Why choose Interlaken for your Switzerland holiday?
A holiday in Interlaken offers the best of both worlds - two sparkling lakes and access to the soaring mountains
Interlaken, whose name literally means “between the
lakes,” is beautifully positioned between the crystal-clear waters of Lake Thun
and Lake Brienz, with spectacular views of the surrounding Bernese Alps. This
vibrant Swiss resort is one of the best bases for exploring the region,
combining stunning natural scenery with excellent transport connections.
Visitors come to enjoy relaxing lake cruises, scenic train journeys, and
unforgettable mountain excursions - including the world-famous Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe.
Unlike the quieter alpine villages, Interlaken has a
lively atmosphere and a real holiday buzz. Its streets are lined with shops
ranging from luxury Swiss watch and jewellery boutiques to souvenir stores
selling traditional Swiss gifts such as cowbells and chocolates. The wide green
expanse of Höhematte Park sits at the heart of town - the perfect spot to
unwind, watch paragliders drifting down from the mountains, and admire
panoramic views of the peaks. In the evenings, Interlaken offers a wide variety
of restaurants, cafés, and bars, serving everything from traditional Swiss
cuisine to international dishes.
Staying in Interlaken also makes getting around easy.
Hotel guests receive a FREE Interlaken Visitor’s Card, giving complimentary use
of local buses and selected trains, making it simple to explore nearby lakes,
villages, and mountain viewpoints without hassle.
Interlaken has a charm all of its own, with sparkling
lakes, flower-filled parks, and breathtaking views of the snow-capped trio of
the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. It’s a destination that captures the heart, and
many visitors return year after year ... drawn back by the scenery, the variety
of excursions, and the endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation in
the Swiss Alps.
NB For those who would prefer a stay in a quieter village with access to all the amenities and transport network of Interlaken, we recommend nearby Bönigen and Wilderswil.
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Or speak to our expert team for more Switzerland holiday advice
Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com
Things to do on a Interlaken holiday
Interlaken lies at the heart of the Bernese Oberland transport network, making it the perfect base for exploring Switzerland's most spectacular lakes and mountains. From here you can easily set off on a wide range of scenic excursions.
Please click here for a summary of the best the region has to offer.
Lake cruises in Interlaken are an absolute highlight. Historic paddle steamers and modern boats glide at a relaxed pace across Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, giving you time to soak in panoramic views of turquoise water, alpine peaks, and picturesque lakeside villages. You can hop off along the way to explore charming towns or enjoy lunch by the water before continuing your cruise.
Journeys into the mountains are just as memorable as the destinations themselves. Travel on a combination of cable cars, funicular railways, and the famous Jungfrau mountain railways as you ascend into the high Alps. Close to town, Harder Kulm - known as Interlaken’s local mountain - offers a superb viewpoint, walking trails, and panoramic restaurants overlooking the lakes. For higher alpine scenery and superb hiking, head to Männlichen or Schynige Platte, where flower-filled meadows and classic Bernese Oberland views await. For a truly unforgettable experience, journey to the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe at 3,571m, home to year-round snow, glaciers, and one of the highest railway stations in Europe. Another unforgettable excursion is the Brienz Rothorn steam railway, a nostalgic journey on a historic steam train climbing high above Lake Brienz for breathtaking mountain views.
Read our Interlaken blog article here.
Interlaken hotels 2026
Choose from our handpicked Interlaken hotels
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
Summer holidays in Interlaken (June-September)
Summer is the peak season in Interlaken, when the town is alive with visitors who relish the chance to explore the glorious scenery. Surrounded by Lake
Thun, Lake Brienz, and the towering peaks of the Bernese Oberland, this is the
perfect time for walking trails, boat trips, and mountain excursions. Relax in the Höhematte Park and watch the paragliders or take scenic train journeys to Schynige Platte with its alpine garden.
Long, sunny days and clear alpine views make summer ideal for exploring
charming villages, panoramic viewpoints, and lakeside promenades.
Spring and autumn - nature’s highlights
Spring and autumn are quieter and beautifully scenic
times for an Interlaken holiday. In spring, waterfalls fed by melting snow
thunder through the Lauterbrunnen valley, and alpine meadows begin to bloom.
Autumn paints the forests and mountain slopes in rich golds and reds, creating
breathtaking landscapes around the lakes and trails. These seasons are perfect
for peaceful walks around Kleine Scheidegg, photography, and mountain trips without the summer crowds.
Crisp air, softer light, and tranquil surroundings make it ideal for travellers
looking for a relaxed and nature-focused escape.
Winter getaways and snowy adventures
In winter, Interlaken becomes a gateway to some of
Switzerland’s best winter sports areas. Nearby resorts like Grindelwald offer skiing, snowboarding, sledging, and winter hiking with
dramatic alpine backdrops. The town itself has a cosy atmosphere, with festive
decorations, seasonal markets, and cafés offering warm Swiss specialities.
Snow-dusted peaks, frozen waterfalls, and clear winter skies create a magical
setting, whether you're hitting the slopes or enjoying a scenic train ride through
the mountains.
Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site from Interlaken
Take a day to visit the amazing Jungfrau-Aletsch Glacier with a stunning mountain rail journey to the Jungfraujoch and awesome views across the glacier from the summit. You can also easily reach the beautifully historic Old Town of Bern from Interlaken. Find more Swiss World Heritage Sites here.
We can recommend a multi centre UNESCO themed holiday, taking in the Jungfrau-Aletsch Glacier from two aspects and enjoying the Rhaetian Railway, courtesy of the Glacier Express. You'll stay in Interlaken, Brig and St. Moritz. Please ask for details.
Explore the Bernese Oberland region with our great value travel passes
Our holidays include the Half Fare Card, which entitles you to a 50% discount on most rail, mountain railways, cable cars, boats and PostBuses across Switzerland.
If you are planning daily outings, it can be well worth pre-booking the Bernese Oberland Regional Pass, as it saves you a great deal of money - and helps you avoid the queues at the ticket office! Other passes such as the Swiss Travel Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass are also available. We will be delighted to help you choose the one that's right for you. Call us on 0800 619 1200 for more advice.
Scenic rail holidays from Interlaken
Enjoy a fantastic two or multi centre holiday, with a scenic rail journey connecting your resorts.
Interlaken is on the route of GoldenPass Express for Montreux or Luzern-Interlaken Express for Lucerne. From Lucerne you can pick up the scenic boat and rail journey of the Gotthard Panorama Express to the Ticino region. Interlaken also has easy connections to the Lötschberg Regio Express (for Brig) and on to the famous Glacier Express to St. Moritz.
If you prefer to be based solely in Interlaken, there are many lakes and mountains journeys to be enjoyed locally, especially on the Jungfrau Railways. We can tailor make any itinerary you choose, please contact us for details on 0800 619 1200.
How to get to Interlaken
Your ticket wallet will contain comprehensive travel instructions to help you reach your destination with ease, including recommended rail connection times and platform numbers. These are the most common routes for your Interlaken holiday.
Fly to Zurich
Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow.
Swiss Railways: Zurich Airport> Interlaken with a transfer time of around 2 hours 10 minutes.
Fly to Geneva
Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle.
Swiss Railways: Geneva Airport> Bern> Interlaken with a transfer time of around 2 hours 55 minutes.
Travel by international rail
Rail from London St. Pancras via Paris to Basel.
Swiss Railways: Basel> Interlaken with a transfer time of around 2 hours.