There are many things to do in Interlaken, from boat trips on Lakes Thun and Brienz, exciting train and funicular trips to the dazzling surrounding mountain heights.
Interlaken is an excellent base for seeing the greatest of central Switzerland’s wonderful views. And exploring the beautiful mountains of the region.
With its natural location at the center for the Bernese Alps, and bounded with crystal clear lakes, Interlaken is heaven in central Switzerland.
It is situated on a narrow strip of land between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, each of which are nourished by the River Aare.
What is Interlaken Famous For?
The lush green & beautiful place offers tourists a beautiful contrasting appeal, there are many things to see in Interlaken.
Both within the town itself as well as providing plenty of day trips from the town.
Interlaken is among the oldest, best known, and most famous summer vacation destinations in Switzerland. Day or night, you will discover plenty of things to do in Interlaken.
As well as an endless selection of walks, climbs, and outdoor activities. There are many other sports activities created for athletic visitors.
Whether you want an outdoor experience of hiking or skydiving or cultural experience. Such as dining and castles, Interlaken is the perfect destination.
1- Schynige Platte
Coming first in the list of Interlaken things to do, is to go on top of Schynige Platte.
It is a mountain just south of Interlaken within the Jungfrau Region & is reached with a cogwheel train from Wilderswil in the town, which is the best way to see the stunning views around the mountain.
The larger the train climbs, the more breathtaking becomes the Mountain View that reveals itself.
However, it takes one hour to hike from Wilderswil to the Schynige Platte. Once on top, hikers can’t get an adequate amount of beautiful views.
There are enough reasons why you should make the journey.
Come to look straight down on Interlaken, which seems tiny from up, and look at hills similar to Schreckhorn, the northernmost European peak over 4,000 meters.
Additionally, There’s also an Alpine garden, with 650 flowering plants, another panoramic restaurant, and the ridge is the trailhead for brief and long hikes to see more of three hills.
The Schynige Platte’s versatile landscape fascinates site visitors time and time again.
The trek to the Burglauenen point leads past the Alp Iselten and gives you views across the Lütschinen valley and to the three mountains of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Interlaken to Schynige Platte:
The journey starts from Wilderswil station, which you can get through by taking the Bernese Oberland Railway from Interlaken Ost or by personal car.
You might then be ready to start your nostalgic visit to the breathtaking views of Schynige Platte.
Think of past days as you sit back & relax for the 7 kilometer ride up the Schynige Platte. Enjoy the fantastic view across Lake Thun and also the stunning mountains beyond.
Because the rack-and-pinion railway chugs comfortably up the mountain, passing through alpine pastures and areas of a massive forest. You will reach the Schynige Platte in around 1 hour.
Tips:
Operates from the end of May towards the end of October.
Frequent trips every 40 minutes from Wilderswil place.
The journey time is one hour.
Check always times associated with the final descent.
Reach Wilderswil place via the Bernese Oberland Railway, local bus, or private car.
2- Harder Kulm
One of the best things to do in Interlaken is to visit the Harderkulm viewpoint, which is 1,321 meters above the sea level situated in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland.
When overlooking the towns of Interlaken and Unterseen from the viewing platform, which projects over the mountain and has a glass floor, whenever you look down at Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, both lakes are dazzling.
Everything looks so tiny, and the view of surrounding mountains Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau is so mesmerizing.
A short walk from Interlaken-Ost railway station takes you to your Harder Railway valley station. And then with a contemporary funicular to Harder Kulm, you will reach just in 10 minutes.
The funicular, which is more than 100 yrs old, transports you to the Harder Kulm at 1322 meters above sea level.
The trip to the summit place is thrillingly steep, and all over the journey, you can marvel at an impressive landscape of lakes and mountain ranges.
Things to do in Harder Kulm:
The Harder Kulm is the best destination for gourmets, fans of excellent views, sportsmen, hikers, and nature lovers.
From the mountain place, a simple path leads to the inviting Panorama Restaurant in just five minutes; the restaurant’s sun terrace is just a great destination to relax.
A few steps from this are the glazed watching platform of the Two Lakes Bridge, which guarantees superb, panoramic views.
Moreover, Visit the Harder Alpine Wildlife Park to see marmots and ibexes. The latter, once a typical resident of the Alps, had turned out to be extinct in Switzerland by the very early 1900s.
This park was made to reintroduce the ibex. Also, the breeding ended up being so successful that within a few years, they were in a position to begin reintroducing these beautiful creatures into the wild.
3- Canyoning Interlaken
From easy family-orientated outings to higher-level & extreme adventures, Outdoor Interlaken provides a canyoning experience that is suitable for almost all ages.
If you’d like to take your Interlaken trip up a level, you can’t just lose out on a canyoning adventure in a neighborhood canyon! Canyoning Interlaken offers an extreme level of activity in the most adventurous environment.
Sports addicts and adventure hunters will be thrilled as this activity essentially features every sports detail they’re all looking for.
Canyoning Interlaken Switzerland involves amazing waterslides, thrilling jumps, crawling and passing through small, tall, and dramatic waterfalls.
All canyoning trips are mainly based on Interlaken & they turn from very easy to incredibly challenging.
If you should be canyoning individually, with buddies, or with your club, the experience will prove to be way above your expectations.
Tips:
Requirements: No special qualifications are necessary.
Duration: 3.5 hours Start times 8.30 am 12.30, 3.30 pm.
Includes a Canyoning guide, wetsuit, booties, helmet, a small snack, cheese, bread, and a drink.
4- Lake Thun
Integrated within a magnificent background of hills, the very-blue Lake Thun sits about the north of the periphery of the Alps, between the two towns of Bernese Oberland, the Thun, and Interlaken.
Lake Thun is very well-known amongst sailors and windsurfers who enjoy the prevailing light wind. Many swimming and shore sites allow visitors to get relaxed.
Another best thing to do in Interlaken is to take the Lake Thun cruise, which is the incredible journey of exploring the scenic range for the region around Lake Thun.
Things to do in Around Lake Thun:
A beautiful trail heads up from the Beatushöhlen-Sundlauenen boat landing stage to the fantastic karst caves using their vast stalactites, stalagmites, and waterfalls.
Not only this, but you can also enjoy the feature of water by paddling and pedaling in spectacular natural views.
You can rent pedalos, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and motorboats that can be skippered, even not having a license from the Faulensee tourism office.
Experience the stunning boat ride across the largest lake in the Canton of Bern and check out the castles of Lake Thun.
You will indeed find anything you could want for around Lake Thun, from various water sports to the best dining option and melodic music.
The most famous mountain adventure around the lake is the pyramidal Niesen (peak of the Bernese Alps), the Stockhorn, whereas the Niederhorn.
It gives site visitors with exciting views throughout the lake and the Alps.
The village of Interlaken, the beginning point for most outings into the Jungfrau area and also the eastern Bernese Oberland, lies in the east end of the lake.
Start From: May to October
Click here to check out a particular customizable tour of Lake Thun. Just choose your desired date, and then take a hop-on hop-off boat cruise to find the lakes’ attractions at your own pace.
5–Lake Brienz
Although you will discover many more attractions across Lake Thun, Lake Brienz is still one the best place to visit in Interlaken.
With beautiful towns on the lakesides, a fascinating color, waterfalls, and more, it is a location that must undoubtedly be on any Switzerland travel plan.
Lake Brienz is situated in the part of Bernese Oberland, in the German-speaking area of Switzerland.
It is around one hour far by rail or public transport from Lucerne and together with Interlaken on the southern shores.
The Lake is mainly fed by the Aare River, the Lütschine River, and the Giessbach Waterfalls.
The water in the Lake is not so healthy that there indeed isn’t much marine life. However, it can also be freezing rather than the first choice for swimming.
Things to do Around Lake Brienz:
Although there are many places to visit around Lake Thun, Lake Brienz will remain my best thing to do in Interlaken.
With attractive towns on lakesides, an appealing color, waterfalls, and more, it is a place that will be on any Switzerland travel plan. (If you want to know more about where to visit in Switzerland, read my post here)
It wears its best color whenever the sun shines – its greenish-blue color makes this Lake indeed the most beautiful ever.
Not to forget, with about 30 kilometers of lakeside, there are so many pretty villages & towns which offer the lush green and beautiful heavenly landscapes, which surely will make your trip worth it.
Like Lake Thun, Lake Brienz is also best to explore by the boat even if you are scared or don’t like to ride on a boat.
This will be perhaps one of the most excellent cruise trips you’ll take (the showcase crossing the breathtaking Giessbach Waterfalls). To know more about Lake Brienz’s latest ticket rates & availability, follow this link.
Tip:
By having a Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel with many transport options. Including boat cruises with no need for any extra charge in Switzerland.
If you have the pass you don’t have to purchase tickets for boat cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz as these are also included. take a look at prices for a 4-day Swiss Travel Pass or for an 8-day pass.
6- St Beatus Caves
Another best thing to do in Interlaken is visit St. Beatus Cave, similar to the Alps previously were. But the cave is mostly undiscovered.
However, a small area is open to the people. The setting of the cave is the purpose of exploring alone – the stunning old designed Swiss-style structure that serves while the cave access sticks to a rock facing that is upright.
Situated in the Alps, overlooking Lake Thun among Thun and Interlaken, is Switzerland’s best-kept secret: St. Beatus Caves.
A picturesque restaurant, a museum, and wonderful views overlooking the lake with the mountains in the surrounding, this Interlaken tourist attraction shouldn’t be missed.
Yet many don’t even know it exists, including cave hiking, waterfalls.
Once you get here at the caves, you need to take a 15 minutes hike side by side waterfalls. The hike along the waterfalls is cost-free and jaw-droppingly stunning.
A waterfall appears to leak from below the dwelling and into the Lake Thun below. Bridges and pathways across the waterfall, and as you one goes up to the top, every view is more impressive than the final.
Furthermore, the cave trip contains countless charmingly titled stalactites and stalagmites, and a large number of underground lakes.
The Fable House is filled with displays on dragons throughout history and Bernese Oberland legends, for kids and anyone with an obsession with the mystique of dragons.
How to get to St. Beatus?
From Interlaken, take bus 21 going toward Thun Train station. St. Beatus Caves is right on the path, and the bus shall stop right in front of the caves.
Just how comfortable! It’s the same if you’re coming from Thun, only in the direction that is opposite. 15mins from Interlaken to Beatushöhlen bus stop, which the train station of St. Beatus Caves.
7- Interlaken to Jungfrau
In the center of Bernese Oberland, Interlaken city is the main starting point to many beautiful places in the region.
To visit the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, and one smaller town in the Jungfrau region, you’d probably go through Interlaken.
A visit up to Jungfraujoch is definitely one of the best things to do in Interlaken.
Stay on one of many highest points in the Swiss Alps, walk from an ice cave, play within the snow, enjoy picturesque sights around the Alps, and walk out to Mönchsjochhütte.
The only way to visit Jungfraujoch is by train. This can take hrs, based on your starting place. Besides that, it’s costly, with round visit pricing as much as 200 CHF each visitor, based upon your starting point.
The trip to the Jungfraujoch offers magnificent sceneries of the high top hills and glacier countryside.
Board a cogwheel train up the Jungfraujoch passes and get to Europe’s highest railway station, called the ‘Top of Europe.’
Arriving at the highest train stop in Europe at the height of 3,454 meters, you can appreciate the Jungfrau and Aletsch glacier from the “Sphinx” rooftop.
On the other part, you will be able to see as long as the Central Plateau and also the Black Forest in superb weather conditions.
Click here for a thrilling full-day excursion from Interlaken to the Top of Europe.
8- Höhematte Park
Located in the heart of Interlaken, this 14-acre park and it is among the famous Interlaken attractions.
Not basically will be the views of Jungfrau enticing, but in May and another warmed season, the park is a mixture of color.
Besides providing views of snowcapped mountains, the park includes shaded walkways, multicolored flowerbeds, benches smartly placed under dense treetops, and fountains together with the sides of the meadows.
You can do many activities in the park, but the best thing to do is to watch the Para-gliders make their beautiful landings while drinking a cup of hot coco or indulging in a tangy cocktail.
In the wintertime, there is also an ice skating rink set up for general public usage. Additionally, the park is open the whole year, and it is as beautiful in cold weather as it is in the summertime.
9- Day trips from Interlaken
I have mentioned many best things to accomplish in Interlaken, and as I said above, it could be the primary place to start exploring the natural beauty of central Switzerland.
There is still far more to explore once you come here, and at that moment, you will not be able to decide which place to visit first due to lake of time.
Interlaken offers several day trips that one can take. Below I have highlighted the beautiful villages of Interlaken Switzerland to visit during your day tour.
All the below destinations is generally reach by using the Interlaken Ost train station, take a round trip, and enjoy the stunning beauty of every single destination you go.
1- Wengen:
I will never get tired of visiting and living in Wengen; it is a dreamland village of mountains. In summer, it is lush green everywhere you see and the giant clouds touching the mountain top.
The fresh morning breeze, beautiful small houses, noncrowded, and you will see eye-catching scenery of nature. The only approach to take here is by train.
Surprisingly, the small town features a population of only about 1500. You’ll not find cars at any place in the village except a few at the station.
2- Murren:
Murren is a small car-free mountain village connected with Wengen, reachable with the cable car.
Although, it is just another incredible mountain which amazed tourists with its snowcapped peak in winter and colorful & beautiful green sceneries in summer.
It is also very famous for an outdoor sport such as skiing & hiking & the most peaceful and calm area in the Interlaken!
3- Lauterbrunnen:
Lauterbrunnen is claimed to be the best place in Switzerland and the whole world to visit, surrounded by 72 highest waterfalls.
You will come to witness stunning mountains, enchanting waterfalls, and beautiful sunsets.
That models it an adventurer’s paradise and something of the most exciting day trips from Interlaken, Switzerland. Want to know more?
Click here to See the Popular Destinations in Lauterbrunnen Valley
4- Grindelwald:
This spot also highlights the wizarding realm of Harry Potter. This is a 1034 m high resort, with a society of 2000 people.
There’s no doubt about the lovely beauty of this destination, but an additional highlight of it is the fantastic range of wines you’ll have right here.
Furthermore, It is also famous for its one of a kind chewy, crispy wood fire pizzas, which you will probably have here.
Take the straight train from Ost station to Grindelwald that is is about 45 minutes long and begin one of the best day trips from Interlaken.
5- Schilthorn:
Schiltron is another Interlaken attractions; it is a 2970m altitude peak in the Bernese Alps. A restaurant Piz Gloria on the top of the schiltron peak offers a 360degree view of nearby mountains.
Its the world’s first revolving restaurant where you can taste the best regional recipes. Enjoy the mountains, real wilderness, and fantastic scenery of snowcapped mountains.
10- Where to Stay in Interlaken
Many hotels are situated in the center of Interlaken, with choices from budget hostels to luxury accommodations with sights of the River Aare floating through town.
Interlaken City lies among two significant areas of town: Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West, with almost everything quite walking able.
Interlaken Ost is the eastern section of the city of Interlaken. It is the place where the central railway station is positioned.
And therefore, where you must stay if what you are looking for is to discover the overall beautiful destinations. Which obviously, I highly suggest if you are going to visit Interlaken the very first time!
Best Budget Hostel in Interlaken:
Right close to Interlaken Ost Train Station, Youth Hostel Interlaken is amongst Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
The hostel provides private rooms and a sharing room. The staff members are so welcoming & helpful; it’s the starting place for checking out the alps by train.
A restaurant and a snack bar are also in the hostel, and a big supermarket is near the hostel—a private locker which can be locked by your room card.
Youth Hostel is the most suitable choice for backpackers & budget tourists. Check here room availability and the latest price!
Airbnb in Interlaken:
This is the home you may wish to stay in whenever you are in the Interlaken region! The positioning is excellent and close to Interlaken western part.
You’ll find numerous restaurants and shopping places within a minute of walk. There is a breathtaking view of the mountains out of this home balcony. Also, the rooms are neat and clean, with free Wi-Fi.
With many good reviews, budget travelers love to stay here. View on Airbnb
Best Budget Hotel in Interlaken:
Located in Interlaken in the Canton of Bern area, with Interlaken West Train facility and Harder Kulm close by, Interlaken Apartments contains rooms with free Wi-Fi. Neat and clean rooms with a fully equipped kitchen.
It is a unique place with many restaurants, excellent views, and simple access to many popular sites such as the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Ballenberg and St. Beatus Cave are within a 15min drive. Bern and Lucerne are within a 45 min drive. Check here room availability and the latest price!
Best mid Range Hotels in Interlaken:
Enjoy the central location on the banks of the Aare River, Hotel Central Continental is built in a historic building, and it is also only a 3-minute walk through the Interlaken-West train station.
All bright rooms supply a private bathroom and a TV. Some rooms have balconies with views of the impressive Jungfrau Mountain. Check here room availability and the latest price!
Final Thoughts:
I have covered many points and tips in this article & I hope it will surely help you to see the best places in Interlaken. Let me know in the comments your favourite place to visit in Interlaken
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