Reasons You Should Visit Interlaken, Switzerland

| Photo by Tucker Monticelli on Unsplash
Sean Mowbray

Located between two pristine lakes in Switzerland, Interlaken is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends natural beauty with adventure. The town, set against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, offers an array of adrenaline-pumping activities, from paragliding to water sports on the lakes. Its charming streets and well-preserved architecture add a touch of Swiss allure, providing a delightful atmosphere for exploration. Interlaken also serves as a gateway to Jungfraujoch, offering stunning views of the Aletsch Glacier. For the best time to visit, plan your trip during late spring to early fall when the weather is ideal for outdoor adventures, and the landscapes are at their most enchanting.

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The adventure

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.

The hiking

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 views of the town, the twin lakes and mountains beyond. The Pizol 5-Lake hike, a five-hour round trip, is another highly recommended trail. Take a look here for some more inspiration.

Hiking around Lake Thun

To enjoy the lakes

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.

To discover a legend

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.

The Jungfraujoch

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.

The Top of Europe

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