5 Epic Things to Do in Meiringen, Switzerland
Are you looking for the best things to do in Meiringen, Switzerland? Meiringen is a great day trip destination where you can discover unique sights, but for the best experience, spend at least 2-3 days there.
The most popular attractions are the Aare Gorge and the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge. You can also visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum and the Reichenbach Falls, where the fictitious detective defeated Professor James Moriarty. Then, you can combine your visit with the Gelmerbahn and the Handeckfall Bridge.
This ultimate guide to visiting Meiringen includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Meiringen, Switzerland.
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- 5 Epic Things to Do in Meiringen, Switzerland
- Best Time to Visit Meiringen, Switzerland
- How to Get to Meiringen, Switzerland?
- Where to Stay in Meiringen
- Best things to do in Meiringen, Switzerland
- 1. Visit Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht)
- 2. See Reichenbach Falls
- 3. Visit Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge
- 4. Take a Day Trip to Gelmerbahn
- 5. See Sherlock Holmes Museum Meiringen
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Best Time to Visit Meiringen, Switzerland
Switzerland is a popular destination all year round! The best time to visit Meiringen is between April and October. The summer months are ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Switzerland is also beautiful in winter, and you can enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How to Get to Meiringen, Switzerland?
Interlaken is just 25 minutes away, and Lucerne is a 50-minute drive away. The nearest airport is the Bern Airport (airport code BRN), about 1 hour away. You can easily reach Meiringen by train from Interlaken, Bern, Lucerne, or Zurich. The train from Zurich to Meiringen takes about 3 hours.
Take a day trip from Zurich and explore one of the most picturesque places in Switzerland, the Lauterbrunnen, which is the Valley of 72 waterfalls. Admire the Aareschlucht and visit the Staubbach, Trummelbach, and Reichenbach Waterfalls.
Budget Tip
Enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to visit more than 41 cities, reach peaks of many mountains, and sail through beautiful lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Where to Stay in Meiringen
It is a great day trip, but we recommend you take more time to explore the region and enjoy the best things to do in Meiringen.
Meiringen is located between Lucerne and Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland Region of Switzerland. Meiringen and the surrounding areas offer a wide range of accommodation, from budget hostels and campsites to luxury hotels.
Best hotels in Meiringen, Switzerland
- Mid-Range: Hotel Dakota or Hotel Panorama
- Budget: Hotel Meiringen
Best hotels in Interlaken
- Luxus: Swiss Hotel Apartments
- Mid-Range: The Hey Hotel or Boutique Hotel Bellevue
- Budget: Interlaken Youth Hostel
Best things to do in Meiringen, Switzerland
1. Visit Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht)
Over tens of thousands of years, the Aare has carved its way through the limestone cliffs to form the Aare Gorge, which is only 1-2 m wide in places. The Aare Gorge is a 1.4 km long walkway and 200 m deep natural wonder. A beautiful, easy walk that is accessible to all ages and a truly refreshing experience in summer.
The Aare Gorge is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. From June to mid-September, opening hours are extended by one hour.
It takes about 45 minutes to walk through the impressive gorge. You can walk back to the start on a public hiking trail via Lammi or take the Meiringen-Innertkirchen railway that runs alongside the gorge.
See also → Beautiful Places to Visit in Switzerland
How to Get to the Aare Gorge?
Aaare Gorge has two entrances (West/East), and free parking is available on both sides. Take a train to Meiringen, then change to the regional train to either the Aareschlucht West or Aareschlucht Ost stop and walk to the park entrance.
If you’re coming from Innertkirchen, use the east entrance. The Aare Gorge is accessible by wheelchair and stroller from the west entry point to the middle of the gorge.
The entrance fee to the Aare Gorge is 12 CHF (13.5 USD) for adults and 7.5 CHF (8.5 USD) for children. Children under 6 years are free of charge. Dogs can visit the Aare Gorge for free, but you must use a short leash.
Book this Best Bernese Oberland Region Tour. This tour includes visiting the Lake Lungern, Aare Gorge, Giessbach Falls, Brienz, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen.
2. See Reichenbach Falls
The Reichenbach Falls are known worldwide as the site of a fictional event where Sherlock Holmes fought Professor James Moriarty. This hike is a must for Sherlock Holmes fans. The stunning waterfall is 120 meters high and is easily accessible using the Reichenbachfall-Bahn.
The Reichenbachfall-Bahn ticket costs 12 CHF (13.5 USD) return and 8 CHF (9 USD) one-way for adults. For children (6-15 years), a roundtrip ticket costs 8 CHF (9 USD), and a single ticket costs 6 CHF (7 USD). Tickets can be purchased online or at the Valley station.
The total hike is about 2.4 km long and takes 1 hour.
The Reichenbachfall-Bahn is open from 4 May to 6 October 2024 from 9 AM to 5:30 PM (last ascent at 5:15 PM). Dogs are allowed on the Reichenbachfall-Bahn. Small dogs can travel for free, but larger dogs need a ticket.
Combined tickets available for purchase:
- Reichenbachfall-Bahn and Aare Gorge: Adults 20 CHF (22.5 USD), Children (6-15 years) 14 CHF (16 USD).
- Funicular and Sherlock Holmes Museum: Adults 13 CHF (14.5 USD), Children (6-15 years) 8 CHF (9 USD).
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The Reichenbach Waterfall is dry during the winter months. The best time to visit Reichenbach Falls is from May to early October.
Keep reading → Stoos Ridge Hike
3. Visit Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge
It is one of the best places to visit in Meiringen, Switzerland. After the Aare Gorge, we didn’t think it was worth visiting another gorge. As we visited both, we can tell you that they are different, both offered a unique experience and should not be missed on a visit to Meiringen. Go first to the Aare Gorge and then explore the Rosenlaui Gorge and Glacier area.
The Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge is open from 9 AM to 6 PM (May 9 to September 30) and 9 AM to 5 PM (October 1 to October 20, 2024).
The entrance fee to the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge is 10 CHF (11 USD) for adults and 5 CHF (5.5 USD) for children. Children under 6 years are free of charge.
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On your way to the car park, you will see the Rosenlaui viewpoint. You can stop on the side of the road for a quick photo or walk back from the parking lot.
See also → Best Hotels in the Switzerland Mountains
The path through the gorge is well-maintained, and the hike takes about 45 minutes. You pass along waterfalls, natural whirlpools, and fantastically shaped rocks. At the end of the gorge, a forest trail leads you down back to the entry point.
You can visit in rainy weather, but wear good shoes and a raincoat. It will be much colder than outside, so bring a sweater or jacket. The hiking trail is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
How to Get to Rosenlaui Glacier?
- By public transport: Travel to Meiringen by train, then change to the PostBus and travel to the bus stop at the Gletscherschlucht Rosenlaui entrance. The PostBus leaves every hour from 8:20 AM.
- By car: The gorge is accessible by car from Meiringen. A parking ticket is required to visit the Rosenlaui, Schwarzwaldalp area. There are plenty of parking spaces. The full-day parking ticket costs 8 CHF (9 USD), and the afternoon ticket (from noon) costs 4 CHF (4.5 USD).
4. Take a Day Trip to Gelmerbahn
Visiting the Gelmerbahn is one of the best things to do in Meiringen, Switzerland. It takes about 20 minutes by car from Meiringen to the Gelmerbahn cable railway station.
The Gelmerbahn was originally built to transport heavy building materials for the Gelmer Dam. With a gradient of 106%, it’s one of the steepest passenger cableways in Europe. Most people just come to ride the Gelmerbahn and quickly see the lake, but hiking around Gelmersee (Lake Gelmer) is one of the most beautiful hikes in Switzerland.
If you want to hike around the lake, we recommend at least 3-4 hours. If you are planning a short walk and picnic, 2-3 hours is probably enough.
Read the full post → How to Visit Gelmerbahn
5. See Sherlock Holmes Museum Meiringen
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you want to know more about Sherlock Holmes, don’t miss a visit to the museum in Meiringen. The museum has carefully and authentically reconstructed the living room of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson at Baker Street 221B, London.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum Meiringen is open daily from 13:30 to 17:00.
The entrance fee to the Sherlock Holmes Museum is 5 CHF (5.5 USD) for adults and 3 CHF (3.5 USD) for children. You can also buy a combined ticket to the museum, which includes the Reichenbachfall Funicular (round trip).
We hope our list of the best things to do in Meiringen will inspire you to visit Switzerland. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – Heymondo
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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Hi,
Thank you for creating this post- it is super insightful!
The photo where you are both on the floor with the beautoful mountain- is this the glacier or a different part of Rosenlaui? How did you manage to get to this location?
Would really appreciate the help!
Hi!
We are happy you liked it! Yes, this is Rosenlaui Glacier. You can reach this viewpoint by walking from the parking lot.
Best regards,
Dittus and Mate
Hi,
Thank you for the post, wonderful information here.
I would like to visit both gorges in the coming Wednesday and I will be staying in Lucerne. Do you think it is feasible and will it be a good idea?
Hi Carrie! We are happy you liked it!
Sounds great, and you can visit both gorges in one day from Lucerne. But we recommend you start at the Aare Gorge and arrive as early as possible. After that, visit the Rosenlaui Gorge.
Enjoy your trip!