Interlaken

Höheweg Promenade Hotel

A central hotel right on the Höheweg promenade, facing the Höhematte meadow with direct views of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger peaks.

Interlaken Ost Riverside Guesthouse

A guesthouse steps from Interlaken Ost station, the hub for early mountain trains to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.

Lake Thun View Apartment

A self-catering apartment near Interlaken West station, overlooking Lake Thun with easy access to the lake boats toward Spiez and Thun.

Grindelwald Alpine Chalet

A traditional wooden chalet in Grindelwald village, 20 minutes from Interlaken by train, facing the Eiger's north face with ski-in winter access.

Lauterbrunnen Valley Guesthouse

A quiet guesthouse in Lauterbrunnen, the valley of 72 waterfalls, with the Staubbach Falls visible from the village and easy trains back to Interlaken.

Matten Family Apartment

A quiet residential apartment in Matten bei Interlaken, between the two lakes, a short walk from the Höheweg and both train stations.

Interlaken Ost Station

The mountain gateway station, where the Jungfrau Railways, and trains to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Brienz all depart.

Interlaken West Station

The town-center station closer to the Höheweg promenade, hotels and the Lake Thun boat dock.

Bern–Interlaken Train

A direct regional train from Bern takes about 50 minutes, making Interlaken an easy day trip or arrival point from the Swiss capital.

Zurich–Interlaken Train

Trains from Zurich reach Interlaken in about two hours via Bern, or via Lucerne on the scenic GoldenPass line in around one hour fifty minutes.

Swiss Travel Pass

A pass covering unlimited travel on trains, buses and lake boats nationwide, plus discounts on the pricier Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn mountain railways.

Lake Boats (Thun & Brienz)

BLS passenger boats link Interlaken to lakeside villages on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, included with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Indian Tandoori Restaurant Interlaken

Indian Tandoori Restaurant Interlaken is an Indian restaurant, highly rated at 4.9 from 6810 reviews.

📍Centralstrasse 18, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland · View on map

Aare Korean BBQ Restaurant

Aare Korean BBQ Restaurant offers authentic Korean cuisine. It boasts a high rating of 4.7 stars from 7406 reviews.

📍Strandbadstrasse 15, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland · View on map

Panoramic Viewpoint - Harder Kulm

Panoramic Viewpoint - Harder Kulm is a highly-rated restaurant, boasting 4.6 stars from 8513 reviews. Situated on a mountain platform, it offers panoramic views of the city and lakes, often featuring live folk music.

📍Harder Kulm, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland · View on map

Asllani's Corner

Asllani's Corner is a highly-rated hamburger restaurant, boasting an impressive 4.6 stars from 4281 reviews.

📍Höheweg 94, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland · View on map

Velo Cafe

Velo Cafe is a well-regarded cafe, earning a 4.6-star rating from 1945 reviews.

📍Unionsgasse 10, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland · View on map

Pure Vegetarian Chotivala (Unlimited Thali)

Pure Vegetarian Chotivala (Unlimited Thali) is a vegetarian restaurant. It boasts a 4.6 rating from 1654 reviews.

📍Centralstrasse 29, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland · View on map

Harder Kulm Funicular

A funicular climbs from central Interlaken to the Harder Kulm viewpoint at 1,322 meters, ending at the Two Lakes Bridge platform overlooking both lakes at once.

Lake Boat Cruise

A relaxed boat cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz's turquoise water lets children watch cliffside castles and villages glide by from the deck.

St. Beatus Caves

A walkable cave system above Lake Thun with an underground waterfall, stalactites and a legend of a dragon-slaying hermit saint.

Grindelwald First Cliff Walk & Trottibike

At Grindelwald-First, a cliffside walkway juts out over the valley and a scooter-bike trail lets kids and adults coast downhill on marked mountain paths.

Top of Europe Ice Magic

A winter ice park and amusement area near Jungfraujoch offers sledding and snow activities for families visiting in the colder months.

Easy Alpine Climbing / Ropes Course

Low-height ropes courses and via ferrata-style climbs near Interlaken let kids try alpine climbing safely with harnesses and guided instruction.

Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Europe's highest railway station, at 3,454 meters, features the Sphinx observatory, an ice palace carved into the glacier, and views over the Aletsch Glacier.

Schilthorn (Piz Gloria)

A cable car climbs to the Schilthorn's revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, famous as a James Bond film location with 360-degree Alpine panoramas.

Schynige Platte

A century-old cogwheel railway climbs to Schynige Platte, home to an alpine botanical garden and sweeping views over Interlaken and both lakes.

Höheweg Promenade & Höhematte

Interlaken's central promenade runs alongside the open Höhematte meadow, a historic protected green space framed by direct views of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger.

Unspunnenfest

A traditional folk festival held irregularly near Interlaken, featuring alphorn playing, stone-throwing competitions and Swiss wrestling in historic costume.

Greenfield Festival

A major international rock and metal festival held every June near Interlaken, drawing large touring acts against a backdrop of the Bernese Alps.

Schlosskirche Interlaken

The Reformed castle church stands on the grounds of Interlaken's 12th-century Augustinian monastery, the origin of the town's Latin name 'inter lacus'.

St. Beatus Hermitage Legend

The caves above Lake Thun are tied to the legend of St. Beatus, a hermit saint said to have driven a dragon from the cave and lived there in solitude.

Interlaken Catholic Parish Church

The town's Roman Catholic parish church holds regular Mass and serves the Catholic community alongside the older Reformed Schlosskirche.

Schloss Interlaken Grounds

The historic monastery-castle grounds, now cantonal offices, remain walkable, with the adjoining Schlosskirche and Höhematte meadow nearby.

Alpine Chapels in Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen

Small wooden mountain chapels along hiking trails near Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen reflect the deep-rooted faith of Alpine farming communities.

Interlaken Cemetery War Graves

A small Commonwealth war graves section in Interlaken's cemetery honors airmen who died in Switzerland during the Second World War, a quiet reflective stop.

Interlaken Congress Centre (Kursaal)

The Kursaal Interlaken hosts conferences, galas and the town's casino, a modern venue set directly on the Höhematte meadow.

Adventure Sports Industry Hub

Interlaken is headquarters to dozens of Swiss adventure sports operators running paragliding, canyoning, skydiving and rafting trips across the region.

Hospitality & Tourism Sector

Tourism is Interlaken's dominant industry, employing much of the local workforce across hotels, mountain railways and guiding services.

Jungfrau Railways Corporate Offices

The company operating the Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn and regional cogwheel railways is headquartered in Interlaken, a major regional employer.

Business Hotels near Höheweg

Several central hotels along the Höheweg offer meeting rooms and fast WiFi for business travelers combining conference days with mountain excursions.

Swiss Watch & Precision Retail

Luxury watch and Swiss Army knife boutiques line the Höheweg, catering to tourists seeking authentic Swiss-made precision goods.

Emergency Numbers 112 / 144

Dial 112 for general emergencies or 144 for ambulance services anywhere in Switzerland.

Spital Interlaken (FMI Hospital)

Interlaken's regional hospital provides emergency care around the clock and serves the wider Bernese Oberland area.

Pharmacy (Apotheke) Locator

Pharmacies marked 'Apotheke' are found along the Höheweg, with an on-call rotation covering nights and Sundays.

Mountain Rescue / REGA Air Rescue

REGA's helicopter rescue service responds to hiking, climbing and skiing accidents across the Bernese Alps; travel insurance covering rescue costs is strongly advised.

Altitude Precautions at Jungfraujoch

At 3,454 meters, some visitors feel lightheaded or short of breath; move slowly, stay hydrated, and be aware of symptoms in older visitors or those with heart conditions.

Sun & Glacier Glare Protection

UV exposure is far stronger at altitude and reflects off snow and ice, so sunscreen and UV-rated sunglasses are essential even on cool or cloudy days.

Paragliding Over the Lakes

Tandem paragliding flights launch from Beatenberg or Habkern and land on the Höhematte meadow, offering aerial views over both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz — Interlaken's signature adventure.

Skydiving

Tandem skydives over the Bernese Alps offer a few minutes of freefall followed by a parachute descent with panoramic views of the Jungfrau region.

Canyoning

Guided canyoning trips near Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald involve rappelling, sliding and jumping down river gorges carved into the Alps.

River Rafting

Whitewater rafting trips run on the glacier-fed Lütschine river, combining scenic alpine valleys with rapids suited to beginners and families.

Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumps from bridges near Interlaken, including sites over gorges toward Stockhorn and Gunten, offer some of Switzerland's most scenic jump backdrops.

Ski & Snowboard (Winter)

The Jungfrau ski region spans Grindelwald-Wengen and Mürren-Schilthorn, offering runs for all levels against the backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Private Jungfraujoch Guide & Fast-Track

A private guide handles ticketing, timing around the weather forecast, and priority boarding for the Jungfraujoch excursion.

Adventure Sports Booking Concierge

A local concierge coordinates paragliding, canyoning, rafting and bungee bookings across multiple operators, matching activities to weather and family fitness levels.

Luggage Storage at Interlaken Ost

Lockers at Interlaken Ost station let day-trippers store bags before a Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald excursion without checking into a hotel first.

SIM Card & Swiss Data

Swiss SIM cards and data plans are available at the train stations and central shops, useful given Switzerland's high roaming costs outside the EU.

Ski & Snowboard Equipment Rental

Rental shops near both stations outfit visitors with skis, snowboards and boots sized for the whole family, avoiding the cost and hassle of flying with gear.

Private Photography Session

Local photographers offer family sessions at Harder Kulm's Two Lakes Bridge or on the Höhematte meadow, timed for golden-hour mountain light.

Best Summer Hiking Months

June through September offers the clearest weather and fully open high-alpine trails around Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Schynige Platte.

Winter Ski Season

December through March brings reliable snow to the Jungfrau ski region, making winter the second peak season alongside summer hiking.

Shoulder Season Value

April, May, October and November are quieter and cheaper, though some higher-altitude cable cars and trails may have reduced schedules or closures.

Mountain Weather Variability

Weather in the high Alps can shift quickly even in summer — pack layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of how sunny Interlaken looks at lake level.

Unspunnenfest Timing

The Unspunnenfest folk festival is held irregularly, not every year, so travelers hoping to catch it should check the current schedule before booking dates around it.

Jungfrau Marathon

Held each September, the Jungfrau Marathon draws runners and spectators for a steep uphill race finishing near Kleine Scheidegg, filling local accommodation.

Check the Weather Before Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch tickets are expensive and non-refundable for weather — check the live summit webcam the morning of, since fog erases the view entirely.

Interlaken Ost Is the Mountain Gateway

All mountain trains to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen depart from Interlaken Ost, not Interlaken West — double-check before boarding.

Swiss Travel Pass Saves Money on Mountain Trains

Buying a Swiss Travel Pass before the trip covers regional trains, buses and boats outright and discounts the pricier Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn fares.

Buy Groceries at Coop or Migros

Switzerland is expensive — stocking up at a Coop or Migros supermarket for breakfasts and snacks noticeably cuts the daily food budget.

Book Accommodation Early in Peak Season

Interlaken is a small town that fills quickly during summer hiking season, winter ski season, and around festivals like Greenfield or Unspunnenfest — book rooms well ahead.

Currency Is Swiss Franc, Not Euro

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro, despite being surrounded by Eurozone countries — check current exchange rates and card fees before the trip.