Itineraries for Your Trip to Interlaken
2 Days in Interlaken for First Timers
Tourist capital of Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland, Interlaken is a busy place with a huge number of things to do. When I’m traveling, I like to be spontaneous, but this is one place in Switzerland where you need to organize yourself in advance. In the peak summer months, I’d recommend prebooking gondola and funicular tickets, and reserving restaurant tables in advance, especially for favorites like the restaurant at Harder Kulm. Here are my tips to get the most out of two days in this bustling mountain town.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a trip to Jungfraujoch for mountain vistas that sum up Switzerland.
Pack clothes that are good for all four seasons and you won’t go wrong.
Get your bearings in Interlaken with a walking tour. With a local at your side, you’ll learn how to orient yourself easily around the different stations for funiculars, cable cars, and trains, and discover nearby Unterseen, a traditional village with architecture that seems a world away from the modern face of Interlaken.
In the afternoon, make time for the best view in town from Harder Kulm. Ride up one of Europe’s oldest mountain railways—the Harderbahn funicular—to reach an altitude of around 4, 265 feet (1,300 meters) in just 10 minutes, and head inside the castle-like Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant. After lunch with a view, you can walk off the hearty food by exploring the trails at the top. Note: Book ahead for a table in the busier summer months.
As day turns into night, stroll along the River Aare to historic Unterseen on the edge of Interlaken. You can admire the traditional architecture and scout out restaurants that are more likely to serve up authentic Swiss food like the national dish of fondue. If you want to put a hands-on twist to your evening meal, consider a Swiss fondue cooking class or a cheese workshop instead.
Dedicate your second day to the great outdoors with a day trip to nearby Jungfraujoch, aka the Top of Europe. A trip here can’t be rushed, so set out in the morning to make the most of it. Guided day trips simplify the journey, often combining transport via Grindelwald and gondola tickets with a planned itinerary to maximize your time.
If you prefer to stick closer to Interlaken, there are other outdoor activities to consider. A daredevil option could be to see the mountains from the air during a morning paragliding experience. Many experiences start from Beatenberg in the morning, and offer views over Lake Thun.
If you’re not at Jungfraujoch, make your afternoon all about the water. For Lake Thun, take a boat from Interlaken West; for Lake Brienz, take a boat from Interlaken Ost. At the lakes themselves, there are hop-on hop-off cruises that allow you to explore the lakeside towns that might be inaccessible without a car. Top stops include Oberhofen on Lake Thun to see the castle, and Giessbach on Lake Brienz for the Giessbach Falls.
In the evening, capture your Interlaken vacation memories on camera with the help of a guide. Short photography tours don’t suck up too much precious time, and guides are often locals who can show you the off-the-beaten path photo points and give tips for the best restaurants and bars in town.
