Swiss valley fog

Switzerland · EUROPE

The Interlaken Travel Guide

Adventure-sports hub between two glacial lakes, the Jungfrau over the rooftops.

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Best things to do in Interlaken

Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and small-group experiences in Interlaken.

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Day trips from Interlaken

Half-day and full-day excursions bookable through GetYourGuide.

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When to Go

Best Time to Visit

Now in Interlaken—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—

June–September, December–March. Summer for hiking and lake swims; winter for skiing on Jungfrau and Eiger.

Warmest in Interlaken: Aug (25°C / 77°F) · Coolest: Jan (7°C / 45°F) · Wettest: May (~20 rain days)

7°
2°
Jan
10°
3°
Feb
12°
3°
Mar
14°
5°
Apr
18°
9°
May
23°
14°
Jun
24°
16°
Jul
25°
16°
Aug
21°
14°
Sep
18°
10°
Oct
11°
6°
Nov
8°
2°
Dec

Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)

Daily Spend in USD

Budget

  • Budget

    $85/day

  • Mid-range

    $200/day

  • Luxury

    $480/day

  • Budget $85/day ≈ €74 · £63 · ₹8,100 · A$120 · C$120
  • Mid-range $200/day ≈ €175 · £150 · ₹19,000 · A$290 · C$285
  • Luxury $480/day ≈ €420 · £360 · ₹46,000 · A$690 · C$680

Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.

Backpacker hostels keep budgets honest; grand-dame hotels by the casino push the luxury tier.

With Kids

Family Travel

The Harder Kulm funicular for skyline views, lake boat rides, the Trümmelbach Falls day trip.

Together

Couples Travel

A sunrise paraglide off Harder Kulm, a Lake Brienz ferry to Iseltwald, a Niederhorn cable-car evening.

On Your Own

Solo Travel

Adventure-sports hub draws solo travelers globally; hostels are exceptionally social.

Food

What to Eat

  • Cheese fondue. Bernese cheese fondue with kirsch — order it at a chalet restaurant outside town.
  • Älplermagronen. Alpine mac with potato, cream, and crispy onions — the mountain comfort dish.
  • Raclette. Half-wheel cheese melted to order, scraped over potatoes and pickles.
  • Lake fish. Local lake whitefish (Felchen) — grilled with butter and almonds.

Transportation

Getting Around

Trains link to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Wengen; lake ferries connect Thun and Brienz.

Buy the Berner Oberland Pass — covers lakes + trains + most cable cars for 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 10-day stays.

Where to Base Yourself

Neighborhoods

  • Interlaken Ost. Eastern station — gateway to Brienz, Grindelwald, and the Jungfrau trains.
  • Interlaken West. Western station + the casino, Höhematte Park, the main hotel strip.
  • Unterseen. Old-town side along the Aare — quieter, traditional houses, riverside walks.

Get Your Bearings

Interlaken Map & Walking Distances

City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom

  • Interlaken Ostneighborhood10 min walk from center
  • Interlaken Westneighborhood15 min walk from center
  • Unterseenneighborhood16 min walk from center

What to Know

Safety

Very safe day and night. Adventure-sports risks (paragliding, rafting, canyoning) are real — use licensed operators.

Destination Intelligence

Interlaken scored on 8 dimensions

Editorial scores 0–10 — a lived assessment across the dimensions travelers actually weigh. Higher is better on each axis.

Family9/10

Kid-friendly, safe, stroller-easy

Romance10/10

Scenic, cozy dining, sunsets

Luxury8/10

Five-star hotels + fine dining

Budget3/10

Value per dollar (10 = cheapest)

Nightlife4/10

Bars, clubs, late scene

Food6/10

Dining depth + diversity

Walkable7/10

Compact + pedestrian-friendly

Digital nomad5/10

Wifi, cafés, community

Ready to go?

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