Gstaad Travel Guide: Winter Wonderland in the Swiss Alps

Close your eyes and imagine a magical winter wonderland. The place you see exists – it’s Gstaad, Switzerland, a charming Swiss village that Julie Andrews once called “the last paradise in a crazy world.” Gstaad has managed to keep a traditional alpine feel while still offering a wide range of activities. Here is our Gstaad travel guide with everything you need to know before planning your winter trip to Gstaad. 

“Come Up, Slow Down”

best time to visit gstaad

Gstaad is a year-round destination. It never fully shuts down, and you can find interesting things to do anytime! July through September is perfect for summer activities like hiking and swimming. January and February are the real winter months, and the best time for skiing, sledding, and other winter activities. 

getting to gstaad

The Swiss train system is quick and efficient and it’s the best way to get to Gstaad.  You can take a train either from Geneva or Zurich. I recommend purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass that will allow you to hop on any train or bus in Switzerland without getting a ticket beforehand. It also gives you up to a 50% discount on many other mountain excursions and free entrance to over 500 museums. The train ride itself is a picturesque experience, so make sure to get a nice window seat and have your camera ready.

where to stay in gstaad

Gstaad is known for having an abundance of luxury hotels, so if you decide to splurge on a stay in one of them, it’s important to choose the right hotel for you. I stayed at the Alpina Gstaad and it was one of the most unforgettable hotel stays of my life – can’t recommend this hotel enough!

We arrived there late at night, jet-lagged and tired, and went to bed without spending much time exploring the property or the room I was staying in. When I opened my eyes and looked out the window to see majestic, snow-capped mountains, I was utterly speechless. It felt like I’d woken up in a fairytale.

The construction of the hotel was completed in 2012, and at that time The Alpina Gstaad was the first five-star hotel to be opened in Gstaad in over a century. The hotel combines traditional Swiss architecture with contemporary design elements and amenities. It’s located high up on a hill that offers spectacular views of Saane valley and Gstaad village.

With four onsite restaurants, the hotel has everything to satisfy guests’ dining cravings. There’s the Alpina Lounge & Bar, the Michelin-starred Sommet restaurant, another Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant MEGU, and Swiss Stübli which specializes in Swiss cuisine.

The Alpina also has a Six Senses spa with treatment rooms, two pools (one indoors and another one outdoors), hot and cold plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms, and a Himalayan salt room. There is nothing more relaxing than spending a few hours at the spa after hiking and skiing in the mountains.

The room I stayed in was so spacious. It had its own fireplace, a huge king-size bed, and a private balcony with stunning views of the village. Every morning I enjoyed my coffee on the balcony. Yes, it was January and it was chilly, but that didn’t stop me! 

things to do in gstaad

VISIT MIRAGE PROJECT

The Mirage Gstaad is the latest piece of work by American artist Doug Aitken. It’s a chalet where all walls both inside and outside are mirrors. It acts like a large kaleidoscope and its appearance changes all the time depending on the weather, time of day, and lighting conditions. I highly recommend visiting Mirage while it’s still there –  the hike is short and it’s so fun to photograph this installation. 

EXPLORE THE VILLAGE OF GSTAAD

Tucked in the breathtaking Swiss Alps, Gstaad is a picture-perfect village that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale with its gingerbread ski chalets decorated with luminous string lights and horse carriages riding along the charming cobblestone streets. The center of Gstaad is car-free and you can find there a variety of amazing restaurants, unique shops, hotels, and bars. We recommend taking a leisurely walk or, even better, riding a horse carriage around Gstaad to see the most.  

INDULGE IN LUXURY SHOPPING

If you are into luxury shopping, the Gstaad town center has an abundance of upscale boutique shops. There you will find brands like Cartier, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, etc. along with local businesses selling produce and souvenirs. I had never seen shops looking so cute. They all have adorable chalet-style storefronts that make for a perfect Instagram picture, and it’s definitely worth visiting them even if you don’t want to buy anything!

PARTICIPATE IN WINTER ACTIVITIES

With many miles of ski runs, slopes, and cross-country trails, Gstaad attracts a huge number of skiers and snowboarders every year. But if you’re not into that, there is such a great variety of things to do in the area.

I don’t know how to ski, and didn’t feel like taking the time to learn there, but I still had so many other winter activities to enjoy. Some of the options are sledding, hiking, snowshoeing, fat biking, and sleigh riding to name a few. At the very least, you can take a cable car to the top of a mountain, get a drink, and enjoy the magnificent views.

EAT ALL THE FOOD

Gstaad is a paradise for foodies. You can literally go there just to enjoy the amazing and diverse cuisine this destination has to offer. With 5 Michelin-star restaurants and a ton of other unique establishments, you will have one of the best gastronomic experiences of your life. Here are a few places I recommend:

HIKE AROUND LAUENEN

Wake up early, take a ride to Lauenen, and head out on a little hike to Lake Lauenen. If you get there before sunrise, you’ll be able to watch the sun peeking out from behind the mountains. It’s a sight you don’t want to miss! You might even get as lucky as we did – there was a big snowfall the night before we went, so the whole area was covered in fluffy snow.

It was a true winter wonderland – so unbelievably beautiful! And very chilly. This is why it’s a good idea to grab a cup of hot chocolate in one of the local establishments. We went to Hotel Alpenland. They have a lovely bar and terrace overlooking the mountains – a great spot for relaxing after the hike.

Hope you enjoyed reading our Gstaad travel guide and can visit this magical place soon!

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