20 Things To Do In Interlaken

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1. Harder Kulm

7 km from city center

Viewpoint

Harder Kulm is a prominent viewpoint located approximately 1.5 kilometers north of Interlaken's town center in Switzerland. Perched at an elevation of 1,322 meters, it offers panoramic vistas of the Bernese Alps, including peaks like Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, as well as Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Several trails of varying difficulty levels originate from Harder Kulm. It can be reached by hiking (Read More) or via Harderbahn funicular departs from the Harderbahn Valley station in Interlaken.

Paragliding & Parasailing

Paragliding in Interlaken is a popular activity to do because of its its ideal flight conditions and breathtaking alpine scenery. Participants launch from nearby locations such as Beatenberg, soaring over the town with panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. Tandem flights are available year-round, with durations typically ranging from 10 to 20 minutes. There are several local tou (Read More)r operators that offer the experience and it can also be booked online.

18 km from city center

Scenic Routes

Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe," is a stunning alpine destination located at 3,454 meters above sea level in the Bernese Alps. Accessible from Lucerne via a scenic train journey through Interlaken and Grindelwald, it offers breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier, snow-capped peaks, and valleys. Visitors can explore attractions like the Ice Palace, Snow Fun Park, and the Sphinx Observ (Read More)ation Deck. The journey itself, featuring the Jungfrau Railway, is as memorable as the destination.

4 km from city center

Lake

To the east of Interlaken lies Lake Brienz, known for its turquoise waters and mountain vistas. Steamboats have been operating on this lake since the 1830s, and today, a fleet of five early 20th-century vessels offers scenic cruises. The Giessbach Falls, cascading over 500 meters into the lake, are a notable attraction accessible via boat and a historic funicular railway.

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5. Schynige Platte

4 km from city center

Scenic Routes

Schynige Platte is a picturesque mountain ridge located approximately 7 kilometers southwest of Interlaken. Perched at an elevation of about 1,967 meters, it offers panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as Lake Thun. A historic cogwheel train ride from Wilderswil to the summit is its highlight. Numerous hiking trails here cater to various skill levels, including the popu (Read More)lar panorama trail leading to viewpoints like Daube and Oberberghorn.

1 km from city center

Landmark

The Yash Chopra Statue is located in the Kursaal Garden of Interlaken. This bronze statue, unveiled in 2016, honors the renowned Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra, who frequently featured Switzerland's landscapes in his films. Visitors often stop by the statue to take photographs and appreciate the tribute to Chopra's cinematic legacy. The surrounding Kursaal Garden offers a peaceful setting with manic (Read More)ured lawns and flowerbeds.

7. Lake Thun Cruise

17 km from city center

Lake

Lake Thun, known as Thunersee in German, is a picturesque alpine lake situated in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It lies to the west of Interlaken, nestled between the towns of Thun and Interlaken. Visitors can enjoy boat cruises that offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and charming lakeside villages. The historic paddle steamer "Blüemlisalp" and modern passenger ships (Read More)operate between Thun and Interlaken. It also offers several watersports opportunities.

0 km from city center

Garden & Park

Hohematte Park is a 35-acre open space situated in the heart of Interlaken, Switzerland. The park is a popular landing site for paragliders, and features an ice skating rink during winters. It also includes a small playground for children, equipped with swings, slides, and climbing structures. There are several walkways, flower beds, park benches, and fountains that make it more attractive.

Seasonal only

14 km from city center

Scenic Routes

The Brienz Rothorn Railway is a historic steam-powered cogwheel train departing from Brienz, Switzerland, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Interlaken. It ascends to the Brienzer Rothorn summit at 2,244 meters (7,362 feet), providing panoramic views of over 690 mountain peaks and Lake Brienz. The railway operates seasonally, typically from early June to late October. The summit area o (Read More)ffers hiking trails for various skill levels.

6 km from city center

Cave

St. Beatus Caves are located on the northeastern shore of Lake Thun, near Interlaken. These limestone caves extend deep into the Niederhorn Massif and are renowned for their impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations, subterranean waterfalls, and expansive halls. The site also features a museum, an on-site Restaurant and a chapel.

Skiing

Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz serves as a central hub for accessing several renowned ski resorts in the Bernese Oberland region. While the town itself doesn't have ski slopes, ne of the closest ski areas is the Beatenberg-Niederhorn, approximately 12 kilometers from Interlaken. The ski season in this region generally runs from December to April.

Seasonal only

15 km from city center

Mountain

Piz Gloria is a revolving restaurant located atop the Schilthorn mountain, approximately 22 kilometers southeast of Interlaken, Switzerland. Perched at an elevation of 2,970 meters (9,744 feet), it offers panoramic views of over 200 alpine peaks, including the renowned Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The restaurant gained fame as a filming location for the 1969 James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secre (Read More)t Service," adding to its allure for visitors.

Seasonal only

Things To Do

Night sledding in Interlaken offers a thrilling winter adventure in the Swiss Alps. Participants are transported from Interlaken to the mountain village of Isenfluh, located approximately 10 kilometers south of the city center. From there, a gondola ride takes visitors to Sulwald, the starting point of the sled run. The activity is popular for its unique combination of nighttime mountain scenery a (Read More)nd the excitement of sledding down a 4.6-kilometer trail. It is conducted typically from December to March, depending on snow conditions.

12 km from city center

Waterfall

Giessbach Waterfalls are located near Brienz, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Interlaken, Switzerland. The falls cascade over 14 tiers, descending about 500 meters (1,640 feet) into Lake Brienz. This natural spectacle is a popular destination for its scenic beauty and the historic Grandhotel Giessbach situated nearby.

Seasonal only

18 km from city center

Museum

The Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum is located near Brienz, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Interlaken, Switzerland. This expansive 66-hectare (163-acre) museum showcases over 100 historic buildings relocated from various regions of Switzerland, offering visitors an immersive experience into the country's rural heritage.

Hiking

Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, is renowned for its exceptional hiking opportunities. Some of the most popular hikes include Harder Kulm trail, Rugen trail, and the Schynige Platte Ridge Trail. Hiking in Interlaken is generally seasonal, with the best conditions from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During these mont (Read More)hs, trails are typically free of snow, and mountain transport services are operational.

Rocks & Canyons

Canyoning in Interlaken is a popular adventure activity that involves navigating through natural gorges by jumping, sliding, and rappelling down waterfalls. The town serves as a central hub for various canyoning excursions in the surrounding Bernese Oberland region. These tours are typically offered from mid-April to the end of October, depending on weather and water conditions.

16 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

Oberhofen Castle is a picturesque 13th-century castle located on the shores of Lake Thun in the municipality of Oberhofen am Thunersee, approximately 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) from Interlaken, Switzerland. The castle is renowned for its medieval keep, lakeside tower, and expansive park, which is considered one of the most magnificent in the Alpine region.

13 km from city center

Bridge

The Panoramabrücke Sigriswil is a 340-meter-long suspension bridge located in the municipality of Sigriswil, approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Interlaken, Switzerland. Perched 182 meters above the Gummischlucht gorge, it offers visitors panoramic views of Lake Thun and the surrounding Bernese Alps, including peaks like the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It is a popular spot for hiking and phot (Read More)ography.

20 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

Thun Castle, known as Schloss Thun, is a historic 12th-century fortress situated in the town of Thun, Switzerland, approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Bern. Perched on a hill overlooking the town and Lake Thun, the castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding Bernese Oberland region. The castle houses a historical museum spread over five floors, showcasing artifacts that highlight the reg (Read More)ion's 4,000-year history.