Holidays in Interlaken

Interlaken is a small town with a huge reputation. It is one of Switzerland’s oldest tourist destinations generating revenues for Switzerland way out of proportion with its population of just 5000 people. Tourism is by far its biggest industry.

Interlaken has a privileged position in between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, from which its name is derived. It is also easy to access by train, allowing travellers easy transfer to the surrounding mountains, ski resorts and most significantly the Jungfrau.

The main reason for many to visit Interlaken is for a base to visit the surrounding areas and various activities. Click on the side link for a PDF plan of the surrounding Jungfrau region.

Things to see around Interlaken

Wilderswil, Gsteigwiler and Saxeten
The idyllic resort of Wilderswil is just 4 kms south from Interlaken and is an excellent base for adventure sports, walking, sightseeing. Gsteigwilder is on a sunny terrace at the foot of Schynige Platte which can be visited by cg-wheel railway. Saxaten is six kilometres further which provide a good variety of hotels and guest houses. Saxaten is a tiny village tucked away amongst the mountains which can be reached by sledge in the winter.

Beatenberg – Sunny Plateau
Beatenberg is 600 metres above Interlaken looking over the Lake of Thun. It is one of the most beautiful places to stay in the area with views across towards the Eiger, Mönch and the Jungfrau mountains. See untouched mountain valleys, breathtaking views, gentle alpine meadows and mountain streams which combine to offer real escape from the busy world. For the more energetic, there are many hiking options, sledge runs in the winter and family-friendly ski runs.

During the course of the year there are a number of cultural and folk events including the Bodenalp Mountain Festival, a cow show, the Alphorn Meet, and a cheese gathering.

Böningen
A 16^th century village on the lower banks of the Lake Brienz, with green meadows and picturesque wooden houses. A village rich in tradition and culture, marvel at the rushing streams from the glaciers above and the deep blue of the lake on which you can take excursions aboard the 1914 steamship, the “Lötschberg”.

Brienz – The Model Swiss Village
Brienz has a unique location above the lake of the same name. Experience the charm of its narrow streets bordered by traditional chalets. Brienz has a tradition of wood-carving and is even home to violin-making school. Nearby is the Ballenburg Open-Air museum, and a steam-powered wheel cog railway to the 2244m Brienzer Rothorn with its panoramic views. Take excursions to the other side of the lake to see the Giessbach waterfalls and the winter sport area of Axalp, which doubles as a walking centre in the summer.

Habkern
Habkern offers an insight into mountain farming life as well as an ideal escape from the rigours of modern life. There are are ski lifts here in the winter and outdoor pools in the summer. It has some cross-country ski paths snowshoe walking trails while also being convenient for a day out to visit the Jungfrau region. It’s about 20km from the centre of Interlaken in a high valley of an altitude of 1200 metres above sea level. It has a 17^th century church and many other traditional buildings.

Reaching Interlaken
We recommend travelling to Interlaken by train via Paris, Strasbourg, and Basel, it’s one of the most picturesque routes you can take in Europe and needn’t cost any more than a low-cost flight. What’s more, you can take a lot more luggage, not forgetting that you need to transfer train stations in Paris to gare de l’Est, which is about a five minute walk. For full details on what trains to take visit our Swiss Rail Travel page.

Alternatively you can fly to Zurich which is about 2.5 hours away by train. To find the cheapest ways to reach Zurich from where you live visit our cheap flights to Switzerland page.

Where to stay
There is a huge choice of hotels and guest houses in the region. Use our hotel partner, Booking.com to find hotels in Interlaken, Brienz, Böningen, Beatenburg, Wilderswil, or Habkern. 

Things to do around Interlaken

Jungfraujoch – The Top of Europe

This excursion has to be the highlight of any visit to Interlaken or the Jungfrau region. You catch a train from Interlaken west to Lauterbrunnen, from there via Wengen to Kleine Sheidegg to catch the final 7.km kilometre journey through the Eiger Mountain to Jungfraujoch, the highest rail station in Europe at over 3400 metres above sea level. Read our blog. 

Schilthorn
Enjoy views over the Eiger, Mönch, and the Jungfrau mountains as well as about 200 other peaks. Spend some time in the revolving restaurant and retrace the steps of James Bond. www.schilthorn.ch

Brienzer Rothorn
If you’re staying in the village of Brienz you’ll want to take the old cog wheel train up the Brienzer Rothorn Mountain, but it’s well worth the trip if you’re anywhere near here. Beautiful views through pine forests with gushing mountain streams. www. brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch

Boat Trips on the Lakes on Thun and Brienz
You can either hire your own boat or join a paddle-wheeled steam boat. Excellent dining on board plu things for the kids to do. www.bls.ch/schiff

St. Beatus Caves
Reachable by boat, bus, car or even on foot, follow this old pilgrim’s route. At the entrance to the stalactite grotto is a museum. www.beatushoehlen.ch

Harder Kulm
Reach the Harder Kulm, Interlaken’s closest mountain on a small funicular railway to get a panoramic view over the city and the lakes plus a great view of the Jungfrau region. www.jungfrau.ch

Trümmelbach Falls
Watch ten glacial waterfalls tumbling through the mountain. Illuminated in the dark, they are accessible by tunnel-lift. The Trümmelbach drains the glaciers from the three mountains of the Mönch, Jungfrau and the Eiger. The only accessible glacial falls in Europe. www.truemmelbach.ch

Schynige Platte
Take this cog-wheel railway to this peak, where many people claim this point to offer the finest views of the mountains. Plenty of walking opportunities from here with panoramic views all around. www.jungfrau.ch

Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
See how Switzerland was in the days when there was no tourism. See traditional architecture and chalets, gardens, fields, farm animals and crafts. www.ballenberg.ch

Beatenberg – Niederhorn
The Niederhorn rises to 1954 metres above sea-level and offers remarkable views over the lakes of Thin and Brienz and the mountains of Jungfrau, Mönch and the Eiger. Great for hiking, and also for spotting birds and animals. www.niederhorn.ch

Männlichen
The magnificent Männlichen is an ideal excursion for rest and recreation. A natural sun terrace with superb views. Again great views over the Jungfrau mountain range. www.maennlichen.ch

Grindelwald – First
Take the Jungfrau train to Kleine Scheidegg but carry on through to Grindelwald to see the Gondola and take the 25-minute journey to the top to see one of the finest vista’s in Europe. See the whole Bernese Alps from here. www.jungfrau.ch

Heimwehfluh
Another funicular railway to yet another amazing vantage point above Interlaken. www.heimwehfluh.ch