Giessbach-Brienz Holidays

Perched above the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz, Giessbach is one of Switzerland's most unique and memorable holiday destinations. Best known for its magnificent waterfalls and the iconic Grandhotel Giessbach, this peaceful retreat offers a truly unforgettable setting surrounded by forests, mountains and lakeside scenery. The famous Giessbach Falls cascade down fourteen rocky steps before reaching the lake, creating a dramatic backdrop that has attracted visitors for over 150 years. 

Far from the crowds, Giessbach is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Bernese Oberland. However, the little town of Brienz is also very close by and here you can wander right beside the water's edge (and take a dip if you fancy it!), relax in cafés and browse through the artisan shops and bakeries. 

Get your holiday quotation today

Or speak to our expert team for more Switzerland holiday advice

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

Stay in our handpicked Giessbach hotel.

The star attraction is undoubtedly the spectacular Giessbach Falls. A network of walking paths winds through the natural park, allowing visitors to admire the waterfall from different viewpoints, including a unique path that passes behind one of the cascades. The falls are beautifully illuminated in the evening, creating a magical atmosphere. The nostalgic Giessbach Funicular opened in the 19th century and links the Grandhotel Giessbach with the boat landing stage on Lake Brienz below. Regular lake steamers and passenger boats connect Giessbach with charming lakeside destinations; a lake cruise across the striking turquoise waters of Lake Brienz is one of the highlights of any stay. 

Nearby attractions include the favourite Brienzer Rothorn steam railway, the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum and Trauffer World, home to the famous carved wooden cows which you can find all over Switzerland. Take the short journey to Interlaken and you have access to the famous mountains of the Jungfrau Region. It is well worth a day out to experience the mountain railways, dramatic peaks and traditional alpine villages, or travel to the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe itself. 

Giessbach provides an excellent base for visiting the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Switzerland's most celebrated natural attractions. This remarkable alpine landscape features dramatic mountain scenery and glaciers. You may also wish to visit the charming Old Town of Bern, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, where medieval streets, arcades and historic buildings offer a fascinating insight into Switzerland's history and culture. 

Our holidays include the Half Fare Card, which entitles you to a 50% discount on most rail, mountain railways, cable cars, boats and PostBuses across Switzerland.

If you are planning daily outings, it can be well worth pre-booking the Bernese Oberland Regional Pass, as it saves you a great deal of money - and helps you avoid the queues at the ticket office! Other passes such as the Swiss Travel Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass are also available. We will be delighted to help you choose the one that's right for you. Call us on 0330 123 3132 for more advice.

Enjoy a fantastic two or multi centre holiday, with a scenic rail journey connecting your resorts. Take the short transfer to Interlaken to join the GoldenPass Express (for Montreux) or to Brienz for the Luzern-Interlaken Express.

If you prefer to be based solely in Giessbach, there are many lakes and mountains journeys to be enjoyed locally. We can tailor make any itinerary you choose, please contact us for details on 0330 123 3132.

Your ticket wallet will contain comprehensive travel instructions to help you reach your destination with ease, including recommended rail connection times and platform numbers. These are the most common routes for your Giessbach-Brienz holiday. 

Fly to Zurich

Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Swiss Railways: Zurich Airport> Interlaken> Brienz (and shuttle bus service to Giessbach) with a transfer time of around 2 hours 30 minutes. 

Fly to Geneva

Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle.  

Swiss Railways: Geneva Airport> Bern> Interlaken> Brienz (and shuttle bus service to Giessbach) with a transfer time of around 3 hours 35 minutes.

Travel by international rail

Rail from London St. Pancras via Paris to Basel.

Swiss Railways: Basel> Interlaken> Brienz (and shuttle bus service to Giessbach) with a transfer time of around 2 hours 25 minutes.