Top 6 things to do in the beautiful town of Interlaken

Interlaken the fabled resort town which is one of the oldest and most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland is a great base to experience the best of central Switzerland. Amazing views of the alps, incredible chocolate, exhilarating outdoor experiences and much more await you in Interlaken. Superbly connected by a network of trains, boats, funiculars & cable cars and Interalken’s geographic location which puts in close proximity to some of the worlds highest mountain ranges such as Monch, Jungfrau & Eiger means that you have a lot to do here so let us breakdown the top things to do in Interlaken. 

1. Take in the sights of Interlaken from Harder Kulm:

Harder Klum is the “home mountain” at Interlaken and is just a stone throws away. If you are adventurous you can choose to hike up the mountain which takes about 3 hours or if you want more instant gratification you can take the funicular where you’ll rise 750 meters in a short space of 10 minutes. Once up there you are treated to amazing views of the Interlaken landscape with lake Brienz on one side and the lake Thun farther below and the three mighty mountains of Monch, Jungfrau & Eiger. The viewing deck which stands about 1322 metres has a glass floor making for an exhilarating experience and once you are done taking in the sights you can cosy up at the Romantic medieval-style restaurant up there.

2. Take a panoramic kayak tour of Lake Brienz:

Lake Brienz lies to the east of Interlaken and is a beautiful tranquil lake fed by the glaciers from the mountains around it. The water in the lake has a deep turquoise tone and is very clear. The entire lake area is surrounded by woodlands, unspoilt nature and immensely satisfying views. One of the best ways to experience all this is to hire a kayak which gives you time to appreciate the lake’s beauty all the while being interactive and super fun. You also have a lot of guided tours with some awesome guides who can teach you the ropes if you aren’t too familiar and also take you through the best routes.

3. Take a dip at Lake Thun:

Just as Lake Brienz lies to the east of Interlaken, lake Thun lies to the west of the town, Interlaken essentially lies between the two lakes. Out of the two, lake Brienz is considered to be the prettier one while lake Thun is the larger one and it has a good breeze which makes it perfect for windsurfing and sailing. Lake Thun is also warmer than lake Brienz and in the summer the clear waters and beautiful banks make for a great place to just chill & laze around or take a refreshing swim in.

4. Ride to the highest train station in Europe, Jungfraujoch:

Travelling to Jungfraujoch is unmissable while you’re out visiting the Interlaken region, It is one of the premier destinations around that is heavily sought after. You will be travelling through the Interlaken line which is more than 100 Years old. The train takes you up in stages through amazing landscapes throughout it’s journey to the final station that is Jungfraujoch at 3466 meters, the highest railway station in Europe. Once you’re on what is considered to be the top of Europe you get to see the amazing views of the Aletsch Glacier frozen in eternal beauty, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage property nonetheless. The entire trip through the various mountains and the views at the top make it an amazing experience.

5. Explore the wondrous St Beatus Caves:

Just northeast of Lake Thun lies the karst cave system St Beatus. Legend says that an Irish monk Beatus drove out a fire breathing dragon to lake Thun before living in the caves. While it is a legend, the cave does look and feel like a place an actual fire breathing dragon would reside in. You will go 1000 metres underground to see the various stalactite and stalagmite formations, deep chasms and underground waterfalls that have all been forming for millions of years. The waterfalls flow inside the caves and also outside on the exterior of the mountains and there are stunning limestone structures all around the cave. It’s an amazing natural wonder that should definitely be on your list.

6. Take to skies and see Interlaken from up above:

Interlaken is known to be an adventure capital across the world and offers some amazing adventure sports. I would recommend sky diving in Interlaken for a thrilling experience that you won’t forget for the years to come. Nothing beats falling out of a plane and taking in the birds-eye views from up top and the sights are definitely to die for. If you want something a little tamer you can also take up paragliding which is a far more relaxed way and gives you more time up in the sky, allowing you to appreciate the snowcapped mountains and landscapes around you. 

7. Winter Sports:

How can you not do winter sports in the Swiss Alps? While Interlaken itself isn’t a ski resort town, it is a central area that gives you access to some amazing mountains around it where you take up any manner of winter sports. You can ski, sled, take up ice climbing and much around Interlaken and I highly recommend that you try some winter sports while you’re out there. Also Check: Maldives Visa for Indians

So those are my top 7 things to do in Interlaken. Do you have any that you’d want on the list? Well do let us know and we can maybe add it in the next iteration. If you are looking to book your next vacation to Switzerland well do check out Pickyourtrail. India’s leading customised vacations platform where you can customise your itinerary according to your needs and book them at the best prices all in one place.