Interlaken: top attractions & road trip guide
Interlaken is a resort town in the Bernese Oberland, situated on a narrow strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz; its name literally means 'between lakes.' A base for exploring the surrounding Alps since the 19th century, it has grown into a major hub for outdoor activities such as paragliding, canyoning, and hiking.
The town lies at the foot of the Bernese Alps, with the Jungfrau massif visible from its central meadow. Road trip travelers use Interlaken as a gateway to mountain passes and cogwheel railways that climb toward Grindelwald, Wengen, and the high-altitude Jungfraujoch station, one of the highest railway stations in Europe.
Top attractions
Höhematte
A large open meadow in the center of Interlaken, kept free of buildings by 19th-century town planning rules, offering an unobstructed view of the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger peaks.
Jungfraujoch
Known as the 'Top of Europe,' a saddle at 3,466 meters between the Mönch and Jungfrau peaks, reached by a rack railway tunneled through rock and completed in 1912, with an ice palace and observation deck at the terminus.
Harder Kulm
A 1,322-meter viewpoint above Interlaken reached by funicular, with a two-pronged observation platform nicknamed the 'Top of Interlaken' looking down on Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the surrounding peaks.
St. Beatus Caves
A network of limestone caves on the northern shore of Lake Thun, with illuminated walkways past stalactites and underground waterfalls, named for a hermit said to have lived in the caves in the 6th century.
Lake Brienz
A glacial lake east of Interlaken known for its turquoise-colored water, ringed by steep forested slopes and waterfalls, with passenger boats connecting lakeside villages including Iseltwald and Brienz.
Plan your route with EuroDrive Scout →