This Stunning Village Is Called the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ of the Swiss Alps

The “storybook” descriptor is frequently tossed into conversations around various mountain villages in Switzerland, yet the repetitive nature of the word doesn’t make it any less accurate. The traditional Swiss chalet-style buildings—defined by their gabled roofs, wide eaves, and decorative wood banding—are photogenic in every season, and the snow-capped peaks create a dramatic view nearly everywhere you look.

After a day trip to the Jungfrau region last fall, where I came face to face with this fairy-tale-like scenery, I immediately began to plot out an extended trip over the winter. My research resulted in a long list of destinations I wanted to explore, but the 1,300-person village of Wengen quickly became my top priority.

Completely car-free, Wengen can only reached by train, hike, or bike. It also hosts the annual International Lauberhorn Race, where tens of thousands of viewers watch athletes attempt the nearly three-mile course, the world’s longest World Cup downhill run. Wengen’s location in the greater Lauterbrunnen Valley also caught my attention; it’s a popular base for travelers venturing into other villages in the area and those taking day trips to the Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe.

Still, Wengen isn’t quite a household name to American travelers. It doesn’t have the same recognition as St. Moritz, Gstaad, or Zermatt—but that might be about to change. In the past year, Wengen welcomed its first five-star hotel, Grand Hotel Belvedere, and it’s well on its way to becoming the next big tourist destination in the Bernese Alps. During my visit in early March, I heard it described as the “sleeping beauty” of the Swiss Alps, a moniker the hotel’s area general manager, Lorenz Maurer, also used in an interview with the Financial Times.

“Wengen is like stepping into a postcard—car-free streets, flower-draped chalets, and the towering presence of the Jungfrau above it all,” Maurer tells Travel + Leisure. “It’s peaceful, timeless, and somehow feels both untouched and welcoming.” While he says many travelers see Wengen as a quick stop, he advises against it. “It’s a place to slow down, breathe in, and stay a while. And yes, it’s small, but that’s exactly the point.”

Best Hotels

Grand Hotel Belvedere

Since its partial opening in December 2024, Grand Hotel Belvedere, owned by the French Beaumier group, has been marketed as Wengen’s only five-star hotel. But this spring marks its official grand opening and the completion of its large-scale renovation. Made up of two historic buildings, the property offers the perfect mix of Swiss charm and modern design; there’s mid-century-inspired furnishings, alpine maps, and ski memorabilia throughout the guest rooms and common areas. Select accommodations look out onto the Alps, and the new wellness facilities, inspired by the hot springs in Japan, include a sauna, a hamman, an ice bath, a heated indoor-outdoor pool, and views of the Jungfrau.

Braunbär Hotel & Spa

Following a recent renovation, Braunbär Hotel & Spa welcomed back guests earlier this year. This new era brings a fresh look to the property’s 80 rooms, pool area, bistro-style restaurant, and spa (complete with a hamman and sauna). There’s even a cozy “barbecue hut,” where you can gather around the fire for some fondue or raclette.

Hotel Alpenrose

Maurer describes Hotel Alpenrose as a family-run hotel that’s “full of personality.” Built in 1881, it’s also the oldest hotel in Wengen. He calls out its “cozy rooms” and the property’s “perfect location for early morning hikes.” Those aforementioned guest rooms are in the classic alpine style (read: lots of light-colored wood), but they’ve been renovated to feel modern and fresh.

Best Things to Do

Stroll through the village.

After arriving in Wengen, the first thing on my to-do list was snapping a photo from the Wengen Viewpoint, where you can get an unobstructed view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. I then proceeded to tour Wengen, popping in and out of stores and admiring the sheer walkability of the destination. “Wengen isn’t about flashy shopping, but that’s part of its charm,” explains Maurer. “There’s a small local shop called Central Sport that carries quality outdoor gear, and Alpia Sport has some beautifully crafted souvenirs and regional specialties. Also, check out the little Coop grocery store—it has surprisingly good local products and mountain cheese.”

Hike the Panorama Trail.

Hikers come from near and far to take advantage of the incredible hiking around Wengen—and Maurer recommends starting with the Panorama Trail. “It’s relatively easy and rewards you with sweeping alpine views that feel straight out of a fantasy novel,” he says. The route, under three miles, starts from Männlichen and takes you to Kleine Scheidegg.

Take the train up to the Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe.”

It might be “touristy,” according to Maurer, but he also calls the Jungfraujoch an “iconic experience” that’s “stunning all the way up.” To reach Europe’s highest-altitude railway station, which sits at more than 11,000 feet above sea level, you’ll take the Wengernalpbahn to Kleine Scheidegg, then switch to the historic Jungfrau Railway to reach the Jungfraujoch. Depending on the weather—it was a complete whiteout when I went—you’ll be able to see jaw-dropping views of the Aletsch Glacier (the largest glacier in the Alps) and the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch peaks. There’s also an Ice Palace, a series of tunnels and caves is carved into glacier ice.

Ski or snowboard in the Jungfrau region’s largest ski area.

Given Wengen’s proximity to the slopes, it should come as no surprise athletes of all skill levels make their way to the village during the winter. Start your day by taking the train from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg—where you can also rent a sledge or velogemel (a wooden snow bike that was invented in nearby Grindelwald)—or board the Wengen-Männlichen aerial cableway. The well-groomed pistes are wide and the scenery is unmatched. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a bluebird day with views of the surrounding peaks.

Best Restaurants

La Fondue

Whether you’re looking for your first fondue or you can’t get enough of the comforting dish, Maurer recommends dining at La Fondue, which he deems the “best fondue restaurant in the village.” Served with baby potatoes, bread, and mixed pickles, a fondue is the perfect way to warm up after a day on the slopes or hiking through the valley. If you’re not a fan of melted cheese, you also can’t go wrong with the homemade rösti.

Ristorante Da Sina

Fondue is also on the menu at Ristorante Da Sina, but the family-fun Swiss and Italian establishment mainly serves up an impressive selection of pastas and pizzas. “The pizza is a surprise hit, and the vibe is relaxed,” says Maurer.

Alpenkräuter

Even if you’re not a guest of Alpenkräuter Hotel Bären, you’ll still want to set aside one night during your trip to enjoy dinner at the Alpenkräuter (or “Alpine Herbs”) restaurant. As the name implies, the restaurant leans into seasonal and local ingredients and believes in the power of herbs and other wild plants in the area. The menu leans heavily into salads, fish dishes, and a variety of vegetable-forward entrees.

Best Time to Visit

Wengen has appeal all year-round, but it’s especially popular in the summer and winter. “Peak summer and ski season are vibrant, but can be a bit packed,” says Maurer. If you prefer peace and quiet, Maurer suggests visiting during the shoulder seasons: “Late spring and early autumn are my personal favorites—fewer crowds, crisp mountain air, and a gentler kind of beauty.” I’d also recommend coming toward the end of winter; I found early March to be the perfect time for skiing (there was only a bit of slush), and the slopes in the Männlichen area were relatively uncrowded.

How to Get There

You can’t drive to Wengen, so you’ll need to rely on the famously efficient Swiss transportation system to get you to the village (the SBB Mobile app couldn’t be easier to use). If you’re traveling from Interlaken, you’ll take the train to Lauterbrunnen and transfer to the Wengernalp Railway, the world’s longest continuous cog railroad. If you’re driving, you can park in Lauterbrunnen. The final leg of the journey, which overlooks the stunning Lauterbrunnen Valley and the towering Jungfrau peak, only takes about 12 minutes.

How to Get Around

Privately owned cars aren’t allowed in Wengen, so you’ll need to get around on foot or by bicycle. The village is tiny, though, and it doesn’t take long to explore it in its entirety. That said, some hotels, like Grand Hotel Belvedere, have electric vehicles that can assist with getting you to and from the transportation or around Wengen as needed.