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Mountain villages are my go-to places when I’m looking to relax and get my life back on track. They help me clear my head and find my bearings. I must say, they’re magical places!
If that’s also your goal for your vacation in Switzerland, you have more than half of the country to choose from as your destination—the Swiss Alps. But where specifically should you go?
Consider the Jungfrau Region in the Bernese Oberland as a top priority. It’s home to alpine villages that are both quaint and idyllic. There’s the heaven-on-earth Lauterbrunnen, Wengen which offers an overlooking view of Lauterbrunnen, Iseltwald with its turquoise lake views and of course, Mürren — the village with a unique view of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Well, if you only have one day for your trip to the Swiss Alps, it’s really going to be difficult to choose. Especially when you consider also the alpine villages outside the Jungfrau Region like Zermatt, Kandersteg, and more.
If you’re wondering whether Mürren is worth it, I can show you the 10 amazing experiences and attractions within and nearby this village. Check them out to see if Mürren is the alpine village for you.
Good to know
Mürren is a village nestled in the foothills of Schilthorn, within the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO-protected site. Getting to Mürren from the major cities in Switzerland is not hard, although it takes a few steps.
- First off, you gotta get to Interlaken — the main transport hub for the Jungfrau Region.
- When you reach Interlaken, transfer to a train to Lauterbrunnen.
- In Lauterbrunnen, you have two options to get to Mürren.
- Cable car to Grütschalp, then train ride to Mürren
- Bus (#141) to Stechelberg, then cable car to Mürren.
Between the two, I prefer the Stechelberg route ’cause it gives a unique perspective of the Jungfrau region, unlike the view you’d usually get from Mürren.
You can check the link in the resources section of this post to see the exact route information in Google Maps. If you have a car, you can only take it as far as Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg. Mürren is a car-free village.
Mürren is one of the must-see villages in the Swiss Alps — there’s no doubt to that. Its location above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, offering a panoramic view of the Jungfrau massif, simply explains why it’s a breathtaking destination.
Mürren also has this rustic appearance: It has so many traditional Swiss chalets, often adorned with flowers, which look unreal against the craggy face of the Schwarzmönch mountain. You can stare at the magical view for hours and simply relax all day there, wandering, drinking beer, coffee, or whatever you like.
Love wandering? Know that Mürren is not that big, and you can go from one far end to another in just 15 minutes.
That’s from the Mürren Cable car station to the Mürren train station. But with everything that you can see in between, I believe it would take you more time. You’ll be stopping so many times as there’s something to take a picture of at every step of the way.
However, if you want to do something else, you’ll need to leave the village and go to the nearby attractions which, on a good note, are very accessible from the village.
For instance, the Piz Gloria rotating restaurant, Birg thrillwalk, Allmendhubel park, and more. This makes Murren an alternative home base if you’re staying in the Jungfrau Region for a few days.
(If you’re exploring the Jungfrau Region for 4 days or more, though, I’d recommend making Interlaken your home base.)
Overall, should the weather be great during your visit to Mürren, your trip to this village would be nothing short of unforgettable.
Before going, consider checking out other villages in Interlaken or other destinations in Switzerland so you can find which one you might enjoy more.
Aside from the destinations I mentioned a while ago, I recommend Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Thun, Oberhofen Castle, and Lucerne.
1. Drop by “Mürren Viewpoint” to Marvel at Jungfrau Massif
First — even though the three famous “four-thousanders” peaks, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, can be seen from numerous places in Bernese Oberland, it is still in Mürren where you can find a few of the most awe-inspiring spots to admire these mountains.
You might find these interesting!
2. Explore Mürren Village to Take In Rustic Beauty
Many consider Mürren one of the most charming alpine villages in Switzerland — and I’m convinced.
With a history stretching back to the 13th century and a population of fewer than 500, it’s more obvious why. I’m sure you’ll get that “closest-to-heaven-you’ll-ever-be” feeling when you wander around Mürren.
Tucked away in the mountains with its timeless, flower-adorned chalets – that’s the vibe you’ll get.
And, oh, not to mention the lovely front yards of the chalets filled with Chamois Ragwort (the sunny yellow mountain flower) during summer! As a wanderer, this is the best reason I can think of why everyone should come and see Mürren.
Finding the most beautiful houses in Mürren is very easy. Just stroll down the main street to the village center, and you’ll find them on either side.
One of the beautiful chalets in Mürren is Alte-Bäckerei, which you can observe from the alfresco seating of the highly-rated StagerStübli Café. Most people say it offers delicious food at a reasonable price.
If you’re traveling on a budget, Coop Supermarkt is the way to go. It’s just a stone’s throw away from StagerStübli Café, and you can pick up some bread and drinks for a picnic in Mürren.
Mürren has plenty of benches placed around the village, so you can sit and enjoy the lovely rustic and stunning natural views while you eat. It’s a great way to get the most out of your trip!
3. Ride the Funicular to Allmendhubel to Spend Beautiful Time with Family
Mürren is dotted with benches that offer a great view of the quaint chalets and the stunning Jungfrau massif — perfect for a picnic. It’s where you’ll satisfy both your eyes and your appetite!
Did you know there’s an even better spot for a picnic in Mürren? Allmendhubel.
Allmendhubel is just a quick 4-to-5-minute funicular ride away from the village, and it’s a great place to eat and enjoy your snacks, especially if you’re with your family.
4. Hop on a Cable Car Ride to Birg to Pump Adrenaline
Another thing to do in Mürren, aside from chilling in Allmendhubel, is to feel the thrill in Birg.
Birg is the midpoint between Mürren and Schilthorn, situated around 1000 meters above the village of Mürren (reachable via cable car). I highly recommend checking it out for some awesome mini-adventures with incredible views of the Jungfrau massif that you can enjoy for free!
5. Ride the Cable Car to Schilthorn to See a UNIQUE Restaurant (Piz Gloria)
Exploring the Jungfrau Region, I discovered it’s a true heaven-on-earth, filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and tourist attractions. For me, one of its unmissable highlights is Piz Gloria.
Piz Gloria is a restaurant on top of Schilthorn boasting large glass windows, allowing your eyes can feast on the magnificent peaks as your taste buds savor the restaurant’s main courses like “James Bond” Spaghetti or Zürich-style sliced veal with creamy mushroom sauce and rösti.
The thing about Piz Gloria is that it’s more than just a mountaintop restaurant with stunning views of the Swiss Alps. It’s a revolving restaurant that allows you to take in the breathtaking alpine world from Schilthorn. It’s an experience like no other!
6. Visit Bond World also in Schilthorn to Have Fun and Games (Bond fans be excited!)
More experiences await you at Schilthorn, and the amazing revolving restaurant is just the beginning!
That’s why the tickets, though slightly pricey, can be totally worth it. Some points of interest in Schilthorn include the Skyline View Platform, Spy World, Bond Cinema, Walk of Fame, View Lounges, and Touch The Snow.
7. Hike to Grauseeli to Practice Photography
Even from the start of your Mürren trip, you can already find numerous picturesque scenes that will inspire you to take hundreds of photos.
And if you think there are more beautiful places to photograph after Schilthorn, you’re right! That place is called Grauseeli. It’s a charming alpine lake that you can find between Schilthorn and Birg.
8. Hike North Face Trail to Experience Pure Nature
Like any mountain excursion destination in Switzerland, hiking trails spread out from Mürren.
Each offers an opportunity to discover a unique side of the Swiss Alps you might not want to miss.
Aside from the hiking trails mentioned previously, if you already have hiking experience, another trail you can try from Mürren is the North Face Trail.
It is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Bernese Oberland, where you can see all the impressive faces of the mountains in the Bernese Alps.
9. Explore Gimmelwald to Relax in the Most Idyllic Village in Lauterbrunnen
If you thought Mürren was the most idyllic village in the Jungfrau Region, you clearly haven’t seen Gimmelwald.
It’s a place that will take your breath away and make you feel like you’ve stepped into a wanderer’s story. I found 5 activities / mini-attractions in Gimmelwald you’d love to see.
Gimmelwald is Mürren’s neighboring village, which you can reach from Mürren by hiking (approximately 30 minutes) or a 5-minute cable car ride.
If you are coming from Stechelberg, you will arrive in Gimmelwald first. I recommend visiting Gimmelwald on a Mürren trip because
- it is very close and, most importantly,
- it is an idyllic mountain village where time stands still, and the locals live a simple, harmonious life with nature.
Gimmelwald is full of carefully decorated houses, wooden huts where cheese is stored, grazing cows, and flower meadows.
And because it isn’t as commercialized as Wengen and Mürren, I think Gimmelwald can truly satisfy wanderers looking for an authentic traditional mountain village experience and time to reconnect with nature.
The number of its residents is proof. Did you know that Gimmelwald only has approximately 100 residents?
The locals are mostly farmers, and they sell their products on the market in Murren or directly at their farms. However, although Gimmelwald is only a small village, it doesn’t mean that nothing interesting can be found here.
Aside from taking in the absolutely rustic vibes and breathtaking scenery, you can try visiting the Honesty Shop, which gives visitors a totally new experience of buying souvenirs.
If you love beers, you must try Gimmelwald’s Schwarz Mönch Beer. It’s an award-winning beer, the highest-rated Schwarz beer in the world from 2018 to 2022.
Also, you can also check out the beautiful alpine huts like Allmihüttli Wooden alpine hut, Chässpycher Cheese storehouse, and more.
You can refer to Gimmelwald’s info point for their exact location and more places of interest in the village. I’ve linked more information about the beer in the resources section of this post.
10. Enter Trummelbach Falls to See Europe’s Largest Underground Waterfalls
As an outdoor destination, our overall enjoyment of our trip to Mürren is heavily dependent on the weather.
Not only does the scenery appear less stunning when it’s overcast or raining, but safety can also become a major concern when the weather turns bad. So, what should one do in Mürren when the weather is unfavorable?
Visit the Trümmelbach waterfalls! It is another wondrous artwork work of nature in Lauterbrunnen valley.
Trümmelbach Waterfalls, Europe’s largest subterranean waterfall, is nestled inside a mountain and is accessible via a network of tunnels and galleries. Believe it or not, 20,000 liters of water per second rush through Trümmelbach Waterfalls, fed by the melting glaciers from the Jungfrau.
Resources
Alright, that’s my list of things to do in Mürren! I hope I’ve explained well why these top 10 activities in this Mürren can be compelling reasons to visit the village.
If I’ve convinced you to visit Mürren and you need more information about the tourist attractions I’ve mentioned in this post, you’ll find the links below to help you plan your trip to Mürren.
- Lauterbrunnen to Wengen (Google Maps Route)
- Restaurant Piz Gloria Table Reservation Form
- Schilthorn Official Website
- Schilthorn Live Camera
- Hiking Trail map: Schilthorn-Grauseeli-Birg
- More information: North Face Trail
- More information: Schwarz Mönch Beer
- Trümmelbach waterfalls officials website
- Epic tips for visiting Trümmelbach waterfalls from FullSuiteCase.
Considering the wealth of attractions easily accessible from Murren, it’s understandable why this village could serve as your ideal base for your journey through the Jungfrau Region.
Plan Your Trip Now
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Before you go to Murren, you might also want to check out the top two places in the Jungfrau Region where you can enjoy 180 and 360-degree views of the mountains: (1) Harder Kulm, located above Interlaken, and (2) Mannlichen, above Lauterbrunnen.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a sample itinerary for Switzerland, here you go (see below): this is for your 6-day journey in Switzerland covering Bern and Bernese Oberland. And here’s your itinerary for a 4-day trip to Switzerland covering Bern and Lucerne.
