Swiss Alps with Kids: Wengen, Jungfraujoch & the Bernese Oberland

Arriving in Wengen

One of the unique things about Wengen is that it is completely car-free. You'll leave your rental car in the parking garage at Lauterbrunnen, then board a mountain train that winds its way up to the village. Almost immediately, the pace slows down. There are no traffic noises — just the sound of train bells, birds, and the occasional cowbell echoing through the mountains.

If you're planning to explore the Bernese Oberland, I highly recommend staying in Wengen. Its central location makes it incredibly easy to reach nearby villages like Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Grindelwald, and Jungfraujoch, while still offering plenty of restaurants, cafés, hotels, and beautiful walking paths of its own.

Where We Stayed: Hotel Beausite

We chose Hotel Beausite Wengen for our stay. While I wouldn't describe it as an ultra-luxury property, it was a wonderful family-friendly hotel. The reality is that many of the smaller villages throughout the Swiss Alps don't have large five-star luxury resorts. Instead, you'll find charming alpine hotels that emphasize hospitality, spectacular scenery, and comfort.

We stayed in a spacious two-bedroom suite that worked perfectly for our family. Every morning we woke up to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains right outside our windows. The only downside during our visit was the lack of air conditioning — we happened to visit during an unusual heat wave, so we simply left the windows open and enjoyed the cool mountain breeze.

One feature we especially appreciated was the hotel's half-board option. Breakfast and dinner were included, and every meal was excellent. After spending long days hiking and exploring, it was wonderful not having to search for dinner each evening.

Wengen-Männlichen: Don't Miss the Giant Wooden Cow

One of our favorite family outings started right from the center of Wengen. Take the cable car up to Männlichen, where you'll find one of Switzerland's most memorable playgrounds: the Alpine Herdsman's Playground.

The highlight is a gigantic 8.5-meter wooden cow that children can actually climb inside before racing down its built-in slide. Between the panoramic mountain views, alpine meadows, and playful atmosphere, it perfectly captures the magic of the Swiss Alps.

Lauterbrunnen: One of the World's Most Beautiful Valleys

A short train ride from Wengen brings you to the breathtaking village of Lauterbrunnen, often considered one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. The valley is surrounded by towering cliffs with dozens of waterfalls cascading down into lush green meadows.

One of the best family activities here is renting e-bikes — many rental shops offer child seats and trailers — and riding the nearly flat bike path that follows the valley floor. It's an easy, scenic ride that allows you to soak in the incredible landscape at your own pace.

Be sure to stop at Staubbach Falls, where you can walk almost directly beneath one of Europe's highest free-falling waterfalls. Another must-see is Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls hidden inside the mountain itself. Wooden staircases and tunnels take you through the roaring falls as millions of gallons of glacial water rush past.

Mürren & Allmendhubel: Switzerland's Best Playground

Another easy day trip from Wengen is the beautiful cliffside village of Mürren. Take the train down to Lauterbrunnen, ride the cable car to Grütschalp, then hop aboard the charming mountain railway that hugs the cliffs as it makes its way into this peaceful car-free village.

From Mürren, take the short funicular ride to Allmendhubel. This ended up being one of our kids' favorite afternoons of the entire trip. The Flower Park features enormous wooden climbing structures, tunnels, water play areas, zip lines, and one of the most beautiful playground settings we've ever seen. We enjoyed lunch on the restaurant terrace while the kids played with the mountains surrounding us in every direction.

If you're up for a little adventure afterward, the gentle downhill Northface Trail back into Mürren offers spectacular scenery without being overly difficult.

Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe

No visit to the Bernese Oberland would be complete without experiencing Jungfraujoch, famously known as the Top of Europe. At 11,332 feet (3,454 meters), it is home to Europe's highest railway station and offers breathtaking views over the enormous Aletsch Glacier.

From Wengen, you'll ride the historic cogwheel railway to Kleine Scheidegg before transferring to the Jungfrau Railway, which travels through a nearly 9-kilometer tunnel carved directly inside the Eiger mountain. The trip takes about an hour and a half each way.

Our kids loved wandering through the Ice Palace, where hallways are carved directly into the glacier and filled with beautifully sculpted ice figures. The Sphinx Observatory provides sweeping panoramic views over endless fields of snow and ice. Outside on the Glacier Plateau, children can play in the snow — even in the middle of summer — and take photos beside the iconic Swiss flag.

Before heading back down, don't miss Lindt Chocolate Heaven, where you'll learn about Swiss chocolate before browsing the highest Lindt chocolate shop in Europe.

Where to Eat

Dining in the Bernese Oberland is all about setting — simple, honest Swiss mountain food in extraordinary surroundings.