Jungfrau in Winter: Best Things to Do in Wengen, Jungfraujoch & Meiringen
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Planning a trip to Jungfrau in winter and wondering what to do? This guide covers some of the best winter activities in the Jungfrau Region in Switzerland, including Wengen, Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), and Meiringen in Haslital.
You’ll find practical tips on skiing, sledding, winter hiking, visiting Jungfraujoch, and choosing where to stay. We’ve visited the Jungfrau Region many times in winter, so all recommendations are based on our own trips and what we would suggest to friends planning their first visit.
If you’re specifically looking for what to do in Wengen in winter, you’ll find detailed information below, along with ideas for exploring several lesser-known parts of the Jungfrau Region. And if you’re planning to stay nearby, check out our guide to Interlaken in winter for additional seasonal tips and recommendations on what to see.
If you’re planning a longer trip around Switzerland, see our detailed Switzerland itinerary for ideas on how to combine the Jungfrau Region with other highlights.
Disclosure: We visited Jungfrau in winter in collaboration with Jungfrau Region Tourism. We’ve been to the Jungfrau Region many times before and after this trip, and it remains one of our favorite places in Switzerland. On this visit, we explored several lesser-known spots with local insight and share our honest recommendations below.
Why Visit Jungfrau in Winter
Here are just a few reasons why the Jungfrau Region is one of the best winter destinations in Switzerland:
1. Easy to reach. The Jungfrau Region is located in the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland and is easy to access year-round. It’s close to many major cities – about a 1-hour drive from Bern or Lucerne and around 2 hours from Zurich or Basel. Whether you’re traveling by car or by train, getting here is really simple.
2. Mountain scenery. The Jungfrau Region sits high in the Swiss Alps and is known for its dramatic mountain landscape. Snow-covered peaks, wide valleys, and spectacular views make it one of the most picturesque winter destinations in Switzerland.
3. Wide range of winter activities. One of the biggest strengths of the Jungfrau Region is the variety of things to do. In winter, you’ll find skiing, winter hiking, sledding on dedicated runs, ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, curling, and even paragliding. The main ski area between Wengen and Grindelwald is so large that you could ski for several days without repeating the same runs.
4. Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe. The Jungfrau Region is best known for Jungfraujoch, home to the highest railway station in Europe. This iconic attraction draws visitors from all over the world and is one of the most memorable places to visit in Switzerland in winter.
5. Schilthorn & Bond World. Schilthorn is one of the most striking mountain peaks in the region and a highlight for James Bond fans. In addition to panoramic views, you can visit Bond World, an interactive exhibition dedicated to the famous 007 film location. It’s worth visiting in any season.
6. Charming towns and car-free mountain villages. The Jungfrau Region has many little towns and several car-free villages. Wengen and Mürren are not to be missed. Both are car-free and can only be reached by train, which adds to their relaxed atmosphere. These traditional alpine towns are one of the things that make the Jungfrau Region feel so different from many other winter destinations.
7. History, culture, and family focus. From Sherlock Holmes connections and historic hotels to local food traditions and family-friendly facilities, the Jungfrau Region offers much more than just winter sports. Keep reading to discover these and other reasons why this area is such a great winter destination.
Jungfrau Region – Where to Go
The Jungfrau Region includes Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Grindelwald, and Haslital, as well as well-known mountain destinations such as Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) and Schilthorn.
Each of these places has its own character and is worth visiting in its own right. They all offer something different, so if you have enough time, it’s well worth exploring several of them.
In this guide, we focus on Wengen, Jungfraujoch, and Meiringen in Haslital — three very different destinations that can easily be combined in one short trip. Together, they offer a good mix of sightseeing and winter activities.
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
Without a doubt, the highlight of visiting the Jungfrau Region is a trip to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. At 3,454 meters above sea level, it’s often referred to as the Top of Europe.
It’s impressive to think that this mountain railway was built at the end of the 19th century to reach the glacier at such altitude. Construction of the tunnel and railway line took 16 years. The visionary behind the project, Adolf Guyer-Zeller, passed away before it was completed, but his ambitious idea became one of Switzerland’s most remarkable engineering achievements.
Reaching Jungfraujoch takes some time. From Interlaken, plan about 2 hours. From Lauterbrunnen, around 1.5 hours. From Wengen or Grindelwald, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on connections. You’ll change trains at Kleine Scheidegg, where you board the Jungfrau Railway for the final stretch through the mountain tunnel.
Good to know: Jungfraujoch is an extremely popular destination. Also in winter, you should reserve tickets in advance.
TIP: If you’re traveling around Switzerland by train, check whether a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half-Fare Card makes sense for your itinerary. Jungfraujoch tickets are expensive, and discounts can significantly reduce the cost.
The views are the main reason to visit. From the Sphinx observation deck, you look out over the Aletsch Glacier on one side and toward the Jungfrau mountain on the other. The scale of the landscape is hard to describe until you see it for yourself.
In addition to the views, there’s plenty to do inside. You can walk through the Ice Palace, a tunnel carved into the glacier, watch the 360° Jungfrau Panorama film, and learn more about the history of the railway’s construction. There’s even a small Lindt chocolate experience.
Jungfraujoch is not just the highlight of the Jungfrau Region, but one of the most distinctive places to visit in Switzerland. It’s well worth including in your itinerary at any time of year.
Read the detailed guide linked below for more information about what to see and how to plan your visit.
LEARN MORE: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Wengen in Winter
Wengen is our favorite of all Jungfrau towns. It offers a nice balance between a traditional mountain village and a well-equipped winter resort, with something for both skiers and non-skiers.
To reach Wengen, you take a train from Lauterbrunnen, about 400 meters lower in the valley. The ride itself already feels special, with open views of the mountains as you climb up to the village.
Wengen has just over 1,000 permanent residents. In winter, the number of visitors increases significantly, yet the village rarely feels crowded. Most people head straight to the slopes, and the ski area is so extensive that it easily absorbs the winter crowds.
Below, you’ll find more information about what to see and do in Wengen in winter.
Skiing in Wengen
The Jungfrau ski area connects Wengen, Grindelwald, Männlichen, and Kleine Scheidegg. Mürren, on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, is also easy to reach. With three mountain ranges, two valleys, and more than 200 km of ski runs for all levels, it’s one of the largest and most varied ski regions in Switzerland.
The highest slopes are above 2,000 meters, which usually means reliable snow conditions throughout the winter season.
Wengen itself has several beginner slopes and ski schools, making it a great choice for families with young children. This is where our twins learned to ski when they were just four years old.
Across the wider Jungfrau ski area, you’ll find a mix of blue and red runs, with only a few black pistes. Most slopes are red, but they are wide and well-prepared, so even our kids handled them without any issues. There’s plenty of variety for skiers of different levels.
LEARN MORE: Complete Guide to Skiing in Wengen
You may have heard of the famous Lauberhorn downhill ski race held in Wengen every January. If you come here outside race week, you can try this iconic slope for yourself.
Standing at the starting point, it’s hard to imagine that professional racers complete the course in just over two minutes. We only skied the first section and it took us much longer — partly because we kept stopping to take photos. The views along the way are simply too good to rush past.
Sledding in Wengen
Sledding is one of the most fun winter activities in the Jungfrau Region, especially for families. Around Wengen, you’ll find several dedicated and well-maintained sled runs (they are usually marked in purple on local winter maps).
If you’re visiting with young kids, pay attention to the route you choose. The run from Männlichen toward Grindelwald is quite steep in sections and rather long, which can be challenging for small children.
A more family-friendly option is the Fox Run, which roughly follows the railway line between Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen. It’s easy to start with a shorter section, for example between Wengernalp and Allmend. If you enjoy it, you can simply take the train back up and sled all the way down to Wengen.
The Fox Run is steep enough to be exciting, but generally manageable for families. That said, mountain sledding requires some technique. You steer and brake using your feet, and it takes a bit of practice to feel fully in control. Young children shouldn’t sled alone on mountain runs. In some situations, you may even need to deliberately tip the sled to avoid obstacles or picking up too much speed.
For that reason, it’s often best for smaller children to ride together with an adult. Older kids, once confident, will likely love the independence and the thrill of riding on their own.
Ice Skating in Wengen
The ice skating rink is located right in the center of Wengen, next to the ski school, so it’s very easy to access. You might expect it to be busy, especially during peak season, but during our visit it was surprisingly quiet and we had almost the entire rink to ourselves.
We hadn’t gone ice skating in years, and this was such a fun experience for all of us. Maybe it was the smooth ice, the well-maintained skates, or simply the mountain setting, but skating here felt extra special. Whatever the reason, ice skating in Wengen turned out to be one of the highlights of our winter trip.
Curling in Wengen
Behind the Wengen Tourism Office, next to the ice skating rink, you’ll find a covered curling rink. It’s a great option for non-skiers and an easy activity to enjoy regardless of the weather.
Curling is beginner-friendly and you can book a session that includes instruction. A local guide explains the basics, so even if you’ve never tried it before, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. See the official Wengen Tourism page for practical details and booking information.
We had never tried curling before, and the kids were immediately hooked. All three of them loved it. We weren’t particularly good at it (and that’s an understatement), but that didn’t matter. It turned out to be a fun way to spend an afternoon together, and we would absolutely do it again.
Wengen in Winter with Kids
Wengen is a very family-friendly destination, also in winter. There are plenty of activities for kids, from ski lessons and sledding to ice skating and easy winter walks.
There are two main ski school locations: one in the village itself and another at the Männlichen ski area. So you can pick the option that works best for your accommodation and daily schedule.
For families with very young children, Wengen also has childcare services.
What to Do in Wengen in Winter for Non-Skiers
Winter holidays in Switzerland are so much more than alpine skiing. Even if you don’t plan to hit the slopes, there’s plenty to fill your days.
As mentioned earlier, the area offers winter hiking trails, sledding runs, ice skating, curling, and cross-country skiing. You can also take the train up to Kleine Scheidegg simply for the views, enjoy lunch at a mountain restaurant, or ride higher to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe (see details further below).
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, paragliding is possible in winter as well, with tandem flights departing from Männlichen. It’s a unique way to see the region from a completely different perspective.
Wengen also makes a great base for easy day trips in the heart of the Jungfrau Region. You can take the train down to Lauterbrunnen and continue to Mürren, another car-free mountain village with winter walking trails and spectacular views, especially from Schilthorn. Or head to Grindelwald-First for First Cliff Walk, winter hikes, and additional activities.
The Wengen Tourist Office also organizes all kinds of free events, so make sure to stop by and ask for their weekly program. We joined a free culinary village walk and it turned out to be a fun activity for the whole family. You learn a bit about the village’s history and sample local specialties along the way.
And of course, you can simply slow down and enjoy village life. There are many good restaurants in Wengen and plenty of mountain huts where you can stop for lunch with a view. Even without skiing, it’s easy to fill several days here.
Where to Stay in Wengen
Wengen offers a wide range of accommodations, from chalet rentals to upscale hotels. Because the village is small and car-free, you’ll be walking everywhere. If you plan to ski every day, staying close to the Männlichen gondola and the train station makes things much easier, especially if you don’t want to carry skis and boots back and forth.
On this trip, we stayed at the Grand Hotel Belvedere. This historic hotel has been beautifully restored and is now one of the nicest places to stay in Wengen. It’s located slightly above the village center, so getting to the ski school and gondola involves a short walk. With young kids and ski gear, that can feel less convenient, but using ski lockers near the lifts solved that for us.
On a previous winter visit, we stayed at Hotel Silberhorn, right next to the gondola and the train station. Its location is very practical if you want quick access to the slopes. It also has a spa area with an outdoor jacuzzi, which is great after a day outside.
Braunbär Hotel & Spa is another good family option, with an excellent central location and an indoor pool.
TIP: Book well in advance — winter and summer are both busy seasons in the Jungfrau Region, and Wengen is one of the absolute top places to stay.
Haslital Region: Meiringen & Hasliberg
Part of the Jungfrau Region, Haslital is somewhat of a hidden gem in the Bernese Oberland. Despite many trips to Switzerland over the years, we had never really explored Haslital or the Meiringen–Hasliberg ski area. We had driven through Meiringen several times on our way to the famous Three Passes, but never actually stopped.
When Jungfrau Region Tourism suggested that Haslital is a great mountain destination for families, we were curious to see how it compared to the better-known places nearby.
We only spent a short time in Haslital, but it left a strong impression. The area feels authentic and relaxed, with beautiful scenery, good local food, and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s also one of the most family-friendly ski regions we’ve seen in Switzerland. Here’s why it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
Meiringen
Meiringen is a small mountain town with a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful setting in the Haslital valley. Internationally, it’s best known for two things: meringues and Sherlock Holmes. The connection between the two is purely coincidental, but both have put this quiet Swiss town on the map.
Meringues
Meiringen is widely considered the birthplace of meringues — light, crisp treats made from whipped egg whites and sugar. According to local tradition, an Italian chef named Gasparini created them here in the 17th century and named them after the town. The French later refined both the recipe and the name to “meringue.”
Tasting meringues in Meiringen is a must. They are much fresher and softer inside than what you typically find elsewhere. One of the best-known places to try them is Frutal Versandbäckerei, which has a shop in town and a bakery nearby.
Frutal also offers guided visits and, when available, meringue baking workshops (usually in German). We weren’t lucky with the workshop timing, but visiting the bakery was still worth it. And yes, we brought plenty of meringues home (they didn’t last very long :)).
Sherlock Holmes
Meiringen is closely linked to Sherlock Holmes. It’s here, at the nearby Reichenbach Falls, that Arthur Conan Doyle famously wrote the scene in which Holmes meets Professor Moriarty in what was meant to be his final confrontation.
Because of this connection, Meiringen has become a well-known stop for fans of the detective stories. The Sherlock Holmes Society of London even organizes themed visits, with participants dressed in 19th-century clothing to reenact scenes from the books.
If you have some time to spare, you can visit the small Sherlock Holmes Museum in town. It features a reconstruction of Holmes’ living room at 221B Baker Street, along with various exhibits related to the stories. There’s also a short Sherlock Holmes trail through Meiringen with information boards explaining the town’s literary connection.
The hotel where we stayed, Parkhotel du Sauvage, appears in the stories under the name “Englischer Hof.” According to the book, it was the last place where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson spent the night before the dramatic events at Reichenbach Falls.
Meiringen–Hasliberg Ski Area
With around 60 km of ski slopes, Meiringen–Hasliberg isn’t one of Switzerland’s largest ski areas, but it’s great for families and beginners. Part of the ski area lies higher in the mountains (1,800–2,400 m), where you get plenty of sunshine and wide-open views. Other runs are lower and surrounded by forest, offering shelter from wind and fog on less favorable weather days.
We especially enjoyed skiing through the forest. The area has a large selection of blue and red runs, making it ideal for families with children and intermediate skiers. There are only a couple of black slopes, so it tends to attract fewer expert-only skiers and more families. That said, skiing here is far from boring.
The slopes felt varied and fun for all of us. Near Balisalp, we found a more playful section with small jumps and features where the kids could practice new tricks in a safe environment. They enjoyed it so much that we kept returning to that area.
In Bidmi, located roughly in the center of the ski area, you’ll find the main ski school and several beginner practice slopes. There’s even a small farm with ponies right next to the ski school — something we hadn’t seen at any other ski resort before.
Where to Stay in Haslital
We stayed at Parkhotel du Sauvage in Meiringen. From there, it was about a five-minute walk to the gondola to Reuti, followed by another gondola up to the Bidmi ski area.
If you’re visiting Haslital mainly for skiing, staying in Reuti can be more practical since you avoid two gondola rides each day. Hotel Reuti and Hotel Panorama are convenient choices for a family ski trip in the Hasliberg–Meiringen area.
So this was our guide to a family winter trip in the Jungfrau Region in the heart of the Swiss Alps. If you’re planning a winter visit to Switzerland, I hope this gives you some practical ideas and inspiration to explore Jungfrau in winter beyond the most popular highlights.
More travel inspiration for Switzerland:
- Skiing in Engelberg
- Mount Titlis
- Cheap Skiing in Switzerland
- Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
- Jungfraujoch vs Mt Titlis
- Mt Pilatus
- Grindelwald-First
- What to See & Do in Zermatt
- Best Things to Do in Bern
- Best Things to Do in Lucerne
- Best Things to Do in Geneva
TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.
hi, wanted your input on where to stay and see in Switzerland planning on going in November we are not skiers but do want to see the sites and stay in quaint locations, also do the train rides in the mountains, would love your advice.
Hi Ivi, November is a bit a tricky month – it’s not nearly the ski season yet (so many of the things described in this article will not be possible) and the summer season is over. Even those places in the mountains that are open year-round, sometimes close for maintenance at that time of the year.
This means that you’ll need to do some research for the places you want to visit and your specific travel dates.
Some popular year-round mountain destinations include Zermatt, Jungfaujoch, Mt Titlis. Also train rides like Bernina Express and similar should be running. You can always visit the biggest towns which are great any time of the year.
As for quaint locations, there are so many all over Switzerland, but that’s not where most tourists go. What most tourists call quaint are usually very popular little towns like Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, Wengen, or Mürren, but in November, even these popular locations will be very, very quiet.
If this is your first trip, I wouldn’t recommend staying in just one place, but rather making a round trip visiting everything you’re interested in. If you want to stay in just one central location and make day trips (potentially weather-dependent), Lucerne is a great base. Interlaken is another popular choice, but I personally would find it too quiet at that time of the year. Smaller towns are ok for a night or two, but definitely not as a base in November.
Hope this helps a bit.
You may want to check out the following articles:
Switzerland itinerary
Day trips from Lucerne
Best things to do in Lucerne
Best things to do in Bern
Mt Titlis
Jungfraujoch
Best things to do in Zermatt
Hi Jurga
Thank you so much for a brilliantly written and informative blog on Jungfraujoch . Just loved the accompanying photographs.
You have mentioned that the train/ cablecar journey from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg and from there to Jungfraujoch is more scenic.
But how can I book this journey from wengen on the SBB app becz it only lets me book wengen to Klein Scheidegg to Jungfrau.
Thanks
Best regards
Meena Mehta
Hi Meena, if you are staying in Wengen, just take the train from there to Kleine Scheidegg and on to Jungfraujoch. There is no need to go via Grindelwald (it would be a serious and unnecessarily expensive detour) and the scenery is amazing on that side too.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga, Thanks for your prompt reply.
When I check on the SBB app, the cable car takes me to Grindelwald Station and then from there I need to get to Grindelwald Bahnhof to catch the gondola to First or Jungfraujoch.
The walk is for almost 25 mins or I can take a bus.
My question : how frequent is the bus service and how long is the walk from the Grinderwald terminal to Grinderwald Bahnhof
Hi Meena, you can find all this info online, often simply on Google Maps.
We are coming to the area for 4 nights around 18-22 DEC. Trying to decide between Wengen or Grindelwald to be based. We will have 3 full days there, not looking to ski but will be looking to do sledging, Grindelwald First, go up to Jungfrau, Lauterbrunnen, some nice walks etc. Will the towns be fully open at that time (ie restaurants, shops etc) or is it kind of in between season? Is there likely to be snow already in the villages? We are looking at air bnbs so aiming to be self contained and will need easy access to both a supermarket and some dining options
Also will be in Montreux for the 3 nights prior to here. If we are planning on going up Jungfrau, would going up to Glacier 3000 from Montreux be doubling up on the same sort of experience?
Lastly, struggling a bit with the rail options and what pass to get – our rail itinerary will be Geneva – Montreux (3 nts) – Grindelwald/Wengen (4 nts) – Zurich (1 nt) – Zurich airport. Whilst in Jungfrau area we want access to the trains and gondolas plus going up Jungfrau. We are a family of 5 (the kids will be 16/14/11).
Would the Berner Oberland Pass be the best option for us (if so would we need it for all 8 days?), then just point to point fares from Geneva to Montreux, and Lucerne to Zurich? Can you get the Family Card with the BO Pass, or only with the Swiss Travel Pass? Should we be getting the Swiss Half Fare Card?
Also – what hiking trails will be open for walking in mid December if we are based at either Wengen or Grindelwald please? Thank you!
Thank you!
Hi Marcie, I’m really short on time so I’ll keep this quick.
Yes, the towns will be ‘open’ – they always are. Grindelwald will likely be a lot livelier than Wengen (it always is). Also, Christmas school break is starting that weekend so I expect it to get increasingly busy. There are supermarkets and restaurants in both.
Snow – unlikely, but you really never know. More chance in Wengen since it’s higher.
All the mountain peak destinations have something different to offer, but yes, some types of experiences will be similar.
For rail options, since you are traveling by public transport and are visiting multiple regions, I recommend the Swiss Travel Pass.
Walking trails – yes, there are plenty, but whether they will be open and how they will look, will depend on the weather and snowfall. There are winter trails and sled trails too if you are lucky to have enough snow.
You can’t really go wrong with either – Grindelwald or Wengen. The main difference is that Wengen is a small, car-free village only reachable by train, so it’s very quiet in the evenings. Whereas Grindelwald is a bigger and busier town reachable by car and tour buses as well.
Have a great trip!
PS If you are looking for self-catering accommodations, check on Booking – you can usually find all the same listings as on Airbnb (and more) but at better prices and better cancelation conditions. And book asap because – as I said – that weekend, many people will start their year-end holidays.
planning a December trip with family leaving from London go to masstricht,strasbourg,lucerne with 3 days in lucerne hoping to do day trips than onto basel, paris back to London looking at a europass does swiss offer discounts during christmas holidays??
Hi Tim, normally, these passes offer exactly same discounts no matter the season when you travel.
Great articles here, thx so much for sharing! We are planning to be in this area Grindelwald Dec 28th 5 days and I learned several things from your experiences that I now must do. What is best train pass to get if travel from Zurich- do I need a travel pass if no car or point to point better? Will I be using buses to get to gondolas. Primary is skiing so can you also recommend the best ski pass or do we just buy daily when there for only that area. I don’t want to double pay for things that may be included with trains/gondolas. We also visit Zermatt same trip for 4 days to ski and sightsee. Thx
Hi Laura, if you are just traveling by train from Zurich to Grindelwald and then to Zermatt, it’s normally better to just get single tickets rather than a pass. The Swiss Pass only makes sense if you use a lot of trains daily.
Once you are at your destination, get a regional ski pass only for the days when you’ll be skiing. It’s then valid on all gondolas/trains in that specific area. You can find all the info and prices for ski passes for the Jungfrau Region (Grindelwald) here and for Zermatt – here.
You don’t have to book these passes in advance. They don’t offer any online discounts anymore and I don’t think the purchases are refundable, so it’s best to just buy the ski passes once you get there.
Have a great trip!
Thanks for this great writeup! We are going to Zurich – arriving Dec 26. Based on reading this – I think we would like to stay in the Jungfrau region from Dec 27 – 29th (2-3 nights). We want to see the tallest Train station and associated activities as well as the Bond Attraction. We also want to try Curling and skiing. We are beginners so we will literally probably only ski for 3-4 hours max and maybe Curling for an hour or so. We are a family of 4 and prefer either 2 rooms or at least 3 beds. Any thoughts on where you would recommend we stay? From the article Wengen seems good – because it is easier to get to these attractions but accommodations are really limited. If it is still the best I won’t settle and will keep looking but just wanted to know our options. We will be traveling 100% by train with rolling luggage.
Hello, yes, indeed, trying to find a nice place to stay in the mountains between Christmas and New Year can be challenging at this point. I don’t see any availability in Wengen at all (probably also because many accommodations might have a 7-day minimum stay requirement in the peak season).
Anyway, there’s still a nice hotel – Silberhorn available in Lauterbrunnen, which could work very well for both Jungfraujoch/ Wengen as well as Mürren/ Schilthorn.
And otherwise, you could stay in Grindelwald which is great for visiting Jungfraujoch and is quite ok for getting to Schilthorn or Wengen. There are quite a few nice hotels still available in Grindelwald for your travel dates. We ourselves are staying at Sunstar hotel in Grindelwald next winter – we chose it based on its central location and the pool to keep the kids busy after skiing/sightseeing :).
PS Both – Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are easy to reach by train.
Whatever you decide, book asap. The end of December is really the busiest travel period in the Alps!
@Jurga, thanks for the advice – I see availability in Wengen at Arenas Victoria hotel – is that the same one you mention in your article?
Hi Yog, yes, Arenas Victoria Hotel has changed its name a bit over the years. It’s the same hotel. The location is great.
Hi Jurga
Hope you and the family are well.
I’d just like to get your thoughts and suggestion on which town/city in Jungfrau, you feel my friends and I should visit if we only have 2-3 days to spare during the winter (around 27-30 Dec). We’ll be coming from Austria and are planning to stay in Jungfrau for those 2-3 days before we head to Zurich to catch our flight back.
We’re not there for skiing, so we would ideally like to stay in a picturesque town that is nice to walk around and also allows us to conveniently travel out to a nearby area or valley for stunning views and hikes.
I know you mentioned your favourite is Wengen. But between there, and places like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, etc, would that be your first choice still if we only have 2-3 days and are exploring Jungfrau for the first time? If you could advice the differences between those towns, that will help greatly. Someone suggested to me Gunten and Merlingen as well. Not sure if you have an opinion on those?
Thanks Jurga. Keep up the good work too by the way! Hope to hear from you.
Best regards
Den
Hi Den, based on what you described, I think I’d look at Grindelwald. It has good transport connections (by car or train), you can make nice excursions nearby, go sledding, visit Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, etc. You can do a lot from here without a car.
The towns you mention look ok for the summer, but I really don’t think they’d be ideal in the winter and you’re quite far away from the main roads to get anywhere.
I guess it all depends on what exactly you want to see and do. Another place with a very central location is Interlaken town, but you won’t have the same ‘mountain village’ atmosphere there as in Grindelwald.
The main difference between Wengen and other places is that it’s a car-free village, so it takes longer to get there (and anywhere else from there). It’s also not the cheapest place to stay and you won’t find much ‘apres-ski’ there. Grindelwald is considered quite ‘chique’ and accommodations tend to be more expensive, but it’s also much bigger and you have budget-friendly options too. It’s probably the liveliest of them all if you are looking for nightlife options too. Lauterbrunnen is probably the cheapest and is also quite centrally located for visiting places like Wengen, Jungfraujoch, Mürren, or Grindelwald. It’s not my personal favorite (it feels more like a train station/ stop for getting somewhere else rather than a town to me), but I know so many people who absolutely love it. It’s located in the valley and you can make some nice walks there in winter too.
If I were you, I’d first figure out what it is that you want to see/do, see how it’s best to get there, and then decide based on that.
Hope this helps a bit.
@Jurga, Thanks for the advice! It definitely helps us with our planning. Can’t wait for our trip. Thanks once again!