Interlaken

Overview

Interlaken sits on a flat valley floor between Lake Thun (turquoise-green) and Lake Brienz (cobalt blue), ringed on three sides by the Swiss Alps and with the Jungfrau massif — Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau — directly to the south. It is, simply, one of the most dramatically situated towns in Europe. The Alpine scenery is the attraction; the town itself is a functional tourism hub, busy with adventure sports operators, Swiss chocolate shops, and tourists from across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Come for the mountains, not the town.

Best Time to Visit

June to September for hiking, adventure sports, and the full Alpine green. Late July and August are peak season — the meadows above the valley are in bloom, every activity is available, and the weather is warmest (22–26°C in the valley). September is quieter, the light is golden, and the first larch colours appear. December to March for skiing on the Jungfrau ski region (Grindelwald and Wengen slopes). The shoulder months (April–May, October–November) bring snow at altitude and uncertain valley weather.

Key events: Unspunnen Festival (August, every 12 years — yodelling, stone-throwing, traditional games), Grindelwald Snow & Symphony (January/February).

Top Things to Do

Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

At 3,454m, the Jungfraujoch saddle is the highest railway station in Europe, reached by a cogwheel railway that bores through the Eiger and Mönch mountains. The view from the top — over the Aletsch Glacier (the longest glacier in the Alps) toward Italy — is extraordinary. The Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace (carved tunnels inside the glacier), and the Snowland activities area are all on site. The round trip takes most of a day from Interlaken; book tickets in advance, especially in summer. The cost is substantial (CHF 220+) but the experience is genuinely unique.

Paragliding over the Interlaken Valley

Flying above the valley with the Jungfrau massif ahead of you and the two lakes below is, by common consent, one of the finest paragliding environments on earth. Tandem flights launch from Beatenberg or Niederhorn and land on the Höhematte meadow in the town centre. Multiple operators; flights take 20–30 minutes. No experience required.

Harder Kulm Viewpoint

The Harderbahn funicular climbs 740m in 8 minutes from the centre of Interlaken to the Harder Kulm restaurant and viewing platform. The 360° panorama takes in both lakes, the entire valley, and the Jungfrau and Brienzergrat ranges. The sunset view is the finest in the region and requires far less commitment than Jungfraujoch. The Two Lakes Bridge (suspended over the gorge below the restaurant) adds drama.

Lake Brienz by Boat or Paddleboard

The cobalt-blue Lake Brienz to the east is Interlaken's quieter lake, fed by glacier meltwater and strikingly coloured. Paddle steamer cruises run to Brienz town (and the Rothorn rack railway) and the Giessbach waterfall. Paddleboard rentals and kayaking are available from the lake shore; the water is cold but clear.

Grindelwald & the Eiger Trail

The village of Grindelwald (30 minutes from Interlaken Ost by train) sits beneath the north face of the Eiger — the mountain whose unclimbed wall obsessed European alpinism for 100 years. The Eiger Trail (4 hours) crosses below the face, close enough to hear rockfall. From Grindelwald, the First gondola ascends to 2,168m and connects to walking routes, the First Cliff Walk (a cantilever path over the void), and mountain biking trails.

White-water Rafting on the Lütschine

The glacial rivers flowing into Lake Brienz from the mountains above Grindelwald are rafted by operators throughout summer. Grade 3–4 rapids, clean glacial water, and the Bernese Oberland gorges as scenery. Half-day trips depart from Interlaken; no experience required.

Lake Thun & Thun Castle

Thun, at the western end of Lake Thun (20 minutes by train), has a beautifully preserved medieval old town and a 12th-century castle with four round towers. The lake boat between Interlaken and Thun passes the Schloss Hünegg and Schloss Oberhofen (both on the shore). Oberhofen Castle, with its Ottoman smoking room and tiered rose garden, is worth the ferry stop.

Neighbourhoods Guide

Interlaken is essentially divided by the Aare river channel connecting the two lakes:

Interlaken Ost (East) — Near the eastern station. Most adventure sports operators, the Höhematte (landing meadow), and the connection to the Jungfrau railway.

Interlaken West — Near the western station. Main shopping street (Höheweg), large hotels, and the Lake Thun boat pier.

Matten — The quiet residential area south of the centre. Some good guesthouses and slightly removed from the tourist bustle.

For a different (and more authentic) experience, base yourself in Grindelwald (for skiers and serious hikers) or Iseltwald or Brienz (for lake access and tranquillity).

Food & Drink

Interlaken's restaurant scene is international and somewhat tourist-oriented; the Swiss classics are the most reliable:

• Rösti — Grated potato cake, Swiss comfort food. Best versions are crispy outside, soft inside. Order with a fried egg on top.
• Raclette — Melted cheese scraped over potatoes, cornichons, and pickled onions. The communal dinner ritual of the Swiss Alps.
• Fondue — Cheese fondue (Gruyère and Vacherin) is the other raclette. Order it for two; it requires concentration and bread.
• Älplermagronen — Alpine macaroni: pasta with potatoes, cheese, cream, and fried onions. The Swiss mountains' answer to mac and cheese, and better.
• Swiss chocolate — Lindt, Toblerone, and Cailler are Swiss; the best regional chocolates come from smaller producers. Interlaken's main street has a dozen chocolate shops.

For après-hike drinks: Hooters is ironically the most famous Interlaken bar among backpackers. The local options are better — Stadthaus, any terrace on Höheweg.

Getting Around

Interlaken's two train stations (Ost and West) connect to the Swiss rail network. The valley is flat and cycleable between stations. The Jungfrau railway departs from Interlaken Ost. Boats cross both lakes. Within the resort area, the main transport is the network of trains, gondolas, and funiculars that access the mountains. Driving is not required or recommended.

From Bern: 55 minutes by direct train (runs hourly). From Zurich: 2 hours. From Geneva: 2.5 hours. All are comfortable and scenic.

Budget Guide

Switzerland is expensive. Budget accordingly:

Save significantly: Buy a Swiss Travel Pass for multi-day visitors (covers trains, boats, and some gondolas). Jungfraujoch is cheaper early morning (Good Morning Ticket). Picnic instead of restaurant lunch — Swiss supermarkets (Migros, Coop) are excellent.

Day Trips

• Bern — Switzerland's federal capital. UNESCO old town, arcaded streets, the bear park, and the excellent Museum of Fine Arts. 55 minutes by train.
• Lucerne — Lake Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge (Europe's oldest wooden bridge), the Lion Monument. 1 hour 50 minutes by train.
• Lauterbrunnen Valley — The deepest valley in the Alps, with 72 waterfalls including Staubbachfall (297m). The Trümmelbach Falls (glacial waterfalls inside the mountain) are extraordinary. 20 minutes from Interlaken Ost.
• Iseltwald — A tiny peninsula village on Lake Brienz where the Squid Game dock scene was filmed; significant increase in visitors followed. 20 minutes by boat.

Practical Info

• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF). 1 EUR ≈ 0.93 CHF (2026). Cards accepted everywhere; contactless preferred. Swiss ATMs dispense CHF in larger denominations than most expect.
• Language: Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch), which is not the same as standard German. English is universally spoken in tourist areas.
• Tipping: Service included; rounding up is polite but not obligatory.
• Safety: Exceptionally safe. Switzerland consistently ranks as the world's safest country.
• Swiss Travel Pass: Covers trains, buses, boats, and selected mountain transport. Essential for visitors planning multiple day trips.