Interlaken Switzerland as a rising travel destination offers variety of activities as well as many of the phenomenal view points. Let’s find out the reasons why Interlaken is gaining its popularity as a travel destination and what are some of the popular activities to do in Interlaken.
Location
As the name “Interlaken (between lakes)” indicates, this beautiful picturesque town is situated in between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Interlaken is easily accessible by road and rails. This town is approximately 35 miles southeast of Bern and 12 miles east of Thun in the heart of alps.
The closest international airports to Interlaken are Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Geneva Airport (GVA). Zurich Airport is about 2 hours away of Interlaken, while Geneva Airport is approximately 2.5 hours away. Both are easily accessible by train as well. There are two main train stations in Interlaken of Interlaken Ost and West which have connecting trains to nearby airports.
Things to do in Interlaken
Visit Harder Kulm viewpoint
Harder Kulm is one of the best place to visit in Interlaken. Visiting Harder Kulm begins with taking a funicular ride to the top of the view point. You can purchase a ticket to ride this funicular in advance or at the site. You can also hike up to the Harder Kulm viewpoint if you don’t want to take the funicular but view from inside of the funicular is one of the best experience that I had so I would like to recommend taking the ride. If you prefer taking a bus ride up to the viewing platform, there are bus rides available to get to the top as well.
Once you reach the top of the viewpoint, there is a restaurant with outdoor terrace seating which allows you to enjoy the view while experiencing delicious cuisine. Also there is a very famous photo spot adjacent to the restaurant which allows you to capture both of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in a photo. This viewing platform offers unobstructed views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.
Boat ride in Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
One of the best thing to do in Interlaken is to enjoy these crystal clear lakes with boat rides. There are several boat tours available. Depending on your preferences, you can do a classic paddle steamer boat tour, kayaking, jetboat, or a speed boat tour.
Lake Thun offers a variety of water sports as well such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. You can rent equipment from the rental shops located along the lake and take lessons if needed.
Regardless of which option you choose, this will be one of the unforgettable experience to cruise through this crystal clear waters with epic surrounding mountain views. This is a must do if you are in the Interlaken area.
Experience various hiking trails near Interlaken
Hiking in Interlaken offers a diverse and stunning array of trails that cater to all levels of hikers, from leisurely walks to challenging treks. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker seeking panoramic mountain vistas or a casual walker in search of peaceful strolls through nature, Interlaken has something for everyone. Some popular hiking destinations include the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, as well as picturesque spots like the Schynige Platte and Harder Kulm.
Enjoy the views from the higher altitude doing bungee jump or paraglide riding
If you are looking for real thrilling experience, you can try doing bungee jumping or doing a paraglide riding in this area. There are several companies offering these experiences.
One of the popular place to try bungee jump is the Stockhorn bungee jump. Check out the detail from this link: https://outdoor.ch/en/outdoor-activities/bungy-jump-stockhorn/
This place offers a bungee jump service from a gondola which located high up at 134 meters. Here, you can experience bungee jumping with the stunning views of the area. However, there are many more places offering bungee jumping experience so you should do a little research before deciding on which one to choose.
Paraglide riding is one of the most popular activities to do in Interlaken. There are some people travel to Interlaken solely to do paraglide riding with the breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and beautiful lakes.
A lot of companies are available to do paraglide riding service. Once you make a reservation from one of the provider, typically a shuttle bus will be provided to pick you up and drive up the mountains where you will take off for the paraglide ride. An experienced pilot will be riding with you to navigate through the amazing views which will take about 20-30 min to land.
One thing to note is that the weather in Swiss changes rapidly so be sure to check the weather before planning on these activities
Take railway to visit Jungfrau, the highest point of Europe
Visiting Jungfrau will be one of the many people’s bucket list. With its impressive elevation of 4,158 meters (13,642 feet) above sea level, Jungfrau is known as the top of Europe.
Jungfrau is accessible by railway, or high speed cable car. You can begin the journey by taking railway to Kleine Scheidegg from the Interlaken Ost station. Detailed post of how to get to Jungfrau will be posted soon.
While you are in this region, you can experience skiing at these three world-class ski areas of Grindelwald-First, Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen, and Mürren-Schilthorn. All of these are easily accessible from the Interlaken.
Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping activities like paragliding or serene moments of reflection while strolling along scenic trails, Interlaken caters to a diverse range of interests and preferences. From exploring charming alpine villages to embarking on exhilarating outdoor adventures, Interlaken leaves an indelible impression on visitors, making it a destination worth experiencing time and time again. With its unbeatable combination of breathtaking scenery and endless recreational opportunities, Interlaken truly offers an unforgettable travel experience in the heart of Switzerland.
Wow !