Bern · 18 Places · Best June
Interlaken is a German-speaking resort town in the Bernese Oberland, set on the narrow strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It is Switzerland's adventure capital and the main gateway to the Jungfrau region, with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, lake cruises, paragliding and trains to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Prices are high, but the town is compact, walkable and very well connected by rail.
Interlaken lies on the Aare river between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the two town centres of Interlaken proper and the neighbouring villages of Unterseen and Matten. The Höheweg promenade and the Höhematte meadow look straight at the Jungfrau, and the two railway stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, link the town to Bern, Zurich, Lucerne and the mountain railways. Highlights include the Harder Kulm viewpoint, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz boat cruises, the St. Beatus Caves, the Schynige Platte railway and Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, reached via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. Nearby Lauterbrunnen and the Trümmelbach Falls are a short train ride away. The town is expensive, so the Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or Jungfrau Travel Pass, plus self-catering and picnics, make a large difference to the budget.
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The 18 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Interlaken's house mountain: a 1908 funicular climbs about 700 m in roughly 10 minutes to a 1,322 m viewpoint between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead. A panoramic restaurant and the Two Lakes Bridge platform sit at the top.
Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 m, reached by cogwheel train through the Eiger and Mönch. The summit has the Sphinx Observatory terrace, the Ice Palace and views of the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage area.
Turquoise Lake Brienz with BLS paddle steamers and motor ships, and the 14-step Giessbach Falls cascading 500 m down to the lake beside the Grandhotel Giessbach. A historic 1879 funicular climbs from the boat landing to the hotel.
A show cave on the northern shore of Lake Thun, with about 1 km of lit walkway past waterfalls, stalactites and grottoes at a constant 8-10 degrees C, plus a cave museum and a lakeside park. The caves are named for the hermit Beatus, who in legend drove a dragon from them.
Ten glacier-fed waterfalls thundering through a gorge inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift and walkways, draining the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau snow-melt at up to 20,000 litres per second. It is Europe's largest subterranean waterfall system.
A glacial valley of sheer limestone walls with 72 waterfalls, led by the 297 m Staubbach Falls above Lauterbrunnen village. Goethe wrote his poem 'Gesang der Geister über den Wassern' after seeing the falls in 1779.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Five-star grand hotel on the Höheweg with 216 rooms and the 5,500 square metre Spa Nescens; restaurants include Radius by Stefan Beer and La Terrasse Brasserie.
Check rates on Booking.comHistoric four-star superior hotel with 93 rooms on the Höheweg, operated in Accor's MGallery collection.
Check rates on Booking.comLarge hotel with 101 rooms on the Aare side of the Höheweg, with La Vallée SPA and the restaurants L'Ambiance and La Petite Suisse.
Check rates on Booking.comFour-star high-rise with 96 rooms, 84 of them with Jungfrau views, and a restaurant on the 18th floor.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Book a food tour in Interlaken We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Interlaken is the rail hub of the Bernese Oberland. Two main stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, link by SBB/BLS trains to Bern, Zurich and Lucerne, by rack railways to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and the Jungfraujoch, and by BLS steamers to Thun and Brienz. The nearest major international airports are Zurich (about 2 h 15 min by train), Geneva (about 3 h by train) and Bern-Belp (about 1 h 30 min by bus and train).
Daily spend by tier in CHF, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CHF 60 (~$74) | CHF 170 (~$209) | CHF 400 (~$492) |
| Food (per day) | CHF 45 (~$55) | CHF 90 (~$111) | CHF 200 (~$246) |
| Transportation | CHF 15 (~$18) | CHF 25 (~$31) | CHF 60 (~$74) |
| Activities | CHF 20 (~$25) | CHF 45 (~$55) | CHF 140 (~$172) |
| Daily total | CHF 140 (~$172) | CHF 330 (~$406) | CHF 800+ (~$984+) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Visit in June or September for clear mountain views, open railways and fewer crowds than July-August; winter suits skiers and Christmas-market visitors.
Summer days reach 22-27C in town; winters are cold (-3 to 4C) with snow on the mountains. Schynige Platte and many high-altitude trails typically open from late May or June to October. Jungfraujoch operates year-round, but clouds can hide the view, so check the webcam on jungfrau.ch before going.
Interlaken is one of Switzerland's safest tourist towns, but petty theft happens: keep phones and wallets in zipped inner pockets at Interlaken Ost and West stations, on the Höheweg and on crowded trains to Lauterbrunnen.
Call 112 from any phone for emergencies (works without a SIM); dial 117 for police, 144 for an ambulance, 118 for the fire brigade and 1414 for Rega air rescue in the mountains.
Check the day's weather and mountain-railway status at meteoswiss.admin.ch (MeteoSwiss app) and jungfrau.ch before any trip above 2,000 m; cloud and wind can close lifts and trains with little notice.
Never leave luggage unattended at the stations; use the paid lockers at Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West stations.
Carry photo ID at all times: Swiss police may ask for it.
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are cold all year (about 18-22 degrees C at best in August); swim only at supervised baths or marked beaches and leave the water if a storm warning light flashes.
Do not swim in the Aare river or the Lütschine: the currents are strong, the water is glacial and the temperature is dangerously cold.
Use only licensed operators for paragliding, canyoning, skydiving and bungee; ask for the operator's licence and insurance cover.
Cyclists have priority on many marked lanes; look before stepping off a train or bus, and never cross against the pedestrian light, which can carry a fine of CHF 40-120 (~$49-148).
Drink tap water freely; it is safe and tested daily. Pharmacies are plentiful in the town centre.
Switzerland follows Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card; visitors from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; others need a Schengen visa. Check your nearest Swiss embassy before traveling.
Yes. Budget travellers should plan on CHF 140 (~$172) a day, mid-range CHF 330 (~$406) and luxury CHF 800+ (~$984+). A Swiss Travel Pass, hostel dorms, supermarket picnics and free walks on the Höhematte and along the lakes keep costs down.
Take the SBB train from Zurich Airport or Zurich main station to Interlaken Ost or West in about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes, usually with one change at Bern or Spiez. Buy tickets on the SBB Mobile app.
Top attractions include Harder Kulm, Jungfraujoch, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz cruises, the St. Beatus Caves, Schynige Platte, Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Trümmelbach Falls.
Cheese fondue and raclette, rösti, Älplermagronen (alpine macaroni with cheese and apple sauce), Bernese specialities such as Berner Platte, meringues with double cream, and Swiss chocolate.
