Travel Guide
Plan your visit around Harder Kulm, Höhematte Park, and more of Interlaken, Switzerland.
The best things to do in Interlaken combine a walkable resort town with the dramatic scenery of the Bernese Alps. Set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is a convenient base for mountain viewpoints, scenic rail and boat journeys, historic villages, caves and high-Alpine excursions.
Why Visit Interlaken
Interlaken brings an exceptional range of Alpine experiences together in one convenient base. From the town centre, you can look toward the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, stroll through Höhematte Park and along the Höheweg, or cross the Aare to explore the older streets of Unterseen.
The surrounding area adds a different experience in every direction. Boat cruises on Lakes Thun and Brienz lead to lakeside villages, waterfalls, castles and cultural attractions, while Harder Kulm offers a local mountain panorama.
St. Beatus Caves and Jungfraujoch extend the journey from nearby natural discovery to dramatic underground and high-Alpine environments. Interlaken is particularly well suited to travellers who want to mix relaxed sightseeing with hiking, scenic transport and adventure activities.
Top Things to Do in Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken’s attractions range from central walks and historic townscapes to lake cruises, mountain viewpoints and high-Alpine adventures. These highlights make it easy to shape a visit around scenery, culture or active exploration.
Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm is Interlaken’s local mountain, rising to 1,322 metres above sea level. Its viewpoint looks across Interlaken between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau forming the southern skyline.
The historic Harderbahn funicular reaches the mountain from a valley station near Interlaken Ost in about ten minutes. From the mountain station, a gently rising path leads to the Panorama Restaurant and Two-Lakes Lookout Point.
Harder Kulm suits relaxed sightseeing, families and walkers, with routes continuing toward the Hardergrat and Augstmatthorn. Check seasonal transport, trail conditions, restaurant services and the final return connection before hiking.
Höhematte Park
Höhematte Park is Interlaken’s central open space, beside the Höheweg and surrounded by the resort’s hotels, shops and visitor services. Its broad meadow preserves an uninterrupted view toward the Jungfrau massif, creating a striking contrast between the town centre and the Alpine landscape beyond.
Benches, lawns, paths and landscaped areas make the park a relaxed place for walking and pausing. It includes a children’s playground and is especially associated with tandem paragliding flights that descend over Interlaken and land on the meadow.
Walking routes connect Höhematte with the Japanese Garden, churches, the former monastery area and the Aare promenade. Respect local signs, lawn conditions and temporary event arrangements.
Höheweg
Höheweg is Interlaken’s central promenade and an easy way to experience the town’s Alpine setting. It runs beside Höhematte Park, with the Jungfrau massif rising beyond the open meadow.
Shops, cafés, restaurants, hotel terraces, benches and landscaped areas create regular places to pause.
The promenade is both a sightseeing route and a practical link through central Interlaken. Information boards explain nearby mountains and historic hotels, while colourful paragliders often circle above the meadow.
Visitors can combine the walk with Höhematte Park, the Japanese Garden, the former monastery area or a riverside route toward Unterseen Old Town. The generally accessible route suits wheelchairs, pushchairs and relaxed family walks.
Unterseen Old Town
Unterseen Old Town, locally known as the Stedtli, offers a quieter historical contrast to Interlaken’s busy centre. A short walk from the Höheweg, its compact streets and traditional buildings create an older atmosphere rooted in the late thirteenth century.
The heart of the area is Stadthausplatz, a rectangular square framed by historic houses, the Stadthaus, a church tower and cafés or restaurants. Look for narrow lanes, passages toward the Aare and views back toward the Stedtli from the riverside.
Visitors interested in regional history can add the Tourismuseum or archaeological cellar. The old town suits an unhurried walk combined with a route along the Aare.
Lake Brienz Boat Cruise
A Lake Brienz boat cruise reveals the Bernese Oberland from the water, with intense turquoise scenery, steep wooded slopes, rocky shores and mountain villages. Scheduled passenger boats connect Interlaken Ost with destinations including Bönigen, Ringgenberg, Niederried, Iseltwald, Giessbach and Brienz.
Landing stages make it easy to combine the cruise with a village walk or another excursion. Giessbach provides access to its waterfall and historic lakeside hotel, while Brienz connects with the Brienz Rothorn railway and the village’s woodcarving tradition.
Selected journeys feature the 1914 paddle steamer Lötschberg. Check the official timetable, operating notices and connections before departure, as service details vary by date and weather.
Lake Thun Boat Cruise
A Lake Thun boat cruise combines relaxed travel with broad views across the Bernese Oberland. From the deep-blue lake, visitors can see green slopes, forests, vineyards, villages and the pyramid-shaped Niesen, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau appearing beyond the nearer mountains on clear days.
The main route from Interlaken West to Thun takes about two hours and stops at destinations including Neuhaus, the St. Beatus Caves area, Beatenbucht, Spiez, Gunten, Oberhofen, Hilterfingen and Hünibach. The cruise can connect with castles, lakeside parks, vineyards and mountain routes.
Selected journeys feature the paddle steamer Blümlisalp. Check timetables before travelling, as services vary seasonally.
St. Beatus Caves
St. Beatus Caves lie above Lake Thun, where forested slopes, waterfalls and limestone cliffs create a dramatic setting. The cave system formed over millions of years and contains underground gorges, chambers, stalactites and stalagmites.
A forest path and bridges over the waterfall lead toward the entrance.
Visitors can explore about one kilometre of the larger mapped system along secured, electrically lit paths. The Cave Museum adds context about geology, speleology, prehistoric discoveries, cave animals and exploration methods, while information boards explain the legend of Saint Beatus.
A nearby playground includes a dragon slide, and a restaurant overlooks Lake Thun and the surrounding mountains. Follow site guidance around damp or uneven surfaces.
Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is a high-Alpine destination at 3,454 metres and home to Europe’s highest railway station. From Interlaken Ost, the journey travels through the Jungfrau Region via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, with the Eiger Express available on the route.
The final railway section passes through a tunnel built between 1896 and 1912.
At the summit, the Sphinx Observation Deck overlooks the Aletsch Glacier and high peaks, while the Glacier Plateau offers snow and ice throughout the year. The Ice Palace features carved ice figures and blue-lit corridors, and Alpine Sensation explains the railway’s construction.
Check transport connections, weather and reservation requirements, and prepare for high-altitude conditions with warm clothing, sunglasses and sturdy footwear.
Best Time to Visit Interlaken
Interlaken can be visited throughout the year, but the best season depends on what you want to do. Late spring through early autumn generally offers the broadest choice of boat excursions, hiking conditions and mountain viewpoints, with greener landscapes and longer daylight.
Summer is the busiest period and brings a lively resort atmosphere. Early autumn can offer pleasant walking conditions, changing foliage and calmer surroundings.
Winter suits snow-covered mountain scenery, winter sports and high-Alpine excursions, although some lakeside and mountain services operate seasonally. Weather and visibility can change quickly in the Alps, so flexible planning is useful in every season.
SPECIAL EVENTS IN Interlaken
Touch the Mountains
Touch the Mountains launches Interlaken’s new year with a free open-air concert featuring Swiss performers, traditional Trychler and folklore entertainment, food and drink stands, and a spectacular fireworks finale. Held in the town centre against the Bernese Alps, it offers travelers a lively winter celebration that combines local culture, live music, and an easygoing festival atmosphere. The event is especially appealing for visitors extending New Year’s celebrations or seeking a memorable way to begin a Swiss mountain holiday.
- Dates
- January 1, 2027
- Venue
- Höhematte and Höheweg
Harder-Potschete
Harder-Potschete is one of Interlaken’s most distinctive traditional customs. Masked Potschen, led by the legendary Hardermannli and his Wyb, parade through the town with carved wooden masks, bells, music, and theatrical mischief. The procession is intended to drive away the evil spirits of winter and the old year. Visitors can experience local folklore, meet community groups, and enjoy the lively social atmosphere that continues in Interlaken’s pubs and restaurants after the parade.
- Dates
- January 2, 2027
- Venue
- Marktplatz Interlaken and procession route
Interlaken Classics
Interlaken Classics is a long-running Swiss classical music festival centered on emerging performers and musical talent. Its programme combines orchestral concerts, chamber music, masterclasses, competitions, and educational projects, creating opportunities to hear promising musicians alongside established artists. Travelers may enjoy the festival as a cultural complement to Interlaken’s lakes, mountain scenery, and resort atmosphere. The event is particularly appealing to visitors seeking high-quality classical music in an intimate regional setting, with performances presented across distinctive venues in and around the town.
- Dates
- March 25, 2027 - April 19, 2027
- Venue
- Various venues
Swiss National Day in Interlaken
Interlaken’s Swiss National Day celebration brings together distinctive Alpine customs, patriotic music, traditional performances, flag displays, lantern processions, mountain bonfires and fireworks. A highlight is the presentation of Swiss cantonal flags by paragliders, followed by folkloric festivities and communal celebrations. The event offers travelers an accessible way to experience local Swiss culture while enjoying Interlaken’s dramatic mountain-and-lake setting and the lively atmosphere of the surrounding Bernese Oberland.
- Dates
- August 1, 2027
- Venue
- Kursaalgarten
Getting Around Interlaken
Interlaken is easy to explore on foot, especially around Höhematte Park, the Höheweg, the Aare and Unterseen Old Town. The two main railway stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, connect with regional trains and surrounding excursions.
Interlaken Ost is the main departure point for Lake Brienz cruises and mountain journeys toward the Jungfrau region. Interlaken West is convenient for Lake Thun services and western lakeside destinations.
Regional buses, trains, boats and mountain railways make car-free travel practical across the area. Boat docks are close to the relevant railway stations, making combinations of rail, cruises and walking straightforward.
Location
Map of Interlaken, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
The interactive map loads only when you choose to view it.
Plan Your Visit to Interlaken
Interlaken is compact and simple to explore on foot, particularly around Höhematte Park, Höheweg, the Aare and Unterseen Old Town. Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West are the main transport hubs, with boat terminals beside or close to the relevant stations.
The official Tourist Information office can advise on excursions and sell rail, boat and local transport tickets. The guest card may provide free local public transport within its validity area.
For Harder Kulm, cross the Aare bridge from Interlaken Ost to reach the funicular valley station; the ascent takes about ten minutes. Check operator timetables before combining trains, boats and mountain transport.
Jungfraujoch is a substantial excursion from Interlaken Ost, and the Eiger Express route takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Reserve a seat during busy periods and allow most of a day.
Local Tips for Interlaken
Use Interlaken Ost as your base for Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz cruises and Jungfraujoch connections. Interlaken West is convenient for Lake Thun boats and the western side of town.
A short town walk can connect Höhematte, Höheweg, the former monastery area, the Aare and Unterseen Old Town. Plan Lake Brienz and Lake Thun cruises as transport-linked outings rather than isolated rides: BLS lists boat stations, connecting rail access and current operating conditions.
For mountain journeys, check transport connections, weather and any reservation requirements before departure.
Live conditions
Current Weather
Updated 2026-09-22 04:15
- Feels like
- 9°C / 48°F
- Today’s high / low
- 12°C / 54°F · 6°C / 43°F
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- ↘ 7 km/h
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Chance of rain
- 3%
- Local time
- 2026-09-22 04:20
Safety and conditions
Mountain and lake conditions can change quickly, so check the relevant operator’s current service, route and operating information before departure. At Harder Kulm, stay on signed paths and treat the exposed Hardergrat as a serious hike requiring appropriate experience and footwear; it is not the same as the short viewpoint visit.
For Jungfraujoch, prepare for high-altitude conditions even when Interlaken is mild, and follow railway instructions at transfer stations. On boat trips, follow crew directions and use marked boarding areas.
At St. Beatus Caves, follow site guidance around damp or uneven surfaces. In an emergency, use Swiss emergency services or ask local staff for help.
