Things to do in Interlaken span everything from cograilway journeys to the “Top of Europe” and gentle lake cruises to heart-pounding paragliding flights off a 1,300-metre cliff. Sitting on a narrow strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and framed by the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, Interlaken has earned its reputation as one of the most scenic small towns in the Bernese Oberland. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Zurich, Bern, or Geneva, or a slower multi-day stay, this guide walks through the attractions, excursions, and practical details that make Interlaken worth the visit — and how a private transfer can make getting there far more comfortable than the standard tourist route.

Travelers arriving by train, car, or private chauffeur all land in the same compact town centre, but what they do next varies enormously depending on their pace, budget, and appetite for adventure. Some come purely for the mountain railways, others for the adrenaline sports the region is famous for, and many simply want a relaxed few days surrounded by turquoise lakes and snow-capped summits. This article breaks down the best things to do in Interlaken by category, so you can build an itinerary that fits your trip.

Ride the Jungfraujoch Railway to the “Top of Europe”

No list of things to do in Interlaken is complete without the Jungfraujoch excursion. Often marketed as the “Top of Europe,” this cograilway journey climbs through tunnels cut directly into the Eiger and Mönch to reach Europe’s highest railway station, at 3,454 metres above sea level. At the summit, visitors can walk through the Ice Palace, an underground network of sculpted ice tunnels, step outside onto the Sphinx observation terrace for panoramic glacier views, or look out across the Aletsch Glacier, the largest ice stream in the Alps.

The trip typically starts in Interlaken and connects through Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald before the final ascent aboard the Jungfrau Railway. Because of the altitude change and the popularity of the route, it’s worth booking tickets in advance and dressing in layers even in summer, since temperatures at the top can sit well below freezing. Many visitors treat the Jungfraujoch as a full-day excursion on its own, leaving Interlaken early to beat the crowds and returning by late afternoon.

Take in the View from Harder Kulm

For a lower-effort but still spectacular alternative, the Harder Kulm funicular climbs directly from the edge of Interlaken to a viewpoint at 1,322 metres. The ride takes around ten minutes, and at the top a viewing platform known as the “Two-Lake Bridge” juts out over the valley, giving a wide-angle view of both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at once, with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau lined up on the horizon. Because the funicular runs directly from town, Harder Kulm is one of the easiest things to do in Interlaken for travelers with limited time, and it pairs well with a meal at the restaurant near the summit before heading back down for the evening.

Sunset and early-morning visits are particularly popular, since the light on the surrounding peaks changes quickly and the platform tends to be quieter outside of midday hours. It’s a manageable half-day activity that doesn’t require the planning or altitude adjustment that a Jungfraujoch trip does.

Cruise Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

Interlaken’s name literally means “between the lakes,” and a boat trip on either Lake Thun or Lake Brienz is one of the most relaxed things to do in Interlaken for those who want scenery without exertion. Lake Brienz is known for its striking turquoise colour, fed by glacial meltwater, and boats stop at lakeside villages like Iseltwald and Giessbach, home to a dramatic waterfall and a historic grand hotel. Lake Thun, on the other side of town, offers views of hillside castles, including Oberhofen and Spiez, and a slightly gentler, greener shoreline.

Regular passenger ferries run seasonal timetables and can be combined with a rail pass for travelers using the Swiss Travel System. A full lake loop can take several hours, but shorter hops between towns are also available for those who want to sightsee from the water and then continue their day elsewhere in the region.

Get an Adrenaline Fix: Paragliding, Canyoning, and More

Interlaken has built an international reputation as a hub for adventure sports, and this is where the town separates itself from other Alpine destinations. Paragliding is the signature activity: tandem flights launch from Beatenberg or the Harder Kulm area and glide down over the town before landing near the River Aare, giving passengers an aerial view of both lakes in a single flight. No experience is required, and flights typically last between 15 and 25 minutes depending on conditions.

Beyond paragliding, the region around Interlaken offers canyoning through the gorges near Lauterbrunnen, river rafting on the Lütschine, skydiving with views of the Jungfrau massif, and via ferrata routes on nearby cliffs. Winter turns the same terrain into a base for skiing and snowboarding at nearby resorts. For travelers weighing up things to do in Interlaken by thrill level, this is the category worth budgeting extra time and money for, since most operators require advance booking and are weather-dependent.

Explore Trümmelbach Falls and the Lauterbrunnen Valley

A short drive or train ride from Interlaken brings you to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, often described as one of the most dramatic valleys in Switzerland, with sheer rock walls and dozens of waterfalls cascading down from hanging glaciers. Trümmelbach Falls, a series of ten glacier-fed waterfalls flowing inside the mountain itself, is accessible via a lift and walkway system carved into the rock and is one of the more unusual natural attractions in the region.

The valley is also the gateway to Wengen and Mürren, two car-free mountain villages reached by cable car and train, both offering close-up views of the Eiger’s north face. Many visitors treat Lauterbrunnen and its surrounding waterfalls as a half-day trip from Interlaken, combining it with a stop at Staubbach Falls, which drops directly behind the village.

Wander the Old Town and Höhematte Park

Back in Interlaken itself, the town centre rewards a slower pace. Höhematte Park, the large open meadow in the middle of town, sits directly beneath the Jungfrau’s silhouette and is a common landing zone for paragliders, making it a good spot to watch flights come in during the afternoon. Nearby, the Höheweg promenade connects the town’s two historic train stations and is lined with hotels, cafés, and shops, including the grand Victoria-Jungfrau, one of Switzerland’s most storied hotels.

For a quieter walk, the Untere Gasse and the area around the Aare River offer a more local feel, with the bright turquoise river running straight through town. St. Beatus Caves, a network of limestone caves above Lake Thun with an underground waterfall, is another easy half-day option for travelers who want one more stop before heading back to their hotel or onward to the next town.

Traveling to and Around Interlaken Comfortably

Interlaken is well connected by Swiss rail, but many of the best excursions — Lauterbrunnen, St. Beatus Caves, the lakeside villages, or a direct transfer from Zurich or Geneva airport — are far more comfortable by private car than by juggling train connections and luggage. A private chauffeur service removes the guesswork around timetables and lets you set your own pace between the mountain railways, lake cruises, and adventure activities described above, which matters especially if you’re covering several of these things to do in Interlaken within a single day. It’s a detail worth considering when planning the trip, particularly for travelers arriving directly from an international airport or moving on to another Swiss destination afterward.

FAQ: Things to do in Interlaken

 From the glacier views at Jungfraujoch to a quiet afternoon on Lake Brienz, the things to do in Interlaken cover an unusually wide range for a town this size — mountain railways, adventure sports, lake cruises, waterfalls, and an old town built around two of the country’s most beautiful lakes. Planning around two or three main excursions per day, with a private transfer to handle the logistics between them, is generally enough to see the highlights without rushing. Whatever the pace, Interlaken remains one of the clearest examples of why the Bernese Oberland draws travelers back again and again.