Grindelwald is the Swiss Alps as you pictured them: chalet rooftops clinging to meadows, cowbells echoing off cliffs, and the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau glowing in evening light. A pastoral village until railways arrived in the late 1800s, it blossomed into a mountaineering base and all-season playground. Today, its gondolas, cliff walks, and panoramic trails make high-mountain scenery easy to reach.

Expect world-class hiking in summer, sledding and skiing in winter, and photogenic day trips to Lauterbrunnen’s 72 waterfalls and Interlaken’s two lakes. Trains and cableways interlink the region so well that you can breakfast in the valley, lunch on a summit terrace, and be back in time for fondue. Culinary highlights skew hearty: rösti, alpine cheeses, dried meats, and crisp white wines from the Valais.

Practical notes: weather in the Alps changes quickly—pack layers and check lift status each morning. Advance reservations are wise for Jungfraujoch on fine days and for popular restaurants in peak seasons. Most payments are cashless, but carry a small amount of Swiss francs for huts and kiosks.

Grindelwald

Backed by the Eiger’s legendary north face, Grindelwald pairs soft meadows with serious mountain drama. The village is compact and walkable, with a main street lined by bakeries, Swiss outfitters, and terrace cafés where the views do half the talking.

• Top sights and activities: First Cliff Walk, Bachalpsee, Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), Eiger Trail, Glacier Canyon (Gletscherschlucht), panoramic Männlichen–Kleine Scheidegg path, lake cruises from nearby Interlaken.
• Dining to know: rustic Swiss “Pinte” fare, wood-fired pizza at Onkel Tom’s Hüsi, refined tasting menus at Restaurant Glacier, and cakes-with-a-view at C&M Café.
• Fun fact: Grindelwald’s “Velogemel” is a locally invented wooden snow bike—look for it in winter festivities.

Where to stay (bookable picks): Browse chalets and apartments on VRBO Grindelwald or compare hotels on Hotels.com Grindelwald. Two reliable, well-located choices: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof (classic alpine elegance, spa, near the station) and Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald (great wellness area, mountain views).

Getting here: Fly into Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA). For European routes, compare fares on Omio flights. Coming from outside Europe, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights. Then take the train: ZRH Airport → Zürich HB → Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald (about 2h50–3h10, ~CHF 50–90 full fare); plan and book with Omio trains.

Day 1: Arrival and Alpine First Impressions

Afternoon: Arrive in Grindelwald and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs with an easy loop along Dorfstrasse to the church viewpoint; on a clear day, the Eiger’s ramparts feel close enough to touch.

Evening: Early dinner at C&M Café Bar Restaurant for capuns (Swiss chard dumplings), rösti, and house cakes with a balcony view. Nightcap at Gepsi Bar (Hotel Eiger) for a local ale or a Swiss gin and tonic.

Day 2: First Cliff Walk and High-Alpine Playgrounds

Morning: Ride the gondola to First for sky-island panoramas and the famed catwalk that wraps the cliff edge. Pre-book your ticket here: Attraction Ticket: Grindelwald First Cableway incl. Cliff Walk.

Afternoon: Stroll 50–60 minutes to Bachalpsee, a mirror lake that reflects Schreckhorn’s jagged crown. Lunch on the sun terrace at Berggasthaus First—order the alpine macaroni with apple compote. Optional thrills: First Flyer zipline or Trottibike scooter down to Bort.

Evening: Pizza and salads at Onkel Tom’s Hüsi (wood-fired, cozy, beloved by locals). If energy remains, Avocado Bar has a laid-back après vibe and occasional live music.

Day 3: Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

Morning: Beat the crowds with an early slot for the Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald Terminal, connecting to the Jungfraubahn. Book a guided visit to simplify timing and viewpoints: Jungfraujoch Day Visit from Grindelwald.

Afternoon: Explore the Sphinx Terrace, Ice Palace, and the Alpine Sensation exhibits; on bluebird days, the Aletsch Glacier sprawls to the horizon. Expect a full excursion of ~5–6 hours; costs vary by season (plan CHF 200+ without regional passes).

Evening: Dinner at Barry’s (Hotel Eiger) for modern Swiss dishes—try the beef tartare starter and truffle rösti. Toast the day with a Valais Fendant.

Day 4: Classic Alpine Hiking Day

Morning: Fuel up at Bäckerei-Konditorei-Café Ringgenberg (butter gipfeli, fruit tarts). Then join a local for trail insight and safety: Grindelwald Guided Day Hike.

Afternoon: Favorite routes include the Eiger Trail (Eigergletscher → Alpiglen; ~2–2.5 hours, downhill with glacier views) or Grosse Scheidegg meadows bursting with wildflowers in summer. Pause for rösti and homemade elderflower at Restaurant Alpiglen.

Evening: Casual Swiss at Restaurant Pinte (think cheese fondue, game in autumn). If your hotel has a spa, this is the night for it.

Day 5: Lauterbrunnen’s Waterfalls and Mürren’s Clifftop Views

Morning: Train to Lauterbrunnen (~35–45 minutes via Interlaken Ost or Zweilütschinen). Start at Staubbachfall, a bridal-veil cascade dropping 300 meters over limestone. Coffee and pastries at Airtime Café (excellent carrot cake).

Afternoon: Ride up to Grüttschalp and walk the flat panorama path to Mürren (or take the train). Lunch at Stägerstübli for käseschnitte (cheese toast) and soup. If in season (typically spring–autumn), explore Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain.

Evening: Return to Grindelwald. Dinner at Golden India for richly spiced curries—ideal if you’ve had your fill of cheese. Night stroll beneath a field of stars.

Day 6: Interlaken and the Lakes (Thun and Brienz)

Morning: Train to Interlaken Ost (~35 minutes). Consider a morning lake cruise—emerald Lake Brienz for photogenic shores and woodcarving villages. Coffee at Velo Café Interlaken or Backerei-Confiserie Mohler.

Afternoon: Hire a bike or simply amble the Höhematte lawn. Lunch at Husi Bierhaus (Swiss beer list, pulled pork sandwiches, and flammkuchen). Optional detour to Giessbach Falls above Lake Brienz.

Evening: Back in Grindelwald, try Restaurant Glacier for a seasonal tasting menu inspired by alpine produce—book ahead; their dining room pairs Nordic minimalism with mountain drama.

Day 7: Grindelwald’s Glacier Canyon and Spa Time

Morning: Explore the Gletscherschlucht, a roaring gorge carved by the Lower Grindelwald Glacier; secure timed access with: Glacier Canyon Grindelwald.

Afternoon: Lunch at Gletscherschlucht Café (simple soups, sandwiches, sunshine). Return to the village for spa time—most hotels offer saunas/steam rooms; a recovery afternoon pairs well with mountain days.

Evening: Comfort food at Memory (burgers, rösti, hearty salads) or a Swiss plate at Alpenblick, a bit uphill with a view that rewards the stroll.

Day 8: Männlichen Ridge Walk and Cheese Heaven

Morning: Ride the gondola to Männlichen and walk the easy, panoramic path to Kleine Scheidegg (about 1.5–2 hours). Coffee at Berghaus Männlichen before you set off; the Eiger wall feels near enough to study its climbers’ lines.

Afternoon: Picnic with local cheeses and apricot jam picked up from Dorfmarkt earlier in the week, or lunch at Kleine Scheidegg with trains chugging by like toys. Post-hike gelato back in the village at C&M’s takeout counter.

Evening: Fondue night. Try a classic moitié-moitié at Pinte or Sunstar’s restaurant. Pair with a dry Swiss white and a side of cornichons and new potatoes.

Day 9: Flexible Day — Photos, Paragliding, or Second Summit

Morning: Slow breakfast at Café 3692 (big views; try the bircher muesli). Options today: book a local portrait/landscape photoshoot, try beginners’ via ferrata with a guide, or revisit First for Trottibikes if you skipped them earlier.

Afternoon: Shop for souvenirs: dairy cooperative cheeses, felt slippers, or a small cowbell. Coffee at Eiger+ café lounge; watch trains arrive while you plan one last walk along the meadow paths toward Grund.

Evening: Splurge or keep it simple: either Restaurant Glacier’s tasting menu if you haven’t yet, or Onkel Tom’s Hüsi round two with a seasonal special and salad. Pack for tomorrow’s departure.

Day 10: Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: Sunrise amble to the church and back; the village is quietest now. Treat yourself to one final butter pretzel at Bäckerei Bohren.

Afternoon: Train back to your departure airport (Grindelwald → Interlaken Ost → Zürich HB → ZRH, ~3 hours). Plan or book on Omio trains. Prefer a private car to ZRH? Consider a pre-booked ride such as: Grindelwald/Wengen to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Transfer.

Evening: Fly onward; for European flights, compare on Omio flights. For long-haul options, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights.

Seasonal tips: In winter, swap hiking days for sledding from Bussalp or Faulhorn and snowshoe tours; huts serve piping hot cheese dishes and mulled wine. In shoulder seasons, check lift opening dates and trail conditions each morning; many scenic paths remain delightful lower down even if high routes are snowy.

Budgeting highlights: Expect CHF 20–35 for casual lunches, CHF 30–60 for most dinners, and variable mountain transport (e.g., First return from ~CHF 64; Jungfraujoch from ~CHF 200+ without discounts). Rail day-passes and regional passes can reduce costs if you ride frequently.

Hotels reference links: VRBO Grindelwald | Hotels.com Grindelwald | Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof | Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald

In ten days, you’ll have sampled the Jungfrau Region’s greatest hits—First’s catwalk, Jungfraujoch’s ice world, flowered ridges, and valley-floor waterfalls—without rushing. Grindelwald rewards slow travel: the longer you stay, the more the peaks feel like friends and the village like home.