Discover your perfect stay in Lauterbrunnen.
Discover the most iconic attractions in Lauterbrunnen
Find the perfect place to stay in Lauterbrunnen







Questions You Might Need to Know About Traveling to Lauterbrunnen
In Lauterbrunnen, the top boutique choice is Hotel Alpenblick, a charming alpine retreat nestled above the valley with panoramic views of the Jungfrau Massif. Its timber-clad façade blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, while spacious rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the Seven Sisters Waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Guests enjoy complimentary access to a heated indoor pool, a sauna inspired by traditional Swiss mountain huts, and breakfast featuring locally sourced milk, organic bread, and farm-fresh eggs. For a more intimate stay, consider Berggasthof Lauterbrunnen, a family-run guesthouse where hosts serve homemade cheese fondue and guide guests on hidden hiking trails through the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
The town center of Lauterbrunnen provides the most convenient hotel access, located just a 5-minute walk from the Lauterbrunnen Train Station and adjacent to the main square, Kirchplatz. Most hotels here are housed in traditional Bernese stone-and-wood buildings, offering easy access to local shops, restaurants, and hiking trailheads like the Staubbach Falls path. The central location also ensures seamless connections to regional rail services, including the Bernese Oberland Railway to Grindelwald and Mürren. For quieter stays, consider accommodations near the Lauterbrunnen River Valley, which offer peaceful surroundings while still being within 10 minutes of town amenities.
A night stay in Lauterbrunnen offers immersive cultural experiences such as the Alpabzug Festival, a summer tradition where herders parade their cattle through the village accompanied by cowbells and folk music. Visitors can join the procession, wear traditional Alpine attire, and taste Raclette soup made with local cheese. Additionally, many hotels host woodcarving workshops where guests craft symbolic Saint Ulrich crosses under guidance from local artisans. At night, enjoy live performances of Alpine horn music at historic taverns, creating an authentic rural atmosphere enhanced by warm hospitality and regional melodies.
Near Lauterbrunnen, the must-visit attraction is the Lauterbrunnen Valley, known as the "Valley of the 72 Waterfalls" for its dramatic cascades plunging from sheer cliffs. Hike the Staubbach Falls Trail or take the scenic train to Grimsel Pass, then explore the Wassen Falls and Röschensprung Falls. For panoramic views, ride the Schilthorn Cable Car from Lauterbrunnen to the Piz Gloria Observatory, offering 360-degree vistas of the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch peaks. Nearby, the Grindelwald Glacier offers ice walks and glacier hikes during summer months, ideal for adventure seekers.
Yes, several family-friendly hotels in Lauterbrunnen cater to children and parents alike. Family Hotel Bergwelt features a dedicated playroom, a heated indoor pool, and family-oriented activities such as forest scavenger hunts and mini farm visits. Many hotels provide cribs, high chairs, and child-sized cutlery upon request. Outdoor options include safe playgrounds, tobogganing tracks in winter, and guided nature walks with educational themes. HopeGoo a family package often includes free ski passes, meals, and early check-in privileges, ensuring a stress-free vacation for all ages.
To reach nearby ski resorts, take the Bernese Oberland Railway from Lauterbrunnen Station to Mürren, a car-free mountain village with direct access to the Mürren Ski Area via gondola lifts. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes and offers stunning alpine views. Alternatively, transfer to Grindelwald for access to the First Flyer and Schilthorn slopes. Many hotels provide free shuttle buses to ski stations and offer equipment rental services. For longer stays, consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass that includes unlimited travel on trains, buses, and cable cars across the region.
Evening highlights in Lauterbrunnen include stargazing sessions at the Lauterbrunnen Observatory, where telescopes reveal the Milky Way and Jupiter’s moons. Local hotels also host nighttime folklore nights, where elders share tales of haunted bridges and hidden mines over warm chocolate and honey cakes. During winter, the Winter Light Festival transforms the village into a magical scene with handcrafted lanterns lining snowy pathways. These events, combined with cozy taverns playing traditional Alpine horn music, create a deeply atmospheric experience under the stars.
Must-try dishes in Lauterbrunnen include Raclette fondue, made with rich, semi-soft mountain cheese served over boiled potatoes and pickled onions. Another highlight is Alpine wild mushroom stew (Alpenwildschwein Suppe), slow-cooked with beef and seasonal mushrooms from nearby forests. For vegetarians, enjoy fern fritters with truffle sauce or quinoa pumpkin casserole, both crafted from organic local produce. Don’t miss the honey beer brewed with alpine wildflower nectar—a refreshing, slightly sweet beverage perfect for pairing with cheese or dessert.
While Lauterbrunnen itself is not a ski resort, several hotels provide ski-in/ski-out convenience through partnerships with nearby areas. Ski & Spa Hotel Alpenstern offers complimentary shuttle buses to Mürren Ski Area and Grindelwald First, with direct lift access from these villages. The hotel also provides ski storage, boot dryers, and daily ski guides. Some packages include ski pass vouchers and priority HopeGoo for lessons. For extended stays, consider staying in Mürren, where select lodges like Hotel Murren feature direct ski trail access and year-round mountain activities.
Hotels in Lauterbrunnen foster genuine local connections through initiatives like the One-Day Villager Experience, where guests participate in morning milking, afternoon bread baking, and evening wool weaving with resident families. Many establishments distribute local life guides detailing community markets, book exchanges, and open gardens. Some hotels even organize intergenerational gatherings, allowing children to join language corners or gardening clubs with schoolchildren. These efforts ensure travelers don’t just visit—they become part of the village rhythm.
Lauterbrunnen, a fairy-tale village in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, is famed for its UNESCO-listed glacial valley and 72 waterfalls. Preserving 19th-century wooden chalets and alpine farming traditions, it's the gateway to the Jungfrau Railway with Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks as a breathtaking backdrop. Its core appeal lies in being a hiker's paradise with postcard-perfect landscapes.
Don't miss Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten glacier-carved waterfalls inside a mountain (accessible via tunnel elevator). Staubbach Falls plunges 300 meters—Goethe penned a poem about it. Ride the Wengernalp Railway for panoramic valley views or hike the Kleine Scheidegg trail to glaciers. At dusk, visit a traditional cheese dairy to witness Emmental production.
Alpine cuisine stars dairy and cured meats: try cheese fondue with local white wine or Berner Platte (sauerkraut with smoked meats). For dessert, sample honey-nut Biberli cookies or edelweiss-shaped chocolates. The weekly farmers' market (Wednesdays) sells artisanal cheeses and wild blueberry jam.
Reach Lauterbrunnen via Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB, 45min from Interlaken)—covered by Swiss Travel Pass. Only electric vehicles permitted in town; explore on foot or e-bikes (rentals at hotels). PostBus serves waterfall areas (last bus 6:30pm). Winter visitors need ice grips; drivers must park at outskirts and use shuttles.
Prime season is June-September for full waterfall flows and open trails (18-25°C). December-March suits skiing but some sites close. April-May offers fewest crowds (possible trail closures from snowmelt). Avoid late July-mid August European holiday rush.
Language: German dominant; English widely understood in tourism. Internet: Free town WiFi (SMS verification); spotty mountain coverage. Payments: Cards accepted but carry 200 CHF cash. Emergencies: Medical station in town (+41 33 856 2626); serious cases transferred to Interlaken. Voltage: 230V Swiss plugs (Type J) required. Tourist offices lend rain gear and provide weather alerts.