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.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Interlaken.
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1
Harder Kulm (Harderbahn Funicular)
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.
Tip: Check the Jungfraujoch or Harder Kulm webcam before going; cloud can hide the peaks. · Travel Pass holders (Jungfrau, Swiss, Half Fare) get free or 50% off fares. · Take an early or late ride in July-August to avoid midday queues. · Bring a jacket; the summit is cooler and windier than Interlaken. · Reserve a restaurant table in advance for sunset dining. · Valley station is a 10-minute walk from Interlaken Ost along Brienzstrasse.
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2
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
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.
Tip: Check the summit webcam at jungfrau.ch before leaving; clouds can block all views. · Take the first trains on a weekday morning to beat tour groups. · Reserve a seat in peak season; the supplement is about CHF 10. · Dress for freezing temperatures and wear sunglasses and sunscreen. · Move slowly and drink water to reduce altitude symptoms. · Swiss Travel Pass holders get 25% off the upper section; Swiss Family Card holders' children travel free.
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3
Lake Brienz and Giessbach Falls
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.
Tip: Take the boat from Interlaken Ost and return by train from Brienz for a loop. · Visit in spring or early summer for the strongest water flow. · Wear non-slip shoes; trails near the falls are steep and wet. · Berner Oberland Pass and Swiss Travel Pass cover the boats. · Bring a light waterproof for spray. · Go in the morning to avoid the midsummer boat crowds.
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4
St. Beatus Caves
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.
Tip: Wear warm clothing and non-slip shoes; the cave stays at 8-10 degrees. · Arrive by BLS boat from Interlaken West for a scenic approach. · Family ticket costs CHF 52, cheaper than separate fares for larger families. · Dogs are allowed for CHF 10. · Visit at opening time or late in the day to avoid summer crowds. · Confirm hours by phone in winter.
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5
Trümmelbach Falls
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.
Tip: Bring cash; the Swiss Travel Pass is not accepted at the gate. · Wear waterproofs and non-slip shoes; the paths are wet and cold. · Children under 4 are not admitted. · Arrive in the morning for smaller crowds. · Protect cameras and phones from spray. · Take bus 141 from Lauterbrunnen station, or walk about 40 minutes.
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6
Staubbach Falls and Lauterbrunnen Valley
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.
Tip: Take the Berner Oberland Bahn from Interlaken Ost; trains run about every 30 minutes. · Visit May-July for the strongest water flow. · Walk a short way out of the village for wider photo angles. · Wear shoes with grip; the walkway behind the falls is wet. · Go in the morning to avoid late-morning day-visitor crowds. · Combine with Trümmelbach Falls, about 40 minutes on foot.
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7
Schynige Platte and Alpine Garden
A 1893 cogwheel railway from Wilderswil climbs to a 1,967 m ridge above Interlaken facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, with an Alpine botanical garden of about 700 species and the start of the Panorama Trail to Faulhorn and First.
Tip: Take an early train for clearer views before cloud builds. · Visit in July for the best alpine flowers. · Jungfrau Travel Pass is free; Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card give 50% off. · Wear hiking boots for the Panorama Trail and check the weather. · Bring layers; the ridge is cooler and windier than the valley. · The railway only runs 13 June-25 October 2026.
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8
Höhematte Park
Interlaken's central meadow, a public green between the Höheweg promenade and the old monastery with a straight view of the Jungfrau. It has hosted the Unspunnen Festival since 2011 and is where paragliders land.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for the best light on the Jungfrau. · Watch paragliders land on summer evenings, and keep clear of the landing area. · Combine with a walk along Höheweg and the monastery courtyard. · Bring a picnic; cafes line the edge of the park. · Check the events calendar for festivals and markets. · Walk from Interlaken West (10 minutes) or Ost (15 minutes).
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9
Höheweg Promenade, Kursaal and Victoria-Jungfrau
The 19th-century resort boulevard that links Interlaken West and Ost, lined with plane trees, the Casino Kursaal and the Grand Hotel Victoria-Jungfrau. Fountains and flowerbeds frame the Jungfrau, and the Tourist Information is a short walk away.
Tip: Stroll in the evening when the Jungfrau glows and the hotels are lit. · Check Kursaal event listings in advance for concerts and folklore shows. · Walk the full length between Interlaken West and Ost, about 45-90 minutes with stops. · Visit the Tourist Information office for maps and timetables. · Expect crowds on sunny summer middays.
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10
Interlaken Monastery and Castle
The former Augustinian double monastery founded about 1130 and dissolved in 1528, which gave the town its name 'between the lakes'. The surviving Gothic cloister, 14th-century church tower and castle buildings stand between the Höhematte and the Aare.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for quiet. · Confirm church interior hours with Interlaken Tourist Information. · Respect quiet during the 10:00AM Sunday service. · Combine with the Höhematte and Unterseen Old Town. · Carry a few francs in case an interior fee applies.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Höhematte Park
Interlaken's central meadow facing the Jungfrau, home of the Unspunnen Festival since 2011
Höheweg Promenade, Kursaal and Victoria-Jungfrau
The 19th-century resort boulevard between Interlaken West and Ost
Interlaken Monastery and Castle
Former Augustinian double monastery founded about 1130 that gave the town its name
Unterseen Old Town
Medieval lane of timber houses founded about 1280 on the Aare
Schloss Spiez (Spiez Castle)
Lakeside castle of about 1200 with a Romanesque church and a museum
Schloss Thun (Thun Castle)
Zähringer keep of about 1190 with a regional history museum and Alpine views
Unspunnen Castle Ruin
Ruined castle of about 1200 above Wilderswil, tied to the 1805 Unspunnen Festival
Museums
Tourismuseum Unterseen
Switzerland's first tourism museum, covering 500 years of Alpine travel
Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg
About 100 historic buildings from all Swiss regions near Brienz
Nature
Harder Kulm (Harderbahn Funicular)
1,322 m viewpoint reached by a 1908 funicular
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 m
Lake Brienz and Giessbach Falls
Turquoise lake and a 14-step waterfall with a historic funicular
St. Beatus Caves
1 km show cave on Lake Thun with waterfalls and a museum
Trümmelbach Falls
Ten glacier waterfalls inside a gorge in the mountain
Staubbach Falls and Lauterbrunnen Valley
297 m waterfall in the valley of 72 waterfalls
Schynige Platte and Alpine Garden
1893 cogwheel railway to a 1,967 m ridge and Alpine botanical garden
Niederhorn and Beatenberg
Funicular and gondola to a 1,950 m viewpoint above Lake Thun
Cultural
Lake Thun Cruise
BLS boat from Interlaken West to Thun passing castles and vineyards
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Mountain railways and boats run seasonally: Harder Kulm 3 April-29 November 2026, Schynige Platte 13 June-25 October 2026, Lake Brienz boats 3 April-6 December 2026, Spiez Castle 1 May-31 October 2026, Ballenberg 9 April-1 November 2026. Valley sights such as Höhematte, Höheweg and Staubbach Falls are open at all hours. Most small museums close Monday and Tuesday.
- Fees
- Parks, promenades and Staubbach Falls are free. Typical paid entries: Beatus Caves CHF 20 (~$25), Trümmelbach Falls CHF 18 (~$22), castles CHF 10-12 (~$12-15), Harder Kulm CHF 44 (~$54), Schynige Platte CHF 68 (~$84), Jungfraujoch about CHF 261 (~$321) in summer. Prices are approximate at CHF 1 = $1.23.
- Best Times
- May-June and September-October for mountain clarity, waterfall flow and fewer crowds; July-August for lake swimming and the longest opening hours; December-March for Harder Kulm, Jungfraujoch and winter sports (Schynige Platte and Ballenberg are closed).
- Booking
- Book the Jungfraujoch (with the CHF 10 seat reservation) a few days ahead at jungfrau.ch or at the SBB or Jungfrau Railways counter in Interlaken Ost; all other sights can be bought on the day. Interlaken Tourist Information, Marktgasse 1, 3800 Interlaken, +41 33 826 53 00, mail@interlaken.swiss, sells tickets and gives weather advice.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Check the live Jungfraujoch webcam (jungfrau.ch) before paying for the CHF 261 trip; clear mornings are far better than afternoons.
The Swiss Travel Pass gives free BLS boat rides on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, 50% off Harder Kulm and Schynige Platte, and free entry to Spiez Castle, Thun Castle and Ballenberg museums that accept the Swiss Museum Pass.
A Jungfrau Travel Pass includes the Harder Kulm and Schynige Platte rides and discounted Jungfraujoch fares, so compare it with single tickets if making more than two mountain trips.
Bring cash (CHF) for Trümmelbach Falls and the Tourismuseum, and check whether card payment is accepted at the gate.
Plan lake and cave visits for rainy weather and mountain trips for the first clear morning; Interlaken's weather can change by the hour.
Use the Interlaken Ost-Lauterbrunnen-Wilderswil Berner Oberland Bahn (departures roughly every 30 minutes) and the bus network from Interlaken Ost for most day trips from the town.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Interlaken?
Two days cover Harder Kulm, the old town and one lake cruise; three to four days let you add the Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen Valley with Trümmelbach Falls and a castle day at Spiez and Thun.
Is the Jungfraujoch worth the price?
On a clear day, yes: it is Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 m with glacier and Aletsch views. A standard return from Interlaken Ost costs about CHF 261 (~$321) in summer; check the live webcam before buying.
What can be done in Interlaken on a rainy day?
Visit the Tourismuseum in Unterseen (about CHF 8, ~$10), St. Beatus Caves (CHF 20, ~$25), Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain (CHF 18, ~$22) or the covered Jungfraujoch Ice Palace.
Which attractions are free?
Höhematte, the Höheweg promenade, Unterseen old town, Staubbach Falls, Unspunnen ruin and the Aare riverside paths are free; the monastery courtyard is usually free to enter.