Things to Do, Best Time to Visit, Where to Stay & Day Trips
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and is one of Switzerland's major bases for mountain excursions and adventure activities. This guide covers what to do, where to stay, day trips and how to fit it into your Switzerland trip.
| Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Region | Bernese Oberland |
| Location | Between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz |
| Best known for | Alps, lakes, adventure and mountain excursions |
| Ideal stay | 2–4 days |
| Best for | Couples, families, adventure travelers |
| Popular mountain trips | Jungfraujoch, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte |
| Nearby destinations | Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen |
| Main stations | Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West |
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Main language | German-speaking region |
| Best season | Depends on activities — see below |
Interlaken sits in the canton of Bern, in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, in the flat valley directly between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz — its name literally means "between lakes." It's the natural gateway to the Jungfrau Region and the Bernese Alps beyond.
Typical route chain: Interlaken → Lake Thun → Lake Brienz → Grindelwald → Lauterbrunnen → Wengen → Mürren → Jungfraujoch.
Switzerland Tourism describes Interlaken as a major starting point for excursions into the Bernese Oberland and as a leading destination for adventure sports.
Lake Thun & Lake Brienz
Gateway to the high Alps
Full-day excursion base
Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau backdrop
Paragliding, canyoning, skydiving
Cable cars & cogwheel trains
Short train ride away
Waterfall valley nearby
Höhematte is the large central meadow at Interlaken's heart, with open mountain views and a front-row seat for paragliders landing overhead — best visited in the late morning or afternoon. The official Interlaken walking route covers roughly 3.44 km, taking in Höhematte, the Aare River, Höheweg and Unterseen's old town.
A funicular ride to a panoramic viewpoint over Interlaken and both lakes. Allow 2–3 hours round trip; go on a clear day for the best views.
Boat views of lakeside villages and castles, with connections onward to Thun and Spiez.
Known for strikingly turquoise water, with stops near Brienz and Giessbach Falls.
Switzerland Tourism lists paragliding, skydiving, rafting, canyoning, bungee jumping and climbing among activities available around Interlaken.
Dramatic cave formations on Lake Thun's shore — an easy add-on to a Lake Thun boat day.
A vintage cogwheel railway up to an Alpine garden and panoramic viewpoint — a quieter alternative to the busier excursions.
We can build Interlaken into a wider Switzerland itinerary with flights, hotels and mountain excursions arranged around your dates.
Switzerland Tourism specifically recommends Spiez, Thun and Oberhofen Castle as nearby excursions, alongside Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Schynige Platte and Schilthorn.
A short train ride away, with the Eiger's north face as a backdrop, the First cable car and cliff walk, and hiking trails for most fitness levels.
A dramatic waterfall valley a short train ride from Interlaken, with onward connections to the villages of Wengen and Mürren.
The highest-altitude excursion in the region — see the dedicated Jungfraujoch guide for full planning detail.
A car-free village with classic Alpine views, reached via Lauterbrunnen.
Another car-free village, higher up, with dramatic views toward the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
A cable car excursion above Mürren with a 360° summit viewpoint.
A multi-tier waterfall reached by boat and funicular from Lake Brienz.
A historic old town at the western end of Lake Thun, with a hilltop castle.
A lakeside village known for its castle directly on Lake Thun.
A lakeside castle with gardens, reached by boat or bus along Lake Thun.
| Day Trip | Approx. Time Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Jungfraujoch | Full day | Snow & high Alps |
| Grindelwald | Half / full day | Mountain scenery |
| Lauterbrunnen | Half / full day | Waterfalls |
| Mürren | Half / full day | Alpine village |
| Schilthorn | Half / full day | Mountain views |
| Lake Thun | Half / full day | Lakes & villages |
| Lake Brienz | Half / full day | Scenic lake experience |
| Thun | Half day | History & old town |
| Spiez | Half day | Lake & castle |
Timings are general planning guidance — always verify current transport schedules before your trip.
Interlaken is a base; the Jungfrau Region is the broader mountain destination. The Jungfrau Region covers the area around Jungfraujoch, the Eiger, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren and Schilthorn — a compact Alpine destination you access from Interlaken rather than a single town.
This page covers what you can do from Interlaken as a base; for deeper destination-specific detail, see our dedicated Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch guides.
The right duration depends on whether you prioritize sightseeing, hiking, adventure activities, mountain excursions, relaxation or family-paced days.
See Best Time to Visit Switzerland for the full national picture — here's what matters specifically for Interlaken.
There's no single best month for every traveler — match the season to whether you want hiking, snow, quiet scenery or full access to every excursion.
| Month | Weather Character | Best For | What to Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec–Feb | Cold, town-level snow possible | Nearby skiing, snow scenery | Thermal layers, waterproof boots |
| Mar–May | Variable, warming through spring | Quiet sightseeing, waterfalls | Layers, rain protection |
| Jun–Aug | Warm, longest daylight | Hiking, lakes, full excursions | Light layers, sun protection |
| Sep–Nov | Cooling, increasing altitude snow | Autumn colour, quieter travel | Layers, warm jacket |
Interlaken town weather is not the same as mountain weather — conditions can change significantly with altitude on any given day.
Switzerland Tourism notes that nearby winter areas include Grindelwald-First, Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg and Mürren-Schilthorn, all accessible by public transport from Interlaken.
Generally reached by direct or connecting train to Interlaken Ost or Interlaken West.
A longer rail journey, typically with at least one connection.
A relatively short, direct train connection makes Bern a convenient stop en route.
A scenic direct rail connection, often paired together in the same itinerary.
We prioritize train travel for these routes and don't publish exact current schedules — confirm connections on the current Swiss rail timetable before booking.
We don't recommend one pass to every traveler — compare validity, exclusions and mountain-rail coverage against your actual planned excursions before purchasing.
| Base | Best For | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken Ost | Jungfrau excursions, rail connections | Closest to Jungfrau Region trains | A short walk from the town center |
| Interlaken West | Town access, restaurants, shopping | Central, walkable to Höhematte | Can be busier in peak season |
| Unterseen | Quieter atmosphere, historic character | Charming old town feel | Slightly further from stations |
| Grindelwald | Mountain-focused stays | Closer to First and Jungfraujoch trains | Less lake access |
| Lauterbrunnen | Waterfall valley base | Dramatic scenery right outside | Smaller village, fewer amenities |
| Wengen / Mürren | Car-free Alpine village atmosphere | Quiet, classic Alpine views | Requires cable car/train access, less flexible |
Hostels and simple guesthouses, often near Interlaken West.
Standard hotels across both stations, generally the most common choice.
Lake-view or mountain-view hotels, some with spa facilities.
Self-catering apartments and family rooms are widely available for longer stays.
Fondue, raclette and rösti are widely available, alongside regional cheese dishes.
Chocolate shops and cafés line Höheweg and Bahnhofstrasse.
International restaurants and vegetarian options are common given the town's tourism focus.
For halal-friendly dining, check current menu or certification information directly with each restaurant rather than assuming — availability varies by venue.
See Switzerland Trip Cost From UAE for the full national budget guide — here's the Interlaken-specific picture.
Mountain excursions and adventure activities are usually the biggest variable cost — decide which ones matter most rather than trying to do everything.
See Switzerland Tour Package From UAE and Switzerland Trip Cost From UAE for further planning.
No destination here is universally "better" — this is about fit for your priorities.
| Comparison | How They Differ |
|---|---|
| Interlaken vs. Lucerne | Interlaken favors mountain excursions, lakes and adventure; Lucerne favors a compact historic old town alongside mountain access. Many itineraries include both. |
| Interlaken vs. Zermatt | Interlaken is a lower-altitude base with two lakes and broader adventure options; Zermatt is a higher-altitude, car-free village centered on the Matterhorn. |
| Interlaken vs. Grindelwald | Interlaken is the larger base town; Grindelwald is a quieter mountain village with more direct access to First and the Eiger. |
| Interlaken vs. Lauterbrunnen | Interlaken offers more amenities and lake access; Lauterbrunnen offers dramatic waterfall-valley scenery in a smaller, quieter setting. |
| Interlaken vs. Zurich | Interlaken is mountain- and lake-focused; Zurich is a city-and-culture base with less immediate Alpine access. |
Transport schedules, pass pricing and coverage, opening hours and seasonal operations can change. Always verify current information with Switzerland Tourism, official Interlaken/Jungfrau Region tourism sources and transport operators before booking.
Interlaken is famous for sitting between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, for being a major gateway to the Jungfrau Region and Jungfraujoch, and for adventure sports like paragliding, canyoning and skydiving.
Yes, especially if you want Alpine scenery, easy access to mountain excursions, two scenic lakes and adventure activities all from one base. Travelers wanting a single quiet mountain village rather than a base town may prefer Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or Mürren instead.
One day covers the highlights, two days work well for a first visit, three days is ideal for most travelers wanting a mountain excursion plus a lake or valley day, and four or more days suit slower travel with multiple excursions.
Walking around Höhematte and the town center, riding the Harder Kulm funicular for panoramic views, cruising Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, and using Interlaken as a base for Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are among the top experiences.
Yes — lake cruises, mountain railways and easy town walks work well for families, though some adventure activities and higher-altitude excursions suit older children better.
Yes — lake cruises, mountain viewpoints and nearby scenic villages make Interlaken a popular honeymoon base, particularly when paired with a night or two in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.
It depends on your goal — summer (June–September) suits hiking, lakes and full mountain-excursion access, while winter (December–March) suits nearby skiing and snow scenery. There's no single best month for every traveler.
Yes — Interlaken itself stays open year-round, and nearby winter sports areas including Grindelwald-First, Männlichen-Kleine Scheidegg and Mürren-Schilthorn are accessible by public transport in winter.
Interlaken is generally reached from Zurich Airport by train, arriving at either Interlaken Ost or Interlaken West station. Exact journey time and connections should be confirmed on the current Swiss rail timetable before travel.
Interlaken is generally a mid-to-premium Swiss destination, with mountain excursions and adventure activities adding meaningfully to a daily budget. Costs vary by accommodation choice, chosen excursions and season.
Interlaken Ost suits travelers prioritizing Jungfrau excursions and rail connections, Interlaken West suits those wanting easy access to restaurants and shopping, and Unterseen offers a quieter, more historic base.
Neither is universally better — Interlaken suits travelers prioritizing mountain excursions, lakes and adventure activities, while Lucerne suits those wanting a compact historic old town alongside mountain access. Many itineraries include both.
Yes — Interlaken is one of the most common bases for a Jungfraujoch day trip, with connecting trains running via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg.
Grindelwald is a short, direct train ride from Interlaken, commonly used as a half-day or full-day excursion. Confirm current journey time on the Swiss rail timetable.
Lauterbrunnen is also a short, direct train ride from Interlaken, making it an easy half-day or full-day valley and waterfall excursion. Confirm current journey time on the Swiss rail timetable.
Yes — Jungfraujoch is commonly visited as a full-day round trip from Interlaken, typically departing early to allow enough time at altitude before returning.
Interlaken has two main stations, Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West — which one to use depends on your hotel location and onward connection, so check your specific route before travelling.
Yes — Interlaken's mix of mountain excursions, lakes, family and honeymoon appeal, and manageable trip length make it a popular base for UAE travelers building a Switzerland itinerary.
Speak to Gulliver Travels about a Switzerland itinerary that includes Interlaken — flights, hotels, mountain excursions and day trips arranged around your dates.
Transport, pass and excursion details on this page are general guidance — always confirm current information before booking.
