Ask a local: What should I do/see/eat in Mürren, Switzerland?

Welcome back to Ask a Local, a series of posts in which I interview locals all over the world about what to see, where to go, what to eat, and how to fit in in their city or town.

Today, we’ve got Anne-Marie from Mürren here to reveal the secrets of her charming, tiny Swiss town…

About Anne-Marie

I came to Mürren 28 years ago to work in the tourism industry, running Berghaus Sonnenberg, Hotel Belmont (now Eiger Guesthouse), Hotel Alpenruh, and Hotel Jungfrau, each for several years. Currently, I work up here three days a week as a product manager and spend the rest of my time with my husband outside the Alps.

In my spare time, I do a lot of hiking (mostly in the Bernese Oberland, though I know Switzerland’s other mountain regions well) and cycling.

What to do in Mürren (the basics)

First, go to the mountaintop lookout point of Schilthorn to get an impression of the mountain world we live in. Then take a stroll through the village or down to Gimmelwald to get a sense of village life. And finally, if you have enough time, enjoy one of our many wonderful nature hikes.

In winter, there are skiing and snowboarding for the sporty among us and peaceful snowshoe hikes for those who want something calmer but still connected to the outdoors.

Hidden gems for seasoned travelers

In summer, cross to the far side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley for spectacular waterfalls or hike to Kilchbalm for impressive alpine scenery or to one of the mountain huts for good local food and a panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

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Where to stay

Stay in a local-owned chalet for a taste of Swiss daily life.

Day trips

The mountaintop lookout points of Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, and Männlichen are must-sees. Further away, I’d recommend Lake Thun and the city of Thun, with its creative small shops and boutiques.

What to eat & drink

Try our fresh fruitcakes, which you can find in most mountain huts. You can also pick up some alpkäse (Alp cheese) in the local stores or directly at the cheese factory at Winteregg.
In autumn, some local restaurants—like Hotel Bellevue in Mürren and Hotel Stechelberg or Berghaus Trachsellauenen in Stechelberg—not only serve traditional wild game but also have owners that hunt and bring in the game themselves.

Where to eat & drink (favorite restaurants & bars)

Hotel Eiger (across from the train station) has excellent food. Hotel Bellevue (on upper Dorfstrasse) has good food and atmosphere. Stägerstübli (on lower Dorfstrasse) is perfect if you’re looking for local food and local people.

Budget tips

The cafeteria at the Sports Centre (just up the hill from the train station) has excellent soups and snacks at reasonable prices. The Eiger Guesthouse has excellent and affordable Italian pizzas in different sizes. And some restaurants (like Stägerstübli) have a daily special (tagesteller) with soup, salad, and a main course for around 18 francs.

How to fit in

Hiking with flip-flops is considered uncultivated and dangerous, as is walking around in shorts when it is cold. Other behaviors to avoid include using private benches in front of the houses for your lunch break, leaving garbage in public spaces, spitting on the floor in public, talking about money all the time (and how expensive everything is), being loud and drunk and badly dressed, and not greeting people when you are hiking.

How to meet locals & make friends

Stay in a local home and ask about people’s daily lives.

Best places to take a photo

I recommend Allmendhubel with its beautiful panoramic view.

Final notes & other tips

All cities are pretty much the same, but in a mountain village you will find life at its most basic. Forget about your iPhone and iPad…just come and enjoy pure nature.

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