Interlaken, Switzerland

Alpine lakes, cog railways and impossible silence

Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with the Jungfrau massif behind it. It is the base camp for the Bernese Oberland: cable cars to Schilthorn, the Jungfraujoch railway to 3,454 m, and a dense network of marked hiking trails that are genuinely walkable for beginners.

Highlights

• Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe rail journey
• Lauterbrunnen valley with 72 waterfalls
• Harder Kulm sunset viewpoint
• Paragliding over Lake Brienz
• Grindelwald First cliff walk

What to eat

• Cheese fondue
• Rösti
• Bündnerfleisch
• Lake Brienz trout

Getting around

Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, boats and most cable cars — book before landing.

Tips

• Buy the half-fare card if staying over 8 days
• Mountain weather changes fast — check webcams each morning
• Cash is rarely needed; cards accepted almost everywhere