Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a pretty Swiss village that looks up to the Alpine peaks of the Wetterhorn, the Eiger and the Mettenberg. The gateway to the Jungfrau region, it's a great destination for adventure lovers. In the summer, you can take on one of the many hiking trails, while in winter the traditional ski resorts await. If you really want to challenge yourself you can conquer one of the mountains, but it's also a place to simply chill out and marvel at some of Switzerland's most breathtaking scenery.

You can warm up at a Grindelwald hostel that has an outdoor hot tub or perfect your triple axel jump at a place with its own ice skating rink. If you're feeling energetic, you can choose a hostel at the base of the Eiger that runs an activities programme. There are hostels in Grindelwald with bars and communal areas for a more sociable vibe and free breakfasts to suit those on a budget.

With plenty of hostels, bars and eateries, as well as good transport connections, Grindelwald is a lively place to settle in between trips exploring the more remote surroundings. The town centre is located along the Dorfstrasse, while the outskirts are spread out and mainly consist of hilly meadows populated by traditional Swiss chalets. Set in a rocky valley, the nearby village of Lauterbrunnen is home to 72 waterfalls including the famous Staubbach Falls, which is one of Europe's highest free-falling waterfalls. 

One of the most popular attractions for visitors to Grindelwald is the Eiger Trail, a 6km path that can comfortably be walked while you soak up the scenery. You’re sure to spot climbers on the mountain edge along the way. There’s no shortage of cable car rides in the area either – the Grindelwalk-Männlichen gondola cableway is a 30-minute journey to the Männlichen mountain, offering panoramic views over the range. For more adventure, go sledging at Big Pintenfritz, which has a 1,600-metre drop, or try one of the several mountain-biking routes.

The closest airport to Grindelwald is Zurich Airport. From there, you can get rail connections to the village in around 3 hours – take the train to Interlaken Ost and then change for a BOB-train to Grindelwald. Once you're there, rail services will also connect you with most of the other settlements in the region.