a good day trip if you’re traveling between Grindelwald and Zurich.

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This guide about how to travel to Grindelwald, Switzerland, is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this guide about how to travel to Grindelwald, Switzerland, are entirely my own. Some of the links in this guide about how to travel to Grindelwald, Switzerland, are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this guide about how to travel to Grindelwald, Switzerland.