The town of Engelberg is beautiful and filled with mountains and natural wonders. With so many places to visit and activities to do, it is encouraged that you spend at least a week of your vacation here. Whether you want to relax or indulge in an adventure, this town is the perfect place to take time out and refresh your mind and body. It has a rustic appeal that you will appreciate and along with the change of scenery you long for. Aside from these, it has heritage homes that date back to the Belle Époque era. There are so many things you can do in this village as a visitor. If you are planning a vacation to this lovely destination, read through our list of the eight best things to do in Engelberg, Switzerland.
1. Explore the history of Globi at Globis Alpenspielplatz - contributed by Tour Guide, Iuliia Solodenko
For German-speaking Swiss aged two years and older, Globis is probably the most popular book character and is known as the Swiss Mickey Mouse.
Every train going from Lucerne to the resort of Engelberg, famous for the Olympic champions and the 3,000-strong Titlis, has a carriage painted with stories from the life of a half-man, half-parrot wearing checkered trousers. Why? The Globi theme park was opened there in 2008!
In 1932, the head of the advertising department of the Globus chain of stores was looking for a way to attract customers’ attention to the chain’s assortment. They needed a win-win option, a character who would evoke emotional involvement in adults and “raise” future clients from a very young age. It was created by illustrator Robert Lips.
The success was stunning! The advertising image took on a life of its own! In 1935, the illustrated book “Globis Weltreise” (“Globi’s Around the World”) was published. In 1944, the Globi brand began to be promoted by the publishing house Globi Verlag AG, and since January 1, 2007, this brand has belonged to the publishing house Orell Füssli Verlag (by the way, in 1531, they published the Zurich Bible in German! Serious company!).
I myself read books from Globi. Very often, they touch on serious issues, as in the latest one at the moment: “Globi and the secrets of Swiss democracy.”
Books, by the way, are also published in English.
Globis Alpenspielplatz
Address: Ob. Flühmatt 2, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland
Website: Globis Alpenspielplatz
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat - Mon: 9am - 5:30pm
2. Enjoy soothing tunes at this Benedictine monastery
The Engelberg Benedictine Abbey’s pipe organ is among the biggest you will find in Switzerland. The best time to witness performers using this instrument is during summer nights where free recitals are given. The Abbey is home to many monks and was opened in 1120. It was renovated in the 1700s after it was gutted by fire. It was given a Baroque design after it was re-built. Apart from the organ, other attractions of the Abbey include its barrel vault ceiling, its frescoes, and its stucco walls. You cannot go wrong in visiting this lovely and historic place of worship up in the Uri Alps.
Engelberg Abbey
Address: Benediktinerkloster 1, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland
Website: Engelberg Abbey
3. Cross the breathtaking bridge on Mt. Titlis (from USD 122.0)
Are you up for an adventure? Head on to Mt. Titlis and take on the Titlis Cliff Walk. This pedestrian bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the continent. Its recorded height is at 10,000 feet (3048 meters) above the sea. The bridge may look wobbly but it is constructed in a way that it can withstand the wear and tear of the natural elements. It goes over an 1640 feet (500 meters) chasm. The best time to traverse this walkway is during summer where you can see some of the glaciers and mountain peaks from a distance. That is if you can look down below, at the valley.
Mount Titlis excursion from Engelberg incl. Ice Flyer
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Go on an adventure in the snow
Engelberg’s snow adventures include snowboarding and skiing because it has over 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) of slopes. This part of the Alps has pistes set high up in the mountains. Because of this height, the snowcaps last until the end of spring. This gives snowboarders and skiers enough time to enjoy their favorite activities. Engelberg has no less than four major areas for skiing and snowboarding. These are Brunni, Bannalp, Gerschnialp, and Titlis-Jochpass. The Titlis-Jochpass provides the most challenging slopes, therefore rookie snowboarders and skiers should not tackle this course. These areas provide many eateries so you will not go hungry after you make your runs. So if you are looking for some fun in the snow, these four areas are the best places to go.
Skiing/Snowboarding
Address: Brunni, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland
5. Walk along several paths on the banks of Trüebsee
Great panoramic views , refreshing,relaxing
Posted by Krai Chalermkiatkul on Monday, 29 July 2019
On your way to the top of Titlis, a stop at Trüebsee is a must. If you want a destination that is not populated by tourists, this is the place to be. Hiking is the main activity here with several pathways to choose from. Situated at a high 1788-meter (5866 feet) altitude, Truebsee Lake has several hiking and walking trails along its banks. It is framed by green pastures that make the place so romantic and picturesque. During clear and bright days, you get to see reflections of mountain tops on the water. This makes it the perfect hiking spot for intermediate hikers.
Trüebsee
Address: Municipality of Wolfenschiessen, Nidwalden
6. Walk through the glorious trails of Fürenalp
Hiking to Fürenalp is an exhilarating experience for travelers. Panoramic sceneries combine with scenic hiking trails to give you a memorable experience. You get to see lush greenery along the way. The Engelberger Aa river serves as the perfect spot for a quick break during summer hikes. As you walk along the trail, you get to see the imposing figure of the Stäuber waterfall. There are so many reasons why travelers love to walk this hiking trail. It is also one of the most popular hikes in Engelberg. Several Alpine huts dot the landscape and provide refreshments and food. Once you reach Aebnet, you can also check out the cheese factory.
Panorama hike Fürenalp
Website: Furenalp
7. Climbing the six Via Ferrata routes of Engelberg
Engelberg is surrounded by mountains and cliff walls that enhance its beauty and charm. Aside from contributing to its aesthetics, these walls provide a way for travelers to spend their time. Rock climbing out in the wild is the favored activity when it comes to Engelberg’s Via Ferrata. There are six of these and each has been graded based on their level of difficulty. The lowest of these has a grade of K2 while the highest grade given is K5. Beginners are encouraged to climb the one that tops off at 200 meters (656 feet). The most difficult of these is Furenwand which takes experts more than three hours to climb.
Climbing/Via Ferrata
Address: Engelberg-Titlis, Switzerland
8. Watch how Engelberger Klosterkircher cheese is made
Posted by Julie Valant on Monday, 15 January 2018
The Engelberg Benedictine Abbey’s main attractions are the monks and the pipe organ. Visitors come here for another reason too - a delicious one. The Abbey is home to the Show Cheese Factory. This quaint and cute place is a restaurant where you can watch cheesemakers and affineurs create the tasty, creamy, and salty goodness called “Engelberger Klosterglocke”. The creamy delight is made from local milk and shaped like the monastery’s bell. The factory also sells a wide variety of raclette cheese and accompaniments. While watching the cheesemakers in action, you can take a seat at the café and order some of their specialties. The menu is a combination of Swiss and French classics like quiches and fondues.
Schaukäserei Kloster Engelberg (Engelberg Show Cheese Factory)
Address: Benediktinerkloster 1, 6390 Engelberg, Switzerland
Website: Schaukäserei Kloster Engelberg
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (daily)
9. Have the ultimate Alpine adventure with the Buiräbähnli Safari
Buiräbähnli Sinsgäuer Schonegg
Posted by Engelberg Titlis - official page on Saturday, 11 June 2016
This is the ultimate Alpine escapade you can experience here in Engelberg. The Buiräbähnli Safari is a 20-hour hike that has a circular route. The hike includes two overnight stops where you get to stay in some of the huts that are strategically located along the path. It starts and ends at the railway station. One of the options included in this adventure is the exhilarating rides in cable cars originally built for Buiräbähnli farmers. The cable car is by special arrangement only where you need to get in touch with the operator. The whole hike has an intermediate – difficult path.
Buiräbähnli Safari
Website: Buiräbähnli Safari
Head to Engelberg for an otherworldly adventure
You cannot go wrong with spending your holidays in Engelberg. All year long, the town has something to offer all types of visitors. From mountain tops to lakes and historic monasteries, this place has it all. It is the best place to spend your vacation; so ensure you stick to this list of best things to do in Engelberg, Switzerland.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to