- The name Interlaken literally means 'between the lakes,' referring to its geographic positioning between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
- Interlaken has been a prominent tourist destination since the early 19th century, famously attracting European nobility and artists like Lord Byron and Felix Mendelssohn.
- The city was historically known as Aarmühle until 1891, when it was renamed to capitalize on its fame as a tourist resort.
- Because of the surrounding mountains, the valley experiences unique wind patterns known locally as the 'Bödeli' winds.
- Interlaken is one of the world's most significant centers for paragliding, with designated landing zones integrated directly into the city center meadows.
About Interlaken
Interlaken serves as the primary transport gateway to the Jungfrau region, uniquely situated on a narrow strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The city functions as a central hub for alpine excursions, featuring cultural landmarks like the TOURISMUSEUM and the tranquil Japanischer Garten Interlaken. Visitors often explore regional geological sites such as the St. Beatus-Höhlen or utilize the nearby Schynige Platte railway to reach the Botanischer Alpengarten Schynige Platte. Its strategic position makes it a perennial base for both high-altitude mountaineering and lakeside leisure.
Highlights of Interlaken
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Explore the extensive underground limestone galleries and subterranean waterfalls of the St. Beatus-Höhlen.
Historical places
Visit the bronze memorial dedicated to the influential Indian filmmaker who popularized the region in international cinema.
Places of interest
Walk through an high-altitude botanical garden that showcases over 600 alpine plant species native to the Swiss mountains.
Parks
Observe diverse migratory bird populations within this protected wetland area located at the mouth of the Aare River.
Parks
Experience a curated Japanese-style landscape garden designed to promote harmony and cultural exchange.
Museums
Discover the evolution of the regional hospitality industry and how the area transitioned into a global travel destination.
Top things to do in Interlaken
The 229 highest-rated places in Interlaken, ranked by travellers.
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Places of interest
Jungfraujoch is a high-alpine saddle located between the Jungfrau and Mönch peaks in the Bernese Alps, housing the highe...
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St. Beatus-Höhlen is a significant cave system located on the northern shore of Lake Thun, featuring approximately 1,000...
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Museums
Ballenberg is a 66-hectare open-air museum housing over 100 historical Swiss buildings relocated from their original sit...
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Trümmelbach Falls are a series of ten glacial waterfalls located inside the mountain, accessible via a tunnel lift and a...
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Historical places
The Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht) is a 1,400-meter-long limestone canyon carved by the Aare River over millennia. The West E...
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The Sphinx Observatory is one of the highest high-altitude research stations in the world, situated at 3,571 meters abov...
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Naturpark Blausee is a 20-hectare nature reserve in the Kandertal Valley, centered around a small, intensely blue spring...
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Interlaken on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Interlaken
June to September for hiking and lake activities, or December to March for proximity to world-class alpine skiing regions.
3-4 days to fully explore the immediate city surroundings and take day trips into the surrounding mountains.
The city is highly walkable, and visitors frequently use the extensive local bus network, regional trains, and lake steamers.
Stay near the Höheweg or between the Interlaken West and East train stations for maximum convenience regarding transport connections.
Switzerland is generally expensive; anticipate high costs for dining, accommodation, and mountain transport.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 229 curated attractions in and around Interlaken, ranked by traveller ratings.
Jungfraujoch is the highest-rated place to visit in Interlaken right now.
The largest category is natural attractions, with 116 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Zürich, Geneva, Martigny.
Explore more of Switzerland
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
