What to do in Interlaken – Day trips & itineraries (Map + Tips)

Are you wondering what to do in Interlaken and how many day trips you should do from this beautiful place in the Jungfrau Region?

Or maybe you just need some insider tips to make your visit to Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland Region complete?

You will find plenty of nice places to visit in and near Interlaken in this blog. Plus, with our one-day itinerary suggestions, you will get a great idea of how long you should stay in Interlaken and the region. One day is just simply not enough to cover all the best places!

Note, I will not cover the further away destinations such as Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen part of the Jungfrau mountains. Or the popular Schynige Platte nor the fantastic train ride to Kleine Scheidegg and Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.

Often these are combined with a visit to the Bernese Oberland and Interlaken, but for this particular blog post, I will focus on Interlaken and the two beautiful lakes.

 Discover here more of the Bernese Oberland & the Jungfrau Region

How the map works! Click on the map to get full access. Once you are on the main map page, clicking the icons on the map so you get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account so you will always have it with you when visiting Interlaken and its surrounding region.

To view it later on, on your phone or computer, simply open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Good to know before you travel to Interlaken

Interlaken is one of THE most visited places in Switzerland and quite rightly so. Interlaken is a traditional resort town in the mountainous Bernese Oberland region in Switzerland. Its location between the two beautiful blue Swiss lakes of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz makes this town even more attractive.

The town of Interlaken is not big and can be easily walked through in a couple of hours.

What makes Interlaken so popular are all the day trip possibilities, the surrounding mountains, and the easy access from Zurich airport.

Plus there are plenty of outdoor activities, and the spectacular views can been seen wherever you go.

Keeping this in mind, our tip is to travel to Interlaken in off-season if possible. Peak season is July and August, although this place is buzzing all the time.

Another thing you have to understand is that you will not be able to see and do the best things in Interlaken within a one-day visit. If your goal is to see and do as much as you can in Interlaken and its region, then allow as much time as possible.

The whole area is very well connected with the public transport system and you do not really need a car when visiting. Use the SBB timetable or even better download the SBB APP and you can easily check connections including the boats.

Tip if you travel to Switzerland on a short visit

If you are visiting Switzerland only for a short period of time and haven’t really got the time to organise too much, then we have a great solution for you. Join one of the fantastic organised tours to Interlaken and relax whilst discovering this beautiful part of Switzerland.

Some of the best day tours to Interlaken depart from Zürich, Geneva or from Lucerne.

Alternatively, if you are planning on staying longer in the Bernese Oberland region, than you might want to check the Multiday Bernese Oberland Transport Pass 

What to do in Interlaken

Before we suggest some day trip itineraries, let’s see what there is to see and do in Interlaken town itself. Or alternatively, head straight to our Itinerary

Walk along the Höheweg Boulevard

Although the town itself is small, a stroll along the 700m long Höheweg Boulevard is a must.

This is the main street in Interlaken and it is a great and lively place. Souvenir shops, coffee shops and food stands all make this place well worth the visit. Take a seat and people watch.

On one side you have the big hotels of Interlaken, whilst on the other side the park opens up with impressive views over the Bernese Alps.

Take a picnic at the Höhematte Park

This lush green park is located in the heart of Interlaken town and offers views over the mountains of the Jungfrau region.

Look out for the paragliders circling the sky on a clear day.

You can find the park on the main street between the two train stations – Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West.

Have a drink at the Hotel Metropole Rooftop Restaurant

This is definitely for those who have no intention of leaving Interlaken Town but would like to have a great view. The rooftop terrace of the Swiss Hotel Metropole invites to spend a lovely afternoon with view of the beautiful lake.

From the Hotel Metropol rooftop terrace, you certainly get the best view over Interlaken without leaving town.

Visit the Seilpark Interlaken

If you do not feel like going too far away from the town center but would still like to be active, head to the Adventure Park- Seilpark Interlaken.

The Adventure Park Interlaken is located in the forest between the Unspunnen meadow and the road to Heimwehfluh only 10 minutes from Interlaken. To fully experience this adventure, the best way is to have a good three hours for this. There is an entry fee to pay.

Go paragliding in Interlaken

If you would like the best panoramic views over the entire region, then book a tandem paragliding flight

Things to do around Interlaken

Let’s focus a bit more on what lies around the town and what is well worth adding to your Interlaken itinerary.

Boat ride on Brienzersee or Thunersee

You may know that Interlaken is between the beautiful Swiss lakes Brienzersee and Thunersee. These two lakes will definitely be on many itinerary suggestions when researching what to do in Interlaken.

The fact is that no visit to Interlaken is complete without enjoying one or two boat cruises. Whether you choose to cruise on the Brienzersee or prefer visiting the castles of Lake Thun by boat, it is a great way to travel and to get to see this amazing region.

On both lakes are several sightseeing options and places to disembark. You will not be able to do all the tourist attractions on both lakes in one day. You will get more quality out of your trip if you choose one lake you would like to fully discover.

To ensure you have a place on one of the boats book your Boat Cruise tickets online 

A round trip on Thunersee will take you 3-4 hours. This is without exiting the boats and visiting the different tourist attractions. A cruise on the Brienzersee is about 2.5 hours. Check the timetables of the local boat company. On both lakes you will enjoy views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

You may also like to read “Discover Lake Brienz” 

Travel tip: Alternatively if you like to be much closer to the water of Lake Brienz, then opt for a guided Kayak Tour on the Brienzersee. An experience you will not forget. So, if you ask yourself what to do in Interlaken in winter, then this is your activity as the kayak tours are available all year round.

Reaching some of the viewpoints near Interlaken

You are in luck. With the help of the many cable cars and mountain trains, you can enjoy some of the best views this region has to offer by simply boarding one of these transport systems.

Enjoy the views from your seat or window whilst riding high up into the mountains.

Harder Kulm – Top of Interlaken

This is the local viewing platform and often one of the busiest in the area. It is open until late and super easy for families even with strollers. Get your ticket online to skip the queue.

Heading up the Brienzer Rothorn

The ride up with the steam train to Brienzer Rothorn is an adventure in itself. You will spend one hour slowly chugging up the mountain higher and higher, experiencing mountain panoramas and the view down on to the blue waters of Lake Brienz.

At the top, you can walk to 2 different viewpoints which give you staggering views over the Jungfrau Region on one side and central Switzerland on the other.

The Brienzer Rothorn restaurant invites you to take a seat on their panoramic terrace and you may spot some mountain Ibex or Marmottes.

Read our full guide of How best to Visit the brienzer Rothorn 

Go on a hike from Interlaken

To narrow this down to only a handful of trails is nearly impossible as there are a ton of paths in all directions and of all difficulties leaving from Interlaken.

If a full-day hike is not really what you are looking for, some easy trails along the lakes bring you to tourist attractions in the area. This way you do some hiking and tick off some must-see things in Interlaken.

Hiking to the St. Beatus Caves. (Beatenberg Höhlen)

One hike we recommend would be to walk from Interlaken to St. Beatus Caves.

The hiking path is 7.2km starting at the centre of Interlaken. The last bit is along Lake Thun with beautiful views.

The return to Interlaken can be made by boat or bus.

Hiking to the Giessbach Falls from Interlaken

A longer, but just as beautiful hike would be from Interlaken to the Giessbach Falls. The whole trail is just over 15km for which you can count a good 3.5h hiking time. This can be shortened and combined with a boat trip on Lake Brienz.

An idea would be to take the boat to Iseltwald. This small village is worth a little visit anyway.

From here you then walk to the Giessbach Falls along the 6.2km trail alongside the Brienzersee.

Back to Interlaken, we suggest taking the boat via Brienz. Why not have something to eat in this beautiful lakeside village and visit some of the photogenic points in Brienz before cruising back to Interlaken.

Read more about How best to visit the Giessbach Falls

One Day in Interlaken – One-day itinerary

Below you will find some of our suggestions on what to do in one day in Interlaken. You can combine these suggestions however you like. Mix it all up, add some extras and have the best time in Interlaken region.

The itineraries are relatively easy and suitable for the whole family.

Interlaken – Boat trip on Lake Brienz – to Giessbach falls – Hike to Iseltwald – Boat to Interlaken – Harder Kulm Golden hours.

When planning a day trip, I always check that we can finish a great day with a nice view or a golden hours photography opportunity. This is why in these suggestions the Harder Kulm Viewpoint above Interlaken is at the end as this will give you some great soft lightening for some epic photography over Lake Thun, Interlaken, and into the sunset.

• 09.07 am – Boat to Giessbach Falls from Interlaken / 60 minutes ride
• Spend at least two hours visiting Giessbach Falls. There is a restaurant for lunch or have your picnic there. More info on How best to visit the Giessbach Falls
• Hike from Giessbach Falls to Iseltwald / 1 hour, 6km
• If you visit during the summer months, make sure to pack your swimsuits because Iseltwald has a pretty little public Strandbad (beach bathing area).
• 16.08 pm Catch the boat from Iseltwald back to Interlaken
• Take the funicular up to Harder Kulm for the sunset

Interlaken Town

The small town of Interlaken can be easily walked through in less than one hour, therefore you can just add a bit of time to this one-day itinerary in Interlaken. Just make sure to include the short walk along the 700m long Höheweg Boulevard. This is the main street of Interlaken and pretty much everything of what Interlaken is all about can be seen along this street.

Boat Cruise on Lake Brienz

After visiting Interlaken town it is time to enjoy a 60-minute boat cruise on Lake Brienz.

The boat schedule varies depending on the season. Always best to check that this Interlaken itinerary plan fits with the current boat timetable. During the summer months, the boat normally departs from Interlaken Ost Ferry dock at the river located directly opposite the train station.

Enjoy this beautiful cruise where you will be experiencing amazing vistas of the surrounding mountains and lake shore.

Visit the Giessbach Falls

The boat will dock where the base of the falls meets Lake Brienz. You can walk up from this point, or take the old open funicular which is an experience in itself. The train terminates at the Grand Hotel Giessbach where the main section of the waterfalls starts. You can hike to the top of the falls or just as long as you wish. Don’t miss the section where you can walk behind the falls which gives a nice view to Lake Brienz.

Read How Best to visit Giessbach falls 

Hiking to Iseltwald from Giessbach falls

After the visit to the beautiful and impressive Giessbach Falls, there is a nice path along the Lake Brienz shore to Iseltwald.

This is the easiest of the many hikes between Giessbach Falls and Iseltwald and also the most scenic one. Although the nicest part of this 60-minute hike along Lake Brienz is the latter part where the lake views and hiking right next to the water make it so pretty.

If you are short on your itinerary schedule, you can take the boat back to Iseltwald or straight to Interlaken via Bönigen.

Visit Iseltwald near Interlaken

The beautiful charming Swiss village Iseltwald on the shore of Lake Brienz can be visited any time of the year. If you do this Interlaken day trip itinerary during the summer months, then don’t forget your swimming costume. The hiking path from Giessbach Falls passes the public “Badi”. This is also a nice place for a drink and as mentioned to dip your toes (or whole body) into Lake Brienz.

To take the boat back to Interlaken you will have the chance to walk through the small village. One of the most scenic attractions is the Schloss Seeburg, as seen on many Instagram Posts/Reels .

Note: The boats back to Interlaken from Iseltwald are not running every hour. For this itinerary, you would need to take the 16.08 or the 17:08 boat. Interlaken Boat Time Table

Sunset at Harder Kulm

To finish this great day trip from Interlaken you will enjoy a funicular ride up with the Harder Kulm Bahn and enjoy a magnificent sunset over the two lakes and the Swiss Alps. The funicular is a few minutes walk from Interlaken Ost and it departs every 30 minutes at 00:10 and 00:40. The last one up is at 21.10 and down at 21.40.

At the top, you will find the two lakes which are connected by the Aare River. The best views at Harder Kulm is from the viewing platform and a nice restaurant invites you for an apéro.

You can get your ticket to the Harder Kulm online.

More Day Trips

Depending on the time of the year you visit some of these options may not be possible. Please always check on the local website and with the activity provider before planning your day trips from Interlaken.

Option one

• Hiking to the St. Beatus Caves from Interlaken – 7km
• Visit the St. Beatus Caves
• Boat trip on Lake Thun (optional stops at the castles or in Spiez)
• Back to Interlaken by boat

Or option two

• Boat trip to Brienz
• Stroll through the beautiful town of Brienz – Don’t miss the Brunnengasse!
• Visit Brienzer Rothorn with the Rothorn Bahn departing in Brienz (pre-book your seat)
• Back by boat to Interlaken

Why not try option three

• Full-day cruise on Lake Thun with visits to the 5 nostalgic castles. More Lake Thun activities 
• Back at Interlaken to enjoy the sunset at Harder Kulm

Where to stay in Interlaken

There is a wide choice of accommodation in and around Interlaken.

Here are a few of our suggestions.

Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

If you like a good spa then the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa would be a great place, beautifully located in the heart of Interlaken. This is Interlaken’s top 5 Star hotel. One of the amazing features is a sun terrace overlooking the Jungfrau Massif.

Hotel Interlaken

Located in the heart of Interlaken, Hotel Interlaken 4 Star, is just a 5-minute walk from the Interlaken Ost train station. Next to this newly renovated building are the Japanese Gardens that date back to the 14th century. Family rooms are available.

Walters Hostel Interlaken

A cheaper accommodation in Interlaken with very good reviews is the Walters Hostel Interlaken. Only 1.3 km from Interlaken Ost Station, Walters Hostel Interlaken provides accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a garden, and barbecue facilities. There is also a shared kitchen for guest use.

Accommodation in Bönigen

If you prefer to stay a bit outside Interlaken then a great choice for your Accommodation would be Bönigen – east of Interlaken. You can also find the TCS Camping Bönigen-Interlaken which is one of the nicest camping facilities in the Bernese Oberland. Apartments and lake-side hotels can all be found in the quieter suburb of Bönigen.

Tips & Suggestions when planning your day trip

Boat timetables: Check with the local company on their operating hours and where they stop. The boat schedules on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun are very seasonal. You also find other possibilities and options on the website

Book your place in advance: Depending on what you do in Interlaken, you may need to book your seat either on the boat or at the Brienzer Rothorn Bahn for example beforehand. During busy summer times, they may be full.

Harder Kulm: The funicular operates from mid-April until the end of November.

Seasons in Interlaken: As you know Switzerland has many seasons and some attractions close down for winter. Make sure whatever you are planning for your day trip from Interlaken is operating.

And if you are visiting Interlaken during the winter months, don’t miss going on a boat trip on Lake Thun. The boats are operating daily between Interlaken West and Thun.

Tickets: This can get a bit confusing as there are many options when it comes to travelling around the Bernese Oberland on public transport. If you have a Jungfrau Travel Pass of 5 days or more, boat trips on both lakes plus the funicular to Harder Kulm are included. Holders of the Swiss Travel Pass can cruise free of charge on both lakes as well.

Swiss locals with a half-tax fare will get a discounted price and children 6 -15 years of age, in possession of a Junior Card are travelling free of charge.

If you are staying in the Bernese Oberland for longer check out the Bernese-Regional-Pass. One ticket for the region!

More activities Near Interlaken

• How best to visit Grindelwald-First Cliff Walk 
• Bachalpsee – Hike to the Swiss Alpine Lake in Grindelwald First
• Visit Lake Blausee – All you need to know for a perfect visit
• A day at the Hasliberg – Marblerun and Trottibike
• Oeschinensee hike with Kids 
• +17 things to do in Lauterbrunnen

I hope that the information provided here will prove useful when you are planning to visit Interlaken.

If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your questions in the comments below so that other readers can join in the conversation and benefit from your queries also.

Thank you & Never Forget to Travel

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