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 beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Interlaken.
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- family-friendly lido with pool, aqua park and lawn
- Heated 25 m pool
- Aqua park
- Showers and changing rooms
- Kiosk
Strandbad Bönigen
Editor’s tip. Arrive before late morning on hot weekends, when village parking is limited and the lawn fills quickly
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- quiet village lido with lake and mountain views
- Lawn
- Showers
- Kiosk
- Changing cabins
Strandbad Merligen
Editor’s tip. Take the BLS boat from Interlaken West for the scenery and to avoid limited parking
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- relaxed local lido and free lawn by the lake
- Lawn
- Changing rooms
- Showers
Strandbad Neuhaus
Editor’s tip. Walk or cycle from Interlaken West along the flat riverside paths to avoid limited parking
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- quiet, scenic fishing village by turquoise water
- Lawn
- Toilets
- Restaurants nearby
Strandbad Iseltwald
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on sunny weekends, when village parking and lawn space fill quickly
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- lively town lido with diving tower and water trampoline
- Diving tower
- Water trampoline
- Showers
- Kiosk
Strandbad Brienz
Editor’s tip. Take the train or BLS boat from Interlaken Ost and walk from the station or landing
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- relaxed family lido in a sheltered bay below the castle
- Lawn
- Showers
- Kiosk
Strandbad Spiez
Editor’s tip. Take the train from Interlaken West and walk from Spiez station to avoid summer parking pressure
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- quiet, rural and uncrowded, with no services
- Lawn
Niederried Lakeshore
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and towels, as the site has no services and no supervision
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Iseltwald and Niederried
Family
Family-friendly
Strandbad Brienz with its water trampoline
Urban
Urban
Strandbad Bönigen has a heated pool and aqua park
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Interlaken memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Entry Fees
Strandbad Bönigen costs CHF 6 (~$7) for adults and CHF 4 (~$5) for children aged 6-15; other lidos charge an estimated CHF 4-8 (~$5-10); free sites are unsupervised.
Water Quality
Check the canton of Bern bathing water results at the cantonal website or at each entrance.
Swimming Safety
Lake water is cold; swim only in marked zones, keep clear of boat lanes and leave the water in storms. Free sites have no lifeguards.
What To Bring
Towel, sandals, sunscreen, small change for lockers.
Getting Around
Trains, buses and BLS boats link all lidos from Interlaken.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Interlaken’s coast.
When is Strandbad Bönigen open?
The lido operates seasonally from about mid-May to mid-September; the 2026 season is listed as 16 May to 13 September. Daily hours depend on the weather, so check locally before travelling.
From the Strandbad Bönigen editorial.
How do visitors get to Strandbad Bönigen from Interlaken?
Bus 21 runs from Interlaken Ost to Bönigen, about 2 km away. The BLS boat to Bönigen pier lands roughly 100 m from the lido.
From the Strandbad Bönigen editorial.
How do visitors reach Strandbad Merligen from Interlaken?
The BLS lake boat runs from Interlaken West to Merligen, about 10 km away. A regional bus along the lakeshore road is the alternative.
From the Strandbad Merligen editorial.
Is there sand at Strandbad Merligen?
No. The lido has a grass lawn and a pebbly lake edge rather than a sand beach.
From the Strandbad Merligen editorial.
Is Strandbad Neuhaus free?
The area has both a paid lido and free shoreline access. The lido offers changing rooms and showers, while the free section is more basic.
From the Strandbad Neuhaus editorial.
How far is it from Interlaken West?
About 2 km. Visitors can take a local bus or walk for roughly 30 minutes.
From the Strandbad Neuhaus editorial.
How do visitors get to Iseltwald from Interlaken?
The BLS boat runs from Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald, about 10 km east. A regional bus along the lake road is the alternative.
From the Strandbad Iseltwald editorial.
Is the beach sandy?
No. The shoreline is a grassy lawn with pebbles and steps into the lake.
From the Strandbad Iseltwald editorial.