Blake Walsh

16 Best Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen

  • Published 2021/10/05

Nestled in the valley surrounded by the Swiss Alps, one can only describe the backdrop of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, as jaw-dropping.

Here, apart from tall, majestic peaks of nearby mountains and rock formations around you, you can also gaze at the amazing vegetation that adds to the area’s allure.

The cherry on top is that the valley is dotted with breathtaking waterfalls that you can get up close and personal to appreciate even more.

Though small in size, you can find many advantages to visiting Lauterbrunnen on holiday.

Apart from the numerous wonderful attractions nearby, it can also serve as a great home base where you have easy access to other amazing towns in the region.

Interested in a trip to this region of Switzerland?

Here are the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen:

Stand Behind Staubbach Waterfall

View of Staubbach Waterfall

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When you reach Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, apart from the nice alpine Ambience, you may notice the majestic Staubbach waterfall first and foremost.

It serves as one of the most popular attractions in this small village and with good reason.

Apart from being a breathtaking sight that you can see from the backdrop of a charming village, you can also easily come near it.

View of Staubbach Waterfall

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The waters here come rushing down from a 300-meter drop from high cliff peaks.

It then continues on to flow into the river that passes through Lauterbrunnen.

To get there, from the village, you can follow the road until you get to the base of this amazing waterfall.

View of Staubbach Waterfall

Gaspar Janos / Shutterstock.com

You can also find a man-made grotto when you walk up a set of stairs.

This grotto actually takes you to the back of Staubbach Falls, and from here, you can have a nice view of the town below and its surrounding nature.

It’s an awesome sight and an easy attraction to get to.

Take a Dip in the Openair Swimming Pool Lauterbrunnen

Opportunities for some family fun are always present in Lauterbrunnen.

If you want to experience relaxing in a nice swimming pool all while being surrounded by breathtaking peaks, head over to Lauterbrunnen Swimming Pool.

Here, you can swim and have fun with your family and enjoy a picnic.

The best part is that the swimming pool is constantly heated to a comfortable 73.4F.

Stroll Through the Village Proper

View of Lauterbrunnen village

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Lauterbrunnen is a small village.

While this municipality’s main area isn’t as expansive as the more popular tourist hubs, it attracts visitors with its charm and with the surrounding scenery that envelops this little town.

During your visit, you will mostly notice the chalet-style homes that line the streets, all with majestic waterfalls right at the backdrop.

View of Lauterbrunnen village

Petr Pohudka / Shutterstock.com

The stores and cafes here provide you with everything you need for your stay, and some even offer souvenirs that you can take home with you.

So when you visit this charming alpine town, make sure to take some downtime and stroll through its streets.

Learn About Mountaineering and Village History at Talmuseum Lauterbrunnen

You can learn more about how this area in Switzerland developed when you visit Talmuseum Lauterbrunnen.

Housed in an old mill and constructed with an exterior made up of large stone, you can get a glimpse of Lauterbrunnen and the valley’s past by visiting this place.

It has a collection of artifacts found in the region, partnered with easy-to-understand explanations.

Apart from seeing items and memorabilia from the town’s history, you can also find out more about mountaineering history within the region when you come here.

Check this place out and learn more about this quaint village.

Trek to Trümmelbachfälle

You can find another waterfall on the top of many lists of popular places to visit while in Lauterbrunnen.

However, opposite to the experience you get from visiting Staubbach waterfall, this one is quite hidden.

View of Trümmelbachfälle

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Located and hidden at the heart of the Lauterbrunnen valley, you can reach this breathtaking waterfall by going through an underground passageway, complete with tunnels and platforms.

While enclosed, with rock formation around you, this attraction is quite easy to get to.

From the village, you can follow a walking trail that leads you to the location of this attraction.

It’s a gorgeous sight to behold and a must-visit for any tourist in Lauterbrunnen.

Grab a Drink at Horner Pub

Did you know you can only find one pub in Lauterbrunnen?

If you fancy a drink with some friends and a place to chill out, head over to Horner Pub.

This pub first opened its doors in 1996, and since then, it has offered both locals and tourists a warm and cozy place to hang out, have a drink, eat good food, and spend time with buddies.

It offers awesome drinks, amazing terrace views, and nice and friendly staff as well.

Discover the Many Waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen Valley

Waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen Valley

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Did you think your discovery of waterfalls ends with the two abovementioned wonders?

Think again!

The Lauterbrunnen valley is blessed with beautiful natural landscapes.

Included in those are a set of around 70 waterfalls that you can discover all around.

You can stand in awe of each of these falls while appreciating the beauty of the terrain all around you.

The valley with all the visible waterfalls scattered around is a sight to behold, so take a walk and see if you can count how many you can reach during your holiday here.

Paraglide With Airtime Paragliding

Do you love the feeling of adrenaline pumping through your veins?

For thrillseekers, head to Airtime Paragliding and try one of the most popular extreme sports you can partake in while in this part of Switzerland.

If you’re an avid flyer or if you want to try out for the first time, this place will provide you with paragliding experiences that you will surely enjoy.

It’s one of the best ways to see the beauty of the village and the valley while on vacation.

Tandem paragliding sessions are available for beginners or for those who just want to enjoy the scenery.

Want something more extreme?

You can book a skydiving session that takes you high above the clouds overlooking the Bernese Oberland region.

Similar to paragliding, you can go tandem-skydiving with experienced flyers – all you need is the courage to do so.

So, try out this one-of-a-kind experience flying over some of the most beautiful areas in the world.

Pitch a Tent at Camping Jungfrau

View of Jungfrau Region

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If you want to fully embrace being surrounded by the amazing topography offered by Lauterbrunnen, try pitching a tent at Camping Jungfrau.

Conveniently located right next to the village proper and right by Staubbach falls, you get to experience staying at a place fully surrounded by the breathtaking valley landscape.

At the same time, since you’re right by the village proper, you conveniently have access to modern comforts.

Apart from grounds where you can pitch a tent and settle with your camping gear, Camping Jungfrau also has areas for those staying in motorhomes.

Housing for groups such as cabins and bungalows are also available here.

When looking for a place to stay in Lauterbrunnen, consider going camping here.

Try Completing the Via Ferrata to Murren

One of the most interesting ways to explore the terrain around Lauterbrunnen is through treks or activities called Via Ferrata.

These activities involve hiking or crossing rock terrains with the help of steel cables and narrow steel bridges suspended to the side of cliffs.

It also sometimes involves riding zip lines and ladders up to thousands of feet in the air.

The most interesting Via Ferrata route to take from Lauterbrunnen is the one heading to Murren.

It gives you an opportunity to witness awe-inspiring scenery while providing you with a thrilling experience.

Interested in this activity?

Be sure to book a tour, as having a mountaineering expert guide is mandatory for your safety.

Visit Lauterbrunnen Church

View of Lauterbrunnen Church

Roland Zumbuehl, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you visit Lauterbrunnen, the most striking and visible landmark you will see is Lauterbrunnen Church.

It has the usual alpine design that’s both modest and charming at the same time.

With relatively recent renovations, you can witness both the interior and exterior’s most intricate details more clearly.

When you’re in town, stop by this church and don’t forget to take a picture of it.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Spend a Day in Interlaken

View of Interlaken

Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock.com

Another popular tourist hotspot near Lauterbrunnen is Interlaken.

Nestled in an area just 7 miles away from Lauterbrunnen, so going there from the village won’t take too long.

View of Interlaken

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From here, you get rewarded with stunning views from the extraordinary Lake Brienz and Thun.

You can opt to ride a cable car up to a viewing area called Harder Kulm, where you can appreciate the beauty of nature and the outdoors as seen from this part of the world.

Apart from that, many extreme sports are also popular in Interlaken, given the gorgeous views you can find in town.

View of Interlaken

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While here, definitely try out paragliding or even skydiving to get the best view of the town and the two lakes right beside it.

This region in Switzerland offers some of the most awe-inspiring views from anywhere around the world.

Go Skiing at Wengen

Skiing at Wengen

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Just a few miles northeast of Lauterbrunnen, you can find the alluring town of Wengen.

Known as a ski resort town, skiing serves as the most popular thing you can do here.

True to its nature as a ski village, the village comes equipped with up to 23 lifts and 69.5 miles worth of terrain that you can ski on.

It has numerous ski trails that you can try and explore, and it serves as the host of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

While charming and quaint, things can get exciting at Wengen.

Visit the Small Village of Murren

View of the Small Village of Murren

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Located just 6.3 miles away from Lauterbrunnen, you can find the small village of Murren.

While being an amazing tourist attraction, this village is relatively quiet and rarely gets crowded.

One popular thing you can do here is skiing during the winter months and hiking nearby trails during summer.

View of the Small Village of Murren

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One amazing trail you can follow is dubbed “The Flower Trail,” and it’s one that everyone can enjoy as even beginners can hike through it.

As suggested by its name, if you follow this trail, you get to witness an amazing array of flowers while traversing through the terrain.

View of the Small Village of Murren

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Apart from this, an interesting way to explore the vicinity is through a Via Ferrata.

In the first place, one of the most exciting ways to get here from Lauterbrunnen is by completing a Via Ferrata.

From Murren, you can also find other Via Ferrata routes to discover.

Head to the Summit of Schilthorn

Summit of Schilthorn

Kristian Maglalang / Shutterstock.com

A popular tourist destination, thanks to its role in the James Bond movie from 1968, head on over to Schlithorn.

You can find this area just 10.8 miles away from Lauterbrunnen, and the observation deck at the summit offers wonderful views from above the clouds.

The summit is possible to hike if you have the strength and endurance for it.

If not, you can go up via cable cars from its base.

With it giving you the experience to see the surrounding region form above the clouds, spending time here is worth the trip.

Hop on a Train to the Top of Europe

Modern Red Train in Switzerland

Gaspar Janos / Shutterstock.com

If you visit Lauterbrunnen, don’t forget to book a train headed to Jungfraujoch station.

Why?

The route towards that station offers you access to one of the highest points in the Bernese Alps, which many people from around the world have dubbed as “the Top of Europe.”

Modern Red Train in Switzerland

Gaspar Janos / Shutterstock.com

Contrary to what its name suggests, this railroad peak isn’t the highest place in Europe.

Nevertheless, given its height, it offers you an almost-birds-eye-view of the surrounding areas, all from the comfort of a train.

This amazing experience is one you shouldn’t miss while you’re in the area.

Try out Winter Sports in Grindelwald

Winter Sports in Grindelwald

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You can find another amazing alpine village just 10 miles away from Lauterbrunnen.

Grindelwald has the same alpine feel as Lauterbrunnen, but this place is definitely more popular among tourists from Switzerland and around the world.

Like its neighboring villages, skiing is a popular sport in Grindelwald, and many travel here during winter specifically to partake in this sport.

Winter Sports in Grindelwald

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Additionally, you can find this town at the base of the famous Eiger Mountain, so you could definitely find numerous hiking trails near the village.

If winter sports are not your thing, you can try out the thrilling Alpine zipline found here, which goes as high as 2,624 feet and as fast as 52.1 miles per hour.

When on holiday in the region, definitely try to visit this amazing location.

Final Thoughts

Lauterbrunnen and the valley surrounding it provide you with a great base to explore this breathtaking region in Switzerland.

While small, you can see that its location opens up a wide array of opportunities that will let you appreciate the charm of alpine living.

Given its majesty, consider going on a wonderful vacation to Lauterbrunnen soon.

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