Switzerland reveals its best side to tourists who come to Interlaken. After all, no matter how beautiful the architecture of Swiss cities is, the main advantage of this country is its magnificent nature, and it is in Interlaken that you can see the most picturesque mountain landscapes of Switzerland.
Interlaken is a climatic resort, a small town in Switzerland with a population of about 5,500 people, comfortably located between two lakes – Thun and Brienz, surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks. This tourist center is located 60 km from the unofficial capital of Switzerland, Bern, at an altitude of 570 m above sea level.
Iterlaken received its resort status more than 300 years ago, and now it is one of the best places for recreation in Switzerland, attracting with its natural beauty, attractions and various types of active recreation.
Active holidays in Interlaken
The Interlaken resort is hospitable to all vacationers. For those who need spa treatment, there are all the opportunities to improve their health – a favorable climate, healthy air, mineral springs, the best milk in the world, organic fruits and berries. Those who prefer passive recreation will be able to have a great rest in modern hotels with chic restaurants, swimming pools and spas surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes. But the most diverse and exciting program in Interlaken awaits lovers of active recreation and sports entertainment.
Alpine skiing
The ski slopes of this Swiss resort, with a total length of about 220 km, are concentrated at the foot of the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger mountains. The difference in altitude is 2404 m, and the highest point of skiing is at 2971 m. There are 4 funiculars and 45 chairlifts, T-bar lifts and cabin lifts at the service of skiers and snowboarders.
The most challenging trails are in Grindelwald and Mürren (from €68), while the gentler ones are in Bitenberg (from €49). There are also 50 km of sledding trails.
The region is home to White Elements Park, which hosts various competitions. There are kickers 8-20 meters high, as well as boxes and railings for freestyle. The park is divided into 2 parts – for beginners and professionals.
The ski pass at the Interlaken ski resort also includes skiing at the resorts of Wengen, Mürren, Grindelwald plus local transport costs. The cost of a 6-day ski pass for an adult is 352 euros, for a child – 167 euros.
Paragliding
Paragliding flights, which can be done at any time of the year, will leave an unforgettable impression. This service is offered by many travel companies in Interlaken. The flight is carried out in tandem with a guide, and if desired, you can order photo and video shooting before the flight over Interlaken. The maximum weight of a participant is 95 kg.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Fans of extreme recreation will enjoy kayaking, canoeing or rafting on mountain rivers. And fans of more relaxed types of tourism will be attracted by hiking on lakes. All types of water tourism are offered in the warm season. Reliable equipment and experienced instructors guarantee the safety of this active leisure.
Cycling and other types of active recreation
Cycling is very popular in Interlaken during the summer season. You can rent a bike and other equipment and go on a cycling tour through the picturesque surroundings of Interlaken. You can also take a horseback riding tour, a boat cruise on the nearby lakes, go surfing, sailing, mountaineering, mountain tourism, and fishing.
Attractions
Interlaken is proud not only of its ski slopes, but also of its attractions, which make it one of the most important cultural and historical cities in Switzerland.
Harder Kulm
The Harder Kulm mountain with its viewing platform is a landmark of Interlaken, which is its calling card. It offers a stunning view of the mountains, lakes and the town between them, which seems like a toy from above.
The observation deck on the Harder Kulm mountain is open to visitors from May to October daily from 9.00 to 18.00, and can be reached on foot or by funicular. The ascent on foot takes 2-3 hours and is only accessible to physically fit people. The funicular takes you to the observation deck in 10 minutes. The ticket costs 40 CHF round trip.
The observation deck resembles a bridge hanging over an abyss, part of its decking is made of transparent glass, through which the tree crowns are visible. There is also a sculpture of the symbol of Switzerland – a cow with a bell. Nearby, at an altitude of 1322 m, there is a restaurant resembling a castle, souvenirs are sold.
Jungfrau summit
Jungfrau is a mountain in the vicinity of Interlaken, one of the highest peaks in Switzerland. It owes its name (“Young Maiden”) to a convent that was once located at its foot. Now there is a church in its place. Jungfrau is a landmark of Switzerland , included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a railway was built on the Jungfrau, which is the highest in Europe. This road is the pride of Interlaken and Switzerland, a landmark demonstrating the high skill of Swiss engineers. Its final point is at the Jungfraujoch pass (altitude 3454 m above sea level), where galleries have been cut and a weather station and observatory have been built. From here, from the Sphinx observation deck, a circular panorama of the Alpine mountains and lakes opens up.
Tourists can visit the following attractions on Jungfraujoch:
- The Ice Palace, where all the exhibits are made of ice,
- restaurants with panoramic windows,
- visual and sound show, scientific exhibition,
- take part in dog sledding (in summer).
When heading to Jungfraujoch, don’t forget warm clothes and sunglasses.
The Jungfrau Pass is reached from Interlaken by train, changing to the cogwheel railway in Lauterbrunnen. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. The ticket costs 117.6 CHF one way. Discounts of up to 50% are available with the Swiss Pass . Tickets can be purchased at www.sbb.ch.
Beatus Caves
On the shore of Lake Thun, just 10-15 minutes drive from the center of Interlaken, are the Beatus Caves, one of the natural attractions of Switzerland. The caves are located in a cliff above the lake, and you will have to make a short hike from the bus stop to get to them. From above, there is a picturesque view of the lake and mountains, and a waterfall cascades down from the cliff. A visit to the cave can be individual or with a guided tour, which takes place every 30 minutes. The air temperature inside will not rise above +5°C even in summer, so when planning to visit this attraction, do not forget to take warm clothes.
The Beatus Caves are named after the 6th century Irish monk Beatus. According to legend, he defeated a dragon that lived in these caves and kept the locals in fear. Having freed the settlement from the dragon, the hermit monk settled in these caves and was canonized.
The length of the excursion route is about 1 km, the excursion lasts a little more than 1 hour. There is electric lighting inside. Here you can see bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and waterfalls. Children will be interested in riding on an underground lake in a boat in the shape of a dragon. Inside this attraction of Interlaken and Switzerland, photography and video shooting are allowed, but only without the use of tripods.
Near this attraction there is a mineral museum, a restaurant, a playground for children, and a souvenir shop.
- The Beatus Caves are open from mid-March to mid-November daily 9:00 – 17:00.
- Ticket price: 18 CHF, children – 10 CHF.
You will be interested! 20 km from Interlaken there is a popular ski resort Grindelwald, which is called the “Glacier Village”.
Golden Pass Route
The Golden Pass railway route runs through the most beautiful places in Switzerland. The golden-colored express with panoramic windows goes from Montreux to Lucerne via Interlaken, taking in all the natural and historical sights along the way. Since Interlaken is the central point of the Golden Route, you can either go on a two-hour journey to Ost-Lucerne or on a three-hour trip via Zweisimmen to Montreux.
Heading towards Lucerne, you will see the famous Giessbach waterfall, overcome the steepest climb to Mount Pilatus on cogwheel rails, and admire the stunning views of Lake Lucerne.
Choosing a trip to the active city of Montreux , you will visit the Grand Chalet castle and see the famous Chillon castle on the shore of the large Lake Leman . The incredibly beautiful mountain landscapes of Switzerland will accompany you throughout the trip.
The cost of one ticket for the entire Golden Pass is 190 CHF. It is valid for 2 days and allows you to get off at any stop and continue on your way after seeing the sights in the area you are interested in.
Note! Not far from Interlaken is the picturesque village of Lauterbrunnen, which served as a prototype for the world of elves in the film “The Lord of the Rings”.
Camping in Interlaken
There are more than 100 hotels in Interlaken, offering about 7 thousand places in a wide price range. However, during the peak months of this resort – from January to early March – there may not be enough places for everyone, so it is recommended to book them in advance. You can find a campsite in Interlaken on your own via the Internet.
The most affordable prices are offered by the following campsites:
- Alpenblick 2, located near Lake Thun, 2 km from the center with a bed price from 10 CHF per night, cars up to 6 m long – 32.5. Website – www.camping-alpenblick.ch (only in German).
- TCS camping Interlaken – 38 CHF for a car and 95 CHF if you want to spend the night in a wooden house for 2.
- River Lodge – located right on the banks of the Aare River. It was thoroughly renovated in 2018. A private room for two costs 86-102 CHF depending on the season, a place in a shared room is cheaper. Details here — www.riverlodge.ch.
There are many mid-range hotels in the area around the railway station. One of the most popular is the Neuhaus Golf & Strandhotel, located on the shore of Lake Thun, a double room will cost from ₣190 per day.
Hotel Interlaken is located in a reconstructed old mansion from the 15th century, the price for a double room is from 175 ₣ per night.
The most prestigious hotel in Interlaken is the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel Spa with views of the famous Jungfrau mountain, where the cost of a double room starts from 430 ₣.
Weather, when is the best time to come
Although Interlaken is mainly a ski resort, you can come here in any season of the year. The ski season at this resort lasts from November to March. The best time for skiing and snowboarding is considered to be the winter months – from December to February. The coldest time here is in January, in the mountains the thermometer can drop to -27°C.
Summer at this resort is sunny, but due to the high location and proximity to the mountains, it is never hot. Daytime temperatures in the warmest months rarely rise above 23°C. July and August are usually rainy, which should be taken into account when planning a trip.
Those who like to swim in the lakes may be disappointed: the water in the lakes is cold. Its temperature at the beginning of summer usually does not exceed 14°C, and at the height of it barely reaches 18°C. But even without swimming, this resort in Switzerland has a lot of interesting activities that attract tourists from all over the world. Thanks to such towns as Interlaken, Switzerland is one of the most visited countries in Europe.
