Independent Swiss Mountain Guide

Interlaken

Discover Interlaken, where turquoise lakes, majestic Alpine peaks and unforgettable adventures come together in one spectacular Swiss destination.

© reichenbach stories GmbH Daniel Reichenbach, Daniel Reichenbach

About Interlaken

Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular destinations, beautifully situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Bernese Alps. The town combines traditional Swiss charm, breathtaking scenery and a lively atmosphere throughout the year.

From the historic centre and scenic lakeshores to mountain excursions, adventure activities, hotels, restaurants and unforgettable experiences, Interlaken is an ideal base for exploring the Jungfrau Region and the surrounding Bernese Oberland.

Discover Interlaken

Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular destinations, beautifully situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Bernese Alps. The town combines traditional Swiss charm, breathtaking scenery and a lively atmosphere throughout the year.

In summer, Interlaken is an ideal base for exploring the two lakes, the surrounding mountains and the Jungfrau Region. Visitors can enjoy boat cruises, scenic walks, hiking, cycling, paragliding and a wide range of outdoor adventures, with highlights such as Harder Kulm, Lauterbrunnen and the Schilthorn within easy reach.

Interlaken © Mike Kaufmann, Mike Kaufmann

During winter, Interlaken offers a mix of atmospheric town experiences, winter excursions and easy access to the surrounding mountains. The nearby Jungfrau Region provides opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking and spectacular Alpine scenery, while the lakes and valleys offer a beautiful setting for winter exploration.

With its combination of turquoise lakes, majestic mountains, outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, hotels and restaurants, Interlaken is an ideal destination for discovering the Bernese Oberland and the spectacular landscapes of the Jungfrau Region.

Highlights

Interlaken
© Interlaken Tourismus, Milot Morina

Interlaken

Interlaken is the vibrant heart of the region, surrounded by majestic mountains and situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. From the Höhematte and historic Kursaal to countless outdoor experiences, the town is the perfect starting point for exploring the Bernese Oberland.
Explore
Lake Brienz
© Interlaken Tourism, Milot Morina

Lake Brienz

Lake Brienz is famous for its striking turquoise waters and dramatic mountain surroundings. The lakeside villages around the lake provide a peaceful setting to enjoy the scenery, take a boat trip or explore the shores around Interlaken.
Explore
Giessbach Falls
© Mike Kaufmann, Mike Kaufmann

Giessbach Falls

The Giessbach Falls cascade through the forest towards Lake Brienz and form one of the most impressive natural attractions in the region. The historic Grandhotel Giessbach adds to the unique atmosphere of this spectacular lakeside setting.
Discover
Beatenberg
© Mike Kaufmann, Mike Kaufmann

Beatenberg

High above Lake Thun, Beatenberg offers spectacular views across the Bernese Alps and towards the Jungfrau massif. Scenic hiking trails and peaceful mountain landscapes make it an ideal place to experience the region from a different perspective.
Discover
Lake Thun
© Mike Kaufmann, Mike Kaufmann

Lake Thun

Lake Thun combines beautiful Alpine scenery with historic lakeside towns and castles. A boat cruise across the lake offers spectacular views and connects Interlaken with destinations such as Oberhofen and Thun.
Explore
Beatenberg
© Interlaken Tourism / Milot Morina, Milot Morina

Beatenberg

In spring, the mountain landscapes around Beatenberg come alive with colourful alpine flowers and fresh green meadows. Hiking trails provide beautiful views while offering a peaceful way to experience the natural surroundings of Interlaken.
Explore

Essential Information

📍

Location

Interlaken is located in the Bernese Oberland between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps.
🏔️

Mountain Region

Interlaken is a gateway to the Jungfrau Region, with spectacular mountain destinations, panoramic viewpoints and Alpine experiences nearby.
🌊

Lakes

Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are located on either side of Interlaken, offering boat cruises, lakeside walks and beautiful mountain scenery.
🚆

Getting Around

Interlaken has excellent public transport connections, making it easy to explore the surrounding mountains, lakes and villages by train, bus and boat.
☀️

Best Time to Visit

Interlaken is a year-round destination, with hiking, lake activities and mountain excursions in summer and skiing, winter hiking and snowy Alpine scenery in winter.
🥾

Activities

From hiking, cycling and paragliding to boat trips, mountain excursions and winter sports, Interlaken offers a wide range of experiences for active travellers.

Activities

View All Activities
MOUNTAINS

Mountains Near This Destination

Discover the mountains and alpine landscapes surrounding this destination.

WHERE TO STAY

SWITZERLAND HOTELS

Discover the best hotels across Switzerland. From luxury city
hotels and lakeside retreats to alpine resorts, boutique stays
and family-friendly accommodation, find the perfect place to
stay during your Swiss journey.


VIEW ALL HOTELS →

Experiences

View All Experiences

Weather & Webcams

Interlaken, Switzerland

Weather and mountain conditions in Interlaken, Switzerland
© Interlaken Tourism / Milot Morina

Check the latest weather conditions, mountain forecasts and live webcam views before heading into the Swiss Alps.

Weather Forecast Live Webcams

Getting There

Find useful information about travelling to and around this destination.

Train

Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most accessible Alpine destinations by train. Direct connections from Zurich, Bern and other major Swiss cities make arriving by rail fast and convenient.

The journey from Zurich to Interlaken takes around two hours, while regular services also connect the town with destinations across the Bernese Oberland and the wider Jungfrau Region.

Interlaken has two main railway stations, Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West, both within easy reach of the town centre. From Interlaken Ost, visitors can conveniently continue by train, bus or boat towards the surrounding lakes and mountain destinations.

Car

Interlaken is easily reached by car from Zurich, Bern and other Swiss cities via the well-connected Swiss motorway network.

The town is conveniently connected to the A8 motorway, making it an easy base for exploring the Bernese Oberland, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and destinations such as Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and the Jungfrau Region.

Visitors arriving by car should use the designated parking facilities in and around Interlaken. During busy periods, checking parking availability in advance is recommended, especially during peak summer and winter seasons.

Bus

Interlaken has excellent public transport connections, with direct trains and buses linking the town with Bern, Zurich and destinations throughout the Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau Region.

Within Interlaken, local buses and trains make it easy to reach the town centre, Interlaken Ost, Interlaken West and surrounding areas. Boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz also provide scenic connections to nearby lakeside destinations.

Public transport is a convenient option for exploring Interlaken and the surrounding region without a car, especially during busy periods when traffic and parking can be limited.

Boat

Interlaken is uniquely situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with regular boat services connecting the town to destinations around both lakes.

Lake cruises provide a scenic way to reach places such as Thun, Spiez, Brienz and other lakeside destinations, while offering beautiful views of the surrounding Alpine landscape and convenient connections to local public transport.

Cable Car

Interlaken offers easy access to the surrounding mountains with funiculars, cable cars, gondolas and mountain railways.

Popular destinations such as Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, Grindelwald-First and the Jungfraujoch can be reached from Interlaken by combining local transport with comfortable mountain railways and cable cars.

The excellent mountain transport network makes it easy to combine hiking, sightseeing and panoramic Alpine experiences with convenient uphill transport throughout the region.

Parking

Interlaken offers numerous parking facilities in and around the town. Options vary depending on your location and accommodation.

During busy periods, especially in summer, winter and around major events, parking can fill up quickly. Checking parking options in advance is recommended.

Many hotels offer their own parking or can advise on nearby facilities. Check with your accommodation before arrival for the best option.

Tickets

Find tickets, passes and official booking information for this destination.

Interlaken offers a wide range of tickets for mountain railways, cable cars, boat cruises and other excursions around the region.

Popular destinations such as Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, Grindelwald-First and the Jungfraujoch offer different tickets and passes for sightseeing, hiking, winter activities and mountain transport.

Online booking is recommended, as prices and availability can vary depending on the date and experience. Check the relevant official ticket provider for current prices and conditions before your visit.

Official Tickets

Best Time to Visit

Discover what each season has to offer in this destination.

Spring in Interlaken © reichenbach stories GmbH Daniel Reichenbach, Daniel Reichenbach
Spring

Spring in Interlaken

March – May
Spring brings fresh green landscapes and colourful alpine flowers to the Interlaken region. Hiking around Beatenberg and the surrounding mountains is especially beautiful as nature awakens after winter.
Summer in Interlaken © Interlaken Tourism / Milot Morina, Milot Morina
Summer

Summer in Interlaken

June – August
Summer is the perfect time to experience Interlaken's lakes, mountains and outdoor adventures. Enjoy hiking, boat cruises, paragliding, cycling and spectacular panoramic views across the Bernese Oberland.
Autumn in Interlaken © Interlaken Tourism / Milot Morina, Milot Morina
Autumn

Autumn in Interlaken

September – November
Autumn transforms the landscapes around Interlaken with warm colours and crisp mountain air. Scenic hikes around Beatenberg, the lakes and surrounding valleys offer spectacular views across the changing Alpine landscape.
Winter in Interlaken © Naturpark Diemtigtal, Phil Wenger
Winter

Winter in Interlaken

December – February
Winter surrounds Interlaken with snow-covered Alpine landscapes and opens the door to skiing, winter hiking and mountain excursions. The nearby Jungfrau Region offers spectacular snowy scenery and a wide range of winter experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful answers to common questions about this destination.

Discover Interlaken © Interlaken Tourism, Milot Morina
EXPLORE INTERLAKEN

Discover Interlaken

Explore Interlaken's turquoise lakes, majestic mountains, outdoor adventures, hotels and unforgettable experiences in the heart of the Bernese Oberland.

EXPLORE ACTIVITIES → VIEW HOTELS →
Interlaken Tourism
Official Website ↗