Travel Guide to Interlaken, Switzerland

Why Adventurers Love Interlaken

Photo: Höheweg Interlaken 2022-10-02 01.jpg by Leonhard Lenz (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons

Interlaken sits in a flat valley between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, directly below the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau — three of the most famous peaks in the Alps. That geography makes it one of the best places in Europe for paragliding, with long, smooth thermals and jaw-dropping mountain scenery on every flight. The adventure industry here is mature and well-organized, with canyoning, skydiving, white-water rafting, and bungee jumping all running daily from May to October. In winter, the Jungfrau ski region offers over 200km of pistes with views that are hard to beat anywhere.

Neighborhoods to Know

Unterseen

Photo: Unterseen Unter den Häusern.jpg by Hadi (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Founded in 1279 on the north bank of the Aare, Unterseen is Interlaken’s actual old town — a short walk from Interlaken West station but noticeably quieter, with wooden chalet facades and cobbled lanes instead of tour buses. It’s a good base if you want to be close to the action without sleeping on top of it.

Grindelwald

Photo: Grindelwald, church and Eiger, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland-LCCN2001701172.jpg by Photochrom Print Collection (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons

Twenty minutes by train from Interlaken Ost, Grindelwald sits directly beneath the Eiger’s north face and is the main gateway to Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Express gondola. It’s the best base for climbers, via ferrata, and anyone doing the glacier canyon and cliff-walk circuit.

Lauterbrunnen

Photo: 1 lauterbrunnen valley 2012.jpg by chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Carved by glaciers into 300-meter sheer rock walls, Lauterbrunnen is a valley of 72 waterfalls and the staging ground for the region’s canyoning and BASE jumping scene. It’s also cheaper than Interlaken proper and puts you at the trailhead for the Schilthorn and Mürren.

Top Things to Do in Interlaken

Beyond the adrenaline sports, these are the landmarks worth building a rest day around.

1. Jungfraujoch

Sitting at 3,466m between the Mönch and the Jungfrau, Jungfraujoch is home to the highest railway station in Europe and is marketed as the “Top of Europe,” with an ice palace and the Sphinx observatory. The cogwheel train ride up from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen is an experience in its own right.

2. Schynige Platte

A rack railway from Wilderswil climbs to this 1,967m ridge, home to an alpine botanical garden and one of the best panoramic views of Interlaken, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz laid out below at once.

3. Harder Kulm

A funicular from central Interlaken reaches this 1,322m viewpoint in about 10 minutes, ending at the “Two-Lake Bridge” platform that hangs out over both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz simultaneously.

4. Trümmelbach Falls

Near Lauterbrunnen, this series of glacier-fed waterfalls runs inside the mountain itself, carrying meltwater off the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau through tunnels and elevators cut into the rock.

5. St. Beatus Caves

These limestone show caves sit above Lake Thun near Sundlauenen, named for the legendary hermit Beatus, with illuminated stalactite chambers that make a good rainy-day plan B.

6. Lake Thun

Southwest of Interlaken, this glacial lake is ringed by castles including Thun Castle and Oberhofen, with boat cruises running the length of the shoreline.

7. Lake Brienz

Known for its striking turquoise color, Lake Brienz sits northeast of Interlaken with the Giessbach Falls tumbling down its shore and historic paddle steamers still running scheduled routes.

Book tickets & skip-the-line tours: Browse Interlaken experiences

Top Activities

• Tandem paraglide from Beatenberg — 15-20 minute flights soaring over the lakes with Jungfrau views
• Canyon the Saxetbach or Grimsel gorge — Rappelling, sliding, and jumping through alpine canyons
• Hike to Schynige Platte — Panoramic ridge walk with views of the entire Bernese Oberland
• Skydive from a helicopter — Tandem jumps from 14,000ft with the Eiger as backdrop
• Ski Grindelwald-Wengen — Part of the Jungfrau ski region with runs from 2,500m

Getting Around

Photo: Komposition der Jungfraubahn vor Mönch und Jungfrau.jpg by JoachimKohler-HB (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

The Swiss rail network is excellent. Trains from Interlaken Ost reach Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in 20 minutes. The Jungfraubahn to the Top of Europe (3,454m) departs from there. Activity operators provide van pickups from both stations and most hotels. A Swiss Half Fare Card cuts all transport costs in half and pays for itself in 2-3 trips. Zurich airport is 2 hours by train, Bern is 50 minutes.

Safety

The U.S. State Department rates Switzerland Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) (as of 2026-07-08). Switzerland has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and Interlaken’s tourist infrastructure is mature and well-regulated — paragliding, canyoning, and skydiving operators here are licensed and insured, which is exactly what you want before trusting someone with your life at altitude. The real risks are the mountains themselves: check avalanche bulletins before any winter backcountry push, book adventure activities through established operators rather than the cheapest option you find, and dial 112 for any emergency. Tap water is safe to drink straight from the fountain.

Best Time to Visit

Interlaken effectively runs two seasons. Summer (June-September) is peak season for paragliding, canyoning, hiking, and rafting, with long daylight hours and the most reliable weather for flying. Winter (December-March) shifts the focus to the Jungfrau ski region’s 200+ km of pistes, with Grindelwald-Wengen and Mürren-Schilthorn both a short train ride away. Shoulder months (May and October) can be unpredictable for outdoor sports as high-altitude activities depend on snowmelt and stable weather windows.

Photo: The view over the kleine scheidegg.jpg by David Haberthür from Bern, Switzerland (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Where to Stay

Photo: Höheweg Interlaken 2022-10-02 02.jpg by Leonhard Lenz (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons

Interlaken has two train stations (Ost and West) and the main strip runs between them. Budget travelers should book Balmers Hostel or Funny Farm ($35-55/night for dorms) — both are legendary backpacker institutions. Mid-range options include apartments in Unterseen, the quieter old town area ($90-140/night). For hikers heading into the mountains, stay in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen for direct trail and lift access. Lauterbrunnen in particular offers stunning valley accommodation at slightly lower prices than Interlaken itself. For a curated, pre-vetted list with pricing and booking links, see our full basecamp guide.

Budget Tips

Switzerland is expensive but manageable with planning. Buy groceries at Coop or Migros and cook at your hostel. Get the Jungfrau Travel Pass for unlimited transport in the region. Visit in June or September for lower prices while conditions remain excellent. Book paragliding and canyoning online in advance for discounts of 10-15% over walk-up prices.