Interlaken is where the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps meet two idyllic, azure blue lakes. This picturesque town in central Switzerland is one of the country's most famous destinations. It's widely known for being an adventure hub, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Whether you want to go hiking, skiing, river rafting, or even skydiving, you'll find it all right here. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the charms of slow travel. Interlaken and the region around it is also perfect for laid-back getaways, allowing you to immerse yourself in picture-perfect landscapes.
The best place to stay in Interlaken is definitely the town centre. Interlaken is a relatively small town and staying in the centre means you’ll be within walking distance of most major attractions. This area offers a convenient base for exploring the wonders of Interlaken and the region beyond. Here, the streets are lined with charming restaurants, inviting cafés, watch shops and souvenir boutiques. By staying in the city centre, you'll also be conveniently located between the two train stations, Interlaken West and Ost. This ensures effortless exploration of the surrounding areas including the two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
BEST LOCATED HOTELS IN INTERLAKEN
Hotel
Avg price
Hotel Alphorn
Rothornstrasse
205€ - 219$
Hotel
Avg price
Hotel Bernerhof
Bahnhofstrasse
288€ - 308$
Swiss Inn & Apartments
General Guisanstrasse
357€ - 382$
Hotel
Avg price
Hotel Interlaken
Höheweg
RECOMMENDED / BEST VALUE
322€ - 345$
Stella Hotel Interlaken
General Guisanstrasse
379€ - 406$
Hotel
Avg price
Swiss Hotel Apartments - Interlaken
Untere Bönigstrasse
1011€ - 1,082$
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Höheweg
1127€ - 1,206$
On the map, which shows the best area to stay in Interlaken, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
Best for – Tourists, First Time Visitors, With family
Interlaken's city centre stands out as the top choice for accommodation due to its numerous advantages and convenient location. By staying in the centre, you’ll be within walking distance of the Höhematte, a vast green field offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. This scenic spot is perfect for evening picnics.
You can also enjoy strolls along the clear blue river Aare, or grab a coffee from one of the many charming cafés in the main street. Another advantage of staying in the city centre is the proximity to the Harderbahn station. This station provides a convenient and quick way to reach the summit of Harder Kulm, a popular viewpoint offering stunning panoramic views of Interlaken, the lakes, and the Swiss Alps.
Furthermore, the city centre acts as a gateway to nearby villages, such as Unterseen, Matten and Bönigen. From the city centre, these villages are easily explored on foot.
Best for – Nature Lovers, Romantic Getaways, Skiing Holidays
Grindelwald is only a 30 minute train ride or drive away from Interlaken. Make sure to get a window seat, because the views on the way are simply jaw-dropping. Once you arrive in the village, you can’t help but feel like you just stepped right onto a film set.
Traditional Swiss wooden Chalets line the hills and the near vertical North Face of the Eiger towers over the village dramatically. The town centre is lined with an array of souvenir boutiques, restaurants, cafés and local bakeries only waiting to be explored. Grindelwald is the perfect destination for easy access to famous mountain peaks such as the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station. Also easily reachable by cable car are First and Männlichen where you can hike in summer and ski in winter.
An absolute must is to visit the picturesque Bachalpsee lake, which mirrors the Wetterhorn mountain on a clear day.
Best for – Adventure Seekers, Hiking Enthusiasts, Waterfall Lovers
Lauterbrunnen is also only 30 minutes either by train or drive away from Interlaken. Its most famous attraction is the Staubbachfall, a waterfall falling in almost slow motion 300 metres down into the valley - making it the third highest waterfall in Switzerland.
It is said that J.R.R. Tolkien drew inspiration for his town Rivendell from Lauterbrunnen, and it is easy to see why. But the Staubbachfall is not the only notable waterfall in the valley. The Trümmelbachfalls are just around the corner. These glacier waterfalls are inside a mountain, only accessible by tunnel, lifts and several paths and platforms - a truly unique experience in Europe. But most importantly, Lauterbrunnen serves as a must-visit destination for adrenaline junkies and adventure lovers.
Base jumping, paragliding, Via Ferrata, hiking and more is what awaits you here. What’s more, the villages Gimmelwald, Mürren and the Schiltorn Piz Gloria are all accessible from here.
You’ve probably heard of Wengen in connection with the famous alpine ski race Lauberhorn that the village hosts every year. But that’s not all the charming village is known for.
It is famously car free and can only be accessed by cogwheel train or Gondola from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald. It’s perched on top of a cliff overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley with its many waterfalls. The village is well known for its many beautiful hotels and spas which makes it perfect for a luxury escape or a romantic getaway with your significant other. There’s nothing better than relaxing in a hot-tub after a long hike or ski day in the mountains.
One of the most spectacular activities from here is the gondola that takes you to Männlichen, where you can even stand on top of the gondola as you make your way to the top of the mountain.
Mürren: A charming village perched on top of a cliff
Best for – Skiing Holidays, Romantic Getaways
Mürren might not be the easiest place to get to, but once you arrive you’ll agree that the journey was well worth it. You can reach Mürren either by a combination of gondola and train from Lauterbrunnen, or by gondola from Stechelberg.
If you take the route from Stechelberg, you will be passing through Gimmelwald, which was named the most beautiful village in Switzerland, which is well worth exploring. Mürren is a lively little village, with lots going on throughout the seasons. There are many restaurants, cafés for you to explore. The hotels here have gorgeous views of the valley below and the mountains ahead. Plus, Mürren is the perfect place to get to Birg and Schilthorn which belong to Switzerland’s most famous mountaintops.
The place is a perfect place for a romantic getaway - either for hiking in summer or skiing in winter.
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