Interlaken is universally celebrated as the adventure capital of central Switzerland. Situated beautifully on a narrow stretch of valley between the emerald-colored waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, this vibrant town is presided over by the three mighty alpine giants: the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. For generations, Interlaken has served as a central crossroads for explorers, backpackers, and luxury travelers alike. Whether you are looking to glide gently through the air over pristine meadows or looking for peaceful medieval walkways alongside crystalline rivers, this region delivers unmatched beauty. In this definitive long-form travel resource, we explore the top ten breathtaking locations you must include in your Interlaken itinerary.
1. Harder Kulm: The Official Top of Interlaken
To acquire an immediate understanding of Interlaken's unique geographical placement, your very first stop should be Harder Kulm. Rising dramatically to 1,322 meters above sea level, this viewpoint offers a stunning bird's-eye perspective of the town below, flanked symmetrically by both major lakes. To reach the summit, visitors board a historic red funicular railway located just a short walk from the Interlaken Ost station. The funicular climbs an incredibly steep track through dense forest slopes in exactly ten minutes.
At the top, visitors walk out onto the Two Lakes Bridge (Zwei-Seen-Steg), a modern overhanging viewing platform featuring a transparent glass section underfoot. From this vantage point, you can look straight down into the valley floor or gaze forward at the massive, snow-covered crests of the Bernese Alps. The summit also features a picturesque, castle-like panoramic restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Swiss specialties like Rösti while watching the sunset over the horizon.
2. Lake Brienz: The Turquoise Wonder
Positioned on the eastern side of Interlaken, Lake Brienz (Brienzersee) is famous worldwide for its intense, milky-turquoise hue. This incredible coloration is completely natural, caused by microscopic glacial particles suspended in the cold mountain waters flowing down from the valleys. The lake is surrounded by steep, rugged cliffs that drop directly into the deep water, creating a wild and highly dramatic landscape.
The best way to experience Lake Brienz is by taking a classic steamboat cruise from the docks directly behind Interlaken Ost station. If you travel with a Swiss Travel Pass, these relaxing boat tours are fully covered. The boat makes multiple stops along its route, allowing passengers to hop off at historic villages like Iseltwald—a tiny, picture-perfect peninsula village made globally famous by international travel films—or catch a historic funicular up to the Grand Hotel Giessbach to see massive waterfalls tumbling directly into the lake.
3. Lake Thun: Castles and Classic Sunsets
On the western flank of the valley lies Lake Thun (Thunersee). In contrast to Lake Brienz, Lake Thun is significantly larger, wider, and offers a more open, Mediterranean-style atmosphere. The shoreline is dotted with lush vineyards, historic orchards, and five spectacular lakeside castles that look like they belong in medieval legends.
A cruise on Lake Thun takes you past the spectacular castles of Oberhofen, Spiez, and Thun, each boasting beautifully manicured lakeside gardens and rich architectural histories. The lake is also highly popular for windsurfing, sailing, and swimming during the warm summer months. Watching the golden sun sink slowly behind the pyramidal peak of Mount Niesen from the deck of a Lake Thun steamship is widely considered one of the finest evening experiences in central Switzerland.
4. Höhematte Park: The Skydiving Landing Hub
Right in the heart of downtown Interlaken lies the Höhematte, a massive 35-acre open green meadow that has remained completely protected from commercial building development since 1860. This vast urban park was originally purchased by local hotel owners over a century ago to permanently preserve an unobstructed, clear view of the magnificent Jungfrau mountain from the main street, Höheweg.
Today, the Höhematte serves as the primary landing zone for the hundreds of paragliders who soar through the mountain thermals daily. Visitors can sit on the park's benches, enjoy fresh Swiss chocolates, and watch colorful canopies drop gracefully out of the sky onto the grass. It is a highly relaxing communal space that perfectly balances the busy commercial energy of Interlaken's luxury watch boutiques and grand hotels.
5. Unterseen: The Medieval Old Town Escape
If you cross the rushing blue waters of the Aare River near Interlaken West, you will instantly step into Unterseen, the peaceful and authentic medieval old town of the region. While the central streets of Interlaken are often filled with tourists, Unterseen offers a highly quiet, traditional escape rich with architectural heritage.
The heart of Unterseen is its historic market square (Marktplatz), dominated by a striking 13th-century church tower and surrounded by dark wooden farming chalets covered in colorful flower boxes. This area features small, independent coffee shops, local artisan bakeries, and quiet cobblestone alleys. It is the absolute best location in town to experience slow-paced local Swiss life away from the main tourist crowds.
6. Schynige Platte: A Nostalgic Alpine Journey
For a true vintage mountain experience, take a short train ride to Wildererswil and board the historic cogwheel railway up to Schynige Platte. Operating continuously since 1893, the traditional open-sided wooden train cars slowly climb the steep mountain face, pulled by vintage electric locomotives.
The summit at 1,967 meters offers an unbelievable dual view: on one side, you look down at Lake Thun and Lake Brienz sitting side-by-side; on the other side, you face the sheer vertical rock walls of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Schynige Platte also features a unique Alpine Botanical Garden home to over 700 species of rare mountain flowers, including the iconic Swiss Edelweiss, completely free to explore.
7. St. Beatus Caves: Underground Waterfalls and Legends
Located high up on a forested cliffside overlooking Lake Thun, the St. Beatus Caves (Beatushöhlen) offer a fantastic subterranean adventure. Local historical legends say that a 6th-century Irish monk named Beatus fought a fire-breathing dragon out of these caves to establish his hermitage.
Today, visitors can explore over one kilometer of lit interior pathways winding through vast limestone caverns. Inside, you walk past dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations, deep underground pools, and rushing subterranean waterfalls echoing off the stone walls. The exterior approach to the caves is equally stunning, featuring a traditional Swiss restaurant built directly into the rock face alongside a bridge that crosses a series of cascading waterfalls pouring down into the lake below.
8. The Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht)
A short train ride east from Interlaken takes you to Meiringen, home to the spectacular Aare Gorge. Over thousands of years, the runoff from melting glaciers carved a narrow, deep channel through a massive limestone ridge. The gorge is nearly 200 meters deep but narrows down to just one meter wide in certain sections.
A safe network of wooden walkways and tunnels attached directly to the sheer rock walls allows visitors to walk through the entire length of the gorge. As you walk, you can look down at the powerful, milky-white waters of the Aare River churning violently beneath your feet. It is a brilliant example of nature's raw power and provides a highly cool, refreshing walk on hot summer afternoons.
9. Heimwehfluh: Vintage Family Fun
If you are traveling with family or prefer a quick, nostalgic excursion near Interlaken West station, **Heimwehfluh** is a perfect choice. A historic funicular railway from 1906 takes you up to a small, wooden hilltop station that offers beautiful panoramic views of the town and lakes.
At the top, you will find a large model railway display, a historic watchtower, and a mountain restaurant. The highlight for adventurous visitors is the unique toboggan run (Rodelbahn). Guests sit in wheeled sleds and slide down a winding steel track through the forest back down to the valley base, controlling their own speed with manual handbrakes. It is an incredibly fun, classic Swiss experience.
10. Wilderswil: The Traditional Alpine Gateway
Located just four minutes by local train from Interlaken Ost, the charming village of **Wilderswil** offers an incredibly authentic glimpse of rural Bernese culture. Serving as the primary railway junction for mountain trains heading into the valleys, Wilderswil has managed to retain its old-world farming village identity.
Taking a slow walking tour through the village reveals massive wooden chalets dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, an ancient stone toll bridge over the Lütschine River, and historic mill structures. Staying in Wilderswil is often highly recommended for budget travelers, as accommodation options here are typically much more affordable than central Interlaken, while still offering immediate access to all major transport routes.