Interlaken is a well-known tourist hub in Switzerland, as the town acts as a convenient base for travellers planning day trips into the Alps. Well-equipped for visitors, with numerous hotels, souvenir shops, and international restaurants, Interlaken is very popular among tourists and is usually a part of the itinerary of most Switzerland tour packages.
More than a simple town, Interlaken is where turquoise lakes meet towering alpine peaks and adventure blends seamlessly into the verdant backdrop. Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, Interlaken sits surrounded by snow-capped peaks and by Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Interlaken has something to offer for everyone, which is why it can be the perfect destination for your next vacation.
Some of the best things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland, include paragliding in Beatenberg, riding the cogwheel train to Schynige Platte, travelling to the “Top of Europe” at Jungfraujoch, enjoying water sports and activities at Lake Brienz, taking a cruise on Lake Thun, touring the St Beatus Caves, night sledding in Isenfluh, visiting the Ballenberg Museum, exploring Oberhofen Castle, and traversing the exceptional hiking opportunities in Interlaken.
Top Things to Do in Interlaken, Switzerland
The Swiss town of Interlaken is a stunning hub for outdoor adventures as well as natural beauty. Here, you can expect breathtaking scenery, with dramatic views of lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes, at every corner. The town is also easy to reach and navigate, supported by a strong public transport infrastructure. The best part is that Interlaken has a wide range of activities to offer, right from peaceful boat rides on the lakes to adrenaline-pumping experiences, like paragliding. If you, too, are planning to travel to Interlaken for your next vacation, here are some of the best activities in Interlaken that you can consider partaking in:
- Traversing Exceptional Hiking Opportunities
- Go Paragliding in Beatenberg
- Ride the Cogwheel Train to Schynige Platte
- Travel to the “Top of Europe” at Jungfraujoch
- Enjoy the Many Activities at Lake Brienz
- Cruise Across Lake Thun
- Tour the St Beatus Caves
- Go Night Sledding in Isenfluh
- Visit the Ballenberg Museum
- Explore Oberhofen Castle
Traversing Exceptional Hiking Opportunities
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Interlaken. The town is surrounded by mountains and lakes and offers amazing hiking trails that range from gentle lakeside strolls to challenging alpine routes.
Why: Interlaken offers endless hiking trails, which are suitable for varying levels of expertise.
Interesting Fact: Seasonal hikes in Interlaken offer a wide variety of experiences, summers take you to spectacular ridges and impressive peaks, while spring is about gushing waterfalls and blooming wildflowers, winters have well-maintained trails, signposted snowshoe trails, and romantic paths, and autumn brings golden hues and culinary trails.
Highlights: Numerous hiking trails with varying difficulties, like the Harder Kulm Trail, Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Eiger Trail, and the Rugen Trail, start from Harder Kulm, which is one of the most popular places to visit in Interlaken.
Best Time: Late June to September is ideal for warm weather and longer, sunny days, while late September to October is more suitable for lush fall foliage and if you want fewer crowds.
Go Paragliding in Beatenberg
Paragliding and parasailing are popular activities in Interlaken that you can participate in. If these activities are on your list of things to do in Interlaken, make sure that you check the availability in advance, as flights are subject to weather conditions.
Why: Interlaken is known for ideal flight conditions and mesmerising alpine scenery that you will get panoramic views of as you soar over the town.
Interesting Fact: The view you get is seasonal. You see lush greenery in the summers, green meadows and flowers in the spring, snow-covered mountains in the winters, and colourful leaves in autumn.
Highlights: Most participants launch from locations like Beatenberg and land in the heart of the town.
Best Time: Summers are ideal for calmer skies, while in winters, you get to glide over ethereal snowy landscapes.
Costs: Prices are usually CHF 190 (per person) and up, with an additional fee for photo and video services.
Ride the Cogwheel Train to Schynige Platte
Probably one of the most recommended things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland, is riding the cogwheel train to Schynige Platte, one of the top places to go to in Interlaken. The historic cogwheel train ride starts from Wilderswil station.
Why: Ride the cogwheel train for a nostalgic journey, with vintage wooden benches, scenic curves, and stunning views of the Swiss Alps. This train ride is indubitably one of the best things to do in Interlaken.
Interesting Fact: Construction of the cogwheel railway started in the late 1800s. Since then, very little has changed. The line has been operating with classic cogwheel engineering for more than a hundred years, preserving its historic charm.
Highlights: Sweeping views, numerous hiking trails of varying difficulties, traditional Swiss alphorn performances from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and the Alpine Botanical Garden, which showcases more than 750 plant species.
Best Time: The railway is operational from late May to late October. However, this may change based on the weather conditions.
Timings: From 7:25 AM to 4:45 PM, a cogwheel train departs every 40 minutes from Wilderswil station. The ascent takes around 52 minutes.
Costs: The cogwheel train ticket price to Schynige Platte starts from CHF 32.
Travel to the “Top of Europe” at Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is one of the most iconic things to see in Interlaken. Also known as the “Top of Europe”, Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest altitude railway station, is located at an elevation of 3,454 metres above sea level.
Why: Your list of things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland, should include visiting this destination as it is part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. The engineering marvel, surrounding glaciers, and the altitude make Jungfraujoch one of the top Interlaken attractions for you to visit.
Interesting Fact: The railway tunnel took 16 years to complete, as it was hand-carved through mountain rock.
Highlights: Explore the Ice Palace, a snowy plateau, and take in panoramic glacier views from the Sphinx Observatory.
Best Time: Try to visit in the morning, which is when you will be able to enjoy the clearest skies.
Timings: Open all days, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Costs: The entry fee ranges from CHF 180 to CHF 305 per head.
Enjoy the Many Activities at Lake Brienz
You can find fun water sports and activities, and many more amazing things to do in Interlaken when you visit Lake Brienz. This is one of those Interlaken attractions that has something to offer for all kinds of visitors.
Why: The bright blue waters of the lake and the surrounding mountains create the perfect backdrop for relaxation as well as some fun water activities.
Interesting Fact: The striking turquoise colour of the lake comes from glacial materials, also known as “rock flour”, that are suspended in the water.
Highlights: Kayaking, paddleboarding, lakeside walks, swimming spots, and scenic boat rides.
Best Time: June to September.
Timings: The lake can be accessed year-round. However, cruises and water sports rentals have their own seasonal schedules.
Costs: Water sports and boat rental charges vary based on several factors, and range from CHF 33 to CHF 120.
Cruise Across Lake Thun
Lake Thun is known to be one of the most picturesque places to visit near Interlaken. Taking a cruise on the lake is one of the best ways to explore the alpine scenery of the region and admire the castles, vineyards, and charming lakeside villages.
Why: Lake Thun is one of the best places to visit in Interlaken, and Lake Thun cruises offer refreshing, relaxing experiences that reveal the natural and historical beauty of the region.
Interesting Fact: The historic paddle steamer, “Blüemlisalp” still operates between Thun and Interlaken, right alongside modern passenger ships.
Highlights: You can choose short, one-way journeys or full lake round trips that last for several hours.
Best Time: April to October.
Timing: Usually starts around 10:00 AM, operating until around 6:00 PM, with some cruise companies even starting as early as 6:00 AM.
Costs: The price of the pass for a Lake Thun cruise usually ranges from CHF 15 to CHF 125.
Tour the St. Beatus Caves
One of the most interesting places to go to in Interlaken, St. Beatus Caves are limestone caves that extend deep into the Niederhorn Massif. These Interlaken attractions comprise of a network of tunnels, chambers, rock formations, and subterranean waterfalls.
Why: This is one of the most unique places to visit in Interlaken, where atmospheric cave exploration, geology, technology, and legends blend together.
Interesting Fact: According to legend, there was a monk from Ireland, St Beatus, who took refuge in these caves in the 6th century, after he drove away a dragon.
Highlights: Approximately one kilometre of the cave system is open for visitors. You can take a guided or self-guided tour, which takes about an hour. Well-lit, secure walkways take you through illuminated caverns, waterfalls, narrow passages, spacious grottos, and a scenic cliffside approach. This Interlaken attraction also has a museum, which showcases the geology and history of the caves.
Best Time: April to October.
Timings: Summers (Mid-April to November)
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Winters (Mid-November to Mid-April)
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Costs: The entry fee ranges from CHF 10 for dogs and CHF 12 for children to CHF 52 for a family ticket
Go Night Sledding in Isenfluh
Isenfluh should be on your list of places to visit in Interlaken if you are looking for a thrilling winter adventure. This is a seasonal activity that is only operational during the winter season, when snowfall is reliable.
Why: Night sledding in Isenfluh is a rare experience that combines winter adventures with the cosy charm of the alpine.
Interesting Fact: The night sledding experience often comes with a traditional Swiss fondue dinner that follows the descent.
Highlights: Lantern-lit trails, breathtaking nighttime scenery, optional guided routes, and alpine dining experiences.
Best Time: Late December to early March.
Timings: The activity only takes place in the evening.
Costs: Approximately CHF 99 to CHF 125
Visit the Ballenberg Museum
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, spanning 163 acres of land, showcases the architecture, everyday life, and traditions. The museum offers a great way to see a wide range of Swiss culture and architecture in one place, making it perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and others who may want a comprehensive glimpse into the past.
Why: The museum offers an immersive experience of traditional Swiss life, which is brought back to life through live craft demonstrations, historic buildings, and farm animals.
Interesting Fact: More than 100 original historic buildings from across Switzerland were dismantled and rebuilt at the Ballenberg Museum.
Highlights: Enjoy the scenic setting as you explore traditional Swiss architecture, watch demonstrations of more than 30 traditional crafts, and interact with around 200 animals that represent native breeds. There are also exhibitions on rural life, regional kitchens, gardens, barns, medicinal herb gardens, and hands-on seasonal workshops.
Best Time: Mid-April to October.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, every day,
Costs: The entry fee ranges from CHF 16 for children to CHF 72 for a family ticket.
Explore Oberhofen Castle
Sitting on the shores of Lake Thun, Oberhofen Castle is a picturesque, historic castle that was constructed in the 13th century. The castle is well-known for its fairytale appearance, with its lakeside setting and towers. The castle also features a medieval keep, which was later transformed into a summer residence by the de Pourtalès family.
Why: Visit Oberhofen Castle for its picturesque beauty, lakeside location, and romantic architecture.
Interesting Fact: Some rooms feature Ottoman-style interiors, which is a characteristic that is unusual for a Swiss castle.
Highlights: Tour the rooms of the castle to learn more about the lives of former residents or check out all the special rooms that were commissioned by Count Albert Pourtalès. These rooms include the Oriental smoking parlour, the fancy library, and the Green Room, with its intricately designed ceiling. Visit the museum, Lakeside turret, historic rooms, armour displays, and the rose garden.
Best Time: Opens seasonally, usually from May to October.
Costs: The entry fee ranges from CHF6 to CHF14.
Other places to visit and things to do in Interlaken include visiting the Yash Chopra statue in Kursaal Garden, going to Hohematte Park, riding the Brienzer Rothorn steam-powered cogwheel train to the Brienzer Rothorn summit, go skiing at Beatenberg-Niederhorn, dining at Piz Gloria, exploring the Thun Castle, and much more. For a memorable vacation, make sure that you add all your favourite places and activities to your itinerary while booking your Interlaken tour packages.
FAQs
Q1. Is Interlaken worth visiting if I’m not into extreme sports?
Yes, while it’s a global hub for paragliding and skydiving, Interlaken also offers serene lake cruises, panoramic funicular rides, forest walks and charming alpine villages easily reached by train.
Q2. Can you explore the Jungfrau Region from Interlaken in a day?
You can reach highlights like Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald in a day, but the journeys are scenic and slow by design, so an overnight stay allows you to explore viewpoints and trails more comfortably.
Q3. Is Interlaken’s Harder Kulm just a tourist trap?
It’s popular for a good reason. The viewpoint delivers striking Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau vistas. Visiting early morning or late afternoon avoids crowds and captures the best light.
Q4. Are the lakes swimmable, or are they only for cruises?
Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are beautifully clean and swimmable in summer, though chilly. Designated lidos and quieter coves make it easy to enjoy the water safely.
Q5. Do you need hiking experience to enjoy local trails?
Not necessarily. Interlaken has well-marked beginner-friendly routes like the Panoramaweg and lakeside paths, while seasoned hikers can tackle more demanding alpine trails in nearby Lauterbrunnen or Mürren.
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