Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most popular tourist resorts, and it’s not hard to see why. Nestled in the Swiss Alps and bordered by Lake Brienz to the east and Lake Thun to the west, this idyllic hamlet is packed with outdoor activities, from hiking its mountains to touring its lakes to spelunking its caves, any visitor is sure to find their share of fun and adventure in Interlaken.
Once the site of a monastery, and home to thriving printing, textile and watchmaking industries, Interlaken’s primary focus now is tourism, which it does wonderfully. The city serves as a base of exploration for the surrounding mountains, where visitors can take in the sights from the high top of the popular Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe”, or hike to the top of Harder Kulm. The mountains are also dotted with caves which visitors can explore – the St. Beatus-Hohlen Caves are a popular choice.
Adventure sports have become wildly popular in Interlaken among tourists and locals alike, and businesses like the Alpin Center Interlaken provide guided services in skydiving, canyoning, hang gliding, paragliding and skiing.
Interlaken’s lakes are just as much a part of its geography as the surrounding mountains, and day cruises through the city-bordering Lake Thun and Lake Brienz let visitors take in the views while floating over green-blue glacial waters. Lake Thun is particularly popular for its picnic grounds and charming cobblestone streets.
So once you’ve booked your flight and picked a hotel, peruse our pages to create an itinerary inspired by fellow travelers who’ve tramped to the Top of Europe.
Close