Centrally located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. It is home to high mountains, beautiful lakes and endless hiking trails that allow you to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes in Central Switzerland. These are just some of the reasons why we have returned to Interlaken three times. We can’t have enough of them.
One of the first things you will notice is that you are not going to Interlaken for tourist attractions and sights. You come here for outdoor activities and unique adventures in the best and highest peaks of the Swiss Alps. And if this sounds like a trip you would like, then you will appreciate all these great things to do in Interlaken!
This guide will take you from the best chocolate shops In Interlaken to the most enchanting alpine lakes in the mountains above. Climb the Jungfraujoch to be able to say that you have visited Top of Europe, or head to the Schilthorn for a gondola ride straight out of a James Bond movie. All this time, they ride ski lifts and cable cars, some of which are several centuries old.
The best things to do in Interlaken
Interlaken is a great city for outdoor fun. If your idea of a good time includes cycling, alpine climbing, Rafting, paragliding and the pleasure of cheese and chocolate, you will love it here. The city does not have many traditional sights and attractions, but it offers so many fun things to do that it is impossible not to enjoy your trip.
1. walking in the city
First of all, book a walking tour Of Interlaken and discover the beautiful Swiss city. Guided tours of the city usually last up to 2 hours, although longer tours are offered. The main difference is that the longer tours include an excursion to the Harder Kulm, the house mountain Of Interlaken.
A classic Interlaken walking tour will take you to the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Hohematte Park, Interlaken Castle and across the river to Unterseen. Local guides will tell you the history of the best sights of the city and provide you with insider information about your favorite restaurants.
2. eat a lot of cheese
Switzerland is known all over the world for its delicious cheeses, and a trip to Interlaken is a great opportunity to see what the hype is all about. You can eat cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to booking Fondue cruises and even Raclette Rafting experiences. The Swiss don’t mess with their cheeses!
Interlaken has many local restaurants that serve all the basic dishes of Swiss cuisine. Raclette and Fondue are the most famous cheese dishes, and I highly recommend that you start your culinary exploration with the latter. Dip the pieces of toast in a bucket of hot melted cheese while sipping a dry white plonk. Dreams are made of it.
You can even go further and participate in a Fondue workshop if you wish. Fondue Villa is a local cooking class in Unterseen where you will learn how to prepare the Swiss national dish. And when you’re done, you can eat the Fondue, which is by far the best part of the workshop.
3. take a walk in Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a picturesque village located about 40 minutes from Interlaken and accessible by direct trains. We have visited Grindelwald three times and we absolutely love it. In winter, it is a popular ski resort with countless luxury hotels and a fabulous après-Ski scene. Grindelwald is also the starting point for many hikes in the region, the most notable of which are the First and Eiger trails.
In addition, the trains to Jungfraujoch leave from here, and I highly recommend that you take at least a few hours to explore the charming village on the way back from the mountain saddle. Grindelwald is also a popular starting point for skiers in winter. No surprises, because it offers hundreds of kilometers of excellent ski slopes in the Jungfrau ski region.
