Photo frame on Schynige Platte with a view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau

Things to do in Interlaken: the best experiences in summer and winter

Interlaken lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and, with Interlaken Ost station, is the gateway to the Jungfrau Region. In town, the Harder Kulm, boat trips on both lakes and paragliding above the Höhematte draw visitors, and the Schynige Platte, the St. Beatus Caves, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are close by.

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By Ramon Stüdeli, who lives in Grindelwald and LucerneLast updated: 31 October 2026

At a glance

Location: between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, on the «Bödeli» – myswitzerland.com and hls-dhs-dss.ch
Altitude: about 570 m above sea level (566–568 m depending on the measuring point) – en.wikipedia.org
Harder Kulm: funicular to 1322 m in about 10 minutes – jungfrau.ch
Paragliding: about 35,000 landings a year on the Höhematte – jungfrau.ch
Lauterbrunnen: about 22 minutes from Interlaken Ost, Grindelwald about 35 minutes – sbb.ch
Boats on Lake Brienz: operating April to October, reduced in spring and autumn – interlaken.swiss
Schynige Platte: about 1 hour's ride from Wilderswil to 1967 m – jungfrau.ch

Top experiences

Harder Kulm – Interlaken's local mountain with the Two Lakes Bridge viewing platform above Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Harderbahn ticket from CHF 22 (jungfrau.ch, as of 10/2026). Sunset rides in the evening. Summer half-year.
Harder funicular ticket
Boat trips on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz – A round trip on Lake Brienz takes about 2.5 hours, one way about 1 hour 15 minutes. Everyone travels free on their birthday (interlaken.swiss). April to October.
Tandem paragliding – With local flight schools. The Höhematte counts about 35,000 landings a year (jungfrau.ch). Weather-dependent.
Request through us: Tandem paragliding from First (Grindelwald) · Winter tandem flight from First (Grindelwald) On request
Höhematte – Picnic spot with a view of the Jungfrau massif, where you can watch the paragliders land. Free.
Schynige Platte – Nostalgic cog railway from Wilderswil, at the top about 800 alpine plants in the Botanical Alpine Garden and the panorama trail (about 2.5 hours). Ticket from CHF 34 (jungfrau.ch). Summer.
St. Beatus Caves – About 1 km of the cave system can be explored on your own, lit and secured, temperature 8–10 °C (interlaken.swiss). Getting there by bus, boat or car.
Unterseen old town and castle – A walk across the Aare into the old town. Free, all year.
Canyoning – Guided tours in gorges around Interlaken with local providers. Summer.
Request through us: Canyoning from Grindelwald On request
Sea kayaking – On Lake Brienz with local providers. Summer.
E-bike tours – For example into the Lauterbrunnen valley with local providers. Summer.
Day trip to the Jungfraujoch – Via Grindelwald Terminal and the Eiger Express to Europe's highest railway station (3454 m). Ticket from CHF 129.60 (jungfrau.ch).
Jungfraujoch ticket
Kunsthaus Interlaken and Höheweg – Art and shopping.

When it rains

St. Beatus Caves – Open daily, inside the mountain regardless of the weather, bring warm clothes.
Bödelibad (Unterseen) – Indoor pool with 25 m pool, diving bay and children's pool – interlaken.swiss
Kunsthaus Interlaken – Art under one roof.
Trümmelbach Falls – Ten glacier waterfalls inside the mountain, reached via Lauterbrunnen. Open early April to early November, entry only from age 4.

With kids

Harder Kulm – Short train ride, big view.
St. Beatus Caves – Playground with dragon slide and annual children's days.
Boat trips – Short stages with stops in Iseltwald or Giessbach instead of the whole round trip.
Bödelibad – Indoor pool, plus an outdoor pool in summer with a 50 m pool, slide and children's pool (outdoor pool from mid-May).

In summer

High season for water and air: boats on both lakes, kayaking, SUP, canyoning and paragliding. Mountain railways such as Harder Kulm and Schynige Platte run in the summer half-year. The Unlimited Jungfrau Summer Pass is valid from 3 April to 29 November 2026 (jungfrau.ch).

In winter

Interlaken is then the base for the Jungfrau Region's ski areas (Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren) and for sledging. The Unlimited Jungfrau Winter Pass is valid from 1 December 2026 to 30 April 2027, from CHF 399. On selected dates the St. Beatus Caves host cave raclette evenings. On Lake Thun, the BLS winter boat runs daily between Interlaken West and Thun from mid-December to mid-March.