For those of us living in Switzerland, Interlaken is so much more than that famous tourist town thousands of people come to photograph. It is the true strategic heart of the region, the gateway where everything begins. Nestled between the crystal-clear waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, its location is perfect: from here, paths open up to every corner of the Bernese Oberland.
It is the starting point for dreamlike valleys like Lauterbrunnen with its famous waterfalls, and quiet, car-free villages such as Wengen and Mürren. From its stations and docks, you can board trains, boats, or cable cars that take you in every direction toward spectacular peaks. Beyond the celebrated trilogy of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, it is incredibly easy to connect with unforgettable summits and viewpoints like the Schilthorn, the panoramic Niederhorn, historic Schynige Platte, Interlaken’s local mountain Harder Kulm, or the summit of First high above majestic Grindelwald.
One of the loveliest things about being in Interlaken is simply pausing at the large central meadow, looking up at the sky, and watching dozens of paragliders soaring over the town. Seeing them descend slowly against the backdrop of the mountains has become an essential and magical part of the scenery itself. It is a quintessential postcard moment, a scene full of life that never fails to fascinate me and one I’ve saved to try on my next visit.
Interlaken is, in every sense of the word, a giant outdoor adventure park. The variety of options is incredible: you can speed down the mountain-on-Mountain Carts or Trottibikes, head up to First to fly on the First Glider and ziplines over the void, venture into its rivers for rafting and canyoning, boost your adrenaline aboard a Jetboat, or simply kayak along the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz or Lake Thun. Travelers from all over the world come here seeking exactly that: an entire day of fun and unforgettable itineraries surrounded by the Alps.
Tucked away just a few steps from Interlaken’s usual hustle and bustle lies its charming old town, Unterseen, a corner where time seems to stand still among its historic streets. There, the Tourismuseum opens its doors, a fascinating space dedicated to tracing over 250 years of alpine tourism history, showcasing everything from antique carriages and steamboats to the evolution of mountain sports. Standing guard at the main square entrance is the bronze statue of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, erected in tribute to his historic journey through the region in October 1779. Upon stepping ashore after sailing across Lake Thun, the illustrious poet stopped to dine at the local traditional inn, becoming one of the great pioneers in sharing the beauty of the Bernese Oberland with the world.
When winter arrives, the landscape transforms completely, wrapping itself in a dazzling blanket of white snow that grants it a unique magic; however, no matter what time of year you visit, Interlaken is always a true feast for the senses.
