Discover the world through travel & beyond!

Exploring Enchanting Engelberg, Switzerland with Kids

Travel Mamas sometimes receives compensation and/or hosted travel and sample products related to blog posts. This story may include affiliate links for which we receive a small commission at no extra cost to consumers. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases. Be sure to check with businesses and locations regarding travel restrictions and safety precautions before visiting.

Located in the heart of Switzerland, Engelberg is one of those pretty, postcard-worthy towns you fantasize about. At the end of the rail line with only 4,000 inhabitants, it’s definitely not on the tourist trail, but that’s what makes it an ideal location for active families. Here’s a look at exploring Engelberg, Switzerland with kids.

Engelberg, Switzerland is an idyllic Alpine town for adventurous families (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

Engelberg, Switzerland is an idyllic Alpine town for adventurous families (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

Getting to Engelberg, Switzerland with Kids

Engelberg is easily accessible from anywhere in Switzerland. For me, it was a quick train trip from the Zurich airport with only one transfer in Lucerne. You’ll want to purchase a Swiss Travel Pass for your journey, as it allows you to travel by rail, road and boat through the entire country. It’ll also give you major discounts on ski tickets, gondola rides and grant you free access to over 400 museums. Best is that children 16 years of age travel for free when accompanied by a paying adult. In summer the train operates special treasure hunts for children—simply snag an English map from the platform with the Lucerne to Engelberg express train.

Children on train

Kids receive treasure boxes on the ride to Engelberg (Photo credit: Swiss Rail)

A Hotel for Families

The Terrace Hotel is one of those grand hotels, not dissimilar to the Grand Budapest Hotel, if you’ve seen the flick. Sitting prominently over the town, it boasts a lovely exterior and inside it’s a tidy three-star property. Guest rooms are on the small side, but it’s got charm and these amazingly thick duvets to curl up with. Many guests opt to have dinner and breakfast included in their stay and while the buffet isn’t five-star, it’s totally fine (this coming from a food snob).

Terrace Hotel

The Terrace Hotel in Engelberg, Switzerland is tops for families on a budget (Photo credit: Titlis)

Where to Eat in Engelberg

In town, Bakerei Stockli Cafe has grab and go baked goods, sandwiches and hot items. Try the tart flambé (kind of like pizza) or a cheese quiche made with puff pastry (quite possibly the best quiche I've ever eaten!). On the mountain, Truebsee Alpine Lodge serves up hearty meals to tempt both skiers and those (like me) spending the day doing everything else on mountain. The buffet is impressive with something for everyone, or you can go across the mountain to Gasthaus Gerscnialp for a decadent cheese fondue.

swiss fondue

Bread, apples and pineapple! all get dunked into Swiss cheese (Photo credit: Jody Robbins)

Adventure Course

Seilpark Engelberg is an awesome ropes course that operates all year. This adventure course in the woods allows you to zipline and maneuver yourself across ropes strung between trees. It’s a unique way to get a fresh perspective on the outdoors and the kids will love it.

Zip-lining at the Fixed Rope Park in Engelberg (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

Zip-lining at the Fixed Rope Park in Engelberg (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

For the Love of Cheese

Since it’s reputed the Swiss eat 50 pounds of cheese each year (per person, yo!), you might as well see what all the fuss is about. The Show Cheese Factory located at the Engelberg Monastery is a great place to start. Call to reserve an English tour with Texan transplant Drew Crowly and make your own cheese within minutes. There’s also a souvenir shop and cafe on-site with cakes, bread and, of course, cheese plates. Bring your appetite and your wallet.

Tour the Show Cheese Factory at the Engelberg Monastery (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

Tour the Show Cheese Factory at the Engelberg Monastery (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

Glacier Exploration

Mount Titlis is not only the most impressive glacier in central Switzerland, but also it’s the area’s major ski hill. To categorize Titlis as merely a ski hill does it a disservice. There is so much more to Titlis than skiing. Here you’ll find electric snowmobiles, a glacier tunnel and snowshoeing. Daredevils can rush across Europe's highest suspension bridge or take a two-mile sledding ride down to the base of the village. 

If you can, try to catch the selfie gondola up the mountain. It’s decked out with gingham curtains and a camera inside. After posing you can download your snaps from Pinterest.

Titlis adventure park

Believe it or not, that is a type of sled and it is FAST!

A Hill for Family Fun

Mount Brunni is located in town and is truly a top notch family hill in its own right. I’d say ski hill, but a whooping 50% of guests that come here don’t ski. What are they doing? Everything else! There’s year-round hiking along wide, groomed trails. In winter there are tubing runs and in summer, you'll find four different via ferrata climbing courses. Did I mention there are several all-season outdoor playgrounds dotted throughout the resort? But if skiing’s what you’re after, expect to find lots of runs catering to beginners and affordable lift passes.

Engelberg's Mount Brunni (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

Engelberg's Mount Brunni (Photo credit: MySwitzerland.com)

There’s so much to do in Engelberg, Switzerland with kids all year long. Whether it's snowy or toasty during your visit, you’ll be able to tuck into that famous Swiss chocolate and cheese fondue. If that isn’t a recipe for a successful family holiday, I don’t know what is.

Would you like to visit Engelberg, Switzerland with kids? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Saucy Travel Mama: Thank you to Switzerland Tourism for hosting my stay in Engelberg. All opinions are mine, as always.

About Jody Robbins, The Saucy Travel Mama

After a career in international marketing and a few years spent living the high life as an expat, Jody now resides with her family in Calgary, Canada. Figuring travel writing was a good way to combine her wanderlust and parental duties, she’s spent the past few years working with both print and online media, contributing to the Calgary Herald Travel and Real Life sections and blogging about her adventures at Travels with Baggage (JodyRobbins.com). When not circling the globe with her precocious children (one daughter, one husband, one dog), she can usually be found snowboarding or pretending to enjoy hiking. Find Jody on Twitter at @Jody_Robbins.

Speak Your Mind

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.