Sherlock Holmes Family Adventure in Meiringen: What to See & Do
- Family Fun Factor
- Jun 19
- 5 min read
Funicular ride to a Reichenbach Falls where Sherlock famously died (for the first time...) & Sherlock Holmes museum.
Meiringen | Canton of Bern (Switzerland)
The "it" factor
What makes it special:
🕵️♂️ Short hike to the exact spot where Sherlock Holmes "died" in battle with Moriarty
🚶♀️ Option to hike down to Meiringen through forest and fields
🏛 Visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum with a replica of 221B Baker Street
What to Consider:
📅 Open from May to October (both the funicular and museum)
🚫 No playgrounds or activity stations along the trail
❌ Not suitable for strollers due to stairs and rocky paths
Don't feel like reading? Watch a Sherlock Family Day in Meiringen Video instead!
The fun factor
When Arthur Conan Doyle visited Switzerland in the 1890s, he was so impressed by the dramatic Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen that he chose it as the setting for Sherlock Holmes’ final battle. In The Final Problem, Holmes faces his greatest enemy, Professor Moriarty, at the top of the waterfall — and falls to his death. Or so it seemed. This was the first time Doyle tried to end the detective’s story, but fans were so upset that he eventually brought Holmes back in a later book.
Today, Meiringen is a special place for Sherlock Holmes fans. You can visit the exact spot where the fictional fight took place, ride the old funicular up to the falls, explore the Sherlock Holmes Museum with a replica of 221B Baker Street, and even enjoy tea and meringues in a café that nods to the detective’s legacy.
We spent a great Sherlock-themed family day there — and can definitely recommend it.
Here are our top 4 Fun Factors of Sherlock Holmes Family adventure in Meiringen.
Follow in Sherlock’s footsteps
Getting to the waterfall is very easy. From Meiringen, it’s just a short walk to the valley station of the Reichenbachfall Funicular, which has been running since 1899 and takes you up the steep slope in just a few minutes. At the top, there’s a viewing platform right near the roaring falls — you’ll feel the spray on your face! Near the platform, you’ll also spot a Sherlock Holmes silhouette where you can take a fun photo. There's also a small structure nearby that looks like a mini exhibition or info point (though it’s not always open).
If you want to stand at the exact spot where Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty had their final battle, you’ll need to follow a short there-and-back trail from the top of the Reichenbachfall funicular. The hike takes about 45 minutes total and leads you along a forested mountainside with some stairs and uneven stone paths. It’s not suitable for strollers, and we recommend good shoes. At the start, you’ll feel a bit of spray from the waterfall, but the rest of the trail is dry. The end point is clearly marked with a plaque, showing where the famous detective was said to fall to his death.
2. Hike down to the village
From the famous Sherlock Holmes plaque, you can return the same way to the funicular and ride it back down to Meiringen — or you can continue on foot all the way down to the village. The hiking path leads past the waterfall and then goes through forest and open fields. It’s a peaceful and scenic walk, but the trail includes uneven ground, with stones and tree roots sticking out, so it’s not suitable for strollers.
There aren’t any play areas or activity stations along the way, but if you enjoy a quiet nature walk, it’s a lovely way to finish your visit. The downhill route takes about 45 minutes.
3. Hit the Sherlock museum
To round off your visit, we recommend stopping by the Sherlock Holmes Museum in the heart of Meiringen village. It’s housed in the former English Church, built in 1891, and spread across two floors. The museum includes an audioguide that walks you through Holmes’ story, a faithful replica of his famous study at 221B Baker Street, and a detailed map showing the places he “visited” in Switzerland. While the museum isn’t interactive and most items are behind glass, it’s a nicely curated collection and a true treasure trove for Sherlock fans.
4. Turn the visit into a weekend get-away
If you want to turn your Sherlock Holmes adventure into a full weekend, the Meiringen region has loads to offer for families. Our favourites are:
The Aare Gorge — a stunning, narrow gorge carved by the Aare River, with tunnels and walkways right through towering rock walls.
Hasliberg Mountain, you’ll find the popular Muggestutz Dwarf Trail with story-themed play stations, plus a marble run trail where kids can roll wooden balls through fun obstacle tracks along the path.
And these one is still on our to-do list:
Ride the Gelmerbahn, one of the steepest funiculars in Europe — apparently it looks and feels like a rollercoaster plus a nice hike around the lake.
The food factor
If you’re more into outdoor picnics or barbecues, this might not be the ideal spot — there are very few picnic areas along the Reichenbach Falls trail and no designated barbecue sites. But food-wise, you’ll be well taken care of once you're back in Meiringen. The village has plenty of restaurants to choose from.
The official Sherlock Holmes food recommendation? Tea Time! You can enjoy Sherlock-themed treats and local specialities from the Frutal bakery, including meringues — which are said to have originated in Meiringen. We picked up a few to take with us, but there’s also a nice seating area (inside and outside) to eat in if you prefer.
The value factor
2025 prices
Funicular - Return
Adults: CHF 12
Half-Fare Card: CHF 6
Kids (6–15): CHF 8
Funicular - One-Way
Adults: CHF 8
Half-Fare Card: CHF 4
Kids (6–15): CHF 6
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Adults: CHF 7
Kids (6–15): CHF 4
Swiss Museum Pass & RAIFFEISEN Card: Free
Combo Ticket (Funicular Round-Trip + Museum)
Adults: CHF 15
Half-Fare Card: CHF 11
Kids (6–15): CHF 9
Sherlock Holmes Family Day | Practical Info
Reichenbach Falls funicular address: Reichenbach 9c, 3860 Schattenhalb
Sherlock Holmes museum address: Bahnhofstrasse 26, 3860 Meiringen
Arrival by car:
There is a small parking just next to the funicular station: Reichenbach, 3860 Schattenhalb.
Or you can park at Meiringen Alpbach: Underem Gfell 5, 3860 Meiringen. It's a 10 mins walk to the museum and 15 minutes to the falls.
There is also street parking available.
Arrival by public transport:
Take the train to Meiringen train station. It's a 4-minute walk to the Sherlock Holmes Museum and about 1.5 km (20 mins) or a short bus ride to the Reichenbachfall funicular.
Opening times: Open from May till October (both, museum and funicular)
More info: Reichenbach falls | Sherlock Holmes Museum | Frutal Tea Room | More Adventures
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