Two Days in Grindelwald Itinerary
Grindelwald is one of the most scenic, and popular, Swiss destinations of all. Whether you visit Grindelwald in winter or summer, you will find no shortage of things to see and do, from snow sports to seasonal hiking. As well as a whole lot more.
While there are enough things to do in Grindelwald to spend a week there, visiting for a couple of days does allow you to experience some of the real highlights. If you’re short on time, this guide to spending two days in Grindelwald will be helpful.
Known as the gateway to the Jungfrau Region, the village offers mountain excursions to Jungfraujoch, Pfingstegg, Männlichen and Mount First.
You could also visit the Glacier Gorge, or enjoy the range of attractions within the village, which include mini golf in summer and spas for all seasons. If you’re visiting in summer, you’ll also find plenty of hiking trails in the area.
With our 2 days in Grindelwald itinerary, you’ll be well equipped to decide what to do when you visit Grindelwald. Also covered is info on where to stay, day trips from Grindelwald, how to get there, and more.
Read on to discover all you need to know about Grindelwald in Switzerland!
Want to know more, or prefer to listen? Episode 101 of the Holidays to Switzerland travel podcast focuses on a local’s suggestions for things to do in Grindelwald.
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What's in this Article
Before you travel to the Jungfrau Region
All visitors to Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region who don’t have a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card should consider purchasing a Jungfrau Travel Pass or a Berner Oberland Pass.
These two passes offer free and discounted transport on trains, buses, boats, cable cars and funiculars in the region and can save you a considerable amount of money. The Berner Oberland Pass also offers free and discounted admission to a number of other attractions.
Read more about the passes and what they cover on the links below:
Grindelwald Itinerary Day 1
Morning – Jungfraujoch excursion
Also known as the Top of Europe, Jungfraujoch is one of the reasons why people flock to Grindelwald in the first place.
The summit is 3,454 metres above sea level, and making the trip to it is among the most popular things to do in Grindelwald. You can also visit all year round.
Once you reach the summit, there is plenty to do. You can visit the Sphinx Observatory for panoramic views of Aletsch Glacier, see the magnificent Ice Palace, or sample snow activities.
There’s also a range of dining and shopping options at Jungfraujoch.
There are two ways to reach Jungfraujoch. You can take a train all the way there from Grindelwald, which takes around an hour-and-a-half each way.
Travel option 1: Grindelwald main station to Jungfraujoch (via Kleine Scheidegg) by train
Alternatively, you can catch the Eiger Express cable car, plus a connecting train. The latter takes around 45 minutes in total, including both legs.
Travel option 2: Grindelwald Terminal to Eiger Glacier by Eiger Express cableway | Eiger Glacier to Jungfraujoch by train
Many people opt to take the train one way, and the train plus cable car in the other direction. You can board the Eiger Express cableway in Grindelwald at the Grindelwald Terminal, then switch to the Jungfraujochbahn for the final leg of the trip.
If you take the train all the way, you’ll change in Kleine Scheidegg. For the cable car and train combination, you’ll switch at the Eiger Glacier station.
As one of the most popular Grindelwald places to visit, it’s best to buy Jungfraujoch tickets in advance. Find out more about all the options in this guide to Jungfraujoch tickets.
🇨🇭Tip: Travel to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe is heavily discounted with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Pass. Reductions also apply to holders of a Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.
Afternoon – Glacier Gorge or Pfingstegg
Depending on when you visit Grindelwald, you may be able to spend the afternoon at Glacier Gorge or Pfingstegg.
During winter, there may not be much daylight remaining by the time you return from Jungfraujoch. If you do return to Grindelwald well before dark, you could perhaps go ice skating in the afternoon.
Glacier Gorge
Glacier Gorge Grindelwald – or Gletscherschlucht – is about a 30 minute walk or a short bus ride from the town centre, and is nestled between the Eiger and the Mettenberg.
The Grindelwald Glacier Canyon Walk is open between late May and late October.
This kilometre-long walkway shows how the glacier has changed over time, as it was once covered in ice. You also get great views of the craggy rock walls.
We recommend you bring a warm jacket as the temperature inside the gorge is around 10°C (50°F).
For the brave at heart, there’s also a “spider web” you can cross, which is strung seven metres above the Lutschine River.
> Buy your admission ticket to Grindelwald Glacier Canyon here
Pfingstegg
Another popular mountain summit in the Grindelwald area is Pfingstegg. The valley station can be reached by bus or on foot from Grindelwald train station. From there, a cable car takes you to the top.
Open only during the summer months, there are a number of activities at Pfingstegg to choose from.
The Grindelwald toboggan run – or Pfingstegg rodelbahn – is open between early May and late October, while the Pfingstegg fly-line operates from mid-May to mid-October.
The toboggan allows you to whizz along a 736-metre track at speed, while the fly-line is a two-and-a-half minute adrenaline-inducing ride.
Visit Pfingstegg and you can also see cows grazing in Alpine meadows, follow hiking trails to the glacier, and enjoy panoramic views from the viewing terrace, or while dining at the restaurant.
🇨🇭Tip: Travel on the Pfingstegg cable car is free of charge with the Berner Oberland Pass. Reductions also apply to holders of a Jungfrau Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.
Grindelwald Itinerary Day 2
Morning – Grindelwald First or Männlichen
Grindelwald First
Positioned on the slopes of Schwarzhorn, First mountain is a modestly-sized summit in Grindelwald. It’s easy to reach by cableway, and the station is at the edge of town, about 15 minutes’ walk from the train station.
While it’s worth visiting Grindelwald First for the views, it’s also known as the Top of Adventure. There are plenty of things to do at Grindelwald First, both at the summit and the intermediate cableway stations of Bort and Schreckfeld.
At the top, you’ll find the Cliff Walk at First, with a viewing platform; the First Flyer zip line; and the mountain restaurant for lunch. Schreckfeld is home to the First Glider, mountain carts, and another restaurant, while Bort offers an adventure playground and Trotti bikes.
In summer, you can also take a number of hikes at First, including the popular scenic trek from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee. During winter, skiing and sledging are also available at First.
🇨🇭Tip: Travel on the Grindelwald First cableway is free of charge with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Pass. Reductions apply to holders of a Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.
Männlichen
Between late May and late October, or December and April for the winter season, you can also visit the summit of Männlichen. The 2,343 metre summit can be accessed by taking a ride on the Grindelwald to Männlichen cable car.
Taking the half hour Royal Walk to the ‘Crown’ viewing platform is among the most popular things to do at Männlichen.
If you like (during the summer months), you can then follow the Panoramaweg hike to Kleine Scheidegg, before taking the train back to Grindelwald.
It’s worth visiting Männlichen just to see the breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and the Lauterbrunnen Valley spread out below. There’s also a mountain restaurant which serves a good range of meals and snacks.
If you’re visiting Grindelwald as a family, the adventure playground – complete with a charming, tall wooden cow – can occupy the children for some time.
Read our complete guide to visiting Männlichen.
🇨🇭Tip: Travel on the Grindelwald to Männlichen cableway is free of charge with the Berner Oberland Pass and Jungfrau Travel Pass. Reductions apply to holders of a Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.
Afternoon – Explore the village, play mini golf, visit a wellness centre, or take a hike
Your second afternoon in Grindelwald can be spent as you please. You could simply explore the village, sit at a cozy cafe and watch the world go by, or play mini golf at the local course in summer.
There’s also a number of Grindelwald hotels with spas, for the ultimate in relaxation and pampering.
These offer facilities such as steam baths, saunas, and infinity pools. To experience an infinity pool with an amazing view, we recommend the pool at Hotel Spinne, which offers jaw-dropping views of the Eiger’s North Face.
You could also indulge in a private whirlpool experience at the Eiger Mountain & Soul Resort.
> Click here to book your whirlpool experience
Hiking in Grindelwald
There are dozens of hikes to suit all abilities around Grindelwald so you could easily spend the afternoon following one of the many local trails.
A popular summer hike is the Jungfrau Eiger Trail, which leads from Eiger Glacier to Kleine Scheidegg. As mentioned above, you can also trek from Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee, or between Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg.
Another favourite among experienced hikers is the Männlichen to Wengen route. It’s around 11 kilometres (or 7 miles) long, involving a descent of almost 1,000 metres. You can enjoy superb views of the big three – the Eiger, the Jungfrau, and the Monch – as you walk.
Before setting off on your hike, we recommend you check that the trail is open – check the status of trails here.
If you prefer, you can book a guided hike to get to know the area while in the hands of a local expert.
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How to Get to Grindelwald
If you want to take the train to Grindelwald, you’ll have to travel via Interlaken. There are half-hourly services, and the journey by rail takes just over 30 minutes.
There are also half-hourly trains between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, via Zweilütschinen. This trip takes about an hour.
It takes around two hours and 40 minutes to travel between Zurich and Grindelwald by train. Approximate journey times from other parts of Switzerland are as follows:
- Bern to Grindelwald – 1h:05
- Geneva to Grindelwald – 3h:25
- Lucerne to Grindelwald – 2h:30
If you’re renting a car, you can drive to Grindelwald from all over Switzerland. The motorway network connects Interlaken with all major destinations.
It takes another half hour or so to drive from Interlaken to Grindelwald. This is good news if you’re weighing up the pros and cons of Interlaken vs Grindelwald: due to the short distance between them, it’s pretty easy to do both.
If you are driving to Grindelwald, it’s worth knowing where to park. Your accommodation may offer parking, but if not, a multi-level car park can be found beneath the Eiger Centre and the Coop Supermarket. Parking charges apply.
Where to Stay in Grindelwald
With around 40 hotels in Grindelwald, it can be tricky trying to decide where to stay. To help you choose, we have created a dedicated guide to the best Grindelwald hotels.
Each of the 15 hotels is listed according to the location. We have selected hotels near the train station, in the centre of the village, close to the Grindelwald First cable car station, and near Pfingstegg cable car station.
Grindelwald offers other styles of accommodation, too. There are lots of self-catering options, plus hostels and campsites. You can also rent a traditional Swiss chalet if you prefer.
> Click here to book apartments in Grindelwald
Useful Things to Know about Grindelwald
Grindelwald day trips
If you are staying in Grindelwald for a little longer, there are various day trips you can take from the village.
You could travel to beautiful Lauterbrunnen to see the waterfalls, or spend time at the Schilthorn and Mürren. Other options include visiting Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, or dining at sunset at Harder Kulm.
> Check out our three-day Jungfrau Region itinerary article for more inspiration.
Where is Grindelwald?
Grindelwald is in central Switzerland, within the Jungfrau Region. The village is around half an hour from Interlaken, by car or by train.
Zurich is the closest international airport, and it’s around 140 kilometres away. Grindelwald is also about 65 kilometres from Bern, or 85 kilometres from Lucerne.
Grindelwald weather
Grindelwald has lots to offer during all seasons.
Temperatures in June, July and August – the summer months – can be pleasantly warm, with highs between around 15°C and 25°C. It will be cooler in the mountains, creating perfect conditions for hiking.
The winter season is very cold, with temperatures hovering around the -1°C and 1°C mark in the village. These are lower at higher elevations, so you can expect plenty of snow in the mountains of the Jungfrau ski region.
Two Days in Grindelwald | Final thoughts
If you were wondering whether to spend time in Grindelwald during your holiday to Switzerland, we hope this suggested two-day itinerary has helped you make up your mind.
Due to the distance between them, it’s easy to combine Grindelwald with the popular Swiss resort of Interlaken. You can also reach Grindelwald by road or train from all over the country, travelling via Interlaken when making the journey by rail.
Once you arrive in Grindelwald, you’ll find a lovely village among the mountains. Taking excursions to various local summits offers superlative views over the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger, as well as the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Other things to do include taking the Grindelwald Glacier Canyon Walk, visiting local spas, playing mini golf, exploring the village, or taking a hike. There’s also some great hotels to stay in.
Whatever you do and wherever you go, we’re sure you’ll make lasting memories in this beautiful Swiss village.
🇨🇭 Read more about Grindelwald and the surrounding area in our Jungfrau Region Travel Guide.
