In this post, we’ll explore some of the best things to do in and around Wengen, Switzerland. Specifically, we’ll go over the things to do in town, as well as highlights that are one transit ride away. If you’re staying in Wengen or planning a day in Wengen, this post is for you.
Related Posts
Before we get too far, it’s worth noting that this post is part of a (future) series. Wengen is one of the several tourist towns in the Jungfrau region. All of the towns in the area are easily accessible from Wengen via public transportation. We will be crafting similar posts with things to do in (and near) each of these towns. It’s worth exploring the other lists for more inspiration and getting your bearings on what to do from where.
(These links to be added soon.)
- Best things to do in Lauterbrunnen
- Best things to do in Murren
- Best things to do Grindelwald
- Best things to do in Interlaken
Confused about how to get around Junfrau? You might want to start with our How to get everywhere in Jungfrau post.
About Wengen
Wengen is a small, car-free village in the Jungfrau region of switzerland. The heart of the village is its charming main street, which is lined with shops and restaurants and runs along an open public square. (Though there are generally no cars, there are service vehicles and electric taxis that do drive on the roads.)
It’s a popular place to stay in the region due to its variety of accommodations, ample dining options, and of course, absolutely breathtaking views of Jungfrau and the Lauterbrunnen valley.
With close connections to hiking and skiing, Wengen is a popular tourist destination in both summer and winter. It’s particularly popular with families, thanks to it’s unique children’s amenities and close proximity to Männlichen (and it’s epic playground.)
The town is perched on the mountainside (hence the no-cars), and is connected to the rest of the region by train and gondola. The train offers regular service down to Lauterbrunnen, and around the mountain to Kleine Scheidegg, with onward service to Grindelwald. The gondola connects Wengen to Männlichen, with cable car connection to Holenstein and Grindelwald.
Best things to do in Wengen
If you are staying in Wengen or traveling there for a day, there are several things to see and do in town. Here are a few things you can’t miss.
Marble Runs
Wengen is perhaps best known for it’s marble runs. These are not your counter-top marble runs — they are large, complex and unique.
To play, you’ll first need to purchase a marble. (And by marble, we mean 3″ wooden ball.) You can buy them from a few different places in town, but the easiest location in the main tourism office beside the gondola station. Each marble costs CHF 4.00. If you are buying more than 1, be sure to get different colors so you can track who wins.
When you buy your marble, you’ll also get a map to guide you to the 10 different runs around town. If you are racing, you can also track your scores on the map.
Main Street & Square
Wengen’s main street is Dorfstrasse, which runs from the train station to the playground (just past the cable car station.) There are several hotels and restaurants along this street, as well as souvenir shops, gear shops, a grocery store, a coffee shop, and more.
About halfway through, there’s a square on the east side of the street (gondola side.) Here you’ll find a few marble runs, a slack line, and open green space for kids to play. There’s a tennis court and soccer field, which transforms into a skating rink in the winter.
It’s a cute little street, but it’s not that long — less than 1/4 mile from end to end. If you pop in and out of the stores (check the hours, they close early) and make a leisurely stroll of it, you can fill about an hour.
Sample the Local Chocolate
While you’re wandering Dorfstrasse, be sure to pop into Vincenz Bakery. It’s a local bakery that serves up some of the tastiest chocolate, made right in town. You can get them boxed up as gifts, or just grab a few truffles to enjoy for yourself.
And good luck getting out of there with just chocolate — their pastry case is stocked full with some of most decadent sweet treats in town. Grab a few things and enjoy them on the square across the street.
Tip! While the local chocolate is excellent, it’s also fun to try the local grocery store goodies. We loved our nightly visits to the Coop where we’d try all the chocolate and candy brands we don’t have at home.
Wengen Playground
Near the end of Dorfstrasse is a nice little playground. It is not as epic as the nearby Männlichen Cow Playground, but it’s still a nice playground to have in town. It has some climbing things, a slide and a couple swings.
Beside the playground is one of the larger marble runs in town. This particular run has seen better days, but the children still seemed to enjoy it, even if it meant chasing after getaway balls.
Try the Swiss Cuisine
You can get excellent Swiss cuisine all over the Jungfrau region, and Wengen is no different. The cheese fondue is the most famous Swiss dish — and with good reason. Who doesn’t love a pot of melty cheese paired with fluffy potatoes and crusty bread. It’s usually served family style based and charged per number of eaters.
You can find it at several places around town, and everyone has a different take on which is best. I’d probably recommend The Tavern Restaurant for great fondue, cozy vibes and a central location.
But don’t stop there. Be sure to try the other local specialties like Rösti (a fried potato hash brown of sorts) and Raclette (melted cheese served with bread, potatoes and veggies).
Tip! Advance reservations are really helpful and often necessary in Wengen. At most restaurants, you’ll be able to get a reservation just a day or two in advance (sometimes even same-day). A little advance planning can be the difference between a table with a view and getting turned away at the door.
Drinks with a View
A visit to Wengen is not complete without dedicating some time to it’s incredible views. That means leaving the main street and going up just a little bit higher, to unlock some of the most stunning views in town.
There’s no better way to do that than from The Deck Restaurant at Hotel Jungfraublick. Enjoy a cocktail, see the sunset, and watch this become your favorite night of your trip. (They even serve fondue, so you check both off at once.)
Be sure to make a reservation in advance as they do fill up quite quickly — particularly the terrace because it’s so small. If you’re visiting in the summer, request an outdoor table. If you’re visiting on the winter, request a window table with a view.
Tip: This one can be tricky to plan in the summer season. If it’s raining or there’s a high chance of rain, they will not offer outdoor seating. Plan this one early in your trip, so if it doesn’t work out, you can try again.
Mini Golf
Calling this one of the “best” things to do in Wengen is probably a stretch, but it’s still worth a mention on this list. This course is wildly difficult and overpriced for what it is. However, if you are looking to keep busy on your arrival day or just have some free time, it might be worth doing.
Tip! If you are staying in Wengen, be sure to ask for a Wengen Guest Card when you check in. This card will get you lots of local discounts, including 50% off mini golf
Ice Skating & Swimming
Depending on what season you visit, there is a water-related activity waiting for you in Wengen.
In the summer, take a dip at the Wengen Swimming Pool. It’s an outdoor (heated when needed) pool with epic views. Entry is only CHF 4.00 for adults and children are free. The pool is only open during the summer months during clear weather.
In the winter, visit the Wengen Ice Rink, located beside the tourism office. The rink is open during the winter season. It costs CHF 6.00 — 12.00 to skate, plus CHF 6.00 – 8.00 to rent skates. You can save 50% with a Wengen guest card.
Seasonal Events & Activities
Wengen in the Summer and Wengen in the Winter feel like two distinctly different destinations. There are several events, activities and festivals that vary based on the season.
The most notable, of course, is skiing which is only available during the winter season. I haven’t personally skied in Wengen, so I’ll send you to this excellent, complete guide from the fine folks at Full Suitcase.
In the summer, the region is a popular trail running destination, with landmark events like the Jungfrau Marathon (September) and the Eiger Ultra Trail (July). There’s also a Lauberhorn Run in the winter, where athletes can run up a famed ski slope in the snow.
There are several annual festivals held in Wengen as well, including the Mulled Wine Festival, Music Week and more. Be sure to check the Wengen events page for activities during your visit.
Best things to do near Wengen
There are so many things to do in Jungfrau region, many of which are just a stone’s throw from Wengen. In this next section, we’ll explore some of the best things to see and do that are a single public transit ride (no transfers) from Wengen.
Reminder: Be sure to check out our other guides for things to do in and around the other towns and villages in Jungfrau if you’re up for taking a few extra connections.
Männlichen Cow Playground
How to get there: Take the cable from Wengen to Männlichen
The Männlichen Cow Playground is beloved — it’s widely regarded as the best playground in Jungfrau and one of the best in all of Switzerland, and thus the whole world. It’s an absolute must-do if you’re in Wengen with kids. Set against a backdrop of the three peaks (Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau) and the Lauterbrunnen valley, it’s also one of the most beautiful playgrounds you’ll ever see.
The playground has a ton of stuff to do, including the famous cow slide. There’s so many other fun things though, like a rock wall, manual bowling, balance courses, multi-rider swings, and more.
Adjacent to the playground is a cafeteria and gift shop. In the summer (peak play season), there’s a large outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a drink while your kids play. There are also bathrooms inside.
Love the idea of planning hikes around playgrounds? Check out our list of 5 Perfect Hike + Playground Pairings in Jungfrau, Switzerland.
The Royal Walk
How to get there: Take the cable from Wengen to Männlichen
The Royal Walk is a short but steep hike with an incredible payoff.
The trail begins just past the Männlichen cable car station (the upper station on the Männlichen-Wengen line.) Follow the trail left (opposite the playground) and up. It’s a 1KM hike to the Männlichen peak and takes about 1 hour round-trip. Along the way, you’ll pass a handful of informational signs and activities, which is a fun way for kids and adults to break up the climb.
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with the most incredible view of the surrounding peaks, including the big three (Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau) and surrounding valleys.
Lieselotte Trail
How to get there: Take the cable from Wengen to Männlichen
If you are visiting Wengen with kids, the Lieselotte Trail is another must-do. It is a kid’s themed trail — because of course Switzerland has those — that follows Lieselotte the cow as she visits Jungfrau for the first time. It’s an easy hike (2 miles, downhill) with play stations along the entire trail, and a playground at the start and end. There’s even a bathroom stop and picnic area in the middle.
This trail is so fun for kids. They can learn about the region, local animals and a little history, all while doing things like playing alpenhorns, long jumping, climbing a marmot lookout tower, and more. Kids can even get a prize back in Wengen if they complete the trail.
The Lieselotte Trail ends at the Treetop Playground in Holenstein. From there, take the cable car back up to Männlichen and then down to Wengen. (I know, the return trip technically has a transfer, but I think it still counts.)
Read more! You can get all the important details about the Lieselotte Trail, including where to get the map and your prize, in our post with 10 Things To Know About the Lieselotte Trail.
Panorama Trail — Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg
How to get there: Take the cable from Wengen to Männlichen
The third main hiking trail from Männlichen is the Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg. While the Royal Walk ascends to the peak and the Lieselotte Trail slopes down into the valley, the Panorama Trail stays mostly flat and stays high on a ridge. Each of these these hikes offer a completely different experience and view.
Note: If I had to choose one between Lieselotte Trail and Panorama Trail, I would probably choose the Panorama Trail. The Lieselotte Trail is definitely more fun for kids, but the views are better on the Panorama Trail. Though it doesn’t have the play stations, the Panorama is still kid-friendly in terms of difficulty. (The Royal Walk is easy to tack onto either, since it starts and ends in the same place.)
This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Jungfrau, because it is both easy and extremely rewarding. The Panorama Trail is about 3 miles long and mostly flat, with a slight downgrade toward Kleine Schiedegg. There are a few benches along the way, plus a toilet in the middle.
Before you arrive in Kleine Scheidegg, you’ll pass Restaurant Grindelwaldblick. It’s a great place to stop for a snack and a drink. Even if you don’t eat here, there’s an observation platform that’s worth popping up to.
When you arrive in Kleine Scheidegg, you can hop on a train back to Wengen.
Visit Lauterbrunnen
How to get there: Take the train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is another popular tourist town. It’s a bit more bustling than Wengen, as it is accessible via car. It also has a bit more reasonably priced accommodations, so it tends to attract a slightly younger crowd than Wengen.
If you’re staying in Wengen, you’ll probably find yourself connecting in Lauterbrunnen often. The town itself is quite charming through, so it’s worth planning to spend a bit of extra time there if you can.
The main street in Lauterbrunnen is Auf der Fuhren, and it runs between the train station and Staubbach Fall. There are lots of restaurants and bars, and souvenir and gear shops. It’s a very storybook town with a cute church and waterfall in the background.
Staubbach Fall
How to get there: Take the train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen
The iconic waterfall in every photo of Lauterbrunnen is Staubbach Fall. It is one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Switzerland, though claims range from the highest to third highest. You can easily walk here from central Lauterbrunnen.
The best views of the fall are generally considered to be from the ground below. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk up a steep 0.4 mile trail that leads behind the fall. We personally didn’t walk this trail, but reviews seem to suggest it is wet and underwhelming. It’s free though, if you want to give it a go.
Trümmelbach Falls
How to get there: Take the train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, then walk or bus to the falls.
If you are really interested in climbing up to, through and behind waterfalls though, you’ll definitely walk to visit Trümmelbach Falls. Everyone who visits these falls notes how imprepessive they are, and how the iconic Staubbach Fall pales in comparison.
These particular falls are underground — hidden inside the mountains. There are 10 different falls, all feed by melting glaciers cutting through the rock. You can access these falls via elevator and stairs, and see them from a variety of viewing platforms. The entry fee is about CHF 15 per adult.
Unfortunately we missed these, as we didn’t make it to the area until shortly before we were closing. This review does a great job explaining the experience though, and it does seem absolutely epic.
Hike from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg
How to get there: Take the train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen. (Optional bus connection from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg.)
Lauterbrunnen is nicknamed the Valley of 72 Waterfalls, and one of the best way to experience them at once is this hike across the valley. (Though for the sake of transparency, my waterfall count was closer to 5 than to 72, but still stunning.)
The trail follows the river through the valley, with beautiful views the entire way in all directions. It passes by both of the above listed falls, so it’s a great way to hit all things Launterbrunnen Valley. It’s both a pedestrian and bike trail, so if you’re walking, be sure to be alert. It’s also a great running trail, if you’re looking to bank some rare flat miles.
The hike between Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg is about 4 miles and flat. You can either do it as an out-and-back from Lauterbrunnen (8 total miles) or hike one direction and take a bus the other direction.
Note: This hike pairs really well with a visit to Mürren. (We’re not specifically covering that in this post, as we’re sticking to things accessible by a single connection from Wengen.) However, if you’re coming from Mürren, you can take the cable car down to Stechelberg, hike this trail to Lauterbrunnen, then take the train back to Wengen.
More Switzerland Content
And that’s a wrap on the best things to do in and around Wengen! Hungry for more Switzerland content? Check out our other posts!
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