Don’t travel to the Swiss Alps as a solo female traveler without knowing this 🏔️
This week we sat down with NomadHer Folake (@foreignisfamiliar ) who shared her favorite spots across the Jungfrau Region, one of the most breathtaking areas of the Swiss Alps.
From Lauterbrunnen Valley to alpine villages like Mürren and nearby Interlaken, here are the local-approved places you’ll want on your radar

‍

Where to Eat in Lauterbrunnen & Jungfrau Region

1. What restaurants or cafes would you recommend?

🔖 Lauterbrunnen Valley

• River Lounge: fantastic burgers and fries with one of the best outdoor settings in the valley. You’re literally eating between towering mountain peaks, waterfalls, and the river. Unbeatable for food and a view.
• Coop Grocery (by the train station): my go-to for affordable, healthy picnic snacks and easy meals (especially when restaurant prices add up). Super walkable from the valley and perfect for stocking up for hikes.
• Honesty stalls and vending machines along trails: a fun Switzerland travel tip: local families/farms sell jams, cheese, yogurt, honey, snacks (sometimes even via vending machines). It’s cute, convenient, and supports local growers.
• Swiss Restaurant Weidstübli: classic Swiss comfort food in the valley. I had the rösti and it hit the spot after a long day.
• Bäckerei Tea Room von Allmen: a bakery/tea room near the train station and cable car/gondola area and a great place to grab a pastry!

🔖Mürren

• Panoramic Restaurant Alpina: the burger and fries were great and the apple tart was a perfect dessert. Bonus: you can watch paragliders and soak in mountain views (I went here right before paragliding. Wouldn’t recommend anyone eat a big burger and fries right before flying, but I survived).
• Tham Chinese Restaurant: a solid option when you want a break from Swiss food (great comfort meal after exploring).
• Alti Metzg GmbH (bakery): cozy and popular bakery stop for a sweet treat or snack. Perfect for a quick bite before heading back out on a hike.
• Restaurant Allmendhubel: traditional Swiss food with a scenic setting (great pre- or post-hike stop, especially if you’re heading out on the trails).

🔖Schilthorn / Piz Gloria

• Piz Gloria 360° Rotating Restaurant (Schilthorn summit): not just a meal. The restaurant slowly rotates with panoramic views. I ordered milk tea and enjoyed the atmosphere. Also a must if you’re a James Bond fan. This is the famous filming location for the James Bond Film: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

🔖Interlaken area

• Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant: go for a meal and stunning sunset views. Bonus points if you catch the traditional Swiss music (felt like I was in a “Ricola commercial” happy I went).
• Bamboo China Restaurant (Interlaken): I ordered the spicy shrimp fried rice and it was the perfect comfort meal after a long day out.

‍

‍

Where to Stay & How to Get There

1. Where did you stay during your trip?‍

• Alpinebase Hostel - It was one of my favorite parts of Lauterbrunnen. The owners are wonderful, the staff are warm and welcoming, and it’s shockingly affordable for a stay right in the valley. You’re basically tucked beside the river with waterfall views, so every time I opened my window I could hear the rush of water and see the falls in the distance. The owners and staff made it feel so welcoming, and the hostel had a great traveler vibe. Also: a lot of base jumpers stay here, and I loved getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into that world. It gave me a whole new appreciation for their focus, precision, and passion for this extreme sport.
• Also, if you base yourself in Lauterbrunnen Valley you have earlier access to the peaks. Day-trippers tend to funnel in later from Interlaken, so waking up in the valley means you catch the magic hours before the crowds.‍

‍

2. How did you book your flight / get there?

• Switzerland was part of a longer Europe trip for me. I booked my flights the way I usually do: I used Google Flights to compare routes and prices, then booked either directly with the airline or through Amex (points/booking portal).
  
  Route-wise, I started in Paris, then made my way across a few stops before landing in Switzerland: Paris → Cannes → Greece → Lyon. From Lyon, I took a bus to Annecy, then continued by bus to Geneva, and then on to Montreux. I stayed overnight in Montreux, and the next morning I took the famous GoldenPass Express train from Montreux to Interlaken. From Interlaken, I took the train to Lauterbrunnen, and then a short bus connection to reach my hostel.
  
  It sounds like a lot on paper, but Switzerland’s transit system is so smooth and on-time that it honestly felt effortless.

‍

3. How long did you stay?

• I stayed in Lauterbrunnen for six days, all at the same hostel and honestly, I wish I could’ve stayed longer. The only reason I didn’t was because I already had plans in Montreux for the Montreux Jazz Festival (including tickets to see Diana Ross), so I had to keep moving.
  
  Staying put for six days made all the difference. I usually hop around every 2–3 nights, but this time I really got to settle in and feel the rhythm of the valley. When I arrived, one of the staff members looked at my booking and said something like, “You’re doing it right.” He told me most people stay one or two nights and rush off, but if you want the full magic of the place, you should stay longer. And he was right. Lauterbrunnen was a dream stop for me for years, so I wanted to do it properly.

‍

‍

Best Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen

1. What activities or attractions would you recommend?

• ‍Hike the North Face Trail (via Mürren → Allmendhubel)
  This one happened by accident and it turned into my favorite experience of the whole trip. I took the gondola up to Allmendhubel and somehow found myself on the North Face Trail, and wow… it’s pure “Sound of Music” energy: rolling green hills, happy cows, and absolutely otherworldly views that just keep opening up. Truly 10/10, no notes. Worth every step and every train connection.
  
  ‍
• Staubbach Falls (right in the valley)
  The iconic waterfall in town and you can actually walk up and go behind the falls, which is equal parts thrilling and magical. This was also the waterfall I could see (and hear!) from my hostel.
  
  ‍
• Trümmelbach Falls (waterfalls inside a mountain!)
  A completely different vibe from Staubbach. This was all about the power of the water rushing through the rock so strongly that it carves the mountain into these creamy stone-like formations. Being inside the mountain with that roar is unforgettable, and the little shop area outside is cute too. Absolutely worth it.
  
  ‍
• Paragliding over the Swiss Alps
  If you’re even slightly curious, do it. Floating over that valley and those peaks feels unreal.
  
  ‍
• Day trip to Interlaken
  I did Interlaken as a day trip from Lauterbrunnen. From Interlaken, after getting gelato of course, I took the funicular car up to the gorgeous Harder Kulm which can offer lovely views of Interlaken, Eiger Monch, Jungfrau, Thun, and Lake Brienz on nice and clear day. Interlaken is fun (great food and treats), it is much busier and and packed with shops and luxury stores than Lauterbrunnen.
  
  ‍
• Picnic lunches (a must!)
  One of my favorite rituals: stop by Coop, fill my day bag with snacks, then find a bench or viewpoint on a hike and have a little picnic with the Alps as my backdrop. It’s such a simple thing, but it feels luxurious.
  
  ‍
• Explore Mürren
  Mürren is genuinely one of the cutest mountain towns. Gorgeous views, great restaurants, and an easy launch point for hikes. Next time, I’d actually stay up there for a couple nights just to soak it in.
  
  ‍
• Schilthorn / Piz Gloria and the Spy Museum
  The Piz Gloria summit is already amazing, but the 007 Spy Museum made it even more fun. It’s such a cute, unexpected experience in the middle of all that nature. It has exhibits, photo ops, and tons of Bond info/trivia since a film was shot there.
  Bonus: if you can, build in a day with no agenda. Even just sitting outside, hammock time, or a quiet valley walk. Lauterbrunnen is the kind of place where doing less is fantastic .

‍

Solo Travel Tips from the NomadHer Community

1. Did you use NomadHer during your trip? If so, what activities did you do with other NomadHers?

• I didn’t use NomadHer during my Lauterbrunnen trip only because I hadn’t discovered the app yet, but I definitely would have loved meeting other NomadHers while I was there. I did use NomadHer on my next trip to Switzerland (Zurich during the winter festive season) and met up with a fellow NomadHer. We visited a winter market, ate something warm and delicious, and listened to music before calling it a night.
  
  Next time I’m in the Jungfrau region, I’d absolutely use NomadHer for a hike + picnic meet-up.
  
  

2. What’s one solo travel tip or message you’d like to share with fellow NomadHers?

• My solo travel secret is to plan two anchors: one small comfort routine (a morning coffee walk, a picnic lunch, or a daily sunset spot) and one community moment (a creative or professional meetup, a tour, or a local event). That balance keeps me grounded, sparks new connections, and makes the whole journey feel warmer.