Reasons You Should Visit Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken is where those seeking a thrill go. It’s known as the adventure capital of Switzerland and adrenaline junkies are sure to love it. Whether you’re into river rafting or canyoning, skydiving or bungee jumping, you’ll find your particular rush here. Interlaken offers winter adventures and beautiful summer getaways, it is stunning in every season. Overflowing with adventure, you might find yourself paragliding over the Swiss Alps or white-water rafting on the Lütschine River. If you’re looking to experience the cultural side of Interlaken, dig your teeth into their cheese workshops or guided sightseeing around the town.

Interlaken is surrounded by prime hiking spots. It’s the ideal base to explore the Jungfrau region. There are hikes for all levels of fitness and you’ll be sure to find your way on trails that are well marked out. A 50-minute hike from Interlaken takes you to Harder Kulm, where you’ll be rewarded with wonderful panoramic views of the town, the twin lakes and mountains beyond. Visitors can hike to the spot from town, or take a funicular railway. The Pizol 5-Lake hike, a five-hour round trip, is another highly recommended trail.

Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, which Interlaken sits between, are good places to go for a dip during the summer and escape the heat. Or you can embark on a lake cruise and sail across the calm waters, soaking up the rays or just relaxing and taking in the views of the surrounding mountains. One thing is for sure, the setting could not be more spectacular.

As the story goes, Saint Beatus, while wandering Switzerland looking for a place to hole up, stumbled upon some caves that just so happened to be home to a dragon. Saint Beatus fended off the dragon, with God’s help, and drove it into Lake Thun, killing it in the process. Whether or not Saint Beatus really did kill a dragon is debatable, but the beauty of the caves which he inhabited is not. Here, you can follow the caves for 1,000 metres into the Niederhorn massif.

A two-hour scenic train ride takes you from Interlaken, passing through Grindelwald and under the shadow of the Eiger mountain, to the Jungfraujoch, known as the Top of Europe. Once here, an icy wonderland is at your feet. You can explore the Aletsch Glacier, Europe’s longest glacier, enjoy beautiful panoramic views from the Sphinx Observatory and breath in the pure, Alpine air.