If you're planning a trip to Switzerland, there's a good chance Interlaken is already on your itinerary.
Surrounded by mountains and located between two stunning lakes, Interlaken is one of Switzerland's most popular destinations and serves as the gateway to places such as Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch.
I stayed in Interlaken for two nights whilst exploring the Jungfrau Region and used it as a base for visiting both Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
What surprised me most was how easy it was to get around. Despite being one of Switzerland's most famous destinations, Interlaken never felt overwhelming. It was larger and livelier than Lauterbrunnen, with plenty of restaurants, shops and accommodation, yet still small enough to explore on foot.
If you only have one day in Interlaken, here's exactly how I'd spend it.
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Start your day in the centre of Interlaken.
One of the first places I'd head is Höhematte Park, the large open green space at the heart of the town. On a clear day you'll have incredible views towards the Jungfrau, and if you're lucky you'll see paragliders drifting down from the mountains above.
I spent quite a bit of time here simply watching the activity around the town. Despite being a busy tourist destination, Interlaken has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down and enjoy your surroundings.
Allow around an hour to explore the area and grab a coffee from one of the nearby cafés.
One of my favourite free things to do in Interlaken was simply walking between the town's two railway stations.
The walk follows the River Aare and takes around 30 minutes without stops, although you'll probably take longer once you start stopping for photos.
The water is an incredible turquoise colour and was one of the most surprising things I saw during my time in Interlaken.
Along the route you'll pass parks, cafés and riverside viewpoints, making it one of the easiest ways to experience the town.
Interlaken has no shortage of restaurants, cafés and takeaway options.
One thing I preferred about Interlaken compared with some of the smaller villages in the Jungfrau Region was the variety of food available.
Whether you're looking for traditional Swiss dishes, Asian food, pizza or something quick from a supermarket, you'll find plenty of choice.
If you're travelling on a budget, Coop and Migros both have branches close to Interlaken Ost station and they have plenty of ready-made salad and sandwich options.
If you're only doing one paid attraction in Interlaken, I'd make it Harder Kulm.
Often referred to as Interlaken's mountain, Harder Kulm offers spectacular views across Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the surrounding mountains.
The funicular journey takes around 10 minutes and the viewing platform provides some of the best views in the region.
Allow 2-3 hours including travel time and time to enjoy the scenery.
If you're only spending one day in Interlaken, I'd recommend checking the weather before booking Harder Kulm. The views are the main attraction, so you'll get the most from your visit on a clear day.
Finish your day back in town.
One thing that stood out to me about Interlaken was how lively it remained during the evening compared with some of the smaller mountain villages.
There are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés to choose from, making it a great place to spend an evening after a day of sightseeing.
If the weather is clear, take one final walk through Höhematte Park and enjoy the mountain views as the sun begins to set.
Travelling in Switzerland can be expensive, but there are still several free things to do in Interlaken:
- Walk through Höhematte Park
- Watch paragliders landing
- Walk along the River Aare
- Explore Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost
- Enjoy views of the Jungfrau
- Browse the shops and cafés in the town centre
Definitely. In fact, I'd say this is where Interlaken really shines.
During my trip I used Interlaken as a base for visiting both Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
Trains run frequently and the journeys are incredibly simple.
Lauterbrunnen is only around 22 minutes away by train, while Grindelwald can be reached in around 35 minutes.
The town also offers far more accommodation, restaurants and facilities than many of the smaller villages nearby.
I found Interlaken a much easier place to base myself than I expected. With two railway stations, supermarkets, plenty of restaurants and accommodation options at different price points, it felt much more practical than some of the smaller villages nearby.
That said, now I've experienced all three destinations, I'd probably choose Lauterbrunnen or Wengen as a base for my next trip simply because of the scenery.
The good news is that whichever option you choose, you're never far from the others.
If you have more than one day available, I'd recommend adding:
- Lauterbrunnen
- Grindelwald
- Lake Thun
- Lake Brienz
- Jungfraujoch
- Schynige Platte
Interlaken's excellent transport connections make it one of the easiest places in Switzerland to explore the surrounding region.
If you only have one day in Interlaken, I think it's well worth spending it here.
While many visitors use Interlaken simply as a transport hub, I found it offered far more than I expected. The combination of mountain views, lakes, riverside walks, restaurants and excellent transport links makes it one of the best bases in Switzerland.
Would I choose Interlaken over Lauterbrunnen purely for scenery? Probably not.
Would I recommend it as a first-time base for exploring the Jungfrau Region? Absolutely.
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