Interlaken is more than a stop between two lakes; it is the moment Switzerland begins to feel bigger, wilder and closer to the Alps.

For me, Interlaken felt like the transition point in our Switzerland trip. Zurich gave us the polished city opening, Lucerne gave us the lake and Old Town charm, and then Interlaken brought us closer to the dramatic mountain scenery we had been waiting for. We stayed at The HEY HOTEL for one night, which worked well as a central base before continuing into Grindelwald the next day.

Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and that setting is exactly what makes it so useful on a first Switzerland itinerary. It is not the most romantic alpine village in the region, and I would not compare it directly with Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken’s strength is that it is practical, scenic and extremely well connected. Switzerland Tourism describes it as an ideal starting point for excursions into the Bernese Oberland and the Jungfrau Region, with lakes, mountain villages and alpine scenery accessible by rail, road and mountain railway.

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Why Visit Interlaken?

Interlaken is one of the best bases for first-time visitors who want to explore the Jungfrau Region without immediately committing to staying in a smaller mountain village. It gives you access to Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, Harder Kulm, Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren and other beautiful alpine places.

The town itself is not the main reason I would visit. I would visit Interlaken because of where it sits. It is the gateway. It is the place that connects lake scenery, mountain trains, adventure activities and the more dramatic villages around the Bernese Oberland. If you are travelling through Switzerland by train, Interlaken is especially useful. It works beautifully after Lucerne, because the train journey into Interlaken already feels scenic, and then from Interlaken you can continue easily towards Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.

How Long Do You Need in Interlaken?

For most first-time travellers, one to two nights in Interlaken is enough, depending on how you are using it. We stayed for one night, and for our itinerary it made sense because we were moving from Lucerne to Interlaken and then continuing to Grindelwald. One night gives you enough time to arrive, walk around, see the town, enjoy the views, have dinner and use it as a practical stop before heading deeper into the Alps.

If you want to use Interlaken as a base for day trips to Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald or the lakes, then two or three nights may be more practical. But if your dream is to wake up inside the mountain scenery, I would not stay too long in Interlaken itself. I would use it as a gateway and then move into Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or another alpine village.

For our trip, Interlaken was not the final mountain stay. We continued to Grindelwald, and I think that made the itinerary stronger. Interlaken is practical, but Grindelwald feels more immersive. If you want to wake up surrounded by alpine views, Grindelwald gives you more of that emotional mountain feeling. That is why I would often recommend using Interlaken as a stepping stone rather than the only Bernese Oberland base.

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Best Things to Do

Walk Along Höheweg and Watch the Paragliders

Höheweg is Interlaken’s main promenade and one of the easiest places to start. It gives you a feel for the town, with hotels, shops, cafés, open green space and mountain views in the background. One of the most iconic Interlaken sights is watching paragliders land on Höhematte, the large open park in the centre of town. Even if you are not doing adventure activities yourself, it is still beautiful to watch the colourful parachutes float down against the Alps.

This is the kind of easy, low-effort activity I would do after arriving from Lucerne. After a train journey and hotel check-in, I would not overpack the day. I would walk, get my bearings, look at the mountains, and let Interlaken be the soft entry into the Bernese Oberland.

Go Up to Harder Kulm

Harder Kulm is one of the best things to do in Interlaken if the weather is clear. The funicular takes you from Interlaken to Harder Kulm in about 10 minutes, and the viewpoint gives you a panorama over Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps. This is one of those experiences where the view is the entire point. If the sky is clear, I would absolutely consider it. If the weather is cloudy or visibility is poor, I would not force it, because Switzerland’s mountain viewpoints can be expensive and weather-dependent.

Harder Kulm works especially well if you only have one day in Interlaken and want a big view without committing to a full-day mountain excursion.

Visit Lake Brienz

Lake Brienz is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Interlaken region, famous for its striking turquoise colour. The official Interlaken tourism site describes the region around Interlaken as including turquoise Lake Brienz, deep blue Lake Thun and views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Lake Brienz feels softer and more romantic than the town centre. If your itinerary allows, I would add a lake walk, a boat ride or a visit to one of the lakeside villages. This is also where places like Iseltwald and Giessbach Falls become possible additions.

For my travel style, I would not treat Interlaken only as an adventure sports base. I would also use it for slow lake scenery, photos, walking and those quieter Swiss moments that do not need a packed schedule.

Visit Lake Thun

Lake Thun sits on the other side of Interlaken and has a slightly different mood from Lake Brienz. It is deep blue, scenic and surrounded by towns, castles and mountain views. If you are staying longer in Interlaken, Lake Thun is worth adding for a cruise, lakeside village visit or a slower afternoon. If you only have one night, I would choose between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun rather than trying to do both properly.

This is one of the reasons Interlaken can be confusing for first-time visitors. There is a lot around it, but not everything can be done well in one short stay. I would choose based on the weather, your route and how much time you actually have.

Take a Day Trip to Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch is one of the biggest bucket-list experiences from Interlaken. The official Jungfrau site describes it as a high alpine world of ice, snow and rock, with glaciers, eternal snow and major viewpoints. The journey from Interlaken Ost via the Eiger Express route is listed at around 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is a major, expensive day trip, so I would not treat it casually. I would only go if the weather looked clear enough to justify the cost. I would also start early, dress warmly, and avoid planning too much else on the same day.

For a first-time Switzerland itinerary, Jungfraujoch can be unforgettable, especially if snow and dramatic winter scenery are part of your dream trip. But I would plan it carefully rather than treating it like a quick attraction.

Visit Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken

Lauterbrunnen is one of the most famous valleys near Interlaken, known for waterfalls, cliffs and classic Swiss scenery. If you are using Interlaken as a base, Lauterbrunnen is one of the easiest and most beautiful day trips to consider. This is the kind of place I would include if you want the fairytale valley feeling without changing hotels again. It is especially useful if you are staying two nights in Interlaken and want one day to feel more alpine.

Where to Stay

For a short stay in Interlaken, I would choose location over everything. If you are arriving by train and leaving by train, staying central makes the whole experience easier.

We stayed at The HEY HOTEL for one night, which suited our route because we were travelling from Lucerne to Interlaken and then onwards to Grindelwald. For a one-night stop, I would not stay somewhere complicated or far from transport unless the hotel itself was a major scenic splurge. The best areas to stay in Interlaken are near Interlaken Ost, Interlaken West, Höheweg, or somewhere central enough that you can walk easily with minimal transport stress. Interlaken Ost is more practical for onward trains into the Jungfrau Region, including Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken West can be convenient for the town centre, shops and some hotels.

For a more romantic Switzerland itinerary, I would personally use Interlaken for convenience and save the dreamier alpine hotel stay for Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Zermatt.

I would compare Interlaken hotels on Booking.com for reviews, location and cancellation flexibility. I would also check Trivago because Swiss hotel prices can vary a lot depending on the season. If choosing a premium or boutique hotel, I would also check the hotel website directly for room categories, breakfast options and any direct booking benefits.

Best Area to Stay for First-Time Visitors

If it is your first time in Interlaken, I would stay close to the centre or near one of the train stations.

If your priority is easy transport into the Jungfrau Region, Interlaken Ost is very practical. If your priority is walking around the town, restaurants and shops, somewhere central near Höheweg or Interlaken West may feel easier. If your priority is atmosphere and mountain beauty, I would consider staying outside Interlaken in Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or Wengen instead. For our itinerary, Interlaken worked because it was a practical one-night bridge between Lucerne and Grindelwald. I would use it that way again, especially on a fast-moving Switzerland route.

How We Travelled Around Switzerland

One of the biggest things I would recommend planning properly in Switzerland is the train travel. The trains are part of the experience, and if you plan well, the journey becomes much smoother and more enjoyable.

For our Switzerland trip, my husband planned the broader logistics and booked our train journeys in advance through Omio. We did not use a Swiss Travel Pass. Instead, we booked individual train tickets for each part of our route, including Zurich to Lucerne, Lucerne to Interlaken and then onwards towards Grindelwald. Because he planned everything well ahead of time, we were able to book first-class train tickets without the price feeling dramatically higher. That made a real difference. First class felt calmer, less crowded and more comfortable than second class, with better space and a more relaxed atmosphere. Travelling with luggage in winter, I really appreciated that.

Many Switzerland guides automatically recommend the Swiss Travel Pass, and for some itineraries it can absolutely make sense. But based on our own trip, I would not say it is the only way to travel around Switzerland. If your route is clear and you are booking early, individual train tickets can work beautifully, especially if you want to upgrade to first class for certain journeys without overspending.

For me, the train journey into Interlaken was not just transport. It was the point where the trip started feeling properly alpine. The scenery changed, the mountains felt closer, and Switzerland started becoming the version I had imagined.

Getting Around Interlaken

Interlaken itself is easy to walk around if you are staying centrally. For the town centre, Höheweg, restaurants, hotels and basic sightseeing, you do not need to make the logistics complicated. For the surrounding region, trains and mountain railways are the key. Interlaken Ost is the main gateway for many Jungfrau Region connections, including trains towards Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. If your itinerary includes Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or mountain excursions, I would keep Interlaken Ost in mind when choosing a hotel.

For lake travel, boat cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz can also be part of the experience depending on the season and timetable. If you are visiting in winter, I would check schedules carefully because not everything operates with the same frequency year-round.

Getting from Interlaken to Grindelwald

Interlaken to Grindelwald is one of the easiest and most beautiful onward journeys in this part of Switzerland. This was our next step after staying in Interlaken, and I think it was the right decision because Grindelwald gave us a much stronger alpine village feeling.

If you are travelling with luggage, this is where planning matters. The trains are organised, but moving between hotels in winter still feels easier when your tickets are booked, your route is clear and you are not rushing.

For a first Switzerland itinerary, I would recommend this order if you want a balanced route: It gives the trip a natural build-up: city, lake, gateway town, then proper alpine village

Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Grindelwald

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What to Eat

Interlaken has a mix of Swiss restaurants, hotel dining, Indian restaurants, Italian places, cafés and casual food options. Because it is such a tourist-focused town, it can be easier than some smaller villages, but I would still plan ahead if you are vegetarian and gluten-free.

Traditional Swiss food can include a lot of bread, pastries, flour-based sauces, pasta, schnitzel-style coatings, shared fryers and cheese-heavy dishes. Vegetarian options are usually possible, but gluten-free choices need more careful checking. For me, Interlaken is the kind of place where I would keep food simple and practical. I would look for a safe dinner, a good hotel breakfast, supermarket snacks for the next train day, and restaurants where staff can understand that gluten-free is an allergy, not a preference.

For my husband, Interlaken would be much easier from a food perspective because he eats meat and has more flexibility with Swiss and international restaurants. I would naturally be more careful with sauces, bread, soups, fried foods and desserts.

Gluten-Free Restaurants and Cafés

Interlaken has some useful gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly options, but I would still check current opening hours and speak to staff directly before eating. With a gluten allergy, I never rely only on menu labels; I ask about preparation, shared fryers, sauces and cross-contamination.

Ristorante Pizzeria Horn is one of the most promising gluten-free options in Interlaken, especially if you are craving pizza. Interlaken’s official tourism listing includes a review describing a strong gluten-free experience, including gluten-free pizza and gluten-free bread, and another listing notes separate ovens for gluten-free options. For a strict gluten allergy, I would still ask questions before ordering because pizza restaurants always carry some flour risk. But if separate preparation and separate ovens are available, that is exactly the kind of detail I look for when travelling gluten-free.

Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant in Interlaken lists vegetarian dishes such as palak paneer, daal, kadai mushroom and chana masala, along with a broader Indian menu. Indian food can be a helpful option for vegetarian travellers in Switzerland, especially when you want rice, lentils, vegetables and familiar flavours. As an Indian vegetarian traveller, I would naturally look at Indian restaurants in places like Interlaken, but I would still be careful about gluten. Naan, roti, fried starters and some sauces may not be suitable, and cross-contamination can still happen. I would order rice-based dishes, ask about wheat flour, and explain the allergy clearly.

Indian Pure Vegetarian Chotivala is another useful option for vegetarian travellers because it is listed as a vegetarian North and South Indian restaurant with dishes such as dal tadka, chana masala, palak aloo and rajma masala. For someone like me, this type of restaurant can feel comforting while travelling, but I would still not assume everything is gluten-free. I would avoid breads unless they can clearly confirm gluten-free preparation, and I would check sauces, spice mixes and fried items.

Hüsi Bierhaus is popular in Interlaken and has gluten-free options noted by gluten-free dining communities, but it is also described as having some cross-contamination risk. Because of that, I would treat this as a cautious option rather than a top allergy-safe choice. It may be fine for some gluten-free travellers, but with a strict gluten allergy I would ask detailed questions before eating.

For Interlaken, I would plan one safe dinner option in advance and keep backup snacks with me. I would be careful with pizza kitchens, bread, pasta, sauces, fried foods, soups and desserts. If eating Indian food, I would focus on rice, lentils and vegetable dishes, but still ask about wheat flour and preparation. Interlaken is very tourist-friendly, but gluten-free travel is still easier when you quietly plan food in the background before the day gets busy.

Itinerary

1 Day in Interlaken Itinerary

If you only have one day in Interlaken, I would keep it simple and scenic. Start with a walk along Höheweg and Höhematte to get a feel for the town and watch the paragliders. If the weather is clear, go up to Harder Kulm for the lake and mountain views. After that, choose either Lake Brienz or Lake Thun for a slower afternoon, depending on your onward route and the season.

For dinner, stay central and choose somewhere practical, especially if you are leaving for Grindelwald or Jungfraujoch early the next day. This itinerary works well if Interlaken is a one-night stop, which is how we used it.

2 Days in Interlaken Itinerary

With two days in Interlaken, I would use the first day for the town, Harder Kulm and one lake. On the second day, I would choose one major excursion. That could be Jungfraujoch if the weather is clear and you are happy with the cost. It could be Lauterbrunnen if you want waterfalls and valley scenery. It could be Grindelwald if you want a stronger mountain village atmosphere. Or it could be a Lake Thun or Lake Brienz cruise if you want something softer and more relaxed.

I would not try to do everything. Interlaken has too many possible day trips, and the mistake is thinking you need to squeeze all of them into one stay.

Best Time to Visit

Interlaken can be visited year-round, but the experience changes a lot by season.

We visited Switzerland in January, and for me, that winter timing made the trip feel more magical because I love cold weather and snowy scenery. Interlaken itself may not always feel like a snow-covered village in the same way Grindelwald can, but it works beautifully as a gateway into the winter Alps. Summer is popular for outdoor activities, paragliding, lake cruises, hiking and long daylight hours. Spring and autumn can be beautiful if you want softer crowds and scenic landscapes. Winter is best if your broader itinerary is about snow, mountain railways, cosy hotels and alpine atmosphere.

For my personal travel style, I would choose winter again, but I would plan around weather and mountain visibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is expecting Interlaken itself to feel like the ultimate Swiss alpine village. It is beautiful and practical, but it is more of a gateway than a dream village. If you want the classic mountain stay, continue to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Mürren. Another mistake is doing too much in one day. Interlaken has access to so many places that it becomes tempting to overplan. I would choose one major experience per day and leave space for the scenery. I would also avoid booking expensive mountain excursions without checking the weather. For places like Jungfraujoch and Harder Kulm, visibility matters.

And for gluten-free travellers, I would not assume tourist-friendly automatically means allergy-safe. Ask questions, check preparation and keep snacks with you.

Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?

Yes, Interlaken is worth visiting, especially if it is part of a first Switzerland itinerary. But I would be clear about its role.

Interlaken is not necessarily the most emotional or romantic stop in the Bernese Oberland. It is not where I would go for the most immersive alpine village feeling. But it is incredibly useful, scenic and well connected. It gives you access to lakes, mountain viewpoints, Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. For our route, Interlaken made sense as the bridge between Lucerne and Grindelwald. Zurich gave us the city start, Lucerne gave us the lake and Old Town charm, Interlaken gave us access and movement, and Grindelwald gave us the mountain atmosphere.

That is exactly how I would position Interlaken: not the whole story, but a very important chapter.

Closing: My Honest Take on Interlaken

Yes, Interlaken is worth visiting, especially if it is part of a first Switzerland itinerary. But I would be clear about its role.

Interlaken is not necessarily the most emotional or romantic stop in the Bernese Oberland. It is not where I would go for the most immersive alpine village feeling. But it is incredibly useful, scenic and well connected. It gives you access to lakes, mountain viewpoints, Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

For our route, Interlaken made sense as the bridge between Lucerne and Grindelwald. Zurich gave us the city start, Lucerne gave us the lake and Old Town charm, Interlaken gave us access and movement, and Grindelwald gave us the mountain atmosphere. That is exactly how I would position Interlaken: not the whole story, but a very important chapter.

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