Interlaken: 24 places to fall in love with Switzerland’s jewel
Interlaken has everything for a few days of active holidays. Nestled between the lakes of Thun and Brienz and escorted by three colossi of the Alps Bernese, such as the Eiger, the Mönch, and Her Majesty the Jungfrau, this Swiss city is an ideal destination whether it is your first time visiting Switzerland or if you have only a few days to enjoy this country.
Its privileged location in the heart of the mountainous region of Bernese Oberland makes Interlaken the perfect hub for spending a few days exploring the exuberant nature that surrounds it. As its own name indicates, this city is located on a unique plain crossed by the Aare River, a tributary of the Rhine, whose emerald waters connect the bucolic lakes of Thun and Brienz. In summer, both hide small beaches where you can take a refreshing dip and from which to practice various water sports. In winter, the surroundings offer a ski area with luxury views.
What to see in Interlaken
Visiting Interlaken is a good idea at any time of year. To prove it to you, I’ll show you plenty of places to see in Interlaken after having enjoyed it as a family. Its surroundings condense so many attractions that I sincerely recommend spending at least three nights just to see the basics. However, keep in mind that there are some cable cars and mountain trains that do not operate in winter. I recommend reading these tips for traveling to Switzerland
Before preparing your stay in Interlaken, remember to take out travel insurance for Switzerland. In this country, the European health card does not cover you 100%, because healthcare involves co-payments. I recommend including cancellation, as this is a very expensive destination to lose bookings. Take advantage of the fact that as a reader of this blog you have 5% discount on HeyMondo plus an extra 15% if you travel as a family.
Now then, take note of all the attractions that Interlaken and its surroundings boast.
The center of Interlaken
It’s true that of everything there is to see in Interlaken, possibly the city itself is the least attractive, but I do suggest taking a walk to get a feel for it. I can already tell you that in Interlaken luxury roams freely, and a good place to see this is, for example, at the Kursaal Casino. Just sitting in the park that surrounds it to contemplate an impressive panoramic view of the snowy peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch is already worth it.
Another free attraction in Interlaken is Höhematte, a large grassy esplanade from which you also have very good views and a playground. With luck, you’ll be able to see some of the brave souls landing there who decide to go paragliding over Interlaken in a tandem with a pilot who takes you.
Did you know that there are Japanese gardens in Interlaken? You can combine your visit with a walk afterwards along Centralstrasse, Interlaken’s main shopping street.
A bird's eye view of Interlaken from Harder Kulm
Another way to see Interlaken from above without having to go paragliding is taking the funicular up to Harder Kulm where a platform suspended in the air awaits you, from which you can overlook the city, the two lakes, and the snowy horizon of the Alps.
It will take you less than 10 minutes to reach this viewpoint by funicular, so it’s a plan you can do at any time during your stay in Interlaken. While it is true that the best time to go up to Harder Kulm is at sunset, if possible just 1 hour before, because the light is beautiful and you will see an unforgettable sunset.
At the top there is a restaurant—expensive, obviously—and you can do some routes in the surroundings. The price is about €34 round trip, although keep in mind that if you have the Swiss Travel Pass it will only be about €17 because you get a 50% discount. Children under 5 go up for free and those under 16 pay half price.
Schynige Platte
Another great plan in Interlaken is to ascend to the top of Schynige Platte aboard a romantic 19th-century cogwheel train with wooden seats. Once at the top, a network of trails and a very interesting alpine botanical garden that opens from July to October await you.
If I especially liked this place for one reason, it’s because while doing the circular route, you can enjoy spectacular views of Interlaken itself between Lakes Thun and Brienz, but as you continue walking, you will also see the peaks of the Eiger, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau. I didn’t find another spot near Interlaken that offered this combo of panoramas.
As in almost all the mountains in the area, there is a restaurant at the top and, next to it, a playground for the little ones. The 2023 price to go up to Schynigge Platte on the cogwheel train from Wilderswil, which you can reach by bus or train from Interlaken in less than 10 minutes, is about €64 round trip for adults or €32 with the Swiss Travel Pass. Children under 6 years old ride for free.
The star of Interlaken: Jungfraujoch
The Sphinx Observatory at Jungfraujoch.
Also known as Top of Europe, the summit of the Jungfrau peak, with its height of 4,158 meters, is a real magnet for those traveling to Interlaken. Getting there is not cheap, but those who do say it is money well spent.
After getting off at the highest railway station in Europe, you will be at Jungfraujoch where you can admire the Aletsch glacier, and even go down to walk on it, look out from the panoramic terraces of the Sphinx astrological observatory, see a collection of ice sculptures and even get an adrenaline rush with a bunch of snow activities at Snow Fun Park.
To go up, you can do it from Grindelwald, on the new Eiger Express cable car to the Eigergletscher station where you can take a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch.
Views of Jungfraujoch from the Hotel Bellevue des Alpes.
The most traditional way is to take the train up from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to the beautiful mountain pass of Kleine Scheidegg where you take the train that, through tunnels, leads you to the summit. I stayed at that pass looking at the Jungfrau with envy because my son, who was only six months old, started to have a fever.
From here, you can book your ascent to Jungfraujoch. Remember that if you have the Jungfrau Travel Pass, this ascent is already included, and if, on the other hand, you have the Swiss Travel Pass you get a 25% discount. Check the weather forecast before going up.
Lauterbrunnen
This place is undoubtedly one of the essential excursions to do from Interlaken. Lauterbrunnen, also known as the valley of the 72 waterfalls due to the number of waterfalls that line its rocky walls, is a true beauty. The famous Staubbachfall waterfall will welcome you, peeking through the wooden houses of the village which can be reached by train in just half an hour from Interlaken.
But if you want to see more waterfalls you can keep walking along the valley floor. On the way you have the incredible underground waterfalls of Trümmelbach where the roar of the water is such that access is not allowed for children under 4 years old because their hearing could be damaged. Entry costs about €14 and you can reach it by walking from Lauterbrunnen or taking bus 141.
Here I tell you more things in detail to see in Lauterbrunnen.
Schilthorn
Climbing to the summit of Schilthorn can be one of the highlights of your trip to Interlaken. The views from the Piz Gloria panoramic rotating restaurant are incredible. Plus, James Bond fans will enjoy it twice as much because scenes from one of his movies were filmed here. Book the ascent to Schilthorn and Thrill Walk, a metal walkway suspended in the void at the Birg intermediate stop, not suitable for people with vertigo
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Wengen
From Lauterbrunnen, you can reach the alpine village of Wengen by train. A small car-free gem that offers beautiful views of the valley and the giant Eiger glacier in the background. Another very similar place but on the other side of the valley is Mürren.
If you are going with children, a good idea from Wengen is to take the cable car to Männlichen and get off there to do the Liselotte Trail, a children’s hiking route themed around the world of cows that will delight the little ones. It consists of three and a half kilometers of fun and challenges to overcome to Holenstein where you can take another cable car to Grindelwald and from there the train to Interlaken
Grindelwald
Here comes another essential excursion from Interlaken. Simply walking through the streets of Grindelwald is already a real treat for the eyes. Just by looking up, your retina will start to go crazy with the alpine landscape.
In winter, Interlaken’s largest and most famous ski area awaits you. The rest of the year, this place is a paradise for hikers. The most famous route is the Eiger Trail, 14 kilometers that mostly run under the north face of the Eiger, a challenging 1,800-meter-high wall of stone and ice that attracts the most experienced mountaineers and climbers
Challenge yourself to do the section that goes down to Grindelwald from the hotel Bellevue, in Kleine Scheidegg, passing through Alpliglen. It is about five hours of absolute beauty.
Lake Bachalpsee
From Grindelwald, another of the essential places that you cannot miss during your stay in Interlaken is Lake Bachalpsee. Take the cable car to First (included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass or with a 50% discount if you have the Swiss Travel Pass) and start walking for about an hour to the shore to be amazed by the views. It is a simple route that you can do with children, but go well wrapped up and with something to eat to recharge your strength.
First Cliff Walk
On the way to the lake, do not overlook this crazy viewpoint suspended in the air. Few things are free in Interlaken, this walkway is, so it should go straight to your list of essentials. However, remember that you have to pay for the cable car to First.
If you are going with children to Interlaken and go up to First, you have two very cool children’s play areas here. One next to the Schreckfeld restaurant, which you can walk down to from First in 30 minutes or go back via the cable car, stopping at Schreckfeld station. The other, much more spectacular option, is Alpenspielplatz at the Bort cable car stop, before reaching Grindelwald
Cruise on Lakes Thun and Brienz
As the name suggests, Interlaken is located in the middle of two beautiful turquoise water lakes: Thun and Brienz. It would be unforgivable to return from Interlaken without having taken a small cruise on at least one of the two to enjoy the views.
Remember that if you have the Swiss Travel Pass, this activity is included and will be free for you. If you don’t have it, you can check the boat prices, as well as the schedules.
Take advantage of these boat trips from Interlaken to see many things around these lakes: medieval villages, caves, panoramic bridges, museums, and even a castle. Here are some of them
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
Interlaken and Lake Brienz seen from Schynige Platte
If you are going to Switzerland with children, take note of this suggestion because just getting there is a great plan if you choose to go from Interlaken by boat across Lake Brienz. You can also do it by train. Both options will drop you off in Brienz where you must take bus 151 to reach the museum. With the first option, it will take around 1 hour and a half and with the second about 50 minutes.
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum recreates what life was like in ancient times with great detail and charm. The little ones will be able to enter the houses and stables, greet the farm animals, and participate in the workshops and interactive exhibitions. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass you can enter for free instead of paying around €32 per adult and €16 per child between 6 and 16 years old.
St. Beatus Caves
Another different plan in Interlaken is exploring this cave with an interior waterfall that flows outside where you can bypass it by crossing several bridges before accessing the entrance to the grotto. Inside the St. Beatus Caves, a route of approximately one kilometer awaits you among stalactites and stalagmites that will appeal to the whole family and is just a small part of the complex network of underground galleries that continues inland.
The ticket includes access to a small museum that is the perfect complement to the visit. In addition, there is also a restaurant and a playground along the way. If you go with children, encourage them to look for a small dragon in the cave, a tribute to the one that according to legend St. Beatus himself defeated there.
It is open daily from April to October from 9 am to 6 pm and every weekend of the year until 9 pm. The price for the St. Beatus Caves is about €19 for adults, about €11 for children aged 6 to 16, and free for the little ones. From Interlaken, you can get there on bus 21 in about 15 minutes.
Sigriswil Suspension Bridge
If you don’t have vertigo, plan to look out from this suspension bridge at a height of 180 meters that connects the villages of Sigriswil and Aeschlen. About 350 meters of pure adrenaline offering a beautiful panoramic view of Lake Thun with Mount Niesen in the background, the curious pyramid-shaped mountain.
Crossing this panoramic bridge costs about €8 and those under 16 do not pay. If you don’t have a rental car which would be the easiest way to get there, the other faster option is to go from Interlaken on bus 21 using the Swiss Travel Pass, get off in Gunten and there take bus 25 to Sigriswil.
This plan for things to do in Interlaken is perfect for a day trip if you combine it, for example, with the St. Beatus Caves, which are a bit earlier on the same shore. Afterward, the next stop could be Oberhofen Castle.
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Oberhofen Castle
The silhouette of this original castle seems to float on Lake Thun. Located on its shore, you can see it from the boat from Interlaken to Thun or be encouraged to get off to visit it up close. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, admission to the castle and its museum is included, otherwise, visiting it will cost about €12 for adults, €5 for children aged 6 to 16, and free for the little ones. Access to the gardens of the park surrounding it is free.
Just from the outside, the Oberhofen Castle is already a real beauty. Don’t expect a large medieval fortress, but rather a delicate set of towers and spires that invites you to take photos non-stop, even more so when seen from the water.
Thun, Interlaken's rival
This charming city with the soul of a medieval village is reminiscent of a small Lucerne in miniature. Bathed by the waters of the Aare River and the lake that bears its name, Thun is perfect for visiting from Interlaken.
Go up to the castle via the beautiful wooden-roofed staircase known as Kirchtreppe. Admission to Thun Castle, whose origins date back to the 12th century, is also included in the Swiss Travel Pass. Take a look at its walls, at the views, and go back down through Rathausplatz to explore the old town filled with beautiful facades. Don’t forget to stroll along the docks where there are many terraces and you can see the covered bridges of Obere (maybe you’ll see surfers there in summer) and Untere.
Part of that historic center is located on a small island formed by a fork in the Aare River. You can reach Thun from Interlaken on a peaceful boat cruise across the lake, which is also included in the Swiss Travel Pass that you can buy here. A good idea is to go directly from Interlaken by train because it only takes half an hour and then return by boat, stopping in Spiez.
Spiez
Another day of your stay in Interlaken can be dedicated to visiting Spiez, also on the shores of Lake Thun. This beautiful town is surrounded by green hills dotted with vineyards and is protected by the pyramidal mountain Niesen.
It has a most bucolic pier to stroll along, a small castle, a church, and plenty of charm to get lost in its streets at your own pace. You can also reach it by the boat included in the Swiss Travel Pass or in half an hour by taking the train that borders the lake.
Lago Blausee
Another place you cannot miss while in Interlaken is this bucolic lake with incredibly transparent waters and a color difficult to describe. While it’s true that it is very touristy (what isn’t in Interlaken?), walking along the shore of Lake Blausee, riding in its boats, and even having a barbecue while enjoying the views is a calm and peaceful plan that I do recommend.
Entry costs about 13 francs and there are plenty of services inside. To go from Interlaken, you have to go by car or take the train to Spiez (or take advantage if you are doing the Lake Thun cruise) and then the 230 bus.
Subir al Niessen
In the area of Interlaken there are mountains to collect, but Niesen is truly unique and unmistakable. Its triangular silhouette that looks like a pyramid and reflects in Lake Thun has something that attracts in an almost hypnotic way. On my family trip through Switzerland, I stayed right across from it, and contemplating it at any time of day, especially at sunset, was incredible.
You can go up to its summit, at an altitude of about 2,300 meters, on a funicular railway with a steep incline. If you are very sporty, you can also do the same route but climbing the longest staircase in the world with almost 12,000 steps that runs alongside the tracks.
At the top, besides the restaurant that organizes many activities, there is a small playground, hiking trails, beautiful views (I recommend checking the visibility on the web cam) and an accommodation where you can stay overnight by reservation. If it coincides with a full moon night, go up just before sunset! They host special evenings and the train schedule is extended until 10:55 p.m.
Lago Oeschinen
If you stay several nights in Interlaken, one of the places that receives the most praise is Lake Oeschinen, a landscape that could well be your computer wallpaper with a fascinating turquoise water lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
To go up, you have to take the cable car that leaves from Kandersteg, which you can reach by train from Interlaken, and then walk for about 25 minutes along a simple route. If you have purchased the Swiss Travel Pass, the cable car will cost you about €15 and double if you don’t have it.
In addition to enjoying the lake and the hiking trails there are, you can go down the Rodelbahn alpine slide.
Jungfrau Park
If it rains in Interlaken, which would not be unusual at all, and you are also traveling with children, here is an alternative plan very close to the city center, although you do need a rental car or take the bus. You can visit Jungfrau Park, a gigantic family entertainment park that includes everything from shows to virtual reality, passing through a large children’s area and even a swimming area with inflatables in summer.
Aare Gorge
About half an hour from Interlaken, there is a place where you can walk through the bowels of the earth. The Aare Gorges o Aareschlucht are a brutal gorge shaped for centuries by the waters of the Aare River, the same one that later divides Interlaken in two.
You can walk it from start to finish along a walkway that snakes at times hanging from the rock, at times through tunnels excavated inside the rock. The route that starts in Meiringen takes about 40 minutes if you complete it entirely. Along the way, there are two small waterfalls that give even more charm to this striking place.
If you go in summer, keep in mind that on Fridays and Saturdays, the gorge is illuminated in a special way between 18:30 and 22:00 hours.
Sherlock Holmes Waterfall
The excursion from Interlaken to the Aare Gorges can be combined with a visit to the Reichenbach Falls also known as the Sherlock Holmes waterfall. This curious name comes from the fact that the writer Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired by this place for his novel as the setting for the death of his legendary character when he fell during a fight with Professor Moriarty.
This waterfall with a literary air is reached after a beautiful journey on a historic wooden cogwheel train. Afterwards, a short walk through several platforms awaits you to contemplate the waterfalls from different points of view. You will see a statue in honor of Sherlock Holmes and there is also a small museum. You can buy a combined ticket with the Aare Gorges as they are very close in the Haslital Valley.
Excursion from Interlaken to Bern
The capital of Switzerland, declared a World Heritage Site, is just one hour from Interlaken by train and 45 minutes away by car. If you have enough days during your stay in Interlaken, I suggest spending the day in this charming city.
Just walking along the main artery of its old town, the avenue Kramgasse, is already worth it to fall in love with its fairytale facades adorned with flags, its arcades, and its colorful Renaissance fountains. Will you find the bear in armor and the ogre eating people?
- Here I tell you in detail what to see in Bern.
Where to stay in Interlaken
As you have already seen, there is plenty to do and to see in Interlaken and its surroundings. For that reason, my recommendation is that, as far as possible, you stay in Interlaken for at least three nights, but if you can stay longer, even better, especially if you want to do some hiking routes.
In my case, I stayed five nights in Interlaken to explore the area and left places to see and routes to do. While it’s true that I was traveling with a baby and the pace was slower. Before that, I spent two nights in Lucerne, one in Bern and then visited Solothurn before returning.
Get your wallet ready because in Interlaken, as in all of Switzerland, the accommodation is very expensive. Try to book as far in advance as possible because prices go up, and a lot. If you can get an apartment, even better, because a kitchen where you can prepare picnics to take with you and save on breakfasts and dinners is essential.
Widen the search range because sometimes staying on the outskirts in places like the hotel Edelweiss Lodge in Wilderswil can be a very good idea that your wallet will thank you for.
If you want to stay in the center of Interlaken, take a look at the Interlaken Youth Hostel which has rooms with bathroom and breakfast included at a good price. If you prefer to have more space and your own kitchen, I recommend the City Center Apartment, very well located and relatively affordable for Switzerland.
How to get to Interlaken
From Basel airport to Interlaken, if you go by car you have two options, via Bern on the A1 or via Lucerne on the A2, but in both cases it will take more or less the same, a little less than two hours depending on traffic.
For getting to Interlaken by public transport from Basel airport, you first have to take bus 50 to the station, known as Bahnhof, and then there is a direct train. In total, it takes about two and a half hours.
If you want to go from Zurich to Interlaken, the fastest way is to drive via the A8 passing through Lucerne. Thus, by car, it will take an hour and a half. By train, there is one that goes direct to Interlaken in just two hours without having to change. In case you don’t have much time to see Interlaken and you are in Zurich, a good idea would be to take the excursion to Interlaken and Grindelwald or the one that takes you straight to Jungfraujoch.
How to get around Interlaken
If you have a rental car, be aware that parking in Interlaken is not easy at all. In Switzerland, you need a parking disc to leave visible in the car marking the time you arrived. You usually have one hour of free parking, up to an hour and a half in practice, in the blue zones. Between 6:00 PM and 8:00 AM, you can park without needing to display the disc.
If you are going to travel by public transport with a pass like the Swiss Travel Pass, you must keep in mind that Interlaken has two train stations: Ost and West. Ost can be considered the main one because it is from where direct trains depart to places like Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald or Bern. However, if you stay near Interlaken West, sometimes you will simply have to change trains at Ost and that’s it.
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