Grindelwald Holidays

Holidays to Grindelwald put you in the magnificent Swiss outdoors or let you admire them from cosy chalets and upscale shops.

Grand old Grindelwald

A cosy village in the Bernese Alps offering low-stakes escapes and high altitude excitement, Grindelwald's a fun-packed Swiss retreat for all ages. Whether you're happiest carving up mountain slopes, getting the perfect sunrise snapshot or enjoying some hot choc with a view, this mountainside town's got it.

Alluring alpine atmosphere

There are scores of European eateries around, many with views of the mystic mountains. Walk off a meal of bread and potatoes dipped in cheese fondue with a scenic trip down the Maennlichen Romantic Trail. Swanky Swiss shopping awaits at Kirchhofer, and there are athletic wear outlets for when you want to top up your ski wardrobe.

Peachy peaks

High altitude walks are easy as pie, thanks to the local cable car, and dazzling ski runs will take you all the way back to Grindelwald. You can even paraglide from the summit of First, a 25-minute train ride away. The peak of Jungfraujoch is 30 minutes out by train, where you'll get some of the most soul-stirring views in Europe.

Terrestrial touring

There's plenty to do off the mountainside. Scramble over the underground rivers and reflective walls of Glacier Canyon – five minutes' drive from Grindelwald – from the safety of a giant net. Or experience exhilarating action at the Indoor Rope Park, great for the occasional rainy day and just another five-minute drive away.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Grindelwald:

• Cycle routes
• Outdoor pool
• Tennis courts
• Minigolf

At a glance

Break in your hiking boots on the Eiger Mountain trail
Go from the piste to the past at Grindelwald Museum
Tour the sights of central Switzerland by cogwheel train

Grassy Grindelwald

Grindelwald is mainly known for its picturesque mountain landscape and not for its sparkling waters, so don't expect to be relaxing on lake shores throughout your stay. However, if you're planning to venture out of the pretty Swiss town and up into the mountains, you will find some hidden lakes amidst the peaks.
Hidden lake

Head up the First gondola and take an hour's walk to the idyllic Bachalpsee. This small mountain lake is surrounded by green marshland and backed by stunning mountains. There are two sections of the lake, with one smaller pond located slightly below the larger part.
Bachalpsee bathing

While there aren't any designated beaches or lidos around the shores of Bachalpsee, feel free to throw down your towel on any of the grassy banks and paddle your feet. It's relatively quiet, too, so you don't have to worry about not finding somewhere to sit.

Laid-back evenings

For an evening with ambience, grab a table on the outdoor terrace at the interestingly named Avocado Bar. Despite its name, the fashionable green fruit isn't what this bar is famous for – it's simply a relaxing environment with good, soothing music and a low-key atmosphere.
Lively evenings

Upbeat evenings are also on the cards in Grindelwald. The Espresso Bar, next to the Hotel Spinne, is usually lively and has an outdoor terrace facing the north face of the Eiger. Another option, The Juke Box, is designed like a large living room, stuffed with sofas, and even has a terrace with views towards the Eiger, too.

Eating out

Grindelwald is known for its mountain cheeses, so you'll find lots of fondue restaurants for when you’re craving a melted pot of gooey goodness with fresh bread and potatoes. There are plenty of mountain restaurants to take lunch at if you’ve taken a cable car up for the day, all with excellent views, as well as a variety of eateries on the Dorfstrasse in the centre of town.
Superb scenery at C&M

The modern chalet restaurant C&M has great views of the Eiger and surrounding mountains from its outdoor terrace. The menu - offering slightly different dishes to what you'd traditionally find here - is a little limited, but this means everything is prepared and cooked with extra love and care.
A quick quiche at Backeri-Konditorei-Café Ringgenberg

The large, down-to-earth café on the Dorfstrasse, Backerei-Konditorei-Café Ringgenberg, is great for breakfast or lunch. It serves up a large selection of reasonably priced breads, sandwiches, quiches, cakes, ice creams and pastries (which you can also get to take away) as well as larger meals.

On foot

The slightly hilly resort of Grindelwald has a lot of walking to keep you busy. The town's main road, the Dorfstrasse, is a great place to take a stroll as it's full of shops and restaurants - you'll surely find the perfect place to stop for lunch.
Trains

Grindelwald station has services that can take you to Interlaken every half an hour. From Interlaken you can access the rest of the Swiss Transport System - so places like Zurich, Lucerne and Montreux are back on the cards. And take advantage of your Swiss Half Fare Card that you get as part of your holiday for up to 50% off Swiss train journeys during your stay.
Buses

The main bus station in Grindelwald is opposite the train station, and the main routes are free with the Visitor’s Card. Mountain buses are an extra charge and go to Grosse Scheidegg, Bussalp and Waldspitz, departing roughly once an hour. And your Swiss Half Fare Card that you get as part of your holiday gives you up to 50% off bus journeys during your stay.
Summer lifts

From Grindelwald you can catch a variety of mountain railways and cable cars. The Firstbahn, Pfingsteggbahn and the Bernese Oberland railway are just a few available. All of them run daily between 8am and 6pm in high season, taking you up to incredible heights for panoramic views of the Jungfrau region.

Walking

Grindelwald is a real walker’s paradise, with everything from gentle strolls to full-day hikes. The valley floor is a lovely place to just wander, looking out for bright alpine flowers, and the range of summer lifts means you can explore higher up too. Use the First gondola to access a range of routes, like the Marmot Trail or the walk to the picture-postcard Bachalpsee lake. And the Jungfrau Railway is a unique way to travel to the Top of Europe.
First to Bachalpsee

Catch the First gondola from Grindelwald all the way to the top – and sit backwards for great views of the glaciers. Walk along the yellow footpath, following signs for Bachalpsee. There’s a short zig-zag climb at the start but after that the path is more even. At the end, you’ll come to the two lakes where you can stop for a picnic, paddle in the water, or just sit back and take in the views.