Interlaken is a popular tourist town nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Known for its stunning natural surroundings, it serves as a gateway to the Jungfrau Region, offering access to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Switzerland. The town is adorned with traditional Swiss architecture, luxurious hotels, and numerous eateries and shops.
Interlaken is also a hub for adventure sports, with opportunities for hiking, skiing, paragliding, and water sports. Noteworthy attractions include the Höhematte park with panoramic mountain views, the Harder Kulm viewpoint, and the Jungfrau Park amusement park. With its strategic location and range of activities, Interlaken has much to offer both adventure enthusiasts and those seeking tranquil alpine serenity.
Google map of Interlaken
The Best Things to Do in Interlaken
Jungfrau
Jungfrau is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps, located near Interlaken, Switzerland. Known as the “Top of Europe,” it’s home to the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters above sea level. Offering awe-inspiring views of the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding peaks, Jungfrau is a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and mountaineering. It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.
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Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz is an enchanting body of water situated to the east of Interlaken, Switzerland. Known for its turquoise color and surrounded by steep mountains, it provides an idyllic setting for boating and swimming in summer, while hiking trails around its perimeter offer stunning views. The lake is also home to traditional Swiss villages like Brienz, renowned for its wood-carving heritage.
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Schynige Platte
Schynige Platte is a mountain ridge and popular excursion destination in the Bernese Oberland area near Interlaken. Accessible via a nostalgic cogwheel railway, it offers panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountain range. The area boasts of numerous hiking trails, an alpine garden, and opportunities to witness traditional alpine farming.
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Lake Thun
Lake Thun is a large alpine lake located to the west of Interlaken. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with picturesque towns and castles, the lake offers a myriad of water activities, including sailing, windsurfing, and swimming. Boat cruises on Lake Thun, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape, are a popular tourist activity.
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Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm is a viewpoint located at 1,322 meters above sea level in Interlaken. Reached by a funicular railway, it provides panoramic views of Interlaken, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks as a backdrop. The restaurant at the summit, resembling a small castle, enhances the visitor’s experience.
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Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht)
Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht) is a dramatic natural feature located near Interlaken. The gorge, carved by the Aare River over thousands of years, spans over 1.4 kilometers and is flanked by limestone cliffs reaching up to 180 meters high. Visitors can explore it via a well-maintained walkway offering stunning views of the rock formations and rushing water.
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Niederhorn
Niederhorn is a mountain peak in the Bernese Alps overlooking Lake Thun. It’s easily accessible by a funicular railway and cable car from the town of Beatenberg. Niederhorn offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, paragliding, and mountain biking in the summer, and skiing and sledging during the winter months. Its summit offers exceptional views of the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun, and the Swiss Plateau.
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Giessbach Waterfalls (Giessbachfälle)
Giessbach Waterfalls (Giessbachfälle) is a cascade of fourteen waterfalls located near Lake Brienz, in the vicinity of Interlaken. Accessible by a funicular or walking trails, it offers an impressive spectacle of water rushing over cliffs, especially in spring and summer. The nearby historic Grandhotel Giessbach adds to the charm of the location.
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Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum
Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum is a sprawling cultural museum located near Interlaken. It displays more than 100 original buildings from various Swiss cantons, showcasing centuries of rural Swiss architecture, traditions, and lifestyle. Visitors can explore these historic buildings, observe traditional crafts, and interact with farm animals.
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Hoheweg (Main Street in Interlaken)
Interlaken Hoheweg is the main street in Interlaken, flanked by hotels, restaurants, and shops. It’s a bustling promenade that extends from Interlaken West Station to Interlaken East Station. Noteworthy landmarks along the street include the Casino Kursaal and the Höheweg Park, which offers splendid views of the Jungfrau massif.
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St. Beatus Caves
St. Beatus Caves is a system of limestone caves located above Lake Thun, near Interlaken. According to legend, these were once the refuge of dragon-slaying Saint Beatus. Today, visitors can explore well-lit walkways leading deep into the mountain, past impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and underground waterfalls.
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Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a picturesque mountain village located in the Bernese Oberland region, close to Interlaken. Known as the ‘Glacier Village’, it offers a striking panorama of the Eiger North Face. Grindelwald serves as a gateway to the Jungfrau Region and offers numerous outdoor activities including hiking, biking, climbing, and winter sports.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Lauterbrunnen Valley is a stunning alpine area situated near Interlaken. Known for its 72 waterfalls, it’s surrounded by towering rock faces and mountain peaks. The valley is a popular base for exploring the Jungfrau Region, with access to Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. The idyllic villages of Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, and Wengen enhance the charm of this Swiss valley.
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