In Switzerland for 6 days, hot springs and scenery

Posted by berkelyite on 08/01/23 10:31 PM

We are stopping through Switzerland in between visiting friends in Bavaria and Paris and will have my elderly mother and my 8yo boy in tow. We will likely stay near Bern as it seems impossible to do too much in 6 days. We are traveling in a week!!

We would love family friendly hot springs recommendations along with some easier hikes and fun activities for an 8yo boy (likely the cable cars, boats, etc.). I'm madly googling weather in Grimmelwald (very chilly) vs. parts of France we'll be heading to (super hot) and trying to pack as well as looking into various train pass options and lodgings. All recommendations much appreciated!

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

08/01/23 11:24 PM

5604 posts

Bern is a one hour train to Interlaken. From there you can easily get to Wengen , Murren, and/ Lauterbrunen. I highly recommend going to the alps! Have a great trip!

Posted by berkelyite OP

08/02/23 12:41 AM

2 posts

Also would love specific recommendations for thermes/hot springs. We don't have firm plans yet so can also go elsewhere although we were following RS's rec to stay in the general area.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

08/02/23 02:59 AM

21141 posts

Grimmelwald

Do you mean Grindelwald or Gimmelwald? Two totally different towns in different spots in the Berner Oberland.

Posted by Barkinpark

Bay Area, California

08/02/23 03:47 AM

1632 posts

I don't know of natural hot springs in that area (experts, correct me if I am wrong). However, individual hotels may have hot tubs.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

08/02/23 04:04 AM

21141 posts

On the south side of the Berner Oberland Mountains, at Leukerbad and Ovronnaz. Both hard to get to from the Interlaken region.
Coming from Bavaria you might stop at Tamina Bad Ragaz near Liechtenstein.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

08/02/23 04:04 AM

17418 posts

For hotsprings ( known as thermal baths in Switzerland, head to Leukerbad, 2 hours from Bern by train and bus. It is very family- friendly, with special programs and activities for children.

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/leukerbad-thermal-spa/?_gl=1*1bkan43*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTIzNzkxMjcxMi4xNjkwOTQ4MjU5*_ga_F6N1LVHY7B*MTY5MDk0ODI1OS4xLjAuMTY5MDk0ODI1OS4wLjAuMA..

From there you can ride a cablecar up to the historic Gemmi Pass, and even overnight in a mountain inn there:

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/experiences/gemmi-historic-pass/?_gl=1*16nbrjt*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTIzNzkxMjcxMi4xNjkwOTQ4MjU5*_ga_F6N1LVHY7B*MTY5MDk0ODI1OS4xLjAuMTY5MDk0ODI1OS4wLjAuMA..

Or maybe you would prefer a hotel in the resort town of Leukerbad—- there are many to choose from.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

08/02/23 07:45 AM

33818 posts

near Basel in the Swiss Rheinfelden (across the river from German Rheinfelden - it is the Swiss one with the brewery) is Sole Uno which is a salt bath Therme. https://www.soleuno.ch/en/

Going between the two Rheinfeldens over the pedestrian bridge over the river is fun. Easy access by local train from Basel to both sides.

Posted by travel4fun

Bend, Oregon

08/03/23 05:01 AM

2545 posts

Your biggest challenge may be finding lodging with availability next week, especially if you want all 3 of you to stay in one room. I would recommend Lauterbrunnen or Wengen over Gimmelwald (too tiny). If you stay in Wengen, stay near the train station if your mom has mobility issues or doesn’t like hills. Grindelwald would be another option.