A beloved resort town in the Swiss Alps, Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most popular destinations for hiking and snow skiing. Tucked between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, Interlaken offers spectacular scenery in all seasons, from cascading glacial waterfalls to towering snow-capped mountain peaks and picturesque village streets.

Things to do

Grand hotels still spread gloriously across the valleys and mountains of Interlaken as they’ve done since the 1800s, providing luxury spas, fine dining and chandelier-lit lobbies with crackling stone fireplaces. Skiers and winter sports enthusiasts have the perfect home base for adrenaline-fueled adventures at the summit of Jungfrau Mountain.

Less adventurous visitors can explore the ice sculptures, corridors and 10-metre-thick frozen walls of the Ice Palace at the top of Jungfrau. About 10 minutes by cable car from Interlaken, the Harder Kulm viewing platform puts you at 1,322 metres above sea level and gives access to hiking trails as well as Two Lake Bridge extending over the valley.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Trummelbach Falls opens up 10 glacier waterfalls and caves for exploring. If soaring overhead the Swiss Alps is more your style, book a paragliding or skydiving excursion with professional guides.

Walking tours are a good way to experience the charm of mountain life in Interlaken, with guides leading the way to chocolate and cheese tastings while relating mountain folklore and tall tales.

Getting around

Many people get around in Interlaken on foot, but buses and taxis are available as well. A train runs between Interlaken West Railway Station and Wilderswil station, and also provides connections to cities such as Geneva, Basel and Zurich. Rental agencies offer plenty of pedal-power options, from road bikes to tandems, all-terrain cycles and electric bikes.