Gstaad region has it all: plenty of scenic hiking trails, beautiful landscapes, Alpine lakes, gourmet restaurants and beautiful hotels with a spa. It’s a paradise for those who want to spend their time actively and also for the ones who seek some relaxing time close to the nature. We visited twice in summer/autumn season and I put together the list of things to do in the region:

Visit Mirage

I am putting this as a first thing on the list, as when you’re reading it, you only have a chance to visit this incredible installation until March 2021 (hurry!). The mirror chalet is set among the mountains and trees and it looks totally natural, like a reflection of its beautiful surroundings. It’s so cool to walk around, as the walls and the ceilings are made of mirror to, so no matter where you look, you get this perfect light and beautiful views all around. You can easily combine it with a nice hike (from the train station in Gruben – 15 minutes, or Schonried – 20 minutes). More info here.

Go hiking

To experience the Alpine bliss and enjoy your time actively in nature – go through the colorful meadows and through the shady forests. It has so many hiking trails, with varying difficulty levels and diverse settings – I linking the top hiking trails of Gstaad here.

Relax by the lake

This summer’s discovery – the beautiful Arnensee – just 25 minutes away from Gstaad. You can swim or SUP in the summer and/or do a circular trail around the lake just like we did. It takes less than one hour and is stroller friendly. Plus, there’s a nice lakeside restaurant, perfect for a lunch with a view – Huus am Arnensee. More info about the trail we did here.

Head on a cheesy adventure

You can order a foundue backpack in Gstaad, hike to the huge foundue pot and have a cheesy picnick up there with a view. I still haven’t done that, so it is still on my bucket list! More info on where to order your fondue backpack and locations of the huge fondue pots here.

Set for an Alpine spa experience

Swiss style spa experience with traditional wooden chalets from one side and mountains from the other – relaxing close to nature. There are many beautiful hotels with spa in the Gstaad region and I am sure all of them allow for some Swiss-style relax time. We stayed at the Bellevue last year and I loved their pools and outdoor saunas. Can recommend!

Discover the tasty side of Gstaad

The region combines a wide diversity of places where one can get a delicious meal: from fine gourmet restaurants, chalets serving Raclette and fondue to alpine huts. We visited and dined in quite a few restaurants and here are three of them that I loved and would love to go back to!

Esprit Ravet – a little brasserie in the heart of the Gstaad town. Delicious food and an impressive selection of wines.

Megu – located in Alpina Gstaad and named by Gault Millau as Switzerland’s top Asian restaurant (16/20 points). Best sushi I had in this alpine country, beautiful decor and very chic atmosphere – perfect for a date night.

Stuebli at the Posthotel Roessli – more classic option, where you can eat Chalet soup or raclette, while being surrounded by the feel of the “good old days” and the rustic decor.

And come back in the winter to experience the region as a winter wonderland.

Just for the different atmosphere – when flower decorations make way for glowing festive lights around the chalets and city’s ever so green turns white and frosty. 🙂