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Is Interlaken worth seeing?

For spectacular scenery and amazing views, it's very hard to beat the Alps and the surrounding area, and Interlaken is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland, with so much to see and do in the local area and further afield for memories that will last a lifetime.



Interlaken is undeniably "worth seeing" in 2026, primarily as a strategic home base rather than a standalone destination. While the town itself is very tourist-oriented with many souvenir shops and chain-style restaurants, its location is spectacular, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks as a backdrop. It is the "Adventure Capital of Europe," making it a must-visit for anyone interested in paragliding, skydiving, or canyoning. For most travelers, the real value of Interlaken lies in its unparalleled transport links; it is the gateway to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Mürren, and Grindelwald. If you only have one day, wandering the Höhematte park to watch paragliders land and taking a quick boat ride on the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz is sufficient. However, if you are looking for an "authentic Swiss village" feel, you may find Interlaken too commercial and prefer to stay in the surrounding mountains. In 2026, it remains a high-value, high-convenience hub that serves as the perfect launchpad for exploring the most iconic landscapes of the Bernese Oberland.

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The choice is yours! Interlaken is more like a transport hub and it's also a larger town so it has more choices of shops and restaurants just to browse. Grindelwald is a scenic village (still with enough restaurants and some shopping) that is much more scenic than Interlaken.

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TIP: If you only have one day for Interlaken and don't know where to start or don't feel like planning everything, there are also nice day tours that you can consider instead. The most popular tours depart either from Zurich or from Lucerne and visit Interlaken and Grindelwald on the same day.

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One day is just enough time to take in the highlights, but planning ahead is essential if you want to fit everything in. Here are some ideas for how to spend one day in Interlaken. Spend the morning enjoying views of Jungfrau from the top of Harder Kulm, which lies just north of town.

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June to August: The best time to visit Interlaken is during the summer, from June to September. The temperature lingers around a pleasant 18°C to 20°C. It is the perfect time for aimless walks, trekking, mountaineering and adventure activities.

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Best places to visit near Interlaken
  • Milibachfall & Brienz Aussichtspunkt. Milibachfall is a beautiful waterfall overlooking lake Brienz. ...
  • Iseltwald. ...
  • Giessbachfalls. ...
  • Hiking at Schynige Platte. ...
  • Handeckfallbrücke & Furka Pass. ...
  • Lauterbrunnen. ...
  • Grindelwald. ...
  • Rosenlaui & the glacier.


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Just like the rest of Switzerland, Interlaken is expensive even by European standards. Hotels and restaurants are all pricey, although quality tends to be high.

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Discover the heart of the Swiss Alps on a full-day tour to the idyllic Bernese Oberland. Explore the Jungfrau region and enjoy a scenic train ride between the resorts of Grindelwald and Interlaken.

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Interlaken itself is small and walkable, and so are all the other towns. You might want to consider staying higher up in the mountains though. Public transport is excellent and will get you everywhere.

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Things to do in Interlaken: visit Brunngasse, the most beautiful street in Europe. The Brunngasse was once voted the most beautiful street in Europe and is located just a stone's throw away from Interlaken. Makes for an excellent thing to add to your 'things to do in Interlaken' list!

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Blue and turquoise lakes It's due to the tiny glacier particles, which sink only slowly to the bottom. The purity of the lake's waters allow these particles to come into their own. The colours are particularly beautiful in spring, when the glaciers begin to melt.

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The Jungfrau 'Top of Europe' requires a surcharge and in the high season a seat reservation (5 CHF) might be required. Swiss Travel Pass gives you a 100% Discount for the journey from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen/Wengen and Grindelwald.

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