Hi Mark.
Welcome to My Swiss Alps.
It’s nice to be reminded of Amden. We spent a very pleasant night there, on our way back to Zürich airport from Ftan, many years ago. We stayed at the Hotel Arvenbuel. On the weekend day that we were there, the owners had a midday concert with a local group of musicians as a free event for the townspeople, and we enjoyed the crowd and the music. We did have to pay for our beers. They also listened to us and arranged a special wine at dinner, after we told them some of the details of where we had been on our trip. All very hospitable.
That said, I would not go out of my way to visit Amden. We have never been back. We walked around a bit and took a trail for a few km. Nothing to remember. It was a cloudy day…..might have some nice views on a clear day.
Why did your friend recommend it?
Grindelwald is a well known destination in the Jungfrau Region, although I prefer Wengen.
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/tips-about-wengen-and-the-jungfrau-region-by-kim
Each of the villages in the Jungfrau region has special character of its own. What has attracted you or your friend specifically to Grindelwald? It is quite nice, and it is the most commercial of the 4 main villages near the Jungfrau.
http://www.myswissalps.com/gr indelwald
Zürich is the best airport for your needs. Where are you coming from? The only airports with major international connections are Zürich and Geneva. Geneva is a good deal further away, especially from Amden.
Both towns are within reach of Zürich airport by car. Stay in either one of them. Many options in Grindelwald. Hard to say about Amden. It is not a normal tourist destination. Where did your friend stay?
This map may help you. Use the search function for place names:
map.search.ch/Amden?poi=default&pos=714816 ,227648&z=4&poi_id=a50 96766ecf5d090-tel
By the way, once you are in Grindelwald, you will park your car. Any of the attractions around there are in car-free zones.
Slowpoke