Interlaken

Interlaken is a well-known mountain resort town located in the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland. Situated on a narrow strip of land on either side of the Aare River, it has houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries as well as a lakefront park to the north and south of the river Its surrounding mountains are full of dense forests, alpine meadows, and glaciers, and there are numerous hiking and skiing trails in the area.

Bernese Oberland is one of the most famous destinations in the Swiss Alps. Its location as a major transport point means that it is an important tourist destination in the mountains and lakes of the region.

The town is located on Bödeli Plain, an alluvial plain located between two lakes, Brienz to the east and Thun to the west, and alongside the Aare River, which flows between them. Connecting routes to the east and west alongside the lakes are complemented by a route heading southwards into the nearby mountain resorts and high mountains, such as the famous high Alpine peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, which are followed upwards from the Lütschine.

Interlaken’s reputation as a popular tourist destination started around 1800 due to the work of a number of Swiss landscape artists, such as Franz Niklaus König. The Unspunnenfest, a festival celebrating Swiss culture, was a resounding success in 1805 and 1808, thus resulting in a large influx of tourists to Interlaken.

Beginning in the early 1800s, they began to visit the mountains in order to experience mountain air and to seek treatment at a spa. A large resort spa called the Kursaal opened in 1859 to accommodate these guests. It was because of the number of hotels in the area, coupled with excellent transportation connections, that these early tourists found it to be so easy to travel.

The first steamship route along Lake Thun connected Thun with the rest of the country in 1835, followed by a route along Lake Brienz which linked Brienz with the rest of the country in 1839.

Interlaken facts and figures

📍 Location

• Country: Switzerland

• Canton: Bern

• Region: Bernese Oberland

• Geographic Position: Nestled between Lake Thun (west) and Lake Brienz (east)

• Altitude: 568 meters (1,864 feet) above sea level

• Coordinates: 46.6863° N, 7.8632° E

🧭 Overview

• Name Meaning: “Interlaken” means “between lakes” in Latin

• Area: ~4.4 km² (1.7 sq miles)

• Population: Approx. 5,800 in Interlaken proper (around 23,000 in the larger Interlaken region)

• Languages Spoken: Primarily German, with English widely used in tourism

• Climate: Temperate; warm summers, cold winters; moderate snowfall

🚆 Transport & Access

• Train Stations:

  • Interlaken Ost (East) – gateway to the Jungfrau region

  • Interlaken West – closer to central town and Lake Thun

• Main Rail Routes:

  • Bern, Lucerne, Zürich, Geneva

  • Jungfrau Railway connections (to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Jungfraujoch)

• By Car: Connected via A8 motorway

• Boats: Regular passenger boats operate on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

🌄 Tourism & Attractions

• Major Base for:

  • Jungfrau Region (Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau mountains)

  • Outdoor sports: hiking, skiing, paragliding, skydiving, canyoning

• Famous Viewpoint: Harder Kulm (1,322 m), accessible by funicular

• Nearby Attractions:

  • Lauterbrunnen Valley

  • Trümmelbach Falls

  • Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren

  • Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)

• Historic Sites:

  • Höhematte Park

  • Interlaken Monastery and Castle

  • Casino Kursaal Interlaken

🛏️ Accommodation & Tourism Stats

• Hotels & Lodgings: Wide range from hostels to 5-star hotels

• Tourist Beds: Over 4,000 beds in town

• Annual Visitors: Estimated 1.5 million+ overnight stays (including domestic and international tourists)

🛍️ Shopping & Amenities

• Popular for:

  • Swiss watches

  • Chocolate

  • Outdoor gear and souvenirs

• Main Streets: Höheweg (main shopping and strolling avenue)

• Cafés and Restaurants: Mix of Swiss, Asian, Indian, and international cuisine

🎭 Events & Culture

• International Trucker & Country Festival

• Greenfield Music Festival

• Unspunnenfest (traditional Swiss folklore event, every ~12 years)

• Open-air classical concerts & parades during summer

📸 Fun Facts

• Interlaken has no ski slopes itself but is a key hub to access nearby resorts

• It was one of the first towns in Switzerland to attract international tourism (since the 19th century)

• The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel, built in 1865, hosted European royalty and artists

Interlaken is more than a scenic stop—it’s the outdoor adventure capital of Switzerland and a gateway to some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Europe.