Top 10 Things to See & Do in Interlaken, Switzerland
- Steph Hagan
- Jun 12
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 8
After visiting multiple times, we can confidently say these are the top 10 things to see & do in Interlaken, Switzerland!
If you're more of a video person, the below video is THIS BLOG in video format!
Interlaken is a traditional Swiss resort town in the Bernese Oberland region, located on a stretch of land between two lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. You'll be charmed by the traditional Swiss wooden houses, alpine meadows, turquoise blue lakes, and surrounding mountains. If you want to experience a huge variety of outdoor landscapes with ease, you should stay in Interlaken!
Yes, Interlaken is one of the busier towns in this region, but it's busy for a reason! It's conveniently located in the center of all the mountain activities you'll want to experience, making it easier to get around without needing transfers. If you choose to stay in another town, chances are you'll have to take the train through Interlaken (and make a transfer) to get to your day-trip destination!
WHERE TO STAY
I recommend staying in an
accommodation that's within walking distance of Interlaken Ost (1 of the 2 main train stations)! If you plan on visiting places like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfrau, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, and towns along Lake Brienz, you'll want quick access to Interlaken Ost and the boat docks that are right next door!
Although it's a 25-minute walk from Interlaken Ost, my favorite place to stay is in Unterseen, which is a small town connected to Interlaken. You'll find Unterseen less touristy and only a 10-minute walk from Interlaken West (yes, there are 2 different train stations in Interlaken). From Unterseen and Interlaken West you'll be able to access all the towns along Lake Thun easily.
TRAVEL PASSES
While you can purchase individual train and public transit tickets in Switzerland, the cost can add up quickly. Switzerland offers travel pass options that cover trains and public transit, eliminating the need to purchase individual tickets.
Guidance on Travel Passes will depend on what regions of the country you'll be visiting, what activities you want to do, and how long you'll be in each place!
Here's a quick overview of the two we're familiar with:
Swiss Travel Pass - We've used the Swiss Travel Pass for our trips to Switzerland! You'll want this pass if you plan to visit multiple regions of the country on your trip. You can purchase a 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15-day pass, which will allow you to hop on trains between regions without having to book tickets in advance (aside from a few trains, which require pre-booked seats).
With this pass, you'll have access to:
Public transit
Boats
Some premium cableways and funiculars (Stoos, Rigi, Stanserhorn)
Over 500 museums
A percentage off the larger mountain excursions and cableways like Pilatus, Jungfrau and Harder Kulm
Family pass options (If you're traveling with a child between the ages of 6-up to their 16th birthday, you can request a family card so your child rides free when you're with them)
Jungfrau Travel Pass - This pass will allow you to travel freely within the Jungfrau region. This pass makes sense if you plan on staying in the Jungfrau region for multiple days and taking advantage of all the cableways, boats and activities that are included! You can purchase the pass for 3-8 days.
With this pass, you'll have access to:
Public Transit within the Jungfrau Region
Boats in the Jungfrau Region
Free trips to Grindelwald First, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg (and more)
A larger percentage off of Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Kids Pass - CHF 30 flat fee when you purchase any number of days
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us here or on Instagram!
Here are the top 10 things to do in Interlaken that will make you fall in love with the region and the country of Switzerland in general!
1) Boat Ride on Lake Thun + Thun Castle
Taking a boat ride on Lake Thun is one of the most magical things you can do in Interlaken. You can catch the BLS-Schiff from the Interlaken West Ferry Terminal and relax onboard as the boat glides through the turquoise blue waters of Lake Thun. There are multiple stops where you can disembark or you can stay on the ship with a snack or a glass of wine in hand.
Take the ferry to Thun, which is a small lakeside town with medieval architecture, a lively Old Town, and a castle with some of the best views. Thun is our favorite town in the Bernese Oberland Region because it's less touristy and feels like a true hidden gem! If you make your way to the covered, wooden bridge in town, you might even see locals surfing on the Aare River!
The boat ride to Thun is covered under the Swiss Travel Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
The entrance to Thun Castle is included in the Swiss Travel Pass.
2) St. Beatus Caves
On your way to Thun, you might stop at St. Beatus Caves, which are some of the largest accessible caves in Switzerland. You'll experience grottos, waterfalls, and impressive stalactites and stalagmites as you walk through this natural wonderland. This activity takes about 1 hour from start to finish!
Most people visit during the day, but if you're looking for a unique experience, you can visit on Friday or Saturday evening for a more tranquil experience.
Public transit to St. Beatus Caves is included with the Swiss Travel Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass. The entrance fee isn't covered with either pass.
3) Go Paragliding
If you're not afraid of heights (or even if you are), you HAVE to go paragliding in Switzerland! From the moment you set foot in town, you'll see paragliders softly raining down from the surrounding mountains, the pinks, yellows, and oranges of the parachute a dazzling contrast against the mountainous backdrop. I know you'll want to be a part of it and booking through this LINK is the best way to do that!
Going paragliding was a last-minute decision we made, and we're so happy we did! We left for this 1.5-hour experience from the middle of Interlaken and felt extremely safe the whole time, due to our knowledgeable guides.
This experience is done tandem (with an experienced jumper). From the second you take off, you'll be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains as well as the glorious lakes shimmering below.
After a 10-20 minute flight, you'll land softly back to earth, arriving in the large meadow park in the center of Interlaken!
You'll be able to purchase photos from your pilot for an extra charge! They are so worth it for the memories!
Learn all about paragliding AND skydiving in Interlaken by watching me do both here!
4) Bike around Lake Brienz
When you see the beauty of Lake Brienz, you'll want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the views and exploring the surrounding walkways, meadows and wooded areas. You might even see some grazing cows in the grassy fields!
The loop trail around Lake Brienz is over 20 miles long, so there's a lot to see! In our opinion, the best way to see it all (or most of it) is by bike!
Though our host had bikes we could use, we've heard a lot of amazing things about Yello Velo, which is a bike rental shop in Interlaken. They have all types of bikes to rent, from e-bikes to road bikes!
5) Lauterbrunnen Waterfalls
Lauterbrunnen is a small Swiss village set in a valley between Interlaken and the Jungfrau massif. When you step off the train, you'll be in awe of the sheer size of the cliffs and over 75 waterfalls.
Lauterbrunnen is a 30-minute direct train from Interlaken Ost and runs about every 30 minutes!
Our favorite thing to do in Lauterbrunnen is to simply walk through the valley, taking in the surrounding views. The Lauterbrunnen Valley Path is well marked and will guide you towards the main sites like Staubbach Falls and Trümmelbach Falls!
Our Advice: Bring a picnic with room for fresh dairy products! You'll find local vending machines and stands with fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt all along the valley. These stands usually take card and run on the honors system! It's a great way to support the local farmers, while having the best dairy of your life!
You won't want to miss Trümmelbach Falls, which are the only glacier waterfalls in Europe that are inside a mountain and open to the public! Yes, they will be busy and you will get wet, but you'll be blown away by the force of the water running down from the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks!
The trains between Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are included in the Swiss Travel Pass and Jungfrau Travel Pass. The entrance to Trümmelbach Falls is an extra fee that isn't included in either pass.
6) Go Skydiving
Don't pass up the chance to skydive if you're in Interlaken! It's said to be one of the most beautiful places in the WORLD to jump! I haven't jumped anywhere else, but I can say that skydiving in Interlaken took my breath away. It's my favorite experience I've ever had - EVER!
This experience was about 5 hours and included pick-up, a safety briefing lesson, a scenic plane ride over the Alps, and the main event: a 45-second free fall, followed by a 5-7 minute canopy float down to earth. The jump itself is done tandem, with a professional who has their skydiving license. You will be dropped back in Interlaken at the end of your experience!
You can pay extra for photos and videos! Yes, it can all be expensive, but it's so worth it!
The most common question I get asked is "did you feel safe?"
I felt SO safe!
There's a huge adrenaline build-up leading up to the jump, but once you're with your instructor, they'll make sure you know EXACTLY what to do and will make you feel extremely safe and ready!
7) Grindelwald First
You can't visit Interlaken without visiting Grindelwald and Grindelwald First mountain! From Interlaken, you'll take a 30-minute train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, walk about 10 minutes through the village, then take the cable car up to Grindelwald First - Top of Adventure.
Once you reach Grindelwald First you have the option to walk on the First Cliff Walk, take in the views from the "First View" viewing platform, or experience the First Flyer or First Glider, which will take you soaring over the mountain landscape. You can also have lunch at Berggasthaus First, which has one of the best outdoor seating areas we've ever seen!
Tips:
Arrive early. The first cable car to Grindelwald First is around 8 am (opening times depend on the season, but you can check the schedule HERE).
Do the Grindelwald Cliff Walk first. Within an hour of opening, there will be a huge line. If you arrive right when it opens, you may have the whole place to yourself!
Book tickets for the First Flyer, First Glider or the First Trottibikes in advance.
Bring snacks and water. While there's a restaurant up top, it can be very expensive to purchase anything past a drink. Bring a packed sandwich, nuts, fruit, snack bars and water to tide you over throughout the day - especially if you plan to hike!
Wear hiking boots or sneakers as the walkways can be rocky and uneven!
The trains between Interlaken and Grindelwald First are covered on the Swiss Travel Pass and Jungfrau Travel Pass.
The Grindelwald First cable car is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass. With the Swiss Travel Pass, you'll get 50% off the Grindelwald First cable car.
8) Bachalpsee Lake
You'll find access to Bachalpsee Lake from Grindelwald First! The beginning of the hike is easy to find and is well marked along the way.
This hike is a moderate 3.7-mile, out-and-back trail with a wide dirt path, making it accessible and doable for families with kids. The hike has a 636-foot elevation gain from Grindelwald First, which sits at 2,168 meters above sea level.
Along this hike, you'll have many opportunities for picture and picnic stops that will make you feel like you're in your own little world in the mountains!
9) Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Switzerland! While it's expensive, it's a full-day event that allows you to experience different cable cars and mountain trains while witnessing a huge variety of Swiss landscapes along the way.
What the journey looks like:
Take the train 30 minutes from Interlaken to Grindelwald Terminal
Follow the signs for Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe
Present your tickets and take the Eiger Express tri-cable gondola
Transfer to Jungfrau Railway
All the transfers are organized with people available to help if you have any questions!
When you arrive at the Jungfraujoch railway station (which is the highest rail station in Europe at 3,454 meters), you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps, along with the snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps and the crisp, fresh air.
At the top of Jungfraujoch, you'll have access to multiple viewing platforms, including the Sphinx Observatory and the panoramic viewing platform. You'll walk through the Ice Palace, experience different multimedia rooms, and shop at the highest Lindt store in the world! You have to get the Lindt Dubai Chocolate if they still have it!
You'll spend between 3-4 hours at the summit before taking the mountain train back down to Grindelwald. On your ride down, you'll get a complimentary Lindt chocolate to commemorate your trip!
Trains from Interlaken to Grindelwald Terminal Station are covered with the Swiss Travel Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
You'll get 25% off Jungfraujoch with the Swiss Travel Pass and 50% off with the Jungfrau Travel Pass.
10) Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm is known as the Top of Interlaken! You'll reach the viewpoint by taking a funicular 1,322 meters up, where you'll get panoramic views of Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, and the mountainous landscape that surrounds them.
I recommend taking the funicular up a few hours before sunset so you can walk the Harder Kulm circular route before listening to the alphorn concert that happens every evening at 18:30. Then you can grab a drink at the Panorama Restaurant before watching the sunset from the viewing platform!
The Harder Kulm funicular is 50% off with the Swiss Travel Pass and completely free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass!
Planning a trip to Switzerland can be very overwhelming because of everything there is to see and experience. We hope this blog has helped you narrow down what you want to do on your trip and how you can make it more affordable!
We have tons more to share about this beautiful country - be sure to subscribe to the blog below to be notified of future posts!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us here or on Instagram!