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Spiez boasts a beautiful bay on the southern shores of Lake Thun. Although there are plenty of interesting things to do and places to visit here, such as hiking, cruising, or visiting the vineyards and the castle, you might still want to take day trips from the town. Below are some suggestions for the best day trips from Spiez for those based there.
These day trips are typically one to two hours away from Spiez by train.
This article discusses the 10 best day trips from Spiez. Among these are well-known cities, mountain resorts, and a gorgeous lake. Let’s go!
1. Blausee
Blausee is worth visiting for its crystal-clear blue waters, tranquil natural surroundings, and picturesque alpine scenery, which together create a magical and unforgettable experience. If you want to see a place that looks like something out of a fairytale, Blausee is the ideal day trip from Spiez.
Lake Blausee is worth a visit any time of year. Hiking, picnicking, and boating are a couple of things you can do at Blausee. Blausee is a stunning pearl in Kandergrund, one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland. Anyone who wants to relax will get their money’s worth.
You can visit it at any time of the year since it is open all year long. It is owned by Blausee Corporation, which also owns the hotel, restaurant, organic trout farm, and nearby shop. For dining, there is a Gault Millau restaurant that serves fresh trout. Or you can grill your food.
Guests are provided with a boat ride as part of the fee. There’s no extra charge to ride the boat around the lake.
The area is not suitable for swimming and fishing. Nevertheless, they hold one fishing and one swimming event each year in autumn and winter, respectively.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Blausee |
| * Blausee Lake * Boat Trip * Alpine Trout Farm |
If you would like to read more about Blausee, you can check out our article Breathtaking Blausee Lake – A Day Trip In Kandergrund.
How do you get from Spiez to Blausee?
In Spiez, take the connecting RE train to Frutigen. Take the bus from Frütigen to Blausee BE. The journey from Spiez to Blausee by train and bus typically takes 29 minutes in total.
2. Bern
With 40 kilometers to cover, Bern is just half an hour away by car from Spiez. A day trip to Bern, Switzerland’s de facto capital, is probably one of the most important day trips you can do from Spiez.
Nestled along the banks of the Aare River, Bern offers a variety of attractions for all tastes, whether you enjoy history, art, animals, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting. It is the federal city of Switzerland. There is much more to discover when you take the time to explore this charming city.
There is no better place in Bern to start your day than the Old Town, located across the Aare River. The Old Town of Bern, which consists of many well-preserved buildings from the medieval era, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. A famous symbol of Bern, which dates back to 1218-1220, can be seen right at the entrance to the Old Town: the Zytglogge.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Bern |
| * UNESCO World Heritage Old City of Bern * Parliament Building * Bern Minster Cathedral * Historic Museum * Bern Bear Pit (Bärengraben) * Bern Zoo (Tierpark Dählhölzli) * Zentrum Paul Klee * Gurten * Museum of Communication |
If you would like to plan a day in Bern, you can check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Bern, Switzerland.
How do you get from Spiez to Bern?
Every hour, Spiez and Bern are served by four direct trains. It takes 28 to 31 minutes to travel from Spiez to Bern. Bern is 40 kilometers away from Spiez by car.
3. Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen, a picturesque Swiss village renowned for its beautiful valley, waterfalls, and outdoor activities, is one of the most picturesque day trips you can take from Spiez.
Lauterbrunnen is an idyllic village in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland surrounded by waterfalls. The entire area is best described as a valley with 72 waterfalls. Lauterbrunnen is a great place to start exploring the Jungfrau Region.
Lauterbrunnen village is situated at the valley bottom of this magnificent U-shaped valley in Switzerland. Most of the residents of this valley are actually from Lötschental, the adjacent valley located in Valais. A road was said to have passed between the Eiger and Mönch on the way to Valais. It is said that the heights used to be much milder and more fertile.
By taking the train from Lauterbrunnen, you can reach the sunny car-free terrace of Wengen as well as Kleine Scheidegg. From Kleine Scheidegg, you can change trains to go to Jungfraujoch. You may access Mürren through Lauterbrunnen itself or via Stechelberg on the other side of Lauterbrunnen. In addition, if you keep ascending, you’ll reach Piz Gloria – the summit of Schilthorn at 2,971 meters above sea level.
Some of the other highlights of the Lauterbrunnen region include Staubbach Waterfall, Trümmelbach Waterfalls, Mürrenbach Waterfall, and Gimmelwald.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lauterbrunnen |
| * Trümmelbach Waterfalls * Staubbach Waterfall * Mürrenbach Waterfall * Gimmelwald * Wengen * Kleine Scheidegg |
If you would like to plan a day in Lauterbrunnen, you can check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.
How do you get from Spiez to Lauterbrunnen?
From Spiez, take the Interregio train to Interlaken Ost. In Interlaken Ost, change to the connecting train that will bring you to Lauterbrunnen. It takes approximately 51 minutes to travel from Spiez to Lauterbrunnen via Interlaken Ost.
4. Riederalp
Aletsch region is the home of Switzerland’s largest glacier and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the most panoramic views in Switzerland, it is worth a day trip from Spiez.
Riederalp is a car-free village in Aletsch Arena consisting of Goppisberg, Greich, and Ried-Mörel. Greich and Goppisberg are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. It is located 1,925 meters above sea level and offers fantastic views of the Pennine Alps, such as Fletschhorn, Dom, and Matterhorn.
During summer, you can enjoy paragliding, mountain carts, hiking, and biking on Riederalp. In addition, it is home to Golf Riederalp, Europe’s highest-altitude course at 2,000 meters above sea level. In the winter, they have ski touring, skiing, and winter hiking.
From Riederalp, you can head over to the View Point of Moosfluh, 2,333 meters above sea level. A fantastic view of the Great Aletsch Glacier awaits you here. You may also head over to Hohfluh, another viewpoint nearby, 2,227 meters above sea level.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Riederalp |
| * Great Aletsch Glacier * Moosfluh Viewpoint * Hohfluh Viewpoint * Lake Blausee (Riederalp) * Villa Cassel |
If you are thinking of visiting Riederalp for a day, you can check out this article: How to Spend 1 Day in Riederalp.
How do you get from Spiez to Riederalp?
In Spiez, take the Intercity train to Brig. In Brig, take the regional train to Mörel. In Mörel, take the cable car to Riederalp. It takes 1 hour and 19 minutes to 1 hour and 25 minutes to get from Spiez to Riederalp.
From Riederalp, you can take the aerial cableways to Moosfluh (7 minutes) or Hohfluh (4 minutes).
5. Saas-Fee
A lovely mountain resort without cars, Saas-Fee is known for its glaciers and cute marmots. Saas-Fee is an excellent day trip from Spiez for experiencing a classic Swiss mountain village and being all around glaciers.
Car-free Saas-Fee offers excellent skiing and a picturesque landscape. The area is surrounded by tall mountains and glaciers.
Saas-Fee can be reached either by bus or car from Brig. There is a parking lot right near the village (Dorfplatz, 3906 Saas-Fee).
Compared to other ski resorts in Switzerland, Saas-Fee opens its ski season in November. Also, there is plenty to do for people of all interests such as brewing beer, trails, bobsleigh runs, glacier trails, gorges, visiting the Mittelallalin station and the Ice Pavilion, rafting, and swimming at Aqua Allalin.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Saas-Fee |
| * Mittelallalin * Marmots in Spielboden * Glaciers in Saas Valley * Längfluh |
If you want to visit Saas-Fee for a day, you can check out this article How to Spend 1 Day in Saas-Fee.
How do you get from Spiez to Saas-Fee?
In Spiez, take the Intercity train to Visp. In Visp, take the bus to Saas-Fee. It takes 1 hour and 32 minutes to get from Spiez to Saas-Fee.
6. Zermatt
There is no way you can miss Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn, and the town of Zermatt. It’s an excellent day trip from Spiez. The journey will take less than 2 hours and will be well worth the travel time.
As the home of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s best-known mountain resorts. From Zermatt, you can easily reach Gornergrat with its spectacular views of the Matterhorn and other 28 four-thousand-meter-high peaks.
In Gornergrat, there is also a view of the Gorner Glacier, the third-largest glacier in the Alps. In addition, it is accessible 365 days a year, departing near the Zermatt train station.
Zermatt is also the second biggest ski resort in Switzerland. It is one of the most popular and best-developed ski resorts in the world. With endless runs and a spectacular backdrop, it’s also the highest winter sports area in the Alps. Zermatt has 360 kilometers of ski slopes with varying levels of difficulty.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Zermatt |
| * Gornergrat * Gorner Gorge * Matterhorn Museum * Matterhorn Glacier Paradise * Trockener Steg * Täschalp * Sunnegga * Randa Suspension Bridge * Furi |
If you would like to spend a day in Zermatt, you can check out our article How to Spend 1 Day in Zermatt, Switzerland.
How do you get from Spiez to Zermatt?
Zermatt can be reached by train from Spiez via Visp. It takes 1 hour 38 minutes to 1 hour 46 minutes to travel from Spiez to Zermatt. As Zermatt is car-free, I highly recommend leaving your car in Spiez and taking the train to Zermatt.
7. Basel
Known for its art scene, the Rhine River, and quaint old town, Basel makes a wonderful day trip from Spiez. Getting there won’t take more than 2 hours, and there are many activities to enjoy.
The city of Basel, along the Rhine River, is situated in northwest Switzerland, quite close to France and Germany. A highly cultural city, it also enjoys excellent weather year-round. It has also been included time and again in the list of most livable cities in the world.
Basel is also known as Switzerland’s cultural capital. It has more than 40 museums, including the Kunstmuseum, the Fondation Beyeler, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Additionally, it hosts Art Basel, an international art fair that attracts thousands of artists, art collectors, and art enthusiasts from Europe, the US, and Asia.
One tradition that you might want to observe is the Basel Carnival Festival. Sometime during February and March, the country’s largest festival starts with what’s called the Morgestraich. It lasts a good 72 hours. As a highly anticipated and important tradition, the Basel Carnival was inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage back in 2017.
There’s more to Basel than just culture. Also in Basel are world-renowned institutions, like the University of Basel, the Bank of International Settlements, and FC Basel. Some of the biggest pharma companies are based in Basel, like Roche, Novartis, Lonza, and Actelion.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Basel |
| * Kunstmuseum * Fondation Beyeler * Museum of Contemporary Art * Art Basel * Basel Carnival and Morgestraich (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) * Zoo Basel |
If you would like to plan a day in Basel, you can read our article How to Spend 1 Day in Basel, Switzerland.
How do you get from Spiez to Basel?
Every hour, Spiez and Basel are served by one to two direct trains. It takes 1 hour and 38 minutes to travel from Spiez to Basel. Basel is 136 kilometers away from Spiez by car.
8. Lucerne
Lucerne, just 85 kilometers away from Spiez, is a great choice for a day trip. A more memorable experience is to take the Golden Pass train via Interlaken Ost and marvel at the five picturesque lakes as you cross the Brünig Pass.
The city of Lucerne is one of the most popular tourist spots in Switzerland. In Lucerne, you’ll find everything you’d want in a typical Swiss city. The beauty of its fjord-like blue lake, charming old town, and mountains are unbeatable. For those who want to spend some time in Lucerne city, there’s so much to see: the Transport Museum, the Lion Monument, the Rosengart Collection, and Chapel Bridge, just to name a few.
You can get around Lake Lucerne with the Lake Lucerne ship company. Various basins and bays provide exhilarating and changing views of the landscape on the lake – Stansstaad, Weggis, Buochs, Gersau, and Uri.
You can read more about other stunning places to visit near Lucerne such as Bürgenstock, Engelberg, Vitznau, and Weggis in this article 10 Beautiful Places Near Lucerne. And for those who wish to visit the mountains near Lucerne, you can find out about the Closest Mountains To Visit From Lucerne.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lucerne |
| * Lion Monument * Chapel Bridge * Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus) * Rosengart Collection * Glacier Garden |
How do you get from Spiez to Lucerne?
You may choose whether to go from Spiez to Lucerne via Bern (faster) or via Interlaken Ost (more scenic). My recommendation would be to take the scenic route from Interlaken. Below is a link to an article that may be of interest to you.
The following article provides a more detailed overview of traveling between Lucerne and Interlaken: Lucerne to Interlaken Train: All You Need To Know.
9. Montreux
If you would like to see the counterpart of Spiez in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, Montreux is the place for you. With its vineyards, laid-back lifestyle, lake access, and mountains as a backdrop, this day trip will suit your taste. The drive to Montreux from Spiez takes 1 hour and 30 minutes with 130 kilometers covered. There is also a Golden Pass train that will take you there.
Montreux is a charming town on the northeastern shores of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Known for its mild climate, gorgeous views, and Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux has a lot to offer.
A stretch of eight kilometers runs from Clarens, through Chillon Castle, and up to Villeneuve. Together with Vevey-Montreux, it has an estimated population of 85,000. Atop the Rochers-de-Naye mountain, you can enjoy amazing views of Montreux, the lake, as well as the Swiss Alps.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Montreux |
| * Chillon Castle * Montreux Promenade * Rochers-de-Naye * Freddie Mercury Statue |
If you would like to plan a day in Montreux, you can read our article How to Spend 1 Day in Montreux, Switzerland.
How do you get from Spiez to Montreux?
If you can, take the GoldenPass from Spiez to Montreux. Although it will take 2 hours and 42 minutes, you will be treated to fantastic views along the way. You can also take the train from Spiez to Visp, and then change in Visp to the train to Montreux.
10. Lausanne
It’s worth a day trip from Spiez to Lausanne, one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland because of its history, beauty, and amazing views. You will reach Lausanne in 1 hour and 40 minutes if you drive there from Spiez.
The eponymous capital of Vaud canton, Lausanne is a beautiful city. This city has everything – a beach on Lake Geneva, pools, a gorgeous old town, museums, shops, restaurants, an aquarium/vivarium, and views of the surrounding mountains. In addition, with varying altitudes, you have parts of the city with great views.
Lausanne’s old town and Cathedral give it a rich history. The city was once ruled by Celts and Romans. Today, Lausanne is the fifth-largest city in Switzerland and the second-largest city in French-speaking Switzerland.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lausanne |
| * Lausanne Cathedral * Lausanne’s Old Town * Ouchy * Sauvabelin Tower * Olympic Museum and Park * Plateforme 10 * Aquatis Vivarium Lausanne * Palais de Rumine |
If you would like to plan a day in Lausanne, you can read our article How to Spend 1 Day in Lausanne, Switzerland.
How do you get from Spiez to Lausanne?
Lausanne can be reached by train from Spiez via Bern. It takes 1 hour and 53 minutes to travel from Spiez to Lausanne via Bern. Lausanne is 150 kilometers away from Spiez by car.
Summary: 10 Best Day Trips from Spiez
For those who are staying for a couple of days in Spiez, Switzerland, and wish to venture out to other places, we hope that this list was helpful.
To summarize, if you are looking for large cities with lots of activities, Bern, Lucerne, Lausanne, and Basel are great choices. If you want to visit another town similar to Spiez, then Montreux on Lake Geneva is a great choice for you.
Riederalp, Zermatt, and Saas-Fee are suitable choices for those who want to visit the mountains. Experience Lauterbrunnen and Blausee’s scenic beauty and capture some unforgettable photographs.
Considering all the options at your disposal, I hope you will be able to find something from this list that you will enjoy and have a great day trip from Spiez.
Related Posts: Spiez
- 10 Best Things to Do in Spiez, Switzerland
- How Do I Get From Interlaken to Spiez?
- Spiez vs. Interlaken: Which Is Better?
- 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Thun, Switzerland
- Top 12 Stunning Places Near Interlaken
Related Posts
- Lucerne to Interlaken Train: All You Need To Know
- How to Spend 1 Day in Bern, Switzerland
- How to Spend 1 Day in Montreux, Switzerland
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.