Choose from 9 Fun Things to Do in Interlaken
ShowingFilter 1-9 of 9 listings.
Brienzersee (Lake Brienz)
Tucked between the alpine villages of Brienz and Bönigen, the pristine Lake Brienz makes a prime photo candidate with its backdrop of forested mountainsides and deep, turquoise waters. Stretching 14 kilometers across and a whopping 250 meters deep, the lake, fed by the river Aar, makes an uneasy swimming spot, but a great location for boat trips and paddle steamer sojourns.
There’s more to this lakeside haven than great picture spots though – hike from the lake on one of the area’s 500 kilometers of walking trails, explore the traditional villages littering the lakeside or get a bird’s eye view of the lake by catching the old steam train from Brienz up the nearby Brienzer Rothhorn mountain. Most spectacular are the Giessbach Falls on the south shore, 500 meters of plummeting waterfalls reachable via the country’s oldest funicular railway from Giessbach village.
There’s more to this lakeside haven than great picture spots though – hike from the lake on one of the area’s 500 kilometers of walking trails, explore the traditional villages littering the lakeside or get a bird’s eye view of the lake by catching the old steam train from Brienz up the nearby Brienzer Rothhorn mountain. Most spectacular are the Giessbach Falls on the south shore, 500 meters of plummeting waterfalls reachable via the country’s oldest funicular railway from Giessbach village.
Address: Switzerland
From $ 25
Schynige Platte
Embrace the past with a trip up to the Schynige Platte on the historic 100-year-old cogwheel railway, taking just under an hour to chug along the 7km track from Wilderswil. The plateau, lying in the Swiss Alps at 1,970 meters, is blanketed in colorful wildflowers come the summer months and offers incredible views over the surrounding peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger and Silberhorn, the glistening Thun and Brienz lakes in the valleys below and nearby Interlaken.
A popular starting point for long distance hiking routes, as well as harboring a number of popular short circuit walks and a 500-plant strong alpine garden, there’s plenty to keep nature enthusiasts amused. Alternatively, pull up a chair and relax at the Berg hotel and restaurant, where the panoramic terrace seating adds a touch of luxury to the already-impressive vistas.
A popular starting point for long distance hiking routes, as well as harboring a number of popular short circuit walks and a 500-plant strong alpine garden, there’s plenty to keep nature enthusiasts amused. Alternatively, pull up a chair and relax at the Berg hotel and restaurant, where the panoramic terrace seating adds a touch of luxury to the already-impressive vistas.
Address: Switzerland
From $ 139
St Beatus Caves (St Beatus Hohlen)
Legend has it that some 2,000 years ago, the St. Beatus caves were inhabited by a troublesome dragon, who terrified local villagers for decades until the Irish monk Beatus (hence the name) finally succeeded in driving him away. Thankfully, the caves are 100% dragon-free today and although much of the vast cavern is still unexplored, a good portion is now open to the public. Whether or not you believe in dragons, the location is certainly dramatic enough "“ eerily lit stalagmites, dripping stalactites and ghostly underground lakes and waterfalls. A 1.5-hour walk or short boat ride from Interlaken and close by Lake Thun, the caves make a popular way to spend an afternoon and with walkways running 1,000 meters through the towering Niederhorn Massif, it's easy for the whole family to explore. A small yet informative cave museum and restaurant lie at the entrance to the grotto, and inside the cell of St. Beatus can also be viewed.
Address: Interlaken, Switzerland
From $ 72
Aare Gorge
The Aare Gorge is a popular tourist attraction near the town of Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. Created by glacier runoff 10,000 years ago, the limestone gorge is a mile long and ranges from just 3 feet, 3 inches wide to nearly 100 feet wide and different points. The surrounding cliffs are as much as 165 feet high. A walkway through the gorge has been open to the public since 1889 and is accessible from either the east or west side. Most of it consists of wooden planks on a metal frame jutting out from the wall of the gorge, with small sections in a tunnel or along gravel or asphalt paths. The most beautiful parts of the gorge are on closer to the West entrance.
Not far from the gorge are the Reichenbach Falls, possibly best known as the place where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle set Sherlock Holmes’ murder.
Practical Info
The main (West) entrance to the Aare Gorge is just to the east of Meiringen and features a parking lot and restaurant. It is accessible from the Aareschlucht West train station. To walk through the gorge to the East entrance takes about 40 minutes. From there, you can follow a hiking trail over the Lammi pass or catch the train back to Meiringen from the Aareschlucht Ost station, about a 5 minute walk from the East entrance. Alternatively, take the train from Meiringen to Aareschlucht Ost and walk back to Meiringen through the gorge.
Address: Meiringen, Switzerland
Hours: West entrance is open April 15-Nov1 8:30am-5:30pm (Jul-Aug Sun-Wed until 6:30pm, Thurs-Sat until 10pm for floodlit illumination). East entrance is open May 5-Oct 16 during the same hours.
Admission: 8.50 Swiss francs
From $ 155
Mönch
Monch is a mountain in the Switzerland’s Bernese Alps that, together with Eiger and Jungfrau, forms one of the most recognizable groups of mountains in the country. Located on the border between Valais and Bern, it is the most climbed of the three peaks. Monch was first summited in 1857 and today, is thought to be a good starting point for climbing in the area. A one-day climb up Monch can be a good way to adjust to the altitude and get an introduction to climbing in the area. The normal route follows the southeast ridge, which includes come exposed ridge climbing on snow and gneissic rock. The Nollen route on Monch’s northwest side is considered more challenging due to the presence of ice.
Practical Info
Mid-June to September is prime climbing season for Monch. To get there from Interlachen, take the train to Jungfraujoch. From there, it is a short walk to the start of the route along the southeast ridge of the mountain. Expect it to take about 2 or 3 hours up the southeast ridge and another two hours down. Guides can be hired on a per day basis and range from $200 to $400 depending on how many climbers there are per guide.
Address: Bernese Alps, Switzerland, Switzerland
From $ 15
Grimsel Pass
Locals know that Grimsel Pass has a sacred place in Swiss history, as traders once rode donkeys along the dangerous paths of Grimsel to transport local cheese to far flung regions of the country. This painstakingly beautiful wild mountain road connects Goms in Valais to the Hasli Valley in the Bernese Oberland. Travelers who venture along Grimsel Pass will bear witness to rugged granite cliffs, towering snow-capped peaks, crystal clear reservoirs and plenty of lush green foliage. And while the pass is home to some of the country’s main power producing plants, visitors will find that much of the land still remains untouched.
Travelers can hike the two-hour loop around a man-made lake and absorb the breathtaking wonder of the surrounding beauty or hop aboard the aerial cable car from Handeck to Gerstenegg and take it all in from above. And those who are interested in the powerhouse facilities can register for guided tours that start in Innnerkirchen.
Practical Info
Grimsel Pass closes during poor weather in the winter months; however, the cable car still functions for skiers in pursuit of perfect powder. While the pass’s beauty is undeniable, the northern side of Grimsel is scattered with power lines and reservoir walls that can interrupt an otherwise incredible view.
Address: Grimsel Pass, Switzerland
From $ 174
Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory
Named for the rocky crag it perches upon, the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory was built in 1937 and stands 384 ft (117 m) above the Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe railway station. Starring on the silver screen, the Sphinx is a futuristic hub made of steel and glass, containing a weather observation station, laboratories and a vast telescope. Thanks to the clarity of the air up at 11,716 ft (3,571 m), top names in science and meteorology are attracted to work there and their living quarters are also in the building. Although the observatory is closed to visitors, its panoramic terraces were opened to the public in 1996 and are reached by foot tunnel and high-speed elevator from Top of Europe.
The 360° views from the Sphinx open out onto a year-round winter wonderland of snow-clad Swiss Alps spanning the Eiger and peaks in France, Germany and Italy. The summit of the Jungfrau stretches up behind the observatory and the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Aletsch Glacier, which is the longest in the Alps at 13.75 miles (22 km), lies at its foot, icy blue and glittering in the sun.
There are few visitor facilities at the Sphinx, but a choice of restaurants and the Eispalast (Ice Palace) at Top of Europe. Also it gets cold up there, so take gloves, hat, warm clothes and sturdy footwear.
Practical Info
3801 Fieschertal, Interlaken. Open 9am–4.15pm daily, the observatory is reached by the cogwheel railway via Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe. Ticket prices start from CHF 102 one way (less with a Swiss Half Fare Card) and admission to the Sphinx is included in the price. Trains run every half hour from 6.35am until 4.35pm, with the journey taking 2.5 hours.
Address: 3801 Fieschertal, Interlaken, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Hours: daily 9am–4.15pm
Admission: train tickets start at CHF 102. All admissions are included in the price.
From $ 236
Harder Kulm
Interlaken’s nearest mountain, sandwiched between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Harder Kulm is the easiest way to get a taste of the Bernese Alps without having to don your hikers. An eight-minute ride on the funicular railway – a modern version of the carriages that have traversed the 1,322-meter summit for the past 100 years - will land you at the top, affording staggering views over the neighboring mountains on the breathtaking ascent.
The dramatic vistas might be the mountain’s biggest selling point – best viewed from the garden terrace of the mountaintop castle-cum-restaurant or by gawping through the glass floor of the vertigo-inducing Two Lakes Bridge – but there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Spot ibex in the Alpine Wildlife Park, let the kids loose in the playground, enjoy the easy 1.5-hour circular Theme Trail or stick around until dusk when regular folklore evenings take over the mountaintop. Serious hikers have plenty of options for working up a sweat too – a number of trekking routes run along the mountain and climbers can always forgo the funicular in favor of a challenge.
The dramatic vistas might be the mountain’s biggest selling point – best viewed from the garden terrace of the mountaintop castle-cum-restaurant or by gawping through the glass floor of the vertigo-inducing Two Lakes Bridge – but there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Spot ibex in the Alpine Wildlife Park, let the kids loose in the playground, enjoy the easy 1.5-hour circular Theme Trail or stick around until dusk when regular folklore evenings take over the mountaintop. Serious hikers have plenty of options for working up a sweat too – a number of trekking routes run along the mountain and climbers can always forgo the funicular in favor of a challenge.
Address: Switzerland
From $ 27
Aletsch Glacier
Recognized as the largest glacier in the Swiss Alps, Altesch glacier stretches across nearly 50 square miles of protected mountain terrain. While visitors lament its far-flung proximity to any major Swiss city, most agree that the well-kept hiking trails, impressive views and natural beauty make it worth a trip. Active adventurers can explore the glacier on foot, while less intrepid travelers can venture to the top of Aletsch aboard one of the famous cable cars. Uninhibited 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape make for a most memorable journey regardless of how visitors voyage to the top.
Practical Info
Aletsch is located between Valais and Bern, just east of the Gemmi Pass. Bettmerhorn and Eggishorn, which offer some of the best panoramic views, are accessible by cable car. The Jungfraujoch railway station is the closes public transport route for travelers looking to visit the upper end of the glacier.
Address: Aletsch, Switzerland
From $ 236