15 Best Things to Do in Interlaken, Switzerland (2026 Guide)

Interlaken is the most searched place in Switzerland, and it's easy to see why. The town sits on a strip of land between two turquoise lakes, with the snowy Jungfrau framed at the end of the main meadow. And within half an hour by train, you can be under the Eiger, in a valley of 72 waterfalls, or on the highest railway station in Europe.

Here's what's actually worth your time, in rough order of priority, with tips on how to fit it all in.

Interlaken at a glance

In and around town

1. Ride up to Harder Kulm

Interlaken's own mountain. A funicular climbs from just behind Interlaken Ost station in about 10 minutes to 1,322 m (4,337 ft), where a viewing platform hangs out over the drop with both lakes below and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau straight ahead. In 2026 it runs from early April to late November, with evening rides in summer.

2. Watch the paragliders land on the Höhematte

The big meadow in the center of town is protected from building, so the view of the Jungfrau stays open. On good days, paragliders spiral down onto it all afternoon. If you want to try, tandem flights from Beatenberg or Amisbühl land right here.

3. Walk the Aare to Unterseen

Cross the river from Interlaken West to Unterseen, the old town, for wooden houses and a quiet square. The Aare between the two lakes is a startling green-blue.

On the lakes

4. Take a boat on Lake Brienz to Iseltwald

Boats leave from the pier at Interlaken Ost. Get off at Iseltwald, a tiny village on a peninsula, whose little wooden pier became famous worldwide after a K-drama. A small fee now applies to step onto it. Continue to Giessbach, where a funicular climbs to a waterfall and a grand old hotel, and on to Brienz for woodcarving workshops.

5. Cruise Lake Thun to the castles

From Interlaken West, boats sail Lake Thun past Oberhofen Castle on the water's edge, to Thun with its hilltop castle and old town. On the way, the St. Beatus Caves cut into the cliffs above the north shore.

In the mountains

6. Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe"

The headline trip: the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 m (11,332 ft), with the Aletsch Glacier below. Go via the Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald for the fastest route. It's expensive, so check the summit webcam the morning of. Everything you need is in our Jungfraujoch guide.

7. The Lauterbrunnen valley

Twenty minutes by train. Walk from the station to Staubbach Falls, which drops almost 300 m behind the village, then take the bus up the valley to Trümmelbach Falls: ten glacier waterfalls thundering inside the mountain, reached by a lift through the rock. Trümmelbach is open from early April to November; it's at its most powerful in late spring.

8. Mürren, Gimmelwald and the Schilthorn

From Lauterbrunnen, a cable car climbs to car-free Mürren on the cliff edge. Walk down to Gimmelwald, or ride the cable car up to the Schilthorn, the revolving restaurant from the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Our Mürren to Lauterbrunnen hike links them.

9. Grindelwald First

The gondola from Grindelwald climbs to First, with a cliff walk bolted to the rock face, and the easy, beautiful hike to Bachalpsee, a lake reflecting the peaks. In summer you can ride down by zipline (First Flyer), mountain cart and scooter. Route details: Bachalpsee hike.

10. Schynige Platte by cogwheel train

From Wilderswil, a vintage cogwheel train climbs for about an hour to Schynige Platte, with an alpine flower garden and some of the most complete views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It only runs in summer, roughly from June to October.

11. Hike the Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail

One of the easiest high-alpine walks anywhere: about 1.5 hours, mostly downhill, facing the Eiger north face the whole way. See more in our hikes near Interlaken.

12. Oeschinensee

Not in the Jungfrau region but an easy day trip via Spiez and Kandersteg: a turquoise lake below sheer cliffs. Our Oeschinensee hike has the route.

Adventure and other ideas

13. Canyoning, rafting or skydiving

Interlaken is Switzerland's adventure capital. Local operators run canyoning, rafting on the Lütschine, and skydiving over the glaciers. Book with established companies and check the weather.

14. Ballenberg open-air museum

Near Brienz, an open-air museum of more than 100 historic Swiss farmhouses moved from all over the country, with animals and craft demos. Open in the warmer months; great with kids.

15. In winter: sled, ski and soak

From December to March, swap the hikes for sledding at Grindelwald First or the Wengen and Mürren runs, and skiing on the Jungfrau slopes. In December, Interlaken has a small Christmas market. End the day in a hotel pool: the Victoria-Jungfrau's spa and the lakeside spas on Lake Thun are minutes away.

A 3-day Interlaken plan

• Day 1: Lake Brienz boat to Iseltwald and Giessbach in the morning, Harder Kulm at sunset.
• Day 2 (clearest day): Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald, or Schilthorn via Mürren.
• Day 3: Lauterbrunnen and Trümmelbach Falls, then the cable car to Mürren and the walk to Gimmelwald.

Where to stay

Central Interlaken is easiest for a short stay, but for three nights or more, many hikers prefer Grindelwald or Wengen. Our area-by-area guide to where to stay in Interlaken compares them all. If you're still choosing your base, read Interlaken vs Lucerne.