So, you’ve decided to take yourself on your dream Switzerland vacation but you’re a little overwhelmed with where to go and what to see. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there too! That’s why I’m putting together a few short blogs to help you decide on the best things to do and places to visit for a first timer’s ultimate Switzerland adventure.

Normally, this is where I’ll talk about transportation and stay, but to keep these blogs short and concise, I decided to put all that information in my Zurich blog. So, don’t forget to click on the link to get all the tea and tips for your trip!

This specific blog is your guide to Lauterbrunnen and its surrounding cities. Even with the tiniest amount of research done, I’m sure you’ve at least stumbled upon pictures and videos of Lauterbrunnen. I mean, how can you miss any of the 72 waterfalls in a village that makes you feel like you’re right in the dead center of a holiday movie? Aside from its quaint and serene surroundings, Lauterbrunnen and its neighboring towns has so many activities to offer that it will leave you wondering how a place this beautiful has always existed in the world.

Wengen

On the morning of our first full day, my friends and I spent some time in Wengen. (As mentioned in my Zurich blog, I lodged here for the entirety of my trip and took the train to a new city every day.) We walked through the town’s main street, taking in the view of the mountains and cable cars above, and popping our heads into some local businesses. Along this main avenue, you’ll find a handful of restaurants, sporting goods shops, and supermarkets. There is even a small Coop store located in Wengen that we frequently stopped by for meals as well as a bakery across the street. Overall, there isn’t much to do in Wengen, but it makes for a peaceful place to stay and rest. I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Wengen, however, if you’re already in the town, it shouldn’t more than 1 to 1.5 hours to explore, and that’s if you’re really taking your time. TIP: Keep in mind that Wengen is a carless town. If you rented a car during your trip, you’ll have to park it in Lauterbrunnen and then take the 30 mins train to Wengen.

Lauterbrunnen

After my morning adventure in Wengen, I took a trip to Lauterbrunnen with one thing in mind, to see as many waterfalls as I can, and trust me it didn’t disappoint. There seemed to be a waterfall every few feet; some falls full and strong and some that seems to be a light stream coming off the mountains. But one thing’s for sure, you cannot miss Staubbach Falls. Just a short walk from the train station, you can come face to face with this powerful waterfall streaming off the mountain cliff. Make your way up the trail, it’s a little steep but doable, to get a closer look at the falls and an overview of Lauterbrunnen. If you want an even more hands-on experience, follow the trail through the tunnel and make your way to the viewing platform, which is located right behind the waterfall itself. Beware that the trail is narrow and very slippery, so be sure that you have the appropriate attire. I strongly advise a raincoat because you will get wet! Overall, I definitely recommend making your way to the viewing platform if you have the ability to, it’s sure to take your breath way… and all the dryness in your clothes.

Another must see in Lauterbrunnen is Trummelbach Falls, Europe’s largest subterranean waterfall. Take a 15 min bus ride or 40 min walk from Staubbach Falls, to see the hidden waterfalls inside the mountain. I opted for the walking and highly recommend it. It was a great way to explore the village while enjoying nature’s beauty. During my walk to Trummelbach Falls, I saw many farms and produce stands that had no attending and were solely ran by honesty. Isn’t that awesome? Even more mind boggling, was this vending machine I stumbled upon. It had everything for your prefect charcuterie board! The walk was super easy and definitely worth it because you got to view more of Lauterbrunnen’s outskirts.

Once you’ve reach the parking lot of Trummelbach falls, you’ll make your way up the trail towards the ticket box, passing a restaurant and a gift shop on the way. Entry tickets to the falls were 14 CHF (about $16 USD) and includes the rides on the tunnel lift. TIP: I recommend taking the lift first to the 7th floor platform, then after making your way to the top, take the stairs all the way down back to the ground floor. Be prepared to walk up several flights of steps to make it to the top of the falls, but you can take breaks at one of the many viewing platforms on each level. Be sure to take a peak at all the platforms, each one has a different view!

But trust me when I say that all the huffing and puffing, with a little bit of sweat, is worth viewing Trummelbach falls from the 10th level. I was completely mesmerized by the strength and the sound of the water coming in and circling around the enclosed area, where it departed through a small break in the mountain to the next body of water. It was amazing to watch from the viewing platform; I think I just stood there observing the water for 15 mins, just watching it. Trummelbach falls was one of my favorite activities in Switzerland and I definitely recommend visiting it, setting aside at least 2 hours. TIP: Be sure to check the website before visiting to make sure that the falls are open. Volume of the water will also depend on the season you visit! And as a 2nd reminder, don’t forget your raincoat.

After my time at the falls, I took the bus back into Lauterbrunnen to explore the main streets. Lauterbrunnen is filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. I stopped by Flavours for a hot cup of cappuccino and thought that it was the prefect spot to rest and and absorb the area. Flavours also offers breakfast, lunch, and ice cream! It was one of the few restaurants that I stopped by in during my trip to Switzerland.

Gimmelwald & Murren

I had every intention to explore the nearby towns of Murren and Gimmelwald, however, after spending most of the day exploring in the rain and chasing waterfalls, I was completely soaked. There was definitely more time available to see the neighboring towns, but I decided to call it an early day and head back to my Airbnb for a change of clothes, food, and some rest. Here are the list of things that I had originally planned for the surrounding towns that you might include in your itinerary! As always, if you got the opportunity to do so, don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below for your fellow rovers!

• From what I found through my research, there isn’t must to do in Gimmelwald. However, there are lots of farms, cows, and a great view of the Alps. One place kept popping up in my search, which was the Honesty Shop. From what I read, it is a shop ran solely off of honesty, selling non-food items, crafts, and souvenirs. There are no sales clerk or anyone that runs the store, you just leave the money for the item that you want to purchase.
• The only thing that I wanted to do in Murren was the Flower trail. It is a 1 hour, easy walk through a field of flowers. Doesn’t that just sound beautiful? I found this trail in my research and stumbled upon “Swiss Family Fun” blog. They explain everything you need to know about this trail, so be sure to check out their post!

Overall View

I visited Lauterbrunnen several times on my trip, mainly because it was the next largest city to where I was staying. Nonetheless, the town is beautiful and probably one of my favorite places that I visited. Just riding the train into the station would make you feel in awe. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I tried to film it on my phone, but the quality of those videos just didn’t do it any justice. I would definitely recommend Lauterbrunnen as one of the cities to visit in Switzerland!

Helpful Tips:

• If you’re looking to save some money on your trip, I recommend getting pre-made meals at the supermarket. I got all of my meals from COOP.
• There are lots of FREE water fountains to fill up your bottles; no need to purchase a new one every time at the store. Just look for running fountains around the area.
• For the 3rd time, be sure to bring a raincoat if visiting any of the waterfalls.

Don’t forget to check out my other blogs around Switzerland! (Coming soon!)

• How to Spend the Best Day in Zurich
• The Ultimate Day Guide to Lauterbrunnen
• The Perfect Guide to Visiting Lucerne & Meiringen
• Best Things to Do in Interlaken

As always, thanks for being here!

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