Interlaken Tourism And Travel Guide

Interested in vacationing in Interlaken? Look no further, we've got you covered! Here's our travel guide to Interlaken, one of the most beautiful parts of Switzerland. Interlaken is located in the Bernese Highlands region, which makes it the perfect location if you want to explore the Swiss Alps. It is a small town with a population of just about 5600 people and the first language here is German, spoken in the local dialect. The town has a plethora of natural resources surrounding it - it lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the River Aare flowing through it. The popular Alpine peaks of Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger give a majestic backdrop to this town. The town thrives on tourism and it welcomes tourists by the millions each year.

By Air:

The nearest airport to Interlaken is Bern Airport which is 45 minutes away. However, a better route is to fly into Zurich airport and then travel to Interlaken. There are multiple airlines that have flights on a daily basis to Zurich from India.

By Rail:

The railway network in Switzerland is very strong and is one of the best and most convenient ways to travel around the country. There is a direct train from Zurich Airport to Interlaken which takes about 2 hours, which is the best route if you are travelling from any international destination. Interlaken Ost Station is located in the city centre.

By Road:

The roads in Switzerland are smooth and easy to navigate through. You can rent your own vehicle and drive down to Interlaken as per your own convenience - however, parking is expensive in Interlaken, so you may want to take that into consideration. There are also public buses from all the popular cities in Switzerland which is also a convenient mode of transport. Some operators have direct buses to Interlaken from neighbouring countries of Italy, Germany and France.

Getting Around:

The best way to explore the city is by foot as it is quite small. However, to explore the mountainous regions and surrounding areas, you can use the train service. The stations are conveniently placed at important tourist spots. Buses are also available and convenient. You can also rent a private vehicle or hire a taxi for the day.

Spring (March to May):

Spring is a colourful time to visit Interlaken because its the blooming season. It is also a very busy season because of tourists who want to enjoy some winter sports in the nearby Jungfrau and mountain regions. The weather is cold - ranging between 14°C and 4°C through the day. Events that take place during this time are the Swatch Rocket Air festival and Interlaken Classics festival.

Summer (June to September):

This season is popular mostly because of the pleasant weather. The temperature ranges between 24°C and 14°C which makes for great outdoor weather. Swimming, boating, adventure sports, beautiful sceneries, outdoor music festivals are what summers are all about. Popular events around this time are the Greenfield Festival, Lake Brienz Rock, Thunfest and more.

Autumn (October to November):

Crowds start thinning by October as the temperatures start to drop. The winds make the weather cold, however, this is also a lovely time to explore the countryside and take up biking and hiking. Some tourist activities may start closing down for the winter, so make sure you plan your trip and look-up the dates in advance. The temperature ranges between 14°C and 6°C. Events that take place during this season are the Läset-Sunntig Spiez, Suldtal cattle drive and the International Jungfrau Marathon

Winter (December to February):

Winters are quite magical, however, they are very cold! So make sure to pack plenty of warm clothes. The temperature ranges between 3° C and -3°C. Ice skating, skiing and other winter sports activities are popular during this time. The highlight of the season are the Christmas markets that are open in December. Other events that take place are the Giessbach Sessions and Harder-Potschete.

Schynige Platte:

Interlaken is filled with some of the most scenic viewpoints in Switzerland. Schynige Platte is one such where you can get a magnificent view of the Bernese Alps from a height of 2000 meters. To get there, you can ride the train which by itself is also a splendid journey offering some beautiful views.

Niederhorn:

Another spectacular view is from Niederhorn with the views of the beautifully blue Lake Thun below and a backdrop of the white-clad Swiss Alps. For the adventurer in you, this is the best spot to try some hang-gliding and paragliding. You can take the cable car and funicular to reach the top.

DDLJ Tour:

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was filmed here back in 1994-1995. For all Shahrukh Khan fans, going on this tour is a dream come true. You can visit many of the places where the film was shot and have your own fun reenacting some of the scenes! You can even stay in a hotel where the suite room is named after Yash Chopra!

Flying Fox At Grindelwald:

If you don't do anything else in Interlaken, you must do this. The flying fox is a thrilling activity where you literally 'fly' across on a rope over some of the most stunning landscapes in Interlaken i.e Grindelwald. Not for the faint-hearted, but definitely one of the most popular activities you can do here.

Interlaken is filled with charming shops and its a great place to buy a lot of souvenirs for friends and family. Some of the popular items that people buy in Interlaken are - Swiss Cuckoo clocks, Wooden Craft items, Swiss Army Knives, Liquor (Schnapps), Swiss Chocolates, Watches, naturally made cosmetics, cowbells etc.

Interlaken & Unterseen market squares are popular areas for shopping. Also, Ottos & Metropol Gallery have some cute shops. Particular shops that you may enjoy visiting - Mad Cow (great for gifting items), Chalet Store (Handmade Chocolates), Buhler (souvenirs), EdelWeiss Gifts Shop (for practically anything), Albert Schild AG - Swisssouvenir (Gifting items), Vertical Sport Interlake (Sporting gear)

Swiss food is absolutely delicious and when you are in Interlaken, you definitely should sample the local cuisine. The area is famous for its dessert, especially meringues with cream. Other popular dishes are raclette, rosti, locally made chocolates and fondue. Do try out their speciality coffee with a touch of schnapps in it. Some of the top restaurants here are - La Terrasse, Husi Bierhaus, The Verandah, WineArt and Goldener Anker.

Don't want to spend too much? Here's a list of good but cheap(er) restaurants - Balmers Biergarten, Little Thai, Xport pizzeria, Barracuda, 3 Tells Irish Pub

Looking for a taste of nostalgia? Here are some of the best Indian restaurants - KM Taj Mahal, Taste Of India, India Village Restaurant Kashmir Restaurant, Maharaja Indian Restaurant.

Most of the hotels have vegan and vegetarian options.