Visiting Interlaken – City of lakes and mountains
Interlaken – City of lakes and mountains
Hallo (Hello in German)!
Interlaken is a small Swiss city set in the middle of two beautiful lakes, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. It lies in the centre of the glorious Jungfrau region comprising of the legendary Monch, Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. Interlaken is the perfect place to stay for anyone who is visiting Switzerland due to its proximity to most of the tourist destinations and also other famous Swiss cities. Famous cities like Bern, Lucerne and Montreux can be visited as day trips from Interlaken. Turquoise lakes, pretty waterfalls and majestic snow capped mountains combined with an opportunity for adventure sports like sky diving, paragliding, bungee jumping and river rafting is what makes Interlaken an attractive and a unique destination in Switzerland. Interlaken is the perfect example of a place where beauty meets adventure!
Best season to visit Interlaken
Interlaken and its surrounding areas have something nice to offer throughout the year. Summer, from June to August is the peak season. With pleasant temperatures, clear skies, beautiful views of snow capped mountains, lush green surroundings and opportunities for adventure sports it is also the best time to visit Interlaken. But quite obviously the prices go up and it can get crowded during these months. Autumn from September to November is also a good time to visit, especially the months of September and October. The crowds start thinning but the temperature is still pleasant and you can visit all the nice places. Winter, from December to March can be avoided by most people except for ski enthusiasts. It is the perfect time to ski in the Jungfrau region. Spring, from April-May is yet another beautiful time to visit Interlaken. Days are cool and sunny and nights cold but not chilly. Skies start clearing up, hiking trails start opening up, flowers start blooming and it is a very pretty sight.
Highlights (Things to do)
Ride the highest railway in all of Europe to reach the Jungfraujoch peak, which is probably one of the most beautiful views you will see in your life! Do not forget to sit and relax in one of the restaurants in Top of Europe enjoying the view.
Visit the Sphinx Observatory situated above Jungfraujoch, overlooking the infinite snows of Aletsch Glacier.
Ski on the famous slopes of Jungfrau located with a backdrop of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks.
Dine at Piz Gloria, a revolving restaurant situated at the summit of Schilthorn in the Bernese Alps, which was a set for one of the James Bond movies.
Cruise the beautiful Lake Brienz, nestled between the snow-capped mountains, tall cliffs and pretty waterfalls. Take a stroll in the picturesque and charming lakeside villages in the hop-on hop-off cruise.
Hop on a Lake Thun Cruise to enjoy some charming vistas around and explore the beautiful oberhofen castle situated on the banks of the lake.
Climb the Brienz-Rothorn railway and experience the vintage steam train ride that starts from Lake Brienz and reaches up to the mountains of Brienzer Rothorn, passing through a variety of landscapes including forests, meadows, pastures and finally the Bernese Alps.
Make a day trip to the charming historic old town of Bern city.
Try Sky diving in Switzerland! At Interlaken, adventure meets beauty and that’s what makes it a must try when you are in the city.
Go Paragliding to enjoy the incredible views of the Bernese Alps at a much slower pace.
Experience Night Sledding with Swiss Fondue at Interlaken during winter.
Indulge in some Lutschine River Rafting with a view of the Alps!
Participate in the world’s most popular mountain marathon, Jungfrau marathon! Interlaken being the starting point and Kleine Scheidegg the end point, the route includes all the beauties in the Bernese Oberland of Swiss Alps.
Ride the Golden Pass line from Interlaken to Lucerne which traverses through Brunig Pass.
Take a stroll or ride the horse-drawn carriages at Hoheweg Street, the heart of Interlaken.
Hotspots (Things to see)
Jungfrau
Jungfraujoch: Ride the rail from Interlaken to the peak of Jungfraujoch which is a 2 hour journey and traverses through the mountains of Eiger and Monch. If you gasp at the fantastic views the train journey offers, then hold your breath when you reach the top! You are now on the highest point of Europe. Dine in one of the restaurants in ‘Top of Europe’ overlooking the mighty Jungfrau peak with the feeling of being on Top of the World!
Sphinx Observatory: An astronomical observatory that is situated above the Jungfraujoch is a sight to see. The observatory is not open to public, but it has a viewing terrace which is open to public and offers incredible views of the Aletsch Glacier.
Aletsch Glacier: The largest glacier in the whole of Alps, Aletsch Glacier is truly a nature’s jewel and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ride the cable car to Bettmerhorn or Eggishorn and soak in the beauty of the place. There are some interesting hikes as well for adventurous people.
Ice Palace: There is a very good chance that all the viewing platforms up on Jungfraujoch are crowded. Take this time to visit the Ice Palace consisting of interesting sculptures made of ice which includes animals, birds, furniture and a bar!
Kleine Scheidegg: While going to Jungfrau, one has to cross the Kleine Scheidegg station and it is recommended that you make a stop here! Located below the mountains of Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger, it is at this place where you come face to face with the awe inspiring Eiger peak. Views are amazing and a lot of hiking trails also begin from Kleine Scheidegg.
Schynige Platte: Vintage train, open carriages, breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps throughout, beautiful alpine gardens and finally a lunch/dinner at the Mountain Hotel! This is what a train ride to the Schynige Platte has to offer.
Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz Cruise: A themed cruise on the Lake Brienz like a Swiss Dinner or a Fish & Jazz Cruise is the best way to explore the lake and its neighboring areas. Explore the tiny beautiful village of Brienz and do not forget to take home some souvenirs. You can also opt to get down at the Brienz village and take the scenic ride in Brienz Rothorn Railway.
Giessbach Falls: Ride the beautiful turquoise lake to reach the thundering Giessbach falls.
Lake Thun
Lake Thun: Take a cruise on Lake Thun and make sure you stop at Saint Beatus Caves and Oberhofen Castle.
Lauterbrunnen
Isenfluh: Isenfluh is a charming tiny mountain village away from all the major tourist places and located very near to Interlaken. Unspoilt and untouched, this beautiful Swiss village also offers enchanting views of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valley and of course the world famous Bernese Alps. Take a cable car up to Sulwald to enjoy these views.
Staubbach Falls: There are 72 waterfalls in the valley of Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach falls is one of the highest and spectacular ones of those. Easily accessible, the view of the falls is nothing short of spectacular. You can also climb up to the falls and take in the beauty of Lauterbrunnen valley from the top.
Unterseen
Aare Sluice Gates: Take a stroll in one of the Aare Sluice Gate located on the borders of Interlaken and Unterseen. The blend of mountains, hills and the charming old town of Unterseen combined with the turquoise waters of the Aare offers a pleasantly beautiful atmosphere.
Unterseen Stadthausplatz: The town hall square with its modern buildings, restaurants and boutiques is a nice place to spend the evening.
Harder kulm
Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant: Ride the funicular to the mountains high up where a pretty restaurant and charming views await you. Look and admire the elegant Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks from a completely different angle while indulging in a Swiss fondue!
Two Lakes Bridge: Situated very close to the Harder Kulm Restaurant, the bridge offers remarkable views of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun along with the mountains of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
Beatenberg
Niederhorn: Enjoy a beautiful ride from Interlaken to Beatenberg from where you can take the cable car to the peak of Niederhorn. If you think that the ride to the peak is very scenic, you are in for some surprise when you reach the peak. The view of Lake Thun and entire Bernese Alps is simply mind blowing! It also offers orientation hikes with 3 trails of varying levels.
Shopping in Interlaken
Head to Hoheweg Street for any kind of souvenir shopping. From the famous Swiss Cuckoo Clocks to Swiss chocolates, watches, knives, cow bells and liquor, you can find it here.
For local Swiss crafts, wooden crafts and handicrafts, head to the village of Brienz.
How to reach Interlaken
Interlaken has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is located at Bern which is 45 minutes from Interlaken. It has 2 main railway stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken East (Ost). Both of them are well connected with trains from all major cities of Switzerland. There are also trains from Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Vienna and Salzburg to Interlaken. It is also well connected to other Swiss cities through buses. One can also drive in to Interlaken as there is a well maintained highway/autobahn that connects the city with all major Swiss and European cities.
How to get around in Interlaken
The city is so small that it can be covered on foot and is probably the best way to get around and explore.
Hiring a car from a good car rental agency will be helpful since most of the attractions are at a distance from the city.
You can also rent cycles, motorbikes or mountain bikes for an adventurous ride.
Public transport consists of local trains and buses which are well connected to places in and around the city.
Hiring a taxi is also a good option to travel around the city.
Ride in the horse-drawn carriages especially in the Hoheweg Street for a more romantic holiday!
Top areas in Interlaken
Interlaken City Centre: Heart of the city, close to all the places and stations, City Centre is a good place to stay. You can also find some nice souvenir shops nearby.
Hoheweg: Favorite hanging place for tourists and locals alike, Hoheweg Street is filled with restaurants, cafe’s, hotels, shops and boutiques.
Beatenberg: Enjoy a quiet stay at Beatenberg Village while in Interlaken and enjoy nice views of the mountains and lakes around.
Wilderswil: Another village located in the municipality of Interlaken, Wilderswill offers good stay options with nice views.
Unterseen: A very pretty village that comes with history and attractions of its own is one of the preferred places to stay for people from all over the world.
Matten: You can find hotels for cheap rates in Matten and the views can just not go wrong in any of the mountain villages neighboring Interlaken.
Lauterbrunnen Valley: Beauty of Lauterbrunnen is already well-known. A stay amidst this beautiful valley could just add more charm to your Swiss holiday.
Murren: It is a quiet, cozy, charming mountain village located at the base of Schilthorn.
Danke (Thank You in German)!
