Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, or Grindelwald?

If you’re currently facing this dilemma, let me assure you right now: there is no wrong answer. Whichever way you decide, you’ll be in for magical days of majestic snow-capped peaks and dreamy alpine meadows, cozy chalets, and hearty cuisine, and some of the most beautiful landscapes and stunning sceneries you will ever encounter.

A holiday in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region is guaranteed to be epic, but to really experience it in the best possible way for you, it certainly helps to choose the right base.

This guide helps you do just that. Whether you’re in the mood for sightseeing, unwinding, or endless adventures, there’s a perfect base for you. Here’s where to stay in Jungfrau.

Where to stay in Jungfrau – a quick guide to finding your ideal base

Here are quick recommendations to help you choose where to stay in Jungfrau.

1. If you want to explore as much of Jungfrau as possible, stay in Lauterbrunnen. Most of Jungfrau’s essential sights, like Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, can only be reached by a series of train and cable car rides. Lauterbrunnen is the most central and convenient base for getting to these sights as well as to other exciting places like Interlaken and Grindelwald. You’ll also get to enjoy gorgeous hiking trails, tremendous waterfalls, and stunning scenery right outside your hotel.
2. If you’re keen on soaking up the charm of a quiet mountaintop Swiss village, stay in Wengen or Mürren. These car-free mountain villages are perfect if you’re looking forward to a relaxed stay in a charming, traditional Swiss village with spectacular views. Wengen is closer to Jungfraujoch while Mürren is closer to Birg and Schilthorn, but both have convenient connections to the rest of the region. These villages are also perfect for skiing holidays.
3. If you’re in Jungfrau to hike, ski, and be active, stay in Grindelwald. It’s the ideal base for hiking and biking during the summer, for skiing and snowboarding during the winter, and for visiting Grindelwald First and Jungfraujoch year-round. It’s also much livelier with an extensive selection of shops and restaurants plus an exciting nightlife scene.

Plan your trip to Jungfrau with this handy PDF guide.

Map – essential landmarks in Jungfrau

Use this Google map to help you plan your trip to Switzerland’s beautiful Jungfrau region.

I added all the important landmarks, the best places to visit, and the best areas and hotels to stay in.

If you want to explore as much of Jungfrau as possible, stay in Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is the most central base for exploring Jungfrau’s top sights. You’d be near both Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, as well as enjoy good connections to busier cities like Interlaken and Grindelwald. It’s a convenient base whether you plan to drive to Jungfrau’s lakeside towns or ride the trains and cable cars to the mountaintop sights – or do a little bit of everything.

Comfort and convenience are not the only reasons to stay in Lauterbrunnen, though. The town itself is beautiful, with plenty of scenic hiking trails just outside the main commercial areas. You can spend a day or two hiking through the forest, past rocky cliffs, and with stops at several tremendous falls in the area, like the Trümmelbach and the Staubbach.

While Lauterbrunnen has an excellent selection of shops and restaurants for a short stay, it’s still a lot more rustic and laidback compared to the busy city of Interlaken and the popular resort town of Grindelwald. You’ll get to enjoy the best things about a holiday in Jungfrau – a relaxed stay in a beautiful valley plus convenient connections to all the best sights.

Best hotels in Lauterbrunnen

★Top Pick: Hotel Oberland is a charming, family-run hotel in Lauterbrunnen. They have spacious and comfortable rooms, a convenient and central location, and an in-house restaurant serving hearty Swiss dishes. They have free parking spaces for their guests and the hotel is a 5-minute walk from the train station, making it the best base for adventures all around the Jungfrau region.

Hotel Silberhorn is also worth checking out. For families and bigger groups who want a home-away-from-home experience, this Luxury Apartment is a fantastic option.

If you’re keen on soaking up the charm of a quiet mountaintop Swiss village, stay in Wengen or Mürren

Nothing is more rejuvenating than a couple of days away from the hustle and bustle of city life tucked away in a peaceful town surrounded by spectacular views and warm, welcoming chalets.

While Jungfrau is increasingly becoming one of Switzerland’s most popular destinations, it’s still worth a visit even if you’re looking for a peaceful stay. Instead of stopping by Interlaken or Grindelwald, go straight to one of the mountaintop villages like Wengen and Mürren and enjoy days of scenic views, the old Swiss vibe of rustic timber houses, and car-free streets.

During the bright and sunny summer months, you’ll have miles of panoramic hiking trails, like the one that goes from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg or from Mürren to Allmendhubel. In winter, both are great spots for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts.

Both Wengen and Mürren have their own charms and conveniences. Wengen is closer to Jungfraujoch, while Mürren is closer to Schilthorn and Birg. Wengen is a slightly more convenient base if you’re planning to go around the rest of the Jungfrau region, like to Interlaken and Grindelwald. Mürren, on the other hand, is slightly more serene and detached from the main tourist trails. Whichever way you decide, both villages make for lovely, peaceful stays.

Take note, though, that if you’re coming to Jungfrau with a car, you can’t drive all the way to Wengen or Mürren. If you’re staying in Wengen, you can park your car next to the Lauterbrunnen railway station (see Google map above), then ride the train to Wengen. You can check rates and reserve a spot in advance here.

If you’re staying in Mürren, you can leave your car at Park Stechelberg (see Google map). While you can’t reserve a spot in advance, they do have plenty of spaces and an option to purchase a pre-paid ticket once there. Make sure to take your ticket to the payment machine upon entering the car park and select the prepaid option that works best for you.

Best hotels in Wengen

★Top Pick: Hotel Wengener Hof is everything you’d imagine a lovely Swiss mountaintop hotel would be. You get great mountain views, comfortable and stylish rooms, a beautiful garden, and a cozy lodge where you can relax after a day of adventures. It’s certainly the perfect place to stay if you’re looking forward to a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday in the Swiss Alps.

Other great options are Hotel Edelweiss and Hotel Alpenruhe. Both have a cozy ambiance and breathtaking views.

Best hotels in Mürren

★Top Pick: Hotel Eiger is a beautiful family-run hotel that offers one of the most upscale experiences in the heart of the Swiss Alps. It’s near to several ski lifts, including the ones to Allmendhubel and Birg, making it the perfect base for a ski holiday. They also have spa facilities, a bar, gorgeous rooms, and the most stunning views – the perfect way to end a day out in the beautiful mountains.

Other beautiful hotels in Mürren are Hotel Bellevue and Hotel Alpina.

If you’re in Jungfrau to hike, ski, and be active, stay in Grindelwald

Grindelwald is the perfect base for you if you’re looking to get really active on this trip.

Plenty of hiking and biking trails go through Grindelwald – from the easy, 3-KM uphill hike to Bachalpsee to the more challenging Eiger trail. You’ll also find lots to do at Grindelwald First and Jungfraujoch, both of which are easily accessible from Grindelwald.

Grindelwald is also the perfect base for a winter holiday. From skiing to snowboarding, tobogganing, sledding, and winter hiking, you can engage in all sorts of winter sports. The nightlife scene is also particularly lively during the winter months, with plenty of bars and restaurants where you can drink, dance, and exchange stories with fellow travel and adventure enthusiasts.

If you’re driving to Jungfrau, Grindelwald is also the highest area you can reach with your car, so it’s perfect if you want to infuse road trip adventures into your alpine holiday.

Best hotels in Grindelwald

★Top Pick: Hotel Belvedere is our top place to stay in Grindelwald. With incredible panoramic views of the Eiger and the Bernese Alps, an in-house gourmet restaurant, a spa and an indoor pool, and spacious and stylish rooms, this is the perfect place to come home to after a hard day of alpine adventures. They’re close to the center, the ski lifts, and have free parking for guests, making your stay the most comfortable and convenient possible.

Parkhotel Schoenegg and Hotel Gletschergarten are also great options. Both are amazing hotels in convenient locations close to the train station and the cable cars and with free parking spaces for guests.

* * *

Ready to plan your trip? Here’s our guide to spending 5 days in Jungfrau.

Top tips for traveling to Jungfrau

• Book your hotel early – Book at least two months in advance, especially during the peak summer and winter months. You can book the hotels I recommended here with an option to cancel or modify your dates for free so you can secure your stays while staying flexible with your plans.
• Keep an eye on the weather – Most of the best things to see and do in Jungfrau are highly dependent on good weather. Don’t book your tickets to the sights until 2-3 days out once you’re sure it will be a nice day to go up.
• Save and ride conveniently with a travel pass – Getting a Swiss Half Fare Card before your trip would be the best way to save on fares (and eat more fondue).

Planning a trip to Switzerland – Check out all the Little Holidays Guides to Switzerland.

* * *

I hope this quick and easy guide helps you decide where to stay in Jungfrau! I’d have to agree – it’s not an easy decision to make but the best kind of dilemma to be in. So many beautiful places, so little time!

But if you can decide on what sort of experience you’d most what to have, this guide will help you figure out your best base. If you’re still confused, send me a message and let’s sort it out together – I’m here for you!

Happy travels to Switzerland! The beautiful Swiss Alps await!

First published – 27 November 2019

Last updated – 26 November 2022 – updated travel-planning information