Where to Stay in Interlaken: Best Areas & Villages Compared (2026)

Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region, and that's both its strength and its weakness. Every train to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch starts here, and two lakes sit on either side of town. But the town itself is flat, busy and built around tourism, and the big peaks are hidden behind the foothills.

So the real question isn't just which part of Interlaken. It's whether to stay in Interlaken at all, or go up the valley. Here's how to decide.

Our quick picks

• First visit, 2–3 nights, no car: central Interlaken, on or near the Höheweg.
• Hiking trip: Grindelwald (big village, most lifts) or Wengen (car-free, quieter).
• Lauterbrunnen waterfalls and cliffs: Lauterbrunnen village or car-free Mürren.
• Better value close to town: Wilderswil or Unterseen.
• A lake and a spa: the shores of Lake Thun (Merligen, Sigriswil) or the sunny terrace of Beatenberg.
• Families: Grindelwald, for the playgrounds, easy trails and the First gondola.

The areas compared

Central Interlaken: the Höheweg

The main boulevard runs between the two stations, alongside the Höhematte, a big open meadow with a straight view to the Jungfrau. This is where the grand hotels, cafés and most restaurants are, and where paragliders land in the afternoon.

Stay here if: it's your first visit, you're here for two or three nights and you want to walk to dinner. It's also the easiest base if your plans change with the weather, since trains leave in every direction.

Skip it if: you came for alpine peace and quiet. In summer, the Höheweg is busy until late.

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Near Interlaken Ost: for early starts

Interlaken Ost is the station for the Bernese Oberland Railway to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, and the pier for boats on Lake Brienz. If your plan is a string of mountain days, sleeping within a few minutes' walk lets you catch the first train before the crowds.

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Unterseen: the quiet side of the river

Across the Aare from Interlaken West, Unterseen is the oldest part of town, with a small square and wooden houses. It feels like a village but is a 10-minute walk from the station and the Lake Thun boats. Prices are often a little lower than on the Höheweg.

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Wilderswil: one stop closer to the mountains

Wilderswil is the first stop on the mountain railway, five minutes from Interlaken Ost. It's a real village with farmhouses and good-value guesthouses, and it's where the old cogwheel train to Schynige Platte leaves from, one of the best (and least crowded) viewpoints in the region.

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Grindelwald: our pick for hikers

Grindelwald sits right under the north face of the Eiger, about 35 minutes by train from Interlaken. It's the busiest of the mountain villages, but it has the most going on: the First gondola (for the Bachalpsee hike), the Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch, and in winter, sledding and skiing from the village.

Rooms facing the Eiger are worth paying for. Waking up to that wall of rock is the reason to come.

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Wengen: car-free and quiet

Wengen sits on a sunny shelf above the Lauterbrunnen valley, reachable only by train. No cars means evenings are silent, and the views across to the Jungfrau are some of the best you can get from a hotel balcony. It's a great base for the Männlichen walk to Kleine Scheidegg and for winter skiing.

The trade-off: everything takes a train ride, and nightlife is basically a hotel bar.

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Lauterbrunnen and Mürren: waterfalls and cliffs

Lauterbrunnen sits on the valley floor among 72 waterfalls, with Staubbach Falls dropping right behind the village. It's practical and a bit cheaper, but gets little sun in winter. Mürren, up on the cliff edge, is car-free, tiny and spectacular, with the Schilthorn cable car right there. Our Mürren to Lauterbrunnen hike links both.

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Lake Thun and Beatenberg: for a spa stay

If you'd rather end each day in a pool than a pub, look at the north shore of Lake Thun, 15 to 25 minutes from Interlaken. Hotels here have lake views and proper spas, and boats and buses connect to town. Beatenberg, on a sunny terrace high above the lake, has one of the widest views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau anywhere.

Our honest take

For a first two-night visit, central Interlaken is easy and fine. For anything longer, or any trip built around hiking, go up the valley: Grindelwald for convenience, Wengen for peace. If you're still deciding between this region and Lucerne, read Interlaken vs Lucerne, and see how Interlaken fits into a full Switzerland itinerary.