Where to Stay In The Jungfrau Region of Switzerland – The Best Villages and Hotels For A True Swiss Experience
In this article, I will be listing down the best places to stay in the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland for tourists, along with the recommended hotels in each area. Many first timers choose to stay in Interlaken, a vibrant resort town. However, compared to other Swiss villages, Interlaken is not a particularly scenic location. There are many other mountain villages within a short distance from Interlaken which offer a more authentic “Swiss experience” with their rustic timber chalets and stunning alpine views. Therefore, I have given detailed descriptions of all the areas in the Jungrau region, so that you can decide which is the best place for you to stay.
The Jungfrau Region
Map of popular Swiss towns in the Jungfrau region: Interlaken, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren
The Jungfrau Region is an area located in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. It is named after the famous mountain Jungfrau.
This is one of the most beautiful regions in Switzerland. I saw gorgeous alpine lakes with shimmering turquoise waters, spectacular high-altitude waterfalls, scenic hiking trails, and rustic Swiss wooden chalets during my holiday here.
And of course, I got to enjoy stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, three famous snow-capped mountains of the Swiss Alps.
It is no wonder that this region is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The wife and I did many fantastic outdoor activities like paragliding, cruising on the beautiful lakes, heart-stopping cliff walks, and hiking through beautiful landscapes.
There is also a plethora of other activities such as skiing, mountain biking, mountain karting, sky diving, zip-lining, and many more!
The Jungfrau region is home to many quaint Swiss villages. Some of the smaller settlements have populations of less than 30 people.
Therefore, there is a wide range of accommodations catering to different group sizes and budgets.
I have listed the main Swiss villages that are popular for tourists to stay below, along with recommended hotels. You can refer to the map above to get an idea of the village locations.
1. Interlaken
Höhematte Park
Interlaken is a well-known resort town in Switzerland. It is the largest town in the Jungfrau region.
Why Stay in Interlaken
Interlaken is an extremely convenient location, with direct trains to other areas in the Jungfrau region and the rest of Switzerland.
It is also a vibrant resort town with many restaurants, shops, luxury boutiques, and hotels.
However, it is not as picturesque as other Swiss villages in the Jungfrau region. You will not really get a true “Swiss experience” staying here.
Where to Stay in Interlaken
B&B – Interlaken Youth Hostel is a simple hostel accommodation with spacious but plain rooms. The best thing about the hostel is its location. It is right beside Interlaken Ost station and there is a large supermarket co-op just across the street.
Mid Range – Carlton Europe Hotel is a quaint boutique hotel located near the Interlaken Ost Station. The wife and I stayed here for one night. Our “Classic Room” was quite comfy. It was decorated with pretty vintage wooden furniture. The bathroom was very clean and had all the necessary amenities such as towels, hair dryer, toiletries, etc. Read our full review.
Luxury – Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa is a famous five-star hotel that offers luxurious rooms and wonderful service. The rooms are spacious and offer great views of the Swiss Alps. There is even an outdoor jacuzzi.
2. Wengen
Hotel Bernerhof & Residence
Spotted a church
Wengen is the quintessential Swiss village, with stunning views of the alps, rustic Swiss wooden chalets and charming Belle Epoque hotels. It is a “car-free” village so it is very peaceful compared to other Swiss villages.
Why Stay in Wengen
Wengen is very popular with tourists looking for an authentic Swiss experience.
This idyllic villages offers the ideal balance between lifestyle and convenience. It is not too touristy, but there is still a good selection of restaurants, shops, and activities.
It sits at a high elevation of 1274 metres, so you will get to enjoy awesome views of the snow-capped mountains.
Wengen is also a convenient base for visiting the Jungfraujoch and getting to famous hiking trails like the Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg trail and Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg trail.
The wife and I chose to stay in Wengen for our Swiss holiday, and it was a wonderful experience.
Where to Stay in Wengen
B&B – Chris’s airbnb is a cozy loft apartment located on the second floor above a bar. The wife and I stayed here for two nights. The apartment was clean, comfortable, and had all the necessary amenities. The downside was that it had no lift. Read our full review. Before booking, make sure you get this $45 Airbnb discount coupon.
Budget – Hotel Bernerhof & Residence is an affordable hotel that is very near the train station. It offers basic clean rooms. However, there is no lift in this three-storey hotel.
Mid Range – Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn is a beautiful hotel located right beside the train station. It offers comfy rooms with great views of the Swiss Alps. The supermarket co-op is just across the road. The breakfast selection is very good.
3. Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is a beautiful village that lies at the bottom of a lush valley, surrounded by majestic rock walls. It is a 15-minute train ride from Wengen.
It is famous for its large number of high-altitude waterfalls, cascading downwards from the overhanging valleys above.
Why Stay In Lauterbrunnen
Similar to Wengen, Lauterbrunnen is popular with tourists who want to experience living in a true Swiss village.
This charming village is surrounded by towering rock precipices. I was impressed by the scale of these magnificent rock walls and their beautiful waterfalls.
The accommodations in Lauterbrunnen are also cheaper than those in Wengen.
However, I decided to stay in Wengen instead because it is perched high up on the side of the valley, while Lauterbrunnen is located at the bottom of the same valley.
Therefore, Lauterbrunnen sits in the shadow of the valley and receives less light. The views from Lauterbrunnen are also not as fantastic due to its lower elevation.
Unlike Wengen, Lauterbrunnen is not a traffic-free village. When I was walking around Lauterbrunnen, I saw several cars travelling on the main road. However, it is still relatively peaceful compared to large resort towns like Interlaken and Grindelwald.
Lauterbrunnen is a more convenient location than Wengen for getting to First and Schilthorn. That said, it is just a 15-minute train ride from Wengen so this isn’t really a major factor.
Where To Stay In Lauterbrunnen
B&B – Trudi’s airbnb is an affordable one-bedroom apartment that is a five minute walk from the train station. However, the apartment is on the third floor and there is no lift. Before booking, remember to get this $45 Airbnb discount coupon.
Budget – Hotel Staubbach is an awesome value-for-money hotel with clean cozy rooms. The room balconies offer fantastic views of the Staubbach Falls. Service is good, breakfast is delicious, and guests get to enjoy complimentary beverages from the comfy lounge area.
Mid Range – Hotel Silberhorn is a beautiful upscale hotel that offers clean and modern rooms with great views of the valley. It is just steps away from the train station. The hotel has a pretty landscaped garden. The breakfast buffet is really good too.
4. Grindelwald
Hotel Hotel kreuz & Post
Grindelwald Train Station
Grindelwald is the second largest town in the Jungfrau region. It offers stunning views of the Eiger. It is a bustling town with plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants. I even saw a Tommy Hilfiger shop here.
Why Stay In Grindelwald
Similar to Interlaken, Grindelwald is a very tourist-popular resort town.
This is because it is a convenient location to get to various popular Swiss destinations, including the Jungfraujoch, First, and many hiking trails.
It is also a base for mountain climbers ascending the Eiger Mountain.
However, there are many cars passing through the town and it can get very busy at times. Therefore, it is not as peaceful as other Swiss villages such as Wengen or Mürren.
Where To Stay In Grindelwald
Budget – Hotel Tschuggen is a great budget hotel that offers spacious basic rooms with amazing views of the Eiger. It is near many pubs and restaurants, and is a six minute walk from the train station.
Mid Range – Hotel Kreuz & Post is a quaint Swiss hotel in a wonderful location just opposite the train station. The clean and spacious rooms offer great views of the Eiger. The bathrooms have good water pressure. You can expect good service in this hotel.
5. Mürren
Mürren is another beautiful car-free village. It is slightly smaller than Wengen and offers equally awesome views but from a higher elevation of 1638 metres.
Why Stay In Mürren
Mürren is beautiful and very serene. If the main objective of your Swiss holiday is to relax and chill out, then this is will be a good place to stay.
The town serves as a base for visiting the Schilthorn, since all cable cars to Schilthorn depart from here.
It is also the end point for the popular Grütschalp to Mürren hike.
However, the village may be too quiet for some people. Other than enjoying the wonderful views, there isn’t much else to do within the village.
It is also quite remote so you will have to spend a longer time travelling to other areas. You will need to take a cable car to get in and out of the village.
Where To Stay In Mürren
Budget – Hotel Alpenblick Murren is a good value-for-money boutique hotel that offers clean and spacious rooms. Breakfast is outstanding with plenty of delicious homemade food. However, note that there is no lift in this four-storey hotel.
Mid Range – Hotel Eiger is a wonderful hotel that offers pretty rooms and great service. The spacious rooms have comfy beds, plush chairs, mini bar and the necessary amenities. The restaurant serves delicious food. There is even a pool and sauna in the hotel. It is in a perfect location just beside the cable car station.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this long article! I hope it has given you a better idea of where to stay in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland.
After much research and consideration, the wife and I finally decided to stay in Wengen. It turned out to be a great decision because the village was beautiful and offered stunning views.
Note that I did not mention a few other small villages in the Jungfrau region such as Gimmelwald, Stechelberg, etc.
The reason is because these villages are very small and remote. There isn’t much going on in the villages, and you will have to spend quite a bit of time on travelling.
I recommend staying at one of the bigger villages listed above, especially if it is your first time visiting Switzerland.
However, if the main purpose of your visit is to just relax and enjoy the Swiss alpine views, then you can consider staying in the sleepy tucked-away villages.
This article is part of our completely free and fantastic Ultimate Jungfrau Region Travel Guide. Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?
2 Comments and Questions
Hi Evan! You have very beautifully put across your stay in Switzerland. I loved the images, it made me more curious to visit those places particularly Lauterbrunnen. I liked how you have summarised everything in the conclusion chart, with the Pros and Cons of each region.
Hello Cordelia! Thanks for your kind words, I’m really happy you found the article useful =)