Lauterbrunnen really is one of those places that feels surreal. Nestled among towering cliffs, 72 waterfalls, quaint Swiss chalets, and some of Europe’s most epic mountain scenery, it’s no wonder so many travelers come to Lauterbrunnen to explore the Jungfrau Region.
But even though Lauterbrunnen is small, where you stay makes a huge difference in your trip. Do you stay in serene valley village of Lauterbrunnen itself? Or glam Wengen? Maybe car-free mountain village Mürren is your dream?
Between exploring the Jungfrau Region and staying in each village, we’ve figured out that every valley is totally unique.
In this guide, we’ll show you where to stay in Lauterbrunnen that suits your travel style, budget, and itinerary.
- Quick Answer: Where Should You Stay in Lauterbrunnen?
- Understanding Lauterbrunnen Valley
- Lauterbrunnen Village — Best for First-Time Visitors
- Wengen — Best for Families and Scenic Views
- Mürren — Best for Peace, Hiking and Luxury Mountain Views
- Stechelberg — Best for Nature Lovers and Budget Travellers
- Isenfluh — Best Hidden Gem
- Where Should You Stay in the Lauterbrunnen Valley?
- Lauterbrunnen Valley Or Grindelwald?
- How Many Days Should You Stay?
- Tips for Booking Hotels in Lauterbrunnen
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answer: Where Should You Stay in Lauterbrunnen?
If you don’t have time to read the full guide, here’s a quick overview.
| Hotel | Area | Best For | Check Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Silberhorn | Lauterbrunnen Village | First-time visitors | Check on Booking.com |
| Hotel Victoria-Lauberhorn | Wengen | Scenic mountain village | Check on Booking.com |
| Hotel Eiger Mürren | Mürren | Quiet alpine escape | Check on Booking.com |
| Hotel Stechelberg | Stechelberg | Budget travellers & hikers | Check on Booking.com |
| Hotel Waldrand | Isenfluh | Hidden local experience | Check on Booking.com |
Understanding Lauterbrunnen Valley
One thing that many people don’t know before booking their trip is that Lauterbrunnen is not one village.
It’s actually comprised of several villages linked by trains, cable cars and buses.
The busiest villages are:
- Lauterbrunnen Village
- Wengen
- Mürren
- Stechelberg
- Isenfluh
Each village makes a great home-base, but appeals to different types of travellers.
Lauterbrunnen Village — Best for First-Time Visitors
If you’re visiting the Jungfrau Region for the first time then anywhere else is more of a risk than staying in Lauterbrunnen Village.
Essentially everything is centred around the train station so it’s super easy to get to:
- Jungfraujoch
- Wengen
- Mürren
- Grindelwald
- Interlaken
It’s also where you’ll find supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, bike rentals and souvenir shops. Just wandering around the village itself is pleasant and you can look out over the famous Staubbach Falls which drops nearly 300 metres (!) down the mountain.
One other benefit is that Lauterbrunnen is easily accessible by car/train all year round. Most mountain villages are not.
Pros
- Best transport connections
- Great restaurants
- Easy access to Jungfraujoch
- Walk to waterfalls
- Largest hotel selection
Cons
- Busier than other villages
- Gets crowded in summer
Best Hotels
Luxury
Hotel Silberhorn
Situated opposite the railway station Hotel Silberhorn is arguably the most convenient hotel in Lauterbrunnen. Many of the rooms offer balconies with views over waterfalls and cliffs.
Mid-Range
Hotel Oberland
Comfortable alpine rooms and a great restaurant. We’ve stayed here a few times and it’s a typical Swiss style hotel that we love.
Budget
Valley Hostel
As low-cost as you can get in Lauterbrunnen village. Great choice if you’re hiking or a backpacker.
Wengen — Best for Families and Scenic Views
Perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a postcard when you arrive in Wengen.
Completely car-free you’ll enjoy clean mountain air and quiet streets. Wengen is also particularly popular with families as there are no worries of letting your children run around.
You can easily get to:
- Kleine Scheidegg
- Jungfraujoch Railway
- Männlichen Cable Car
- Grindelwald
Plus when you arrive in Wengen during the winter months it’s one of Switzerland’s most famous ski resorts.
Summer is beautiful here too of course. Just take in those panoramic mountain views!
Pros
- Incredible mountain scenery
- Family-friendly
- Car-free village
- Great hiking access
Cons
- Hotels slightly more expensive
- Need train to reach Lauterbrunnen
Best Hotels
Luxury
Grand Hotel Belvedere
One of our favourite luxury hotels in the Jungfrau Region. Beautiful Alpine views with top notch wellness facilities.
Mid-Range
Hotel Victoria- Lauberhorn
Probably the most popular hotel in Wengen. Great location right beside the railway station and it also has a great spa.
Budget
Hotel Edelweiss
Very Swiss hospitality with big views over the valley. It won’t break the bank either.
Mürren — Best for Peace, Hiking and Luxury Mountain Views
Ok so Mürren may be many people’s dream hotel bedroom. Sleeping high up in the mountains with snow topped peaks right on your doorstep!
Built on a mountain terrace that overlooks the stunning Lauterbrunnen Valley, Mürren is another car-free village that you can only reach by cable car.
Mürren has a quieter feel than Lauterbrunnen too. It also tends to be less busy.
Lastly it’s also great for hiking.
Nearby hiking and attractions:
- Schilthorn
- Piz Gloria
- Allmendhubel
- Northface Trail
If you’ve ever googled “swiss villages with mountains in the background” chances are Mürren has come up in the pictures.
Pros
- Amazing scenery
- Peaceful atmosphere
- Excellent hiking
- Less crowded
Cons
- Longer travel time
- Accommodation can be more expensive
Best Hotels
Luxury
Hotel Mürren Palace
Classic luxurious hotel with jaw dropping views of the mountains. It also feels extra special as you’re high up in the mountains.
Mid-Range
Hotel Eiger Mürren
This hotel is popular with regular visitors. We’ve stayed here a few times and it always exceeds expectations. Great spa. Amazing breakfast. Incredible views over the mountains.
Budget
Hotel Blumental
Another great budget mountain hotel with friendly service.
Stechelberg — Best for Nature Lovers and Budget Travellers
Tucked away just a few kilometres south of Lauterbrunnen is the quaint hamlet of Stechelberg.
The majority of people just pass through on their way to neighbouring Mürren. But there are advantages of staying put.
Accommodation is usually cheaper than staying in Lauterbrunnen for a start.
It’s also super peaceful.
You’ll also find Stechelberg is home to some beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. But without the crowds of tourists that visit the main village.
You’ll also catch the cable car to Mürren and Schilthorn from here.
Pros
- Affordable hotels
- Peaceful
- Beautiful waterfalls
- Great hiking access
Cons
- Not many restaurants
- Small village
Best Hotel
Hotel Stechelberg
This comfy hotel may not have your bells and whistles, but it does offer great value for money. Plus fantastic surroundings and easy access to hiking trails.
Don’t expect to find many international tourists in Isenfluh. This small Swiss village is perched above Lauterbrunnen Valley and is a great spot to get away from it all.
There are not many hotels here but that’s kinda the point. If you stay in Isenfluh you’re really getting that authentic Swiss mountain vibe.
Not only this, but you also get to enjoy some seriously panoramic views. But without the crowds.
Isenfluh also gives you access to Sulwald which is a great hiking area that many day-trippers don’t venture to.
Pros
- Authentic Swiss village
- Quiet atmosphere
- Fantastic hiking opportunities
- Beautiful scenery
Cons
- Very limited hotels
- Limited public transport
Best Hotel
Hotel Waldrand
Traditional alpine hotel with great service and views over the valley.
Where Should You Stay in the Lauterbrunnen Valley?
Beginners
Stay in the village of Lauterbrunnen.
There are the easiest transportation options with convenient access to waterfalls, restaurants and train stations.
Families
Pick Wengen.
Traffic-free streets, playgrounds and calm atmosphere make it ideal for families.
Couples
It’s hard to beat Mürren for mountain romance.
Luxury hotels and unbelievable sunsets make it perfect for honeymoons and celebrating anniversaries.
Where Should Budget Travelers Stay?
Look for deals in Stechlberg. You’ll find cheaper hotel rates and it’s still close to most of what the region has to offer.
Where Should Hikers Stay?
Mürren and Isenfluh both give you direct access to amazing hikes with less of the crowds you’ll find in Lauterbrunnen.
Lauterbrunnen Valley Or Grindelwald?
One of the questions we get here at Jungfrau Region Travel is where to stay: Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
Lauterbrunnen is better if you’d rather be near waterfalls, peaceful scenery and traditional Swiss villages.
Grindelwald has more shopping, restaurants, nightlife and activities like the First Cliff Walk, mountain carts and zip lines.
However, since most people only visit Switzerland once, we typically recommend splitting your trip between both villages.
How Many Days Should You Stay?
Most travelers spend 2 to 3 nights in Lauterbrunnen.
That’s enough time to see:
- Jungfraujoch
- Wengen
- Mürren
- Schilthorn
- Staubbach Falls
- Truemmelbach Falls
If you like hiking, consider staying four or five nights. The mountains are so impressive you’ll want to take your time and fully enjoy them without rushing from place to place.
Tips for Booking Hotels in Lauterbrunnen
Accommodations in Lauterbrunnen and surrounding villages are some of the most booked in Switzerland.
During the peak seasons of June to September and ski season, book 3-6 months in advance.
Other things to keep in mind:
- Stay near Lauterbrunnen Station to minimize travel time to and from your hotel.
- If you stay in a car-free village, you’ll need to take a train or cable car to your hotel.
- Hotels with balconies that feature mountain views are worth the splurge.
- Most hotels in Switzerland come with breakfast. This is a nice perk since dining out can be expensive.
- Buy a Jungfrau Travel Pass if you plan on doing multiple mountain tours.
Final Thoughts
Our verdict? Wherever you stay in Lauterbrunnen is going to depend on what you want from your Swiss holiday.
If you are visiting Lauterbrunnen for the first time, staying in Lauterbrunnen Village is your best bet for excellent transport links and easy access to lots of great sights.
If you’re travelling with family, we recommend staying in Wengen. Couples and avid hikers will love staying in Mürren.
Staying in Stechelberg is ideal if you’re looking to keep costs down, and we favour Isenfluh if you want to get away from the crowds.
One thing all of these destinations have in common? They’re surrounded by some of the most beautiful alpine views you’ll ever see.
From picturesque wooden chalets to waterfalls tumbling from vast cliffs and incredible mountain vistas, Lauterbrunnen really is one of Switzerland’s most scenic valleys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lauterbrunnen a good place to base yourself for Jungfraujoch?
Yes. Easily one of the best options to access Jungfraujoch (via Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg).
Is it better to stay in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen?
Lauterbrunnen is better if you want easier transportation / cheaper food/restaurants. If you want to stay in a quiet picturesque mountain village with no cars, stay in Wengen.
How long should I stay in Lauterbrunnen?
Most people only need two to three nights. If you’re hiking in the area, you’ll probably stay four-five nights.
Is Lauterbrunnen expensive?
Yes, like most of Switzerland hotels can be expensive. Book early and look for cheaper hotels or consider staying in one of the nearby villages like Stechelberg.
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