76 miles southwest of Zurich airport, Interlaken is situated in the heart of the Bernese Oberland region between the two lakes of Thun and Brienz. The River Aare, which links the lakes, runs right through the town. Interlaken itself is flat, but has low mountains…Read More

76 miles southwest of Zurich airport, Interlaken is situated in the heart of the Bernese Oberland region between the two lakes of Thun and Brienz. The River Aare, which links the lakes, runs right through the town. Interlaken itself is flat, but has low mountains on one side and on the other the spectacular panorama of the Jungfrau, Eiger, and Monch. The best way to see everything in Interlaken is to walk - you can randomly stroll around and enjoy the views in all directions or, if you prefer a more structured walking tour, the Tourist Information Office has a very good selection of maps and guided walks available. Every Monday at 5pm they also organise a free guided walk around the town. We found this to be interesting and informative - it is conducted in English and German.

The main street in Interlaken is the Hoheweg - it runs right through the middle of the town, between the East and West train stations. It is lined with little shops selling Swiss souvenirs and handicrafts, as well as hotels and cafes. The cafes all sell a mouthwatering selection of pastries - we particularly enjoyed afternoon tea at Cafe Schuh on the edge of the Hohematte. It is well worth wandering off the Hoheweg into the casino gardens - they are very beautiful, especially the flower clock, and a lovely place to sit and relax with a book or just enjoy the views.

In the centre of Interlaken is the Hohematte, a great open meadow with a panorama of the snow-capped mountains. It was originally the site where Augustine monks pastured their cattle, but is now a large park. Frequently you see paragliders floating down off the nearby mountains and landing right in the middle of it.

Horse carriage rides, or fiacres, are a lovely restful way to spend half an hour when you tire of walking. They leave from Interlaken West train station and cost around 35 Swiss francs for a half-hour trip. Our driver took us around the Hohematte and was friendly, chatty, informative, and happy to take lots of photos of us and our son afterwards.

Interlaken has two main vantage points - Heimweh Fluh and Harder Kulm - both of which are easy to get to and worth a visit. Harder Kulm is 4,337 feet up and accessed by a funicular just across the river behind the East train station. The funicular rises above the woods, offering wonderful views of the town and the lakes. It takes 10 minutes to get to the top, where you have a bird's eye view of Interlaken. When you leave the funicular near the summit, there is a pagoda-like structure, the Harder Kulm mountain restaurant. We ate delicious Rosti sitting on the sun terrace. Heimweh Fluh is near the West train station. A vintage red funicular dating from 1906 climbs to this more touristy venue. There are lovely views from the summit and tower. At the top there is also a children's play area, model train exhibition, and an all-weather toboggan run that is a fun and interesting way to make the descent. Tip: We purchased a ticket from the Tourist Information Office - 50 Swiss Francs for two adults and two children -which covered the funicular ascent and toboggan descent, the railway exhibition, and a glass each of sparking wine or lemonade. This seemed to be good value for money and cheaper than paying at Heimweh Fluh for everything separately.   Close

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is said to be the world's deepest - there are sheer bluffs either side and 72 waterfalls cascading down the mountains. It is hard to overstate just how stunning it is here. The train journey to Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken takes about 20…Read More

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is said to be the world's deepest - there are sheer bluffs either side and 72 waterfalls cascading down the mountains. It is hard to overstate just how stunning it is here. The train journey to Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken takes about 20 minutes from East station.

The views en route are beautiful. You travel right next to the River Aare; the sight of the green-blue river tumbling and crashing over rocks and stones at the side of the train is mesmerising.

Lauterbrunnen is on the valley floor, with Murren to the west and Wengen to the east. These two resorts are car-free, perched on narrow shelves of pasture way above the world below. Lauterbrunnen is lined with small souvenir shops, cafes, and hotels, and when we visited a street market, we spent an hour there, and then went to Murren, an unbelievably beautiful place.

Murren has a long tradition as a ski resort. The first Alpine downhill ski race took place here 75 years ago. It is a small, traditional Alpine village with amazing scenery and a quite village atmosphere. To get there, take the funicular from the station in the middle of Lauterbrunnen. At the top, you change to a train which takes you to the village. Schedules of both are integrated, and it is only a few steps from one to the other. The whole journey takes about 15 minutes, and on the way there are great views of the mountains and the tinkle of cowbells as you pass the sleepy Alpine cattle grazing on the slopes below. Murren, with its clean, pure mountain air, is sleepy, peaceful, and truly stunning. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.   Close

Lake Thun, 13 miles long and 2 miles wide, is sometimes called the Riviera of the Bernese Oberland due to its mild climate. It is extremely pretty with its mountain backdrop and castles and chalets dotted along the shore. Any view in any direction is…Read More

Lake Thun, 13 miles long and 2 miles wide, is sometimes called the Riviera of the Bernese Oberland due to its mild climate. It is extremely pretty with its mountain backdrop and castles and chalets dotted along the shore. Any view in any direction is picture-postcard perfect. The steamers leave frequently from Interlaken to cruise along the lake. They depart from behind the West train station. The round trip to Thun and back takes around 4 hours, but you can hop on and off at different points of interest.

We had half a day on the lake but would recommend setting aside a full day to enjoy and explore properly. The steamers run on time and do tend to be quite busy. Especially useful for us was the children's play area - which they all had - a few toys, colouring pencils, and pictures worked a treat to keep the little ones amused.

Thun is the main resort and is located on the northwestern corner of the lake. It has a picturesque castle and quaint medieval centre, but is also a large, busy town spread away from the mountains and does not have the spectacular views and character of some of the smaller lakeside villages. We found it to be less interesting than some of the other places along the lake and would not recommend it as a stopping point - there are nicer places to see.

Spiez is a gentle little resort village dominated by its waterside castle and stunning views over the lake to the high mountains. There are lovely waterside restaurants and cafes where you can relax with a glass of wine and soak up the scenery - a stop at Spiez is highly recommended.

Lake Brienz is to the east of Interlaken and is the smaller of the two lakes. It is 9 miles long and 2 miles wide. A round-trip on Lake Brienz takes around 3 hours. It is said to be the cleanest lake in Switzerland and is beautifully set in a bowl with forrested slopes and streams tumbling down into the water. Lake Brienz is much less touristy than Lake Thun. Steamers on Lake Brienz leave frequently from the steamer port behind the East station. We spent a peaceful couple of hours at Brienz on the northern edge of the lake. It has a very quiet feel and is most famous for its woodcarvers, whose work can be found in souvenir shops all over Switzerland.   Close

Interlaken is a fairly small town (population not much over 15,000). It is very easy to tour on foot. It lies in a valley between the mountains and between two lakes -- Thun and Brienz. If you arrive via Berne in the…Read More

Interlaken is a fairly small town (population not much over 15,000). It is very easy to tour on foot. It lies in a valley between the mountains and between two lakes -- Thun and Brienz. If you arrive via Berne in the west, the scenery around Lake Thun prior to reaching Interlaken is breathtaking during months when snow is on the mountains. My last trip was in November. The first snow of the season had just fallen and there was none to speak of in the lower elevations. When I visited in June, the snow from the winter was still on the ground and it was absolutely wonderful. I would not want to return in November -- either later in winter, spring, or early summer.

Interlaken has two train stations -- West and East -- connected by the main street - Hoheweg. Most shops and many restaurants are located along the Hoheweg. At the end of town, closer to station East, is the Casino Kursaal. After taking a day trip to Jungfrau, we decided to drop in. It is not a large casino by Las Vegas standards, but was "elegant" -- we were probably underdressed, but no one said anything! There is a small entry fee. The casino has both slots and table games. Slots are different than Las Vegas. I won about $500 when I played $10, so I took the money down the street to a store that sells watches and bought a new watch!

Speaking of watches, there are many shops from which to choose with a very wide variety and reasonable prices. There are also several shops that sell cuckoo clocks at prices better than I found in Germany.

Although I rated the last place I stayed while in Interlaken, I must also mention another place that I stayed on a previous visit. The Swiss Inn is on the west side of town, about a five-minute walk from the West station. I suppose it is classed as a bed and breakfast or guesthouse. It is a pink Victorian-style house divided into apartments. When we arrived, the proprietress showed us all the available apartments and let us choose. I was with a friend and our two teenagers, so they chose the apartment with a view of the Jungfrau and with a loft with 4 beds. It was a wonderful choice. The skylight in the loft was raised and in the morning we awoke to hear the birds singing. The beds were very comfortable with down bedding.

The furniture is old, but oh so clean. There is a washer and dryer in the basement for guest use. Quite expensive for a load (about $5), but we threw all our clothes in together which made it possible for us to only have to take half as many clothes for our 10 day journey.

The owners had a son about the same age as our children and they played basketball with him in the backyard. On the morning we left, the owner took us to the train station.

I don't remember the rates, but it seems like the apartment was less than $200 per night. We thought it was a great bargain and the only reason I did not stay on my last trip is they were closed for the week. I would definitely consider them again. Check out this website for more information.

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I just thought I would let you all know about what has been possibly the best day of my life. I woke up this morning to yet another gorgeous sunny day in the Swiss Alps, had breakfast in the sun whilst looking at the mountains with my roommates…Read More

I just thought I would let you all know about what has been possibly the best day of my life. I woke up this morning to yet another gorgeous sunny day in the Swiss Alps, had breakfast in the sun whilst looking at the mountains with my roommates and then the fun began!

We headed up the road to another place run by this hostel, donned wetsuits, lifejackets and helmets, then another cool bus ride up into the mountain nearby. Then we canyoned back down the mountain. It was awesome!!!! We jumped off rocks 20ft high into swirling white water, abseilled a little, and went for the most awesome natural water slides. To top it off we spent some time under gorgeous water falls and I even have photos to prove it all.

Exhilerated, and yet a little exhausted, we headed back to the hostel. There I said goodbye to my roommates who were heading off, and had a brief rest before the afternoons activity....paragliding. Oh my god!!! It was sooooo amazing. My pilot/ instructor was a totally gorgeous Swiss guy, so it really wasn't so hard to settle back in to his arms as we soared over the mountains and the lakes. The scenery here is so totally spectacular words can,t possibly do it justice. I just hope the photos can give you guys the slightest taste.

The mountains are so beautiful - jagged peaks that reach towards the sky, softened by pure white snow. Below the mountains are the most pristine aqua blue lakes that lead up to the tree covered slopes which are the most amazing array of different shades of green. Every so often (actually there are heaps), there are the most beautiful water falls cascading over the rocks. The water is so clear and pure it tastes divine.

All of that we soared over. It was so quiet up there we could hear the cow bells below us. We even saw an eagle flying really close to us. We soared up and down with the thermals going wherever the wind took us. It was the most amazing feeling. As we got lower, the pilot started doing a few tricks...in his words - a free falling roller coaster. It was sooo much fun. I still cant wipe the grin off my face. I spent a little while reminicsing with one of the other guys who did it with me who is really sweet.

Unfortunately tonight is my last night amongs the mountains before I head off to Florence. I think I will go for another walk tonight. It is so amazing looking at the stars above the mountains which are a slightly darker shade of midnight blue than the sky. It would be the perfect end to a perfect day!

Anyway I just had to share that with you all. Hope your days were just as spectacular. If not, I hope tomorrow is.

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Interlaken means between lakes and it sits beautifully between two glacier lakes at the base of some of the most gorgeous mountains and some of the tallest in the world. Because it sits in the moutain valley, almost everything you do from there is up!…Read More

Interlaken means between lakes and it sits beautifully between two glacier lakes at the base of some of the most gorgeous mountains and some of the tallest in the world.

Because it sits in the moutain valley, almost everything you do from there is up! You can walk or take the cable car up Harder Kulm. Once at the top, you can walk quite aways across the ridge for a beautiful view of the city below. Renting bikes is one of the best ideas while there. They offer a fast way of travelling long distances. There are some great trails up the mountain valleys or around the lakes, some are more up hill then others.

Around the lakes there are numerous places to swim and though the water is a bit chilly, it is wonderful on a hot day or after a long hike! The first time I went, we went white water rafting and did some hiking. I highly recommend it. The tour groups are great fun and it was so much fun to go flying down white water. The second time I went was during the winter. There are 3 ski resorts within 20 min of Interlaken. They each offer a different level of skiing, so there is something for everyone. The third time I went, it was all about biking and lake sitting. With weather almost 40 degrees there was not much else we could survive!

Though very touristy, I recommend this town for anyone passing through Switzerland.

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Don't be put off by the commercial look and feel of downtown Interlaken. Yes, Interlaken is tourism at its finest and its worst. Fine shopping options include gorgeous gold jewelry, expensive, but well made Swiss watches and cuckoo clocks, and fine Swiss linens and lace.…Read More

Don't be put off by the commercial look and feel of downtown Interlaken. Yes, Interlaken is tourism at its finest and its worst. Fine shopping options include gorgeous gold jewelry, expensive, but well made Swiss watches and cuckoo clocks, and fine Swiss linens and lace. Its worst include cheap plastic magnets that aren't very pretty, multitudes of cow souvenirs ranging from plastic cows to cow dishes and dishtowels, and poor plastic renditions of cuckoo clocks. Enjoy the variety, look everywhere and shop where the goods speak to you. If nothing else, with so many shops the selection is wonderful.

Celebrate Interlaken for what it offers and enjoy your shopping. One best value is, of course, Swiss army knifes. You'll find a much greater variety than in the States and pricing is somewhat better. If you're interested, look hard for the green knives; that's the one color not sold in the United States.

Swiss linens trimmed in exquisite Swiss lace are wonderful souvenirs to bring home. Remember, though, that you're buying quality and don't expect a great bargain but rather a quality product. Several shops along the main street specialize in linens and Swiss lace. Be sure to look at all before making your selection.

Another great memento to bring home are the round lace window hanging decorations. You can find everything from a great selection of Christmas motifs (Santas, angels, sleigh and reindeer, etc) to typical Swiss scenes, animals, etc. that can be left up all year.

Of course, Swiss chocolate is the ultimate Swiss souvenir! Yes, it really does taste much better than what's available in the States. It's so much creamier and the flavor is generally more intense. Remember that when you buy the prepackaged chocolates with the pretty Swiss scenes on the little chocolates, you're paying for packaging. If it's actual chocolate you want, consider saving money and enjoying a wide selection by doing your shopping at the local Coop or Migros grocery stores. Migros has its own brand of mocha flavored chocolate bars that is especially wonderful -- for about 1.80 CHF per bar.There are even some brands that have Swiss scenes on them to satisfy the tourist in you as well as the chocaholic. You'll get a lot more chocolate and can still enjoy the Swiss scene packaging.

Yes, shopping when abroad can be challenging. I'm always careful not to buy anything that I wouldn't buy if it were for sale at home. It's all too easy to get caught up in the destination and buy something you'd normally consider a waste. I find that pretty magnets for my refrigerator, depicting where I've been, and Christmas ornaments always make great mementos. Enjoy!!

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Since Interlaken is rather large and definitely a tourist center, you'll find many dining options to suit any budgets. Besides traditional Swiss cuisine, you'll find everything from McDonald’s (yes, they are everywhere these days!!) to Italian to Chinese to Mexican. Be sure, though, to experience…Read More

Since Interlaken is rather large and definitely a tourist center, you'll find many dining options to suit any budgets. Besides traditional Swiss cuisine, you'll find everything from McDonald’s (yes, they are everywhere these days!!) to Italian to Chinese to Mexican.

Be sure, though, to experience typical Swiss cuisine. Rosti, a hash brown potato type of peasant dish, is wonderful and there are many variations. If you have a rosti at lunch, you'll just need a light dinner. Typically, rosti is a roasted, grated potato dish that is finished off in the oven. Some think of it as a Swiss potato pancake. Like many traditional Swiss dishes, it was probably developed to fuel farmers who worked hard in the fields all day. You can get your rosti just plain, topped with vegetables, cheese, or many other variations. My favorite is topped with raclette cheese.

That leads into another typical Swiss peasant dish that is much better than it sounds. Raclette is a typical dish found in most Swiss restaurants. Raclette is a special kind of cheese that is either served to you as a portion of melted cheese, with small new potatoes and gherkins, or you'll be given a small raclette grill, which holds a hunk of cheese that melts against the heat source. You scrape the cheese off as it melts and eat it with the potatoes and gherkins. It's wonderful! Of course, the Swiss classic -- Swiss fondue: a cheese fondue served with bread -- is found everywhere.

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Interlaken is nestled between the mountains, with a lake on each side: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Either makes a wonderful, relaxing day trip. Both Swiss Passes (highly recommended for value on mountain excursions) and Eurail passes are valid on the steamers. You can simply…Read More

Interlaken is nestled between the mountains, with a lake on each side: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Either makes a wonderful, relaxing day trip. Both Swiss Passes (highly recommended for value on mountain excursions) and Eurail passes are valid on the steamers. You can simply hop on and off at any quaint village that interests you. Pack yourself a picnic luncheon and make a day of it!!

A great way to arrive in Interlaken from Zurich is to take a train to Thun, instead of Interlaken, walk across the street, catch a ferry (timed perfectly to leave about 10 minutes after your train arrives) and arrive in Interlaken via a leisurely steamer from Thun. On a sunny day, sitting on the day, sun on your face, marveling at the mountain panorama in front of you, is the perfect way to beat jet lag! If you want to explore the castle in Thun, you can leave your bags (if you've packed light) in a locker at the train station, explore the town and the castle, and simply catch a steamer a couple hours later. Thus is at the north end of the lake and is quieter and less touristy.

Another stop on Lake Thun is Schloss Oberhofen, a castle dating back to the 13th century. Again, if you want, you can get off the steamer, explore a bit, and catch the next one that comes by.

Lake Brienz is the small of the two lakes. Brienz, a small woodcarving community, is located at the small end of the lake. You can watch woodworkers and buy hand made souvenirs.Accessible by post bus (Swiss pass valid) from the Brienz station is the Ballenberg Open Air Museum, a wonderful open-air museum a lot like Williamsburg where you can observe traditional Swiss craftsmen working, see traditional Swiss houses, etc. It's another great sunny day excursion. You can either eat in one of the restaurants or pack a picnic.

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By the late 19th-century, Interlaken was already a major tourist attraction. On a fast-flowing river connecting two magnificent Alpine lakes, and focal point of an arc formed by the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountain peaks, it drew affluent visitors from as far as Tuscany…Read More

By the late 19th-century, Interlaken was already a major tourist attraction. On a fast-flowing river connecting two magnificent Alpine lakes, and focal point of an arc formed by the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountain peaks, it drew affluent visitors from as far as Tuscany and the Tyrol. Narrow-gauge, steam-powered railroads would haul them to posh resort hotels in the villages of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen.

Now, Interlaken gets an estimated half-million visitors a year just for the train to Jungfraujoch. In midsummer, the crush of tourists at the two rail stations and along the main street can be maddening. However, if you know where to look, Interlaken can also be a place for tranquil riverside walks, mountain trail explorations, or a relaxing evening cruise on the ThunerSee or BrienzerSee; the latter free if you have a Swiss Pass or Eurailpass.

Accommodations range from the classic (and expensive) "Grand Hotels" to one- or two-star tourist inns, with a wide choice of mid-range three- and four-star hotels in between. Further out, youth hostels can be found. If your hotel doesn’t have a pool, you can use the large municipal swimming pool and sports center for 8 Swiss francs per day.

The main street, stretching about a mile and a half between the East and West rail stations, is lined with the usual touristic souvenir and gift shops. But walk a short distance north, across the railroad, and Interlaken becomes a different place altogether: Pleasant walking and biking paths along the river lead to the chalets and stone buildings of a traditional Swiss mountain village. An old mill and dam complete the rustic picture. A high, wooded cliff on the far bank looks forbidding, but there are actually some relatively easy --- or at least moderate -- trails along its flanks. The Castle, a campus-like collection of old stone government buildings, is another site for a pleasant away-from-the-tourists stroll. Things I’d do next time I visit Interlaken:

- Carry a Swiss Pass and hop on and off the various mountain trains, fare free, in search of photo opportunities.

- Ride one of the lake boats to Spiez, Thun or Brienz, returning by rail.

- Ride the Harder Kulm Funicular to what’s said to be a magnificent lookout 1,322 meters above sea level (755 meters above Interlaken.

- Walk as far as I could along one of the beautifully-maintained paths leading east from the city.

The Harder Kulm is just one of many funicular and cable railways in the Jungfrau area; I mention it because it’s so convenient: just across the river from the Grand Hotel Beau Rivage and the East (Ost) railstation.

The Jungfrau Region tourist map shows at least eight other rack railways, funiculars and aerial tramways serving various mountain villages and ski centers. Electronically write info@jungfraujoch.ch for a copy of "Wandern Jungfraubahnen" or go to www.jungfraubahn.ch.

Because it’s so easy to reach by rail (or boat), Interlaken is a superb base for several days of Swiss Alpine exploration.

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