Best Home Base in Switzerland

Murren Wengen or Lauterbrunnen valley

We stayed in Mürren for 4 nights earlier this month. Visited Gimmelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, and decided we were glad that we chose Mürren as our home base.

We found Grindelwald to be perfect location for us. We felt as if we could reach out and touch the mountains from our chalet. There were such excellent transportation options too. Many restaurants, hotels.

You don't have to reach out and touch the mountains in Muerren or Wengen, you're on them. Grindelwald is a bit busier a town as you can drive there. Wengen and Muerren a car-free.

All of the towns (Lauterbrunnen in the valley, Muerren and Gimmelwald up one side, Wengen up the other side, and Grindelwald in the next valley) have their fans. You really can't "lose" with any of them.

My personal favorite is Muerren, but Lauterbrunnen is more convenient for easy access to both sides of the valley (although not car free and so less nice), and Wengen has a larger supermarket open longer hours. The one I wouldn't want to stay in particularly is Gimmelwald - too small, with no grocery store and too few food options. Grindelwald is larger and is not car free, but can also work if your focus will be on hikes and trains on that side of the valley (the First - Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch side).

Again, if you find a particular hotel or apartment that works for you, in any of these towns, that's fine. Just don't stay in Interlaken - it's near rather than in the Alps. Unless, of course, you came to Switzerland for large tour groups, jewelry stores, sex shops, casinos, or a "Paksitani" restaurant (that's what the sign said, like Punxsutawney Phil from Groundhog Day).

We will be staying in Murren. :)