Interlaken: A Guide to Switzerland’s Ethereal Alpine Town

Switzerland is heaven on Earth, and many of its towns are very dear to Indian travellers. They crave visiting this place at least once. They have heard of a city outing in Zurich, the verdant Matterhorn views around Zermatt, and the irresistible feeling of experiencing these places themselves.

And the best launching pad for all of this is Interlaken, Switzerland, a tranquil town situated between two lakes with expansive mountain vistas. This place is special because it does something that many others don’t.

It puts two lakes, three legendary peaks and the highest railway station in Europe within a 60-minute radius of your hotel. And it does all of this from a walkable town that you can cross on foot in around 25 minutes. 

Whether you want to paraglide from a mountain, ride cogwheel trains through the Alps, or simply sit beside a turquoise lake with a coffee, this guide covers what is worth planning around and what you can skip.

What Makes Interlaken Different from Other Swiss Towns

The town’s name means "between the lakes." Lake Thun is on one side, Lake Brienz is on the other, and the Aare River flows through the centre. Before 1891, the town was called Aarmühle. The name was changed to make it easier for visitors to say, and it has stayed that way.

Here's the thing about Interlaken, Switzerland: it's not really a destination in the "explore charming old streets" sense. It's a base. You come here to use it as a launchpad.

• The Jungfrau region starts right at your doorstep, with Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Mürren all reachable within 30 to 60 minutes
• Two lakes: Take a boat ride across the lakes and unwind as you glide past the surrounding mountains, soaking in the eye-softening views, especially in the evening.
• Adventure sports operators run daily flights, dives, and drops from March to October
• Winter turns quieter, but skiing at Grindelwald and Wengen is genuinely world-class
• The town itself has a compact centre with Höhematte park in the middle where paragliders land right next to grazing sheep

Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost: Where to Actually Base Yourself

This is the single most important decision you'll make about Interlaken, Switzerland, and most travellers get it wrong. The town has two main railway stations, 1.5 km apart, and they serve completely different purposes.

What Are the Top Interlaken Attractions Worth Your Time?

Not all Interlaken attractions are worth the ticket price or the day. Here's what actually earns its place.

Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe

This is the main attraction. A cogwheel train from Interlaken Ost takes you up to 3,454 metres, which is the highest railway station in Europe. The final part of the journey goes through tunnels in the Eiger and Mönch mountains. At the summit, you can visit a glacier viewing platform, explore an ice palace, and enjoy views of the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Price: CHF 261.20 return in high season (May to October), CHF 224.40 off-peak
• Duration: Full day, allow at least 6 to 8 hours
• Book: Seat reservation is mandatory between May and October
• Good for: First-time travellers, families

Tribe Travel Tip: Check the mountain webcam the night before. A cloudy day here is money spent for a white wall

Harder Kulm: The Best View for the Least Effort

If Jungfraujoch is the big-budget movie, Harder Kulm is the sharp short film. A funicular takes you from near Interlaken Ost to 1,322 metres in about 10 minutes. You get panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, both lakes, and the town below.

• Price: CHF 44 return, free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Good for: Sunset dinner, sunrise photos, travellers short on time

Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

Two glacial lakes sit on either side of the town, each with a unique character. Lake Thun is larger and has castles, as well as the town of Thun at its western edge. Lake Brienz is smaller, has a brighter turquoise colour, and feels more peaceful.

• Boat cruises: Run April to October, from CHF 32 for shorter loops
• Best for: Slow days, families, couples wanting a calmer half-day

Höhematte Park

The green heart of the town where paragliders land every summer afternoon. Free, in the middle of everything, and a genuinely underrated place to spend an hour.

• Cost: Free
• Best for: People-watching, picnics, killing time between activities

Trümmelbach Falls

Ten glacier waterfalls stacked inside a mountain in Lauterbrunnen Valley, 30 minutes from town. Lifts and tunnels get you inside the rock so you can see the water carving through.

• Price: CHF 14 for adults, open April to November
• Good for: Rainy days, families, anyone who's already done a lake cruise

St. Beatus Caves

The St. Beatus Caves sit above Lake Thun and offer a different kind of experience from the usual mountain viewpoints around Interlaken. These underground caves are surrounded by local legends of a dragon, adding an interesting layer of mystery to the visit.

• Price: CHF 22 for adults, open March to October
• Good for: Half-day break from mountains and lakes

Things to Do in Interlaken Beyond the Viewpoints

The things to do in Interlaken aren't limited to riding up mountains. This is the adventure capital of Switzerland for a reason.

Paragliding Interlaken

Paragliding in Interlaken is the town's signature activity. Tandem flights launch from Beatenberg at 1,350 metres and land right in Höhematte park in the town centre. No experience needed. You're strapped to a certified pilot the whole way.

• Price 2026: CHF 190 to 210 for a standard tandem flight
• Flight time: 10 to 20 minutes depending on conditions
• Total activity time: 1.5 to 2 hours including transfer and briefing
• Best for: First-timers, adrenaline seekers, anyone with a phone camera

Tribe Travel Tip: Book your flight for the first day of your stay. If the weather cancels it, you have time to reschedule

Canyoning, Rafting and Skydiving

The whole paragliding Interlaken scene takes place inside a bigger adventure ecosystem. Operators run daily trips for:

• Canyoning in the Chli Schliere or Saxeten gorges, from CHF 130
• White-water rafting on the Lütschine or Simme rivers, from CHF 120
• Skydiving from a helicopter over the Jungfrau region, from CHF 480
• Bungee jumping at the Verzasca Dam (the James Bond one), from CHF 260

Day Outing to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen

Both villages are just a 30-minute outing from Interlaken Ost. Grindelwald sits right below the Eiger’s north face and offers the First cable car for hiking. Lauterbrunnen, known for its 72 waterfalls, is quieter and striking in its own unique way.

• Grindelwald: Best for cable cars, the First Cliff Walk, hiking trails
• Lauterbrunnen: Best for Trümmelbach Falls, Staubbach Falls, quieter atmosphere

Winter Skiing

Winter months, from December to March, bring a dramatic white change to the region. Snow covers the surrounding landscapes, inviting you to glide through the snowy slopes on skis. During this time, you can find different levels of skiing across Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, making it easier to choose a slope that matches your experience.

Food and After-Dark

A variety of food options are available in Interlaken, Switzerland, so finding something that suits your taste is not difficult. Even vegetarian travellers generally have plenty of options, from Indian and Italian dishes to local Swiss meals.

• Fondue at Harder Kulm: Enjoy traditional Swiss fondue while taking in sunset views across both lakes.
• Bebbis on Höheweg: A good place for classic Swiss dishes without an overly fancy setting, and the prices are relatively reasonable by local standards.
• Hüsi Bierhaus: A lively option with a wide beer selection and easy-going pub food, especially popular with backpackers.
• Positiv Einfach: Head here for cocktails and a more lively late-evening atmosphere.
• Brasserie 17: A casual spot where you can enjoy food and drinks, with live music on some evenings.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Interlaken?

Interlaken, Switzerland's weather varies more than most travellers expect. What matters isn't temperature so much as visibility. Cloudy days on top of a CHF 260 mountain excursions are the fastest way to a bad holiday.

• For adventure sports: May to September, when most outdoor activities are in full swing.
• For skiing: January and February, when the surrounding ski areas are covered in snow.
• For fewer crowds and good photos: May and September, when you can enjoy the scenery with comparatively fewer visitors.
• Avoid late October to early December: The weather can be grey and unpredictable, while several summer activities pause before the winter season begins.

Plan Your Interlaken Holiday with Holiday Tribe

Interlaken, Switzerland works for almost every kind of traveller. Honeymooners get the lake sunsets and the sunset dinner at Harder Kulm. Families get accessible cable cars, boat rides and hikes suitable for kids. Adventure travellers get more activities than they can fit into a week.

The tricky part is the sequencing. Which mountain first? Which pass to buy. Whether to add Grindelwald or Zermatt. Whether to base yourself in the town or a nearby village. Get any of those wrong, and you're spending time and francs you didn't need to.

At Holiday Tribe, we build Interlaken, Switzerland into structured Switzerland packages that cover the town, the Jungfrau region and the right mix of adventure and slow days. If you'd rather shape it around your own dates and pace, our holiday advisors will build a customised plan for your group size, priorities and preferred style, land-only or with flights added on request.