Interlaken lies in the Bernese Oberland between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Water, mountain views and urban culture give a stay here a variety of highlights: you can plan a boat trip, head to scenic viewpoints or explore Interlaken’s history on foot.
Between the Lake and Mountain Views
The Two-Lakes Bridge on Harder Kulm offers views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, as well as the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. From Interlaken Ost station, a short walk leads to the valley station of the Harderbahn; the ride from there up to Harder Kulm takes ten minutes. This clearly identifies the starting point, transfer and viewpoint when planning a mountain railway excursion during your stay.
Boat trips are also part of getting around between the lakes. Interlaken West boat station is right next to the railway station, making it easy to combine train and boat journeys. Scheduled boats have connected Interlaken with Brienz since 1839; their timetables are seasonal and may change. So if you want to plan a trip in advance, check the current timetable. On Lake Brienz, you can enjoy the passing natural scenery and relax during the journey.
Walks and Special Places
A city walk can begin on Bahnhofstrasse, cross the Aare, pass through the old town and end at Höheweg. Höhematte has been a protected historical site since 1864 and offers views of the Jungfrau massif. If you would rather learn about the history of Interlaken and the region on a guided tour, Interlaken Walking Tours offers free city tours as well as private tours. They usually last between two and three hours.
A quieter cultural stop is the Japanese Garden Interlaken. Built in 1995, it was a gift from Interlaken’s Japanese twin town of Ōtsu; the garden is open to the public free of charge. The Shinji Pond represents Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, reflecting Interlaken’s location between the two lakes. In this small garden, local landscape references meet the connection with the twin town.
History, Art and Events
Interlaken’s former Augustinian monastery was first mentioned in a document in 1133. For a look at art, Kunsthaus Interlaken presents exhibitions by Swiss and international artists; guided tours can also be booked there. In the Kursaal garden, a flower garden with a floral clock and fountain surrounds a 19th-century building that has been renovated several times. The garden has been regarded as the cultural centre of Interlaken since 1859.
The Kursaal offers entertainment, music concerts and theatre performances. Its Art Nouveau halls are also used for events, exhibitions, conventions and conferences. Casino Interlaken offers slot machines and live games such as American Roulette, Black Jack and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. If a particular performance or event affects your travel dates, check the specific dates before making plans.
Plan Tours and Excursions to Suit You
For a sightseeing tour of Interlaken, there is the electric City Train: the approximately 45-minute ride starts at Höhematte station and is accompanied by a multilingual audio guide. By comparison, Walking Tours usually take two to three hours and focus on history. This lets you choose between a shorter audio-guided ride and a longer guided exploration on foot.
Cycling routes can include Interlaken and Unterseen, as well as the shores of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun; guided e-bike tours are also available. On a paragliding flight in Interlaken, you land at Höhematte after a flight lasting 10 to 20 minutes. Operational details may vary by provider. The options range from city history and lakeside paths to a guided tour or a flight.
The nearby old town of Unterseen adds historic sights, walks along the Aare and the Tourism Museum to your experience of Interlaken. Interlaken is also a starting point for excursions into the Bernese Oberland. Lakes, mountain villages and the Bernese Alps are accessible year-round by train, road and mountain railway. These different interests can be a helpful starting point when choosing a hotel in Interlaken—for example, boat trips, historic sites or tours in and around the city.
Discover more destinations: Gsteigwiler, Oberried Am Brienzersee, Wilderswil, Unterseen, Bönigen, Grindelwald, Habkern, Gundlischwand.
Back to the main travel overview: Interlaken.
