Introduction
Lauterbrunnen is known as the little town with dozens of glistening waterfalls flowing down its beautiful surrounding cliffs. You can easily see the famous Stuabbach Falls from any part of the valley. Many people who are looking for things to do near Interlaken come here to see the waterfalls, go paragliding, or discover the underground waterfalls. This is definitely one of the best cities to visit in Switzerland, and we’ll tell you all about it!
Lauterbrunnen is a really quick day trip away from Interlaken, but if you want to explore a little bit more and visit the nearby mountain village of Mürren, then it’s definitely also a must-see if you have a few more days to spare.
How Many Days to Spend in Lauterbrunnen
You could probably spend anywhere from a quick 1-day trip to a relaxed 3-day trip in this beautiful town, tucked between the towering mountains and waterfalls of the Bernese Oberland region.
We spent 1 full day in Lauterbrunnen, which was just enough time for us to be able to explore the entire village. We then spent another 1.5 days in the neighboring mountain town of Mürren, which is accessible by cable car from Lauterbrunnen.
So, if you have a little more time on your hands, you can definitely hit these one or two beautiful villages in just 1-2 days – or you can kick back, relax, and take in the beautiful waterfall sights over the course of 3 days. There are plenty of beautiful, chalet-type hotels to stay at in Lauterbrunnen.
(*Side note: If you’re adventure-seekers like us.. and you want to go paragliding or hiking along the Via Ferrata [the Iron Way] in Mürren, you’ll want to spend at least 2-3 days around here)
How to Get to Lauterbrunnen
Reaching Lauterbrunnen is a walk in the park if you’re coming from Interlaken – the closest major city hub. It’s a short 20-minute train ride directly from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen.
From Interlaken Ost train station, you simply hop onto the R62 train towards Lauterbrunnen. The trains typically run every 30 minutes, so there’s no way you can miss it. Stay on board until the 4th stop, and you’re there!
Coming from any other surrounding town near Interlaken? All roads lead to Interlaken.. In other words, you can easily take a quick train into Interlaken, and then follow the above directions to take R62 to Lauterbrunen! Interlaken really is a central city hub around some of the most beautiful, tucked away destinations in the Swiss Alps.
In case you’re trying to figure out how to use the public transportation in Switzerland, don’t worry. It is super easy to use, and you can download the SBB app to plan your routes, figure out which trains to take, when to get on or off, and even pay for your ride! All from one app!
For those who prefer driving, the roads leading into Lauterbrunnen are a dream for road trip enthusiasts. But keep in mind that parking in the village is limited, and if you decide to travel onto Mürren, it’s a car-less town! But don’t worry, you can leave your car at one of the nearby parking areas and continuing your exploration on foot or via funiculars and cable cars.
No matter how you arrive, the combination of winding roads, mountain vistas, and cascading waterfalls promises to make the journey part of the overall experience whether it be by train or car.
Just be sure to check seasonal conditions, as certain routes may be icy or inaccessible during the winter months. Once you’re in Lauterbrunnen, everything is within walking distance, making it easy to soak in every inch of this majestic waterfall town.
Morning in the Village of Lauterbrunnen
Just arriving in Lauterbrunnen by train is already a beautiful sight to see! On the way into the valley, you can already view the jaw-dropping mountains and village as you approach the train station.
Start your day early in the heart of Lauterbrunnen village. Wandering the main street, you get to see the charming wooden architecture that makes up the picturesque photo ops that you often see online.
It’s an easy stroll through the town, and you can capture beautiful views of Staubbach Falls from every angle as you get closer and closer.
The town is a pretty straightaway path down the street, where you’ll pass many hotels and restaurants with the classic Swiss wooden chalet look.
You can grab some breakfast at Airtime Café, a small cafe known for its delicious pastries and peaceful vibes. While sipping your cappuccino, you can just take in the awe-inspiring views of the mountains right in front of you.
Hike Behind the Famous Staubbach Falls
You can not leave Lauterbrunnen without visiting Staubbach Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland. Plunging nearly 300 meters down a rocky cliff, it’s an awe-inspiring sight that has captivated visitors for centuries.
What’s crazy is that you’re able to not only hike to the falls, but actually hike behind it as well! And you get to take in a breathtaking view of the valley, framed by the mist of the grand waterfall in front of you. The path is well-maintained and a very easy stroll for the family to enjoy. But just be careful as you get close to the waterfall, as the rocks can be slippery! Luckily there is some railing and metal steps where it starts getting slippery. But I would recommend wearing some good shoes.
The climb up is only about 15-20 minutes, and it’s covered by trees and rock to keep you shaded during the warmer seasons. We definitely recommend this as an easy stroll with great views, if you were looking for something for the family.
Pro Tip: Visit earlier in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy a quieter experience.
Discover the 10 Underground Trümmelbach Falls
From Staubbach Falls, you can then make your way to the amazing underground waterfalls, otherwise known as Trümmelbach Falls.
If you’re up for a 40 minute walk, be our guest. But we decided to take a quick bus from Staubbach Falls, which only takes about 15 minutes. Buses come every 30 minutes, and they take you throughout the town and the surrounding nature areas.
Trümmelbach Falls is a series of 10 glacier-fed waterfalls carved into the mountains, hidden within limestone caves.
What makes Trümmelbach unique is its sheer power. The falls carry an astonishing 20,000 liters of water per second, making the sound and spray absolutely mesmerizing. You can leisurely explore the caves through a series of stairs or an elevator.
Start off by purchasing your Trummelbach Falls ticket at the entrance booth. You can simply walk in, and the tickets are super affordable! Adults are 12 CHF, kids ages 6-15 are 4 CHF, and younger kids are free! They do accept credit cards or cash.
Quick note: Trummelbach Falls is typically open from April to November.
It was really fun exploring and seeing how every waterfall was different than the last. It was also pretty cold in the caves as we walked beside these huge cascading falls, hidden away from the sun. I would definitely bring a light sweater or jacket in the Spring.
I don’t know about you, but we have never seen waterfalls tearing through the insides of a mountain, so we definitely think this is a must-see!
Where to Eat Traditional Swiss Cuisine
By now, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite. Thankfully, Lauterbrunnen is home to several excellent restaurants where you can have some traditional Swiss dishes.
For a hearty lunch, head to Restaurant Weidstübli, known for its cozy atmosphere and authentic Swiss fare. Indulge in local specialties like rosti (a Swiss-style potato pancake), raclette, or fondue. Pair your meal with a glass of crisp Swiss white wine or a nice cold beer.
Another great option is Hotel Oberland Restaurant, which offers stunning views alongside delicious food. Don’t miss their creamy mountain-style macaroni, known as Älplermagronen. But to be honest, almost every restaurant in this town will give you stunning views of the surrounding mountains!
Lastly, if you are on a tight budget – or you want to save up your “splurging” dollars on a meal somewhere else – there is a Coop supermarket in town as well! We personally lived off of Coop every other day or so to keep up with the expensive meals – especially in these tourist destinations. It was easy to just grab a quick bite or even some brie and cured meat with bread to call it a day.
Travel to Mürren on a Cable Car
If you’re up for getting the most out of your day trip, or of you’re willing to spend a night or two in the area, you have to travel to Mürren. Just a short distance from Lauterbrunnen, Mürren is known for being a car-free village, perched 1,600 meters above the valley.
There are a couple of different ways to get there from Lauterbrunnen. You could take the 141 bus and get off in Stechelberg. From there, we took the mountain cable car – Schilthornbanh – up directly to the village of Mürren.
Funny story.. We had decided to stay two nights in Mürren so that we can do the famous Via Ferrata hike. We had all our luggage with us and everything. Once we get to Stechelberg.. we kept walking back and forth following Google maps.. Trying to figure out where the road or bus was to get there.
As we kept walking back and forth, we soon realized when we looked up that Mürren was above us in the mountains. And the only way to get there was to take the cable car up with all our luggage. Don’t get us wrong, everyone who stays in Mürren does the same thing, and the cable cars are huge – enough to fit a couple dozen people plus their luggage.
But you can imagine our bewilderment when we did not expect that the only way for us to lay down our hats in our next hotel was to go up a cable car.
Anyway! The second option to get to Mürren would be to take the Grütschalp cable car from Lauterbrunnen and then switch to the R66 train to Mürren. The train takes ANOTHER breathtaking scenic view through the grassy green mountains.
We personally took this way back towards the city after our Mürren stay. It is a long ride, but it’s because it’s very scenic and the train moves a lot slower than the ones you’d be used to throughout Switzerland.
Finally! You’re in Mürren. Once there, you get mountain top views of Lauterbrunnen and you can see unobstructed views of the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The village itself is very quaint and peaceful – it’s car-less remember?
You can find much more about our Mürren trip and details on the Via Ferrata hike in our dedicated Mürren post! I must say, however, this would definitely require you to stay at least 1-2 nights here. We stayed for 2 nights and we don’t regret it at all. It was amazing to soak up the mountaintop views, peace and quiet, and put on our hard hats for some adventure while up here.
Final Thoughts
Lauterbrunnen truly lives up to its title as the “Valley of Waterfalls,” offering an unparalleled combination of natural beauty, adventure, and Swiss charm. Whether you’re hiking behind a cascading waterfall, savoring a warm plate of Älplermagronen, or taking in the majestic mountain views, Lauterbrunnen is a destination you have to visit while you’re in Switzerland.
