Nestled in the heart of the Bernese Oberland is a hidden gem in Switzerland that is full of random surprises, from its own Sherlock Holmes Museum and epic gorge to bragging rights as the birthplace of the almighty meringue.

I’m talking of course about Meiringen… a place I knew nothing about until I set up base nearby during my weeklong trip around the Bernese Oberland.

And what a find! Granted, there are few places in Switzerland these days untouched by tourism, but this cute little town is home to a wealth of attractions in close proximity, making it a delightful place to visit for a day or two, with a little something for literary and nature nerds alike.

So, in this post, I’ll be recapping the best things to do in Meiringen! Get ready for a wild assortment of things that feel like they shouldn’t be in the same place, but somehow are.

1. Reichenbach Falls

Hands down, the most famous attraction in Meiringen are the Reichenbach Falls, a site of pilgrimage for Sherlock Holmes fans thanks to its prominent role in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series.

I mean I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s a pretty pivotal location…

Anyways, there are two ways to reach the falls – through the Reichenbachfall Funicular, or hiking. Once you get up there, you are face to face with seven cascades that drop a total height of about 250 metres (820 feet) into the gorge below. The Grand Reichenbach Fall in the upper section is the highest out of all, with a drop of 110 metres (360 feet) and several viewing platforms for you to admire the thundering waters.

Now, is this the most impressive waterfall Switzerland has to offer? Honestly, no… but it’s nice to look at, and the walks once you get up there are really nice. Especially for Sherlock Holmes fans, these falls are a must-see in Meiringen.

2. Sherlock Holmes Museum

On that note, another fun Meiringen activity is a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

Housed in the basement of a now-deconsecrated English church, this museum is small but packed with nerdiness… with lots of items relating to Sherlock Holmes along with an authentic recreation of the parlour at 221b Baker Street as it’s described in the books.

Fun fact: The museum was opened in 1991 on the 100th anniversary of Holmes’ [spoiler] at the Reichenbach Falls, with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s daughter in attendance.

Now, even if you don’t go into the museum, you can still get a photo with the statue of the famous detective out the front, and (of course) read the series of plaques out front explaining the plot of “The Final Problem,” the short story where Holmes visits Meiringen and the Reichenbach Falls, AKA why all these Holmesy things exist here.

3. Aare Gorge

Looking for something not so… literary? I’ve got you.

My personal favourite thing I did in Meiringen was walking a little out of town to see the beautiful Aare Gorge, a spectacular natural wonder where you can enjoy a 1.6km walking trail built into epic rockfaces shaped over thousands of years.

Formed during the last ice age, the Aare Gorge was eroded into the stunning shapes you see now by the powerful Aare River. There’s a secure walkway that hugs the gorge’s sheer limestone walls where you can go for a wander, while marvelling at the narrow passages and towering cliffs. On a hot summer’s day, it’s also the perfect place to escape from the heat.

If you want to immerse yourself in nature with a relatively easy walk, then this is a great (highly photogenic) choice.

4. Have a Meringue in Its Birthplace

Another fun and random one!

Yes, Meiringen is indeed the place you can thank for the melt-in-your-mouth marvels known as meringues.

The story goes that a local pastry cook named Gasparini invented the dish here around the 1600s (or maybe 1720, depending on who you ask) and named it meringue for the town where he made it. Of course, reports differ on when and where meringue was truly invented, as some reports also date it to France in 1692… but hey, you can find different recipes for French meringue, Italian meringue and Swiss meringue so maybe this is where the Swiss version originated.

In any case, meringues are everywhere in Meiringen, from souvenir shops selling them by the bag to large sculptures of them… sometimes frighteningly embellished with large eyes and a face. As such, trying a meringue while in town is a must.

5. Modellbahn Meiringen

If you’re visiting Meiringen with kids in tow, or you’re just someone who enjoys small trains (like me), then another fun thing to do is visit the Modellbahn Meiringen.

This captivating miniature railway exhibit showcases an incredibly detailed model of the Bernese Oberland region, featuring intricate landscapes, buildings, and a sprawling network of trains. The Modellbahn spans over 100 square meters and replicates not only the scenic beauty of the area but also its bustling railway operations.

Visitors can marvel at the meticulous craftsmanship of the model trains as they navigate through realistic alpine scenery, complete with miniature towns, bridges, and tunnels. It’s super cute and definitely a fun thing to do on a rainy day!

Do be aware though that it’s only open between March and November on select days (three days a week from June – September) so make sure you check the opening times before you go to avoid being disappointed.

6. Venture out to ride the Gelmerbahn

Known as the steepest open funicular in Europe, the epic Gelmerbahn is commonly considered one of the best train rides in Switzerland, especially if social media is any indication. Over the years, countless viral clips of this scenic trip have made the rounds, usually sped up for dramatic effect or erroneously called ‘a Swiss mountain roller coaster’.

Sure, it’s not as fast or dramatic as the videos make it seem, but a ride on the Gelmerbahn is still worth it in my eyes. Travelling between its starting station in Handegg (25 minute drive from Meiringen) to its end stop at Gelmersee, this ride brings you up to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland, with amazing views along the way.

So if you time allows, be sure to check this ride out while you’re exploring Meiringen… and sit in the front for optimal cool points.

Curious to try this out? Read my Gelmerbahn guide for more.

PS: Once you get to the top though, make sure you hike the loop around Gelmersee. It’s not too difficult and absolutely breathtaking!

7. Enjoy all the nearby trails

During my week in Switzerland, we stayed in Hasliberg which meant that we were staying just above Meiringen. When I tell you that all the trails here are scenic, I mean it. Soaring mountains all around, rolling green hills dotted with wooden houses – it’s perfectly idyllic, and offers options for every level of hiker.

So, one of the best things to do in Meiringen is to honestly hike and absorb all the gorgeous nature around you.

There are tons of options so I’d recommend choosing something suited to your skill level. Here are some of the most popular picks:

• Rosenlaui: Further up the road from the Reichenbach Falls is the Rosenlaui Glacier Gorge, where you can do a relatively short and easy hike past some more impressive waterfalls, whirlpools and rock formations. You could also start here and then hike down to the Rheichenbach Falls if just the gorge is too short for you!
• Hasliburg: You can catch a gondola lift from Meiringen to the top of Hasliburg mountain (if you’re not staying there already like me), which is popular for snow sports in winter but also provides some stunning hikes of varying distances and difficulties in summer.
• Alpbachschlucht: You could also hike up the very narrow and steep Alpbachschlucht rock path below the gondola lift to see another impressive waterfall. This is a bit like via ferrata hiking though, so I would only suggest it to experienced hikers.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Meiringen?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Meiringen activities to the list. Happy and safe travels! 🙂