Gstaad is a winter wonderland and summer hotspot for those in the know. Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, Gstaad is a majestic resort destination. It’s a charming village surrounded by picturesque mountains that form the base point for most of the major activities in Gstaad.
The saying amongst the locals is “come up and slow down”. We can certainly see why many will want to do just that here in Gstaad. Yet with so much to see and do it’s nearly impossible to stay down for too long.
Gstaad is home to exceptional hotels, sublime restaurants that serve up local and international delicacies, and wellness spas to indulge your every whim. There’s no shortage of things to do in Gstaad. Fill your day with adrenaline-charged activities, or take a romantic hike and get away from the buzz of the village. Follow our guide to the best things to do in Gstaad and you’re sure to experience an unforgettable, well-rounded holiday in Saanenland.
The 15 best things to do in Gstaad
- Visit Mount Eggli
- Vintage train ride
- Visit Glacier 3000
- Shop in Gstaad promenade
- Spa and wellness
- Hot-Air Baloon Flight
- Fondue Caquelon
- Michelin starred chef at Alpina Gstaad
- Ride the Alpine Coaster
- Kunsteisbahn Gstaad Ice Rink
- Nightlife in Gstaad
- Taste traditional swiss raclette at Le Petit Chalet
- Swiss open Gstaad
- Hike to Lake Lauenen
- Paragliding Gstaad
Enjoy a fun-filled day out on Mount Eggli
Take the cable car ride up and marvel at the gorgeous scenery all around. At the top of Mount Eggli is a rustic mountain chalet ready to serve up hearty meals with expertly paired drinks. You can opt for just a hot or cold drink and snack instead and head off for more action. The best way to get back down to Gstaad is on skis or a toboggan.
Address: Egglistrasse 43, 3780 Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily 1st service 12:00 am - 2:00 pm | 2nd service 2.00 pm - 4:00 pm Price range: $$$ Website:www.gstaad.ch/en/mountain-restaurants/mountain-restaurant-eggli.html
Take a vintage train ride
One of the best ways to enjoy breathtaking vistas of Saanenland is by vintage train. The GoldenPass Belle Époque train line meanders past lakes and tunnels along the Montreux – Zweisimmen route. The resort town of Gstaad is among the stops on this charming train journey. Decorated in wood paneling and golden details inspired by the Orient Express, The Belle Époque train is a luxurious way to experience the beauty of the Swiss landscapes.
Address: Rue de la Gare 22, 1820 Montreux Opening days and hours: Daily 09:50 am and 2:50 pm Price range: $$ Website:www.goldenpassline.ch/en/montreux-zweisimmen/
Take a stroll in the sky on the peak walk at Glacier 3000
Connecting two peaks, View Point and Scex Rouge, the suspension bridge will take you to new heights. While you’re there you can take in the stunning views of Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, and Jungfrau in the distance. Other activities on the peak include dogsled rides with huskies, skiing, snowboarding, and a helicopter flight above Glacier 3000. Truly every adrenaline junkie’s dream destination.
Address: Gstaad 3000 AG, Col du Pillon, Route du Pillon 253 Opening days and hours: Daily 09:00 am – 4:30 pm Price range: $$$ Website:www.glacier3000.ch/en
Shop in Gstaad promenade
A leisurely stroll down Gstaad promenade leads you to a host of designer stores to help lighten your pockets. The pedestrian walkway is lined with trendy eateries, bars, shops, and some of the best hotels in Gstaad. The promenade is built in traditional alpine style and makes for the perfect photo op. High-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Hermes provide the perfect opportunity to splurge a little. Local shops selling regional products are great for picking up mementos of your stay in Gstaad.
Address: Promenade, 3780 Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily - times vary per store. Price range: $ - $$$$ Website:www.gstaad.ch/en.html
Take some time out for self-care
Gstaad is a wellness haven with luxury spas located at almost every hotel in the village. Take a dip in a salt-water pool, or indulge in a botanical steam bath before your pampering session kicks off. Many of the wellness therapies are included in the price of your hotel. Treatments like massages and facials can be booked separately and are undoubtedly worth every penny spent.
Address: Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily - times vary per spa. Price range: $$ - $$$$
Take a hot-air-balloon flight
Château-d’Oex is known as the hot air ballooning capital of the alpines. Its located on the outskirts of Gstaad and is a short drive or train ride away. Take in the splendor of the Alps while suspended up to 3,000 feet in the air. The perfect way to get a bird’s-eye view of the magnificent Saanenland all the way to Lake Geneva. You can savor a friendship drink with local snacks upon your landing.
Address: Chemin des Ballons 2, 1660 Château-d'Œx - CH Opening days and hours: Daily take off between 06:00 am – 10:00 am Price range: $$$ Website:www.chateau-doex.ch/en/Z10139/balloon-flights_1540307760?group=123
Eat with a view at the giant Fondue Caquelon
Another famous attraction in Gstaad is the Fondue Caquelon cheese grotto or cheese cave. Local dairy farmers bring their cheese to the grotto to be aged for up to three years. You get to sample some of the cheeses at the end of your visit and capture a few unique pics at the giant fondue pot outside. Book a fondue backpack before you go from any of the local dairies so you enjoy a scenic picnic on-site.
Address: Bissenstrasse 83, 3780 Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily - bookings a day before Price range:$$ Website:www.gstaad.ch/en/summer/hiking/hikes/detail/hiking-trail-to-the-fondue-caquelon-cheese-grotto.html
Dine with Michelin-starred chef at Alpina Gstaad
The Alpina Gstaad is home to three restaurants overseen by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Martin Göschel. Sommet serves international cuisine and is one of Gstaad’s vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Swiss Stübli opens in winter and brings you the best in local Swiss cuisine. Megu serves Japanese cuisine and was named the best Asian restaurant in Switzerland by Gault Millau. Bring an appetite and relish some of the best cuisines Gstaad has to offer.
Address: Alpinastrasse 23, 3780 Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily 12:00 am – 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Price range: $$$ Website:www.thealpinagstaad.ch/en/best-restaurants-in-gstaad
Ride the Alpine Coaster
At 9,596 feet above sea level, experience one of the most exhilarating thrills Gstaad has to offer. The Alpine Coaster at Glacier 3000 is the highest situated toboggan run in the world. You can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, the ultimate rush for any thrill seeker. The ride is suitable for kids older than 9 years, while kids three and up can ride with an adult.
Address: Gstaad 3000 AG, Col du Pillon, Route du Pillon 253 Opening days and hours: Daily 09:00 am – 4:30 pm Price range: $$ Website:www.glacier3000.ch/en/activities/alpine-coaster
Visit Kunsteisbahn Gstaad Ice Rink
The Kunsteisbahn Gstaad Ice Rink is located in the heart of Gstaad village and doubles as a beach volleyball court in summer. Ice skates and hockey sticks can be hired at the rink. No winter vacation is complete without a visit to the ice rink, your little ones will delight at the activities on offer. With the central location, you’re not too far away from a bite to eat or drinks to warm you up.
Address: Sports Center Gstaad Ag, Sportzentrumstrasse 5 Opening days and hours: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Price range: $ Website:www.sportzentrum-gstaad.ch/de/eisbahn/informationen
Experience the nightlife in Gstaad
You can come up and slow down in Gstaad but let’s not forget that Gstaad is the OG party spot for the rich and famous. Since 1971 the likes of Grace Kelly, Richard Burton, and Michael Jackson have made their way to the GreenGo nightclub in the Gstaad Palace hotel. Party the night away in the 70s-themed nightclub and flashback to a time when legends graced the dance floor. VIP DJs spin the turntables to the latest beats, so don’t forget to carry your dancing shoes.
Address: Palacestrasse 28 Gstaad Palace, Gstaad Opening days and hours: Sat-Sun 11:00 pm - 04:00 am Price range: $$$ Website:www.palace.ch/en/culinary/greengo-club/
Taste traditional swiss raclette at Le Petit Chalet
No holiday is complete without having a taste of the local specialties. Le Petit Chalet serves traditional Swiss cuisine and can be found at the Le Grand Bellevue Hotel. Set among the tall trees in the hotel’s garden, the charming mountain log cabin is the perfect place to try fondue and raclette. The hotel has a lot more to offer, so be sure to stroll around and take advantage of the facilities on offer.
Address: Untergstaadstrasse 17, 3780 Gstaad Opening days and hours: Thurs - Mon 12:00 am – 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Price range: $$$ Website:bellevue-gstaad.ch/restaurants-bars/le-petit-chalet/
Experience the Swiss Open in Gstaad
Gstaad has hosted the Swiss Open tennis tournament since 1898. Played on outdoor clay courts, the games are open to spectators. So if you’re a sports fan, this is something not to be missed. The Roy Emerson Arena seats 4,500 people and gets taken over by stalls and fanfare outside the venue hours before the start of a match. The tournament usually takes place each year in July and should be booked ahead to avoid disappointment.
Address: Eisbahnweg 7, 3780 Saanen Opening days and hours: Match times vary Price range: $$ - $$$ Website:swissopengstaad.ch/
Hike to Lake Lauenen
For nature lovers, you’ll be spoilt for choice at the number of hiking trails Gstaad has to offer. One of the most beautiful hikes is to Lake Lauenen. You can grab a bite to eat at the Restaurant Lauenensee where you can hire a boat to take out on the lake. Enjoy a romantic boat ride on the lake and take the opportunity to capture the special moment. Take some time to also check out the gorgeous waterfalls behind Lake Lauenen.
Address: An der Ledi, 3782 Lauenen b. Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily Price range: $ Website:www.lauenensee.net/
Take a paragliding flight over Gstaad
An extraordinary experience awaits those who dare to explore the splendor of Gstaad from the air. You’ll fly over the mountains of Gstaad with a professional pilot and do a tandem jump back to solid ground. Flights range in duration from 15 minutes up to 45 minutes. They offer group flights and the price includes all the equipment needed to jump as well as the transport to the jump site.
Address: Gsteigstrasse 83, 3780 Gstaad Opening days and hours: Daily 07:00 am – 8:00 pm Price range: $$$$ Website:paragstaad.com/en/home-en/
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Gstaad
Gstaad is known as the playground of the rich and famous, for which it has become famous for. The excellent slopes, hiking trails, and award-winning restaurants and hotels make Gstaad an ideal holiday destination.
Yes, Gstaad is a breathtaking destination with a lot to offer the discerning traveler. Fine dining, luxurious spa experiences, and adrenaline-filled activities all form part of the mountain splendor.
There are many springtime activities available in Gstaad. Hiking, mountain biking, spa and wellness treatments, and luxury shopping all continue throughout spring in Gstaad.
Not entirely, however, the center of Gstaad is car-free.
