Things to do in Gruyeres
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Gruyeres
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany, near the Austrian border and not far from the small town of Füssen. Built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a tribute to composer Wagner and inspired by the legend of the "Swan Knight" Lohengrin, construction began in 1869. Its fairy-tale appearance—white walls, blue domes, and scattered spires—served as the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is perennially regarded as Germany's tourism icon. The castle interior was originally planned to have over 200 rooms, but by the time of the king's death in 1886, only a dozen had been completed, each exquisitely crafted. The throne hall's dome is painted with a star-studded blue night sky, while the floor features mosaic patterns of flora and fauna, with a chandelier modeled after a Byzantine crown hanging high above. The Gothic double bed in the king's bedroom took over four years to carve by more than a dozen sculptors. The relatively large singers' hall in the castle, adorned with murals of "Lohengrin" and "Parsifal," was modeled after the Wartburg singers' hall and still hosts concerts every September. Swan motifs are nearly omnipresent, appearing in murals, door handles, and washstands. Interestingly, this medieval-inspired castle was already equipped with telephones, central heating, hot water, and automatic flushing toilets at the time, making it remarkably advanced for its era. To capture the classic postcard-perfect shot, head to Marienbrücke. This pedestrian bridge, suspended over the Pöllat Gorge, faces the southern facade of the castle and is not far from the bus drop-off point. It gets crowded in the afternoon, so an early visit is recommended. You can take the shuttle bus, a horse-drawn carriage, or hike up the mountain. The hiking route offers a bird's-eye view of the castle, and along the way, you can also see the yellow Hohenschwangau Castle, the old royal palace on the opposite hill. The castle's ending carries a touch of tragedy: Ludwig II built it with his private funds and loans, facing strong opposition from his ministers. On a late night in June 1886, he was arrested in his castle bedroom and mysteriously died days later by Lake Starnberg. Seven weeks later, the castle opened to the public. Today, visiting the interior requires following a guide, and photography is prohibited inside. Live guides provide commentary in English or German, while an audio guide is available for Chinese. Visitor guide To the castle There are three ways to reach the castle: taking the shuttle bus, riding a carriage, or going on foot. Most people choose to take the shuttle bus, then walk a short distance to Neuschwanstein Castle, where there is a viewing platform to overlook another castle—Hohenschwangau. You can also reach the castle by carriage, where you can enjoy picturesque scenery along the way, and the witty carriage driver will share legendary stories that happened here. After disembarking, it's just a short walk to the castle entrance. If you don't want to wait in line for the shuttle bus or prefer outdoor activities, you can also hike to Neuschwanstein Castle. Along the way, you can capture an aerial view of the castle, and there are relatively fewer travelers. Take a postcard-perfect photo of the castle Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) is located near the terminal stop of the uphill bus. This 100 m-high bridge spans between two cliffs, with its floor made of wooden planks that slightly bounce when stepped on. Here, you can capture the famous postcard-perfect shot of Neuschwanstein Castle. If you arrive early before your scheduled visit time, you can first head to Marienbrücke to photograph the beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle, as the bridge gets overcrowded after noon. Guided tour To visit the castle interior, you must follow the official guide. The guide provides services in English and German. You can also choose to use an audio guide (available in Chinese). After the visit, you can take a short break at the café inside the castle.Germany · Schwangau
Statue Charlie Chaplin
The Charlie Chaplin statue is located in Corsiers on the shore of Lake Vevey, only about 500 meters away from the estate where Charlie Chaplin lived in his later years. Inspired by the style of "Modern Times", artist John Doubleday created the classic image of Charlie Chaplin leaning on a cane. The base is scattered with sculptures of top hats and leather shoes, which allude to his wandering screen life. Take bus No. 201 from Vevey Railway Station and walk to the estate; if you drive, you can park in the free parking lot next to the estate. The statue is located at the entrance of the vineyard trail, with Lake Geneva and the Alps in the background. The light in the early morning or at dusk is suitable for taking silhouette photos. You can visit the nearby area in series: walk east to the Chaplin family cemetery, and go west to the Vevey Food Museum to see the bread dance props of "The Gold Rush". In summer, open-air silent film screenings are often held by the lake. For specific schedules, please check the official website of the Vevey Tourism Bureau.Vevey · 22.3 km from Gruyeres
HouseTrap Escape Room
Bulle · 4.4 km from Gruyeres
First
Located on a hill to the northeast of Grindelwald, First is one of the main ski resorts in the Jungfrau region and a viewpoint for enjoying the beauty of the glaciers rooted in the canyon, and the mountain scenery along the way is the same Picturesque. Hike to see the mountain scenery There are many walking trails around First, which can go from one high point to the next. Here you will see the mountain scenery of 4,000 meters above sea level and the translucent Tianchi Lake, and the lush mountain grasslands also amaze mountaineers and walkers. FirstFlieger Zipline There is a well-known FirstFlieger zipline project near the first aerial cable car station. This downhill chair allows four people to glide in the air along the ropeway at the same time, the whole journey is 800 meters, and the speed is as high as 84 kilometers per hour. This experience is safe and exciting for all ages. In addition, friends who like to ride can also choose to explore the mountains by bicycle.Grindelwald · 75.2 km from Gruyeres
Les Gorges De La Jogne
Broc · 4.2 km from Gruyeres
Moléson
Gruyeres · 5.8 km from downtown
Chaplin's World
Chaplin's World is located in Vevey, Switzerland, serving as a museum and cultural center dedicated to the life of cinematic master Charlie Chaplin. Visitors can stroll through Chaplin's former residence, experiencing the living and creative environment of this comedy legend. The museum displays Chaplin's film props, manuscripts, photographs, and personal belongings, vividly recreating his glorious journey from the silent film era to sound cinema. Additionally, visitors can try making their own short films in the interactive experience zone, participate in film workshops, and gain deeper insights into the secrets of filmmaking. Chaplin's World is not just a cultural journey but also a feast of art and creativity.Corsier-sur-Vevey · 20.9 km from Gruyeres
Freddie Mercury Statue
Freddie Mercury Statue is a life-size bronze statue, capturing the energy and theatricality of his legendary performances.Montreux · 21 km from Gruyeres
Town of Spiez
Town of Spiez is situated on the southern shore of Lake Thun in the Bernese Highlands of Switzerland, nestled in a bay enclosed by two lush, wooded peninsulas. Vineyards on the hillsides stretch down to the lake, a medieval castle stands by the shore, and the Niesen peak on the opposite bank connects to the Bernese Alps. The castle, vineyards, blue lake, and snow-capped mountains framed together create a classic scene in many travelers' photos. The core view here is Spiez Castle and the adjacent Romanesque castle church. The tower was built right by the water and now houses a museum, where the Knight's Hall and period room furnishings tell the history of the local noble families, and the church still preserves Romanesque frescoes. A viewpoint overlooking the entire bay is located by the road above the castle. The hillside vineyards are a rare wine-growing region in the Bernese Highlands, cultivating varieties such as Pinot Noir and Riesling-Sylvaner, and the loop around the bay is easy to walk with expansive views. In summer, you can also swim by the lake, look back at the castle from the water, or take a Lake Thun cruise into the bay for a different perspective.Spiez · 47.5 km from Gruyeres
L'Entrepôt - bloc, trampoline et restaurant
Bulle · 5.1 km from Gruyeres
Experiences you can't miss in Gruyeres
Featured Day tours in Gruyeres
View all Day tours
FromMXN3,586.63
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMXN3,459.28
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMXN3,459.28
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMXN18,969.44
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromMXN4,945.13MXN5,205.41
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromMXN3,353.91MXN3,530.44
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromMXN5,928.83MXN6,240.88
Featured Cultural experiences in Gruyeres
View all Cultural experiences
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromMXN3,137.46MXN3,302.59
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMXN3,226.99
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMXN3,226.99
Featured Food & drink in Gruyeres
View all Food & drink
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromMXN4,760.35MXN5,010.9
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
FromMXN33,805.47
Featured Outdoor experiences in Gruyeres
View all Outdoor experiences![Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe 1-day tour [comfortable bus/professional multilingual guide/includes 10% discount coupon for the outlet]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0355j12000m46t7uc599E_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
4.8/5
· 499 reviews· 389 bookedFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
97.2% of travelers recommend
FromMXN5,906.87
57 booked
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromMXN861.08
FromMXN4,417.19
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMXN4,010.64
More things to do
Group Tours in Gruyeres
View More Group Tours in Gruyeres
Free things to do in Gruyeres
What travelers say about Gruyeres
VWLOVEFAMILYAugust 9, 2026
5.0
Nestled halfway up the mountain, Neuschwanstein Castle truly embodies the ultimate in French romance. The strictness of French culture is also perfectly reflected in the staff's approach; visits must be made within designated time slots. Being even a minute early will prevent entry, and being 10 minutes late will result in forfeiture of your visit. Therefore, those planning to visit should definitely pay attention to the reservation time.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Anonymous userSeptember 29, 2026
5.0
Purchased package tickets including attractions must be exchanged for paper tickets at the manual counter before use. Package tickets must be purchased at the foot of the mountain; tickets for attractions on the mountain are not sold at the designated areas.
First
NachtischNovember 27, 2024
5.0
The town of Spiez on Lake Thun is an absolutely charming place to visit. It is backed by mountains, faces vineyards and, most magnificently, is crowned by a splendid castle. The Niederhorn mountain range above the lake stretches all the way to the Bernese Alps, creating a magnificent panorama. The mild climate and bright sunshine make it an ideal starting point for exploring the many famous tourist attractions in the Bernese Oberland or Valais.
Spiez Castle is a highlight here, as is the castle gardens. From the castle, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake and the surrounding area. Likewise, a detour to the castle church is worthwhile.
There are many hiking and cycling trails around Spiez. In addition, the neighboring cities of Thun and Interlaken are also great for day trips. Last but not least, the Bernese Oberland is easily accessible from Spiez.
Town of Spiez
