Interlaken. The name alone sounds magical. Between two lakes, as it’s derived from the Latin word ‘lacus’, meaning lakes. This charming town is beautifully nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Interlaken is the perfect base for experiencing unique winter adventures. From breathtaking descents in a vast ski area to extraordinary train journeys and relaxing moments on the water. Here, you can actively ski one day and enjoy a delicious raclette whilst rafting on the river the next. What other town can boast that?

The best part? Everything is within reach from Interlaken. With an excellent network of trains, boats, and cable cars, you can effortlessly travel to the most extraordinary places. We have visited Interlaken several times now. And each time we experienced unforgettable adventures. That’s why we consider Interlaken an excellent base for unique winter activities.

Enjoying the snow

For snow enthusiasts, Interlaken is an excellent travel destination:

Winter Sports at Jungfrau Ski Region

We’re mad about snow and skiing. So we’re well-suited for the Jungfrau Ski Region. This vast ski area is just a short train ride from Interlaken. Here you’ll find slopes for every level, from wide, relaxed descents to challenging runs for advanced skiers. There are also beautiful hiking trails through the winter landscape.

The atmosphere in the mountains is relaxed and authentic. We stop along the way for a hot chocolate in one of the cosy mountain huts. But mostly we descend on wide, quiet slopes. The view remains beautiful everywhere. How could it not be, with the imposing Jungfraujoch and other Alpine giants so close by.

Even if you’re not a skier, a day in the snow here is an experience you’ll never forget. A fantastic attraction is the “First Cliff Walk”. Via a walkway and a suspension bridge on the cliff, you walk to a viewing platform. From this spot, you have a view of the many mountain giants of the Bernese Oberland. If you’re afraid of heights, this might be too challenging. Especially when you’re standing on the glass plate and see the depth below you. In our blog about the Jungfrau Ski Region, you can read more about our experiences in this winter sports area.

Top of Europe

The train journey to the Jungfraujoch – the highest train station in Europe – is one of the most spectacular trips we’ve ever made. From Interlaken, we first take the train to Grindelwald. There we transfer to a modern gondola. In less than fifteen minutes, we zoom up to the glacier station of the Eiger. Here we change to the train. During this ride, the view is limited, as we go straight up through the mountain to over 3400 metres. There we reach the Top of Europe, the highest train station in Europe.

During the journey, the train overcomes almost 1400 metres in altitude. On this more than nine-kilometre-long route, the railway line goes through tunnels carved into the Eiger mountain for seven kilometres. As a result, you can only enjoy views of the mountain landscape during the first part of the journey. The train makes an intermediate stop at the Eismeer station, located at 3158 metres, where there is a viewpoint. Visitors can look around for a few minutes before the train continues its journey.

What a view!

At the top of the Jungfraujoch, at over 3,400 metres altitude, impressive sights await us. On the viewing platform, we’re nearly blown away, the storm is raging fiercely. With the camera firmly in hand, we try to take photos of the Alpine giants, the glacier, and the weather station. Thanks to the clear weather, we have a splendid view. Only the cutting wind makes it too cold to enjoy for very long. Afterwards, we go inside. We explore the ice caves, admire the many ice sculptures, visit the highest chocolate shop in the world, and an exhibition about the construction of the railway line. Because even in Europe’s highest train station, there’s plenty to see. We spend at least another two hours there.

The train journey to Top of Europe is not cheap. But the experience is unparalleled. We wouldn’t have missed this experience for the world! You can even skip the gondola and travel on an authentic train over an old track. Then you’ll have made the entire train journey from Interlaken by rail.

On the water

Lake Brienz and Lake Thun embrace Interlaken, as it were. On the glistening lakes, you can undertake the most extraordinary activities – even in winter!

Raclette rafting

Want to combine a Swiss classic with adventure? That’s possible with raclette rafting! This unique experience begins on the shores of one of the rivers around Interlaken. You board a comfortable boat, where a melting raclette cheese is already waiting for you. As you glide over the calm water, you enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.

This is not white-water rafting, but a relaxed trip where conviviality is paramount. The sound of the rippling water, the smell of the cheese, and the fresh mountain air make this an experience you won’t soon forget. Unfortunately, our planned raclette raft couldn’t go ahead due to strong winds. A good reason to return to Interlaken once more.

Hot tub boating on Lake Brienz

Imagine: floating on the calm lake in your own hot tub. The water outside may be ice-cold, but in the hot tub, it’s a lovely 38 degrees. With a maximum of six people, you determine the route yourself and enjoy the view of the Alps. For us, it was a fantastic way to look out at the mountain giants from the water.

Winter kayaking on Lake Brienz

Another water activity is kayaking on Lake Brienz. You paddle over crystal-clear water while surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks. This relaxed trip is perfect for everyone, regardless of experience. Safety comes first: you wear a dry suit, so you’re guaranteed to stay warm and dry. An hour of kayaking became a relaxing trip for us with beautiful views from the water.

Boat trip on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz

Do you find the hot tub, kayak, or raft too adventurous? Sailing on a comfortable boat is also possible, of course. Lake Thun and Lake Brienz surround Interlaken like two blue-green jewels. A boat trip on one of these lakes is an absolute must-do. Choose, for example, a round trip where you stop at picturesque villages such as Spiez or Brienz along the way. Or opt for an evening cruise with dinner on board. We took the boat on the way to the St. Beatus Caves. It became a relaxing trip that took us to another highlight in the vicinity of Interlaken.

Other activities around Interlaken

Besides the mountains and the lake, there are plenty of other ways to entertain yourself in Interlaken.

St. Beatus Caves

Unfortunately, the weather isn’t always ideal for winter sports. At such times, Interlaken and its surroundings offer plenty of other diversions. Such as the St. Beatus Caves. These caves are more than just impressive rock formations. They tell a story that dates back to the 6th century, when Saint Beatus is said to have lived here. His battle with a dragon makes it all the more fairy-tale-like. But rest assured, you’ll only encounter stalactites and stalagmites.

With a one-kilometre walk, we discover rivers and fantastic stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years. The paths in the caves are excellent, well-lit and spacious. This ensures we don’t retain any claustrophobic feelings from our visit. We can fully enjoy the extraordinary natural phenomenon with its brilliant colours. Afterwards, we have a drink on the terrace of the St. Beatus Caves. Despite the poor weather, the view of Lake Thun is fantastic. Thus, we enjoy a pleasant outing. It’s a nice change between skiing sessions.

Starting point for fascinating train journeys

From Interlaken, two of Switzerland’s most beautiful train journeys are within reach.

The Golden Pass Express takes you to Montreux, a charming town on Lake Geneva. En route, you travel through idyllic landscapes full of vineyards, forests and picturesque villages. The train’s panoramic windows ensure you don’t miss anything. Upon arrival in Montreux, you can visit the Château de Chillon or simply enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere.

The other beautiful train route leads to Lucerne, a city full of history and charm. The train ride takes you past glistening lakes, rugged mountains and picturesque Swiss villages. In Lucerne itself, you can walk across the famous Chapel Bridge, explore the old town or enjoy lunch by the lake. You can read more details about Lucerne in our blog about that city.

We made both train journeys with our Swiss Travel Pass. Switzerland has many beautiful rail routes. In our opinion, the train journeys to Montreux and Lucerne are in our personal top 5.

Strolling through Interlaken and Thun

Interlaken is a lively town with atmospheric streets, unique shops and beautiful views. Therefore, be sure to take the time to stroll through the old centre. The picturesque Unterseen district is particularly recommended. There you’ll find beautiful buildings and the charming Stadthausplatz square. From Interlaken, you can also reach the viewing platform on the Harder Kulm. There, an overwhelming view of Interlaken and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau awaits.

Another nearby city is Thun. You can reach it by train in no time. It’s a hidden gem on Lake Thun. Thun has also managed to captivate us. It’s a charming Swiss town that combines the rich history of a medieval city with the breathtaking beauty of the Alps. You can read all about it in our blog about Thun.

Interlaken, the perfect base for unique activities

Now that we’ve visited Interlaken twice, we can wholeheartedly confirm that the place is an ideal starting point for both winter sports and various other activities. From the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfraujoch to a peaceful boat trip on one of the lakes, each day offers new adventures. And with unique experiences such as raclette rafting or a train ride through picturesque landscapes, you’ll never tire of this place.

At the invitation of Switzerland Tourism and Interlaken Tourism, we visited Interlaken and its surroundings. We have compiled the content of the blog independently and objectively based on our own impressions.

Other topics you may be interested in

• Jungfrau Ski Region: great winter sports destination
• Exploring Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass
• The top 30 winter sports destinations in Europe
• Mountain hikes on snowshoes, a great experience!
• City trip to Thun: Enjoying the city and its surroundings