Interlaken is a small Swiss town with a remarkable range of experiences. See the breathtaking glacier views at Jungfraujoch, visit the waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen, and relax at the open meadow of Höhematte Park. It is an ideal destination to explore Switzerland’s natural beauty and iconic attractions.
Interlaken is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Switzerland. Located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and surrounded by the Swiss Alps, it offers a perfect mix of nature, views, and outdoor experiences. The Interlaken tourist attractions cover an unusual range. On one end, there is Europe's highest railway station, a glacier the size of a small country, and a glass bridge hanging over two lakes at once. On the other end is a free park in the town centre where you can eat a sandwich and watch people land paragliders fifteen metres away. What makes Interlaken special is how easily you can move between all these places to visit in Interlaken.
Places to visit in Interlaken
- Jungfraujoch
- Harder Kulm
- Lake Thun
- Lake Brienz
- Hohematte Park
- Beatus Caves
- Lauterbrunnen Valley
- Grindelwald First
Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is Switzerland's single most iconic mountain excursion and one of the top Interlaken tourist attractions. Sitting at 3,454 metres above sea level, it holds the highest railway station in Europe and looks out over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. The journey itself is part of the experience: a cogwheel train climbs through a tunnel bored inside the Eiger, pausing briefly at windows cut into the rock face so passengers can look down at the valley far below. At the summit, highlights include the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace and Snow Fun Park.
How to Reach?
Take a train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, transfer at Kleine Scheidegg, then board the Jungfrau Railway to the summit.
Opening Hours
It is open year-round. First ascent typically around 6:00 AM. Last ascent varies by the season.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Visit between May and October for the clearest skies and best visibility. December to March for snow activities and the full winter atmosphere.
Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm sits directly above Interlaken at 1,322 metres and is one of the easiest mountain viewpoints to reach in the entire region. A five-minute walk from Interlaken Ost, a ten-minute funicular ride, and you are standing at a height where both lakes and the full sweep of the Bernese Alps are visible in a single glance. The centrepiece is the Two Lakes Bridge, a glass-floored viewing platform extending out from the ridge. From here, you will see Lake Thun to the west, Lake Brienz to the east, and Interlaken's rooftops directly below. On a clear morning, the Jungfrau massif fills the southern horizon. It is one of the finest Interlaken sightseeing spots in the entire valley, close, affordable, and requiring very little effort to reach.
How to Reach?
Walk 5 minutes from Interlaken Ost to the funicular station. The funicular takes 10 minutes to the summit.
Opening Hours
Open from April to December from 9:10 AM-9:50 PM.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit is from June to August for pleasant weather, and from September to October for fewer crowds and fall colours.
Lake Thun
Lake Thun lies to the west of Interlaken and is the larger of the two lakes. It has a quieter, more settled character than Lake Brienz, medieval castles on its shores, and vineyard-covered hillsides running down to the water. It is one of the best tourist places in Interlaken which has proper Swiss villages that feel lived-in. The boat journey along its length is the best way to see the lake. Schloss Oberhofen, a 13th-century castle built directly at the water's edge, sits about halfway along the northern shore. Schloss Spiez, a vine-covered medieval fortress with its own small harbour, is another stop worth getting off for. At the western end of the lake is the town of Thun with a river running through its centre, a hilltop castle above it, and an old market square.
How to Reach?
To reach this Interlaken tourist attraction, take BLS boats from Interlaken West, which takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Operating Season
Year-round, with a full timetable running from spring through autumn and a reduced service in winter.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
June to September for calm water and full boat schedules. Early morning departures give the clearest reflections on the water and the quietest crossings.
Lake Brienz
Lake Brienz lies to the east of Interlaken and is the more visually striking. The water is a deep, vivid turquoise, a colour produced by glacial flour. The fine particles of rock carried down by meltwater from the surrounding peaks scatter a distinct light on the lake. The effect is most pronounced on calm mornings when the surface is still, and the mountains above reflect cleanly into it. The village of Iseltwald on the southern shore is one of the most popular places to visit in Interlaken, Lake Brienz. At the eastern end of the lake, the town of Brienz is known for wood carving, which has been a local craft here for centuries and is still practiced and sold in the village.
How to Reach?
Take the BLS boats from Interlaken West and the full crossing to Brienz town takes approximately 1 hour.
Operating Season
Spring through early December.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Visit from May to September for the best light and access to full boat schedules. The turquoise colour is most intense in late spring and early summer.
Hohematte Park
Hohematte is a 35-acre open meadow in the heart of Interlaken, protected from development since 1860, when local residents collectively refused to allow it to be built on. It has been a public open space ever since. It is one of the Interlaken tourist attractions which has no entry fee, and it is open at all hours. It has one of the cleanest, most unobstructed views of the Jungfrau massif you will find anywhere in the town. Paragliders use it as a landing area on fair-weather afternoons. The Hoheweg, Interlaken's main commercial promenade, runs along the northern edge of the park. Take a walk there in the early evening when the day-trip crowds have thinned out, and the light is sitting low on the mountains.
How to Reach?
A 10-minute walk from both Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost train stations.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit is from June to August for vibrant flower beds and warm weather. If you want to avoid crowds and are looking for a quieter experience, late September is an ideal time.
St. Beatus Caves
On the northern shore of Lake Thun, about five kilometres from Interlaken, the hillside opens into one of the more unusual places to visit near Interlaken. The St. Beatus Caves are a limestone cave network stretching approximately 14 kms underground. One kilometre of that is developed for visitors, with lit pathways, surfaced floors, and audio guides at 13 stations. Inside, the geology does the work. You will find stalactites and stalagmites in significant quantities and many underground around corners. There are chambers that open into unexpectedly large dark spaces, and a cave museum at the entrance that explains the formation process clearly.
How to Reach?
- By bus: STI bus from Interlaken to the Beatushöhlen stop
- By boat + walk: BLS boat to the Lake Thun pier, then 20 minutes uphill on foot
Opening Hours
Open year-round with reduced hours in winter.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit is between April and October.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Lauterbrunnen is a short train ride from Interlaken and one of the most striking valleys in the Alps. The valley floor is flat and narrow, carved by glaciers over thousands of years, with sheer limestone walls rising 300 metres on either side. From those walls, 72 waterfalls drop in thin white lines. The most famous of these is Staubbach Falls, which drops 297 metres from the cliff edge directly above the village, and is one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in Europe. It is visible from the train platform and from the village itself without any hiking required. A short uphill path leads to a viewing platform inside the rockface behind the falls, where the water thunders past close enough to feel. Among the top Interlaken places to visit, Lauterbrunnen is the one that surprises people most.
How to Reach?
Take a train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
Opening Hours
No fixed hours, accessible at all times. Though some falls may have some specific timings.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit is between May and July for the highest water volumes; snowmelt from the surrounding peaks feeds the falls at full force during these months.
Grindelwald First
Grindelwald village is located at the foot of the Eiger’s north face. Above the village, at 2,168 metres, lies the plateau of Grindelwald First, one of the famous Interlaken places to visit. The views from the top are wide and open, looking directly at the Eiger, Wetterhorn, and Schreckhorn. It is less infrastructure-heavy than Jungfraujoch, which means fewer crowds and more space to move around. One of the best things to do in Interlaken is to go on a hike to Bachalpsee, a glacial lake set in an open bowl. The reflection of the peaks in the lake on a still morning is straight out of Swiss tourism posters.
How to Reach?
Take a train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, then the first gondola from Grindelwald village.
Opening Hours
- Weekdays: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
What is the Best Time to Visit?
Visit from June to August for hiking and clear views, and from December to March for skiing.
Interlaken stands out not just for its scenic beauty, but for the variety of attractions it brings together in one place. From the snow-covered heights of Jungfraujoch to the peaceful shores of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and from dramatic valleys like Lauterbrunnen to simple moments in Höhematte Park, every attraction offers a different perspective of the region. These Interlaken tourist places offer a well-balanced mix of iconic sights and everyday experiences. With thoughtful planning and the right Interlaken tour packages, it becomes more than just a destination — it becomes a journey through some of Switzerland's most memorable landscapes.
FAQs
Q1. Is Interlaken safe for solo travellers?
Interlaken is very safe for solo travellers. The town is walkable, well-connected, and English is widely spoken. Standard precautions apply but serious concerns are rare.
Q2. What attractions are in Interlaken?
Top attractions include Jungfraujoch, Harder Kulm, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Höhematte Park, St. Beatus Caves, Lauterbrunnen Valley, and Grindelwald First, something for every type of visitor.
Q3. What is the best time of the year to visit Interlaken?
The best time to visit Interlaken is June through September for outdoor activities and clear mountain views. December through March for skiing, and for winter atmosphere in Grindelwald and Wengen.
Q4. Is Interlaken, Switzerland, worth visiting?
Absolutely. Interlaken offers stunning alpine scenery, two beautiful lakes, world-class mountain excursions, and a wide range of activities suitable for every type of traveller.
Q5. How many days should I spend in Interlaken?
Three days cover the essential attractions like Jungfraujoch, Harder Kulm, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and more comfortably. But for a more relaxed pace with day trips to Thun and other attractions, a week is ideal.
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