Grindelwald or Interlaken: Which Switzerland Base Is Better?

If you are visiting the Swiss Alps and wondering if you should stay in Grindelwald or Interlaken, this guide will help you decide.

It is no secret that Switzerland is one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in the world, and the Jungfrau region is especially known for its dramatic landscapes. With charming villages, majestic mountains, lush green valleys, and crystal clear alpine lakes, there is no shortage of incredible experiences in this region.

When it comes to choosing a base, I found myself like many other travelers debating the question: Grindelwald or Interlaken. Both places are popular and offer very different experiences. In this guide I break down the key differences between the two and share which one I think is better.

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Understanding the Jungfrau Region

Before comparing Grindelwald and Interlaken, it helps to understand the Jungfrau region. It is part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The site includes famous peaks such as the Jungfrau, Eiger, Mönch, along with the Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s longest glacier.

It is also part of the Bernese Oberland region, which is why it is helpful to have a Berner Oberland Pass or a Jungfrau Travel Pass if you’ll be visiting the Jungfrau area. 

Jungfrau area is filled with iconic destinations such as Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Kleine Scheidegg, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, and the Jungfraujoch.

Yup, that’s a lot, I know. And this is exactly why choosing a home base that is convenient and well aligned to the activities you want to do is super important. Although the region is well connected by mountain railways, cable cars, and trains, having a good base will allow you to maximize your time and make your life easier. But its not always just about the convenience. The atmosphere, scenery and price matters too. 

This is why the question of “which is the best base for Jungfrau region” is not easy to answer. Between convenience, accessibility, scenery, atmosphere, price and accommodation types available, travelers will have different priorities. 

Of all the places in the region, the two most common choices are Grindelwald or Interlaken because both offer strong advantages and are the most well known.

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Interlaken

Interlaken is a lively town located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It is often considered the gateway to the entire Jungfrau region due to its central location and wide range of transportation connections. It’s a charming town surrounded by beautiful lakes and mountains, but overall vibes are more urban. 

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More restaurant and hotel options

Interlaken is much larger than Grindelwald, so you will find a wider range of accommodations at different price ranges. There are plenty of restaurants as well, including not only traditional Swiss cuisine but a large variety of international food. If you want a base with many choices, Interlaken is ideal.

A convenient hub for exploring many parts of Switzerland

When it comes to transportation, you really can’t beat Interlaken. You can reach villages and mountains of Jungfrau easily from Interlaken, and there are also direct connections to major cities like Bern and Lucerne. 

Swiss weather is notoriously unpredictable. It’s smart to be flexible with your travel plans because for example, you don’t want to pay almost $300 USD to visit Top of Europe (Jungfrauoh) when it’s foggy and visibility is nonexistent. Interlaken provides you with the most flexibility with its great connections, so you’ll always have alternatives. 

Perfect for adventure activities

Interlaken is often called the adventure capital of Switzerland. This is one of the best places for paragliding (have you seen Crash Landing on You?), canyoning, skydiving, kayaking, and lake cruises. If you want a mix of scenery, culture, and adrenaline activities, Interlaken is a great home base.

Grindelwald

Before I even knew much about Switzerland, I knew Grindelwald was a place I had to visit at some point in my life. I can’t recall how many photos and videos I saved of this cute village in the Alps.

Grindelwald is a picture perfect alpine village surrounded some of the most breathtaking mountains in Switzerland. The Eiger, Wetterhorn, and Schreckhorn loom over the valley, giving the village a dramatic and cinematic backdrop. In the winter, Grindelwald transforms into a winter wonderland and has the largest ski resort of the Jungfrau region. 

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Scenic views at every corner

One of the biggest reasons people choose Grindelwald is the scenery. There is something magical about waking up to mountain views and the valleys with traditional wooden chalets. Imagine endless green meadows and cowbells in the distance right outside your window. If you want the true Alps vibes, this is the perfect place for you. 

Close proximity to mountain attractions

Some of the top attractions in the Jungfrau region are easily reached from Grindelwald. Highlights include:

• First Cliff Walk
• Bachalpsee
• Flyer and Glider on First mountain
• Eiger Express to Eigergletscher
• Scenic trails toward Grosse Scheidegg
• Marmot spotting at Pfingstegg

Being based in Grindelwald makes these activities very easy to reach. Many of these activities are popular and either sell out or you can expect long lines. Staying in Grindelwald gives you the advantage of arriving early before crowds.

A cozy and romantic place to stay

Grindelwald has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with boutique hotels, chalets, and beautiful mountain lodges. It is one of the best places for those who want to enjoy alpine scenery, relax on a terrace with views, and unwind after long days of exploring.

Convenient location

Grindelwald is a short 30 minute train ride away from Interlaken. You can pretty much get to anywhere in the region with a few train rides or cable car rides. 

Grindelwald vs Interlaken: A Detailed Comparison

Atmosphere

Grindelwald feels like a peaceful mountain village surrounded by nature, with a cozy and romantic ambience. It is great for travelers who value quiet mornings, scenic mountain views, and feeling of being in the heart of the Swiss Alps. 

Interlaken feels more like a bustling small city with many shops, restaurants, and activities. You’ll find rows of luxury watch shops and souvenir shops (tons of chocolate and Swiss pocket knives). It is lively, social, and convenient, but doesn’t have the intimate charm of an alpine village.

Scenery

If scenery is your priority, Grindelwald is the better choice. You are surrounded by mountains everywhere you turn. Many chalets offer dramatic views of the Eiger from balconies, or even the bedroom. 

Interlaken is beautiful too, but the scenery is more focused on lakes and mountains in the distance. 

Transportation and convenience

Interlaken offers unmatched convenience as a baes in the Jungfrau region. Trains and boats depart frequently, and you can reach many areas quickly.

Grindelwald has good connections too, but you will need to transfer through Interlaken if you want to explore certain places (Brienz-Rothorn Railway to visit Rothorn Kulm for example) or outside the Jungfrau region.

Accommodations and cost

Grindelwald is slightly more expensive than Interlaken since it is located in the mountains and offers premium views. Most accommodations are chalet style and boutique hotels. Many of these accommodations have views of the north face of the Eiger mountain, which I think is the best view you could ask for! 

Interlaken has a wider range of hotels, from some famous luxury hotels like the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel to stylish modern apartments. 

Activities

Interlaken:

• Boat rides on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
• Paragliding, skydiving, canyoning
• Harder Kulm panoramic viewpoint
• Easy access to major cities in other regions

Grindelwald:

• Grindelwald-First mountain (zip line, mountain cart, scooters, thrill rides)
• Numerous hiking trails
• Ski-in/out resorts in the winter
• Pfingstegg mountain (toboggan ride)

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Who should choose Grindelwald

Choose Grindelwald if you want:

• Mountain views outside your balcony
• A peaceful alpine atmosphere
• Easy access to mountain attractions
• A romantic or nature focused trip
• A scenic base that feels like the heart of the Alps

If you want your trip to feel dreamy, cozy, and surrounded by scenery from the moment you wake up, Grindelwald is the perfect choice.

Who Should Choose Interlaken

Choose Interlaken if you want:

• A central and convenient location
• More dining and hotel options
• Easy access to many different attractions
• Adventure activities like paragliding or lake cruises
• A flexible base for changing plans or unpredictable weather

My Personal Experience

Both Grindelwald and Interlaken are wonderful, but they deliver very different experiences. Honestly there was a winner in my heart from the beginning, and it was Grindelwald. 

Interlaken is charming, lively, and undeniably practical. I mapped out all the places we wanted to visit during our three days in the Jungfrau region, and Interlaken was the clear winner for saving time. However, we had already stayed in a pretty city earlier in our trip in Lucerne, and I wanted to experience life in the mountains.

I had initially booked this apartment in Interlaken for our family, but later cancelled and followed my heart to Grindelwald. It added about thirty minutes of extra train time to reach certain places, but waking up to the Eiger every morning was worth every minute.  One of my favorite memories from Switzerland is sipping coffee on the balcony of our chalet while watching the sun rise and light up the Eiger. 

If you want scenery, peaceful mornings, and a true alpine atmosphere, Grindelwald is the winner. It feels magical and unforgettable, and you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty of Switzerland from every angle.

If you want convenience, flexible planning, and a central hub for exploring other Swiss regions, Interlaken is better. 

Personally, I think Grindelwald is the more special place to stay for a classic Swiss mountain experience, especially if this is your first time in the region. 

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Where We Stayed & Our Sample 3 day Itinerary

We spent 3 nights in a charming chalet in Grindelwald, about 10 minutes walking distance from Grindelwald terminal and the center of the village. Grindelwald was the perfect base for us.

Our chalet had 3 bedrooms, was pet-friendly. It was beautiful, but I have to admit some of the carpets in the room weren’t the cleanest given that it’s a dog friendly place. We were somewhat restricted to pet-friendly places, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other options in Grindelwald!

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Here’s a short version of our itinerary: 

Day 0: Arrive in Grindelwald and settle in. We stopped by the Coop to stock up on snacks and drinks.

Day 1: Mountain village day (check out my detailed guide here)

From Grindelwald, we took a 35 minute train to Lauterbrunnen and explored the village and the Staubbach Falls. Next we took a cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp, then one of my favorite mountain train rides from Grütschalp to Mürren. In between Grütschalp and Mürren there is a stop called Winteregg that had such beautiful scenery I nearly jumped off the train (I literally had zero intentions of getting off here because I didn’t know about it but once I saw it out the window, I had to see it). 

Mürren is a beautiful car-free village with surrounding mountains and incredible views. You can also get to Schilthorn from here, where parts of a James Bond movie was filmed at! 

Finally we took the cable car from Mürren to Gimmelwald, another beautiful village that is more rugged and quiet. This village had some breathtaking views. 

Day 2: Brienz Rothorn Railway, Lake Brienz Cruise, Interlaken

This day we set out to Lake Brienz. This was one day that staying in Interlaken would probably have saved us some time, because in order to get to the Brienz Rothorn Railway (an awesome open carriage steam locomotive train by the way!) we had to go through Interlaken Ost station. 

After climbing up to Rothorn Kulm for some of the best views of the Jungfrau peaks, we explored the village of Brienz and took a 75 minute boat ride to Interlaken across Lake Brienz. I still can’t believe how turquoise Lake Brienz is! 

Day 3: Grindelwald First & Bachalpsee

First is one of the mountains located in the Jungfrau region, known for its adventurous activities such as the First Flyer (zip line), First Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibikes. To get to this mountain, you take a gondola from Firstbahn station, which is located in Grindelwald. Since we were based in Grindelwald, it was a short walk through the town center to get to the gondola. 

Once up on First, top things to do include the activities mentioned above, the First Cliff Walk, and hiking to Bachalpsee, one of the glacial lakes of the region. 

We didn’t participate in the activities like the Flyer, Glider, mountain carts or the trottibikes because we had our dog with us and pets are not allowed. We did do the 1 hour hike to Bachalpsee, an Alpine lake surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery. 

Check out my full 7 day Switzerland Itinerary! 

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Final Thoughts on Grindelwald or Interlaken

Ultimately, choosing between Grindelwald and Interlaken comes down to the experience you want to have. Grindelwald offers breathtaking scenery and a peaceful village atmosphere while Interlaken provides convenience, variety, and easy access to many destinations. No matter which you choose, you will be surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland.

But if I had to choose again, I would still choose Grindelwald every time. Waking up to fresh mountain air overlooking the green fields and charming wooden chalets with the towering Eiger in the background is an experience I’d dream about over and over again!