landmark
Bern Old Town
Switzerland's UNESCO-listed capital, a medieval gem with 6 kilometres of arcaded walkways, the Zytglogge clock tower, and bear park.
27 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeSwitzerlandSolothurn
Grenchen
Solothurn, Switzerland · Europe
About Grenchen
Grenchen is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Arch, 51km from Gurnigel Pass.
Grenchen is in Solothurn, Switzerland, with about 16,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Arch, about 4 km away.
Grenchen (Swiss Standard German pronunciation: [ˈɡrɛnçn̩]; French: Granges [ɡʁɑ̃ʒ] ) is a municipality in the district of Lebern in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.
It is located at the foot of the Jura mountains between Solothurn and Biel/Bienne, approximately 25 km (16 mi) north of Bern. With over 16,000Read more
inhabitants, it is one of the larger towns of the canton of Solothurn. The city is well known for its watch industry, that has been present for more than 150 years.
Grenchen was the 2008 winner of the Wakker Prize for architectural heritage.
Jura-Sternwarte Grenchen is located at Grenchen.
Where to Stay in Grenchen
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Grenchen?
Within an hour or so of Grenchen: Bern Old Town (27 km), Circuit Bremgarten (27 km), Kaufdorf VW Beetle Graveyard (39 km), Basel Zoo (42 km).
Are there any good drives near Grenchen?
The nearest famous roads are Circuit Bremgarten, Gurnigel Pass and Glaubenbielen Pass.
Where is Grenchen?
Grenchen is in Solothurn, Switzerland, about 4 km from Arch.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 15,927
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Switzerland
- Region
- Solothurn
- Timezone
- Europe/Zurich
- Coordinates
- 47.1921, 7.3959
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Switzerland
Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.
Full driving guide for SwitzerlandTags
Worth the detour from Grenchen
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
historic highway
Circuit Bremgarten
The 7.3km forest circuit outside Bern where racing ended after Switzerland banned circuit motorsport in 1955. Its dappled, constantly curving roads through the Bremgartenwald are open to traffic and eerily unchanged.
27 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Kaufdorf VW Beetle Graveyard
Atmospheric forest clearing filled with rusting classic Volkswagen Beetles, a pilgrimage site for VW enthusiasts.
39 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Basel Zoo
Switzerland's oldest and most visited zoo, affectionately known as 'Zolli', with a strong conservation focus.
42 km · about 50 min drive
museum
Pantheon Basel
Striking rotunda in Muttenz where a spiral ramp climbs past decades of classic cars and motorcycles: part museum, part working forum for Basel's vintage-car scene.
42 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Basel
A cultural powerhouse at the meeting point of three countries, home to over 40 museums, a vibrant Rhine riverfront, and Art Basel.
43 km · about 50 min drive
mountain pass
Gurnigel Pass
A quiet ridge road in the Bernese Prealps with a long panorama over the Stockhorn chain.
51 km · about 60 min drive
museum
Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot
Peugeot's corporate museum tracing the brand's journey from pepper mills and bicycles to modern automobiles.
56 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Grenchen
12 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 27 kmCircuit BremgartenThe 7.3km forest circuit outside Bern where racing ended after Switzerland banned circuit motorsport in 1955. Its dappled, constantly curving roads through the Bremgartenwald are open to traffic and eerily unchanged.
- 51 kmGurnigel PassA quiet ridge road in the Bernese Prealps with a long panorama over the Stockhorn chain.
- 67 kmGlaubenbielen PassA quiet pass over the Obwalden ridge between Giswil and Sörenberg, with wide views over the Entlebuch biosphere.
- 67 kmJaun PassA friendly pass linking the Gruyère region to the Simmental, open all year and lined with chalet villages.
- 69 kmMount PilatusA jagged mountain above Lucerne reachable by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, steeped in dragon legends and offering 73-peak panoramas.
- 74 kmBrünig PassThe year-round link between Interlaken and Lucerne, low enough to stay open and scenic enough to enjoy.
Driving in Switzerland
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
- Vignette
- Required, around €42 for a short-stay sticker
When to drive here
April to October
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