Interlaken is a well-known tourist destination in Switzerland. It is located, as then name implies, between lakes: between the two Lakes of Brienz to the east and Thun to the west. It is nestled among five high peaks of the Swiss Alps, and there are several resort towns in the nearby areas for tourists to enjoy. As a tourist destination, there are many things to do during your time in this beautiful mountain escape, and the following article will lay out a fun yet relaxing itinerary of what to do in Interlaken.
Where to Stay
As a resort destination there are several places to stay during your time in Interlaken.
The Hotel Bellevue is located at the base of the Eiger, Monch, and Jangfrau mountains, and is a fusion between traditional European decor and modern style. Some of the furniture throughout the hotel and in the rooms is hand-crafted and selected to meet the bright, airy, and warm tones of the hotel itself.
There are several styles of rooms to choose from when staying at Hotel Bellevue.
Each room comes with a balcony and panoramic view of the mountains that surround you, giving you an amazing experience of the Swiss Alps. Rooms can be booked as a single, a double, or larger if you are traveling with children or your family.
They also have the River House or the Apartment if you are looking for larger accommodations or staying for a longer period of time. Many rooms do not have air conditioning, so keep this in mind if you are traveling during the summer months. Breakfast is included in your stay as well.
Hotel Bellevue is just a short walk to the main street in Interlaken, giving you quick access to shops and restaurants. Right across the street is a wonderful little shop filled with amazing carvings and handmade crafts called the Woodpecker Shop, it’s a great place to find a souvenir to take home. The hotel is also just a few minutes walk from the train station, making it easy to access after a long day (or days!) of travel. Your rooms will be comfortable and accommodating during your stay in Interlaken, giving you a wonderfully charming place to rest between activities each day.
What to Do in Interlaken: Day One
Your first full day in Interlaken will be spent exploring the downtown area of the city. Although Interlaken is small, it isn’t huge by any means- only 23,000 residents are located between the mountains, giving it a small town feel but with several things to do for tourists.
CRAFTS
After a hearty and full breakfast at Hotel Bellevue, you can head on over to Mad Cow, a coo-coo clock workshop in the city. Here you can make your very own Swiss coo-coo clock to take home with you. Coo-coo clocks are a traditional piece in many Swiss homes, so making one of your very own will be a memory to treasure. Kim, the owner, will be there to guide you through many different kinds of custom crafts you can make yourself. Her hospitality will make you feel at home as you sip tea and laugh the day away. This cute shop has all sorts of souvenirs and crafts available to make or purchase so a stop here is a must during your time in Interlaken.
LUNCH
After your clock workmanship skills have been honed, take a short walk over to Restaurant Cafe de Paris. This modern yet whimsical restaurant serves traditional German and Swiss meals as well as more classic dishes for tourists. Pair your meal with a fine wine and you will have a delicious lunch to carry you through the rest of your day.
Interlaken is a hub of culture and food in Switzerland, and what better way to get integrated with this than a tour around the city. The Swiss Food and Culture tour is a great way to learn about traditional Swiss cuisine, the culture of Switzerland and its history, and to become more integrated with Interlaken. If you are spending just a few days in the city, this is a wonderful way to try all the different foods and experience the city.
Stadthaus is a great restaurant to stop for lunch as well. Located near a beautiful square, the menu was simple but one of the best we have had.
Although you’ll be sufficiently stuffed from your foodie tour, there is one thing in Switzerland you can’t miss: the Chocolate Show at the Schuh. You can learn how the famous Swiss chocolate is made and even try making your own chocolates.
SKATING
When it is time to work off some of that food and chocolate, head up to the top of Interlaken for a one-of-a-kind ice skating experience. Top Europe ICE Magic is a skating rink and winter wonderland. During the months of December through February, this area of Interlaken is transformed to make you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie. There are several rinks to choose from and many winding trails to practice your best Olympic moves. At night, the rinks are all aglow with brightly colored lights, giving you an experience like none other.
Polish off your day with dinner at the Swiss Chalet at Top Europe ICE Magic. After all, no trip to Switzerland is complete without a meal at a traditional Swiss ski chalet. Here you will find traditional Swiss and German meals like mulled wine and fondue. The friendly atmosphere will make you want to stay well into the night.
What to Do in Interlaken: Day Two
Your second day in Interlaken can be more of a go-at-your-own-pace sort of day. Enjoy your complimentary breakfast at Hotel Bellevue before venturing out for the day on the My City Highlight Detective Trails.
EXPLORE
The Detective Trails in Interlaken are a series of trails and paths that will bring you to several tourist destinations in the city. It is up to you to determine how your adventure will go as there are several places to stop and several directions that your day can take you. It all depends on what you’re interested in doing. Before heading out, download the My City Highlight Detective Trails appso you can see where you are going, what there is to do, and how to get there throughout the day.
Here are a list of things you can do on the My City Highlight Detective Trails:
- Interlaken Alpine Wildlife Animal Park– See the amazing wildlife of the Swiss Alps and the surrounding alpine areas. No giraffes or elephants at this zoo- here you will see animals you have never seen (or heard of!) before.
- Heidi’s Photo Chalet– Get your classic Swiss photo as a souvenir. Dress up in their best Swiss gear and costumes for a memory to take home with you.
- Interlaken Walking Tour– Learn more about Interlaken on this app-driven walking tour. Self-paced and self-explored, this tour will give you the ability to go at your own pace and break off when you want.
- Hoheweg– Located at the Top of Europe ICE Magic, this area is filled with little shops and restaurants. It is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat during your last hours in Interlaken.
- Japanese Garden- In 1978, Interlaken twinned with a town in Japan, Otsu, to create this beautiful and serene garden as a token of friendship between the two countries.
TOUR OF THE FARMS
Don’t forget to make some time for a tour of the farms, taste their cheese and milk ( the best you will ever have), interact with little calves and walk through the village streets.
PARAGLIDING
If you are one of the brave ones, you can try paragliding from one of the mountain peaks, or watch those brave ones from the field in the middle of town.
Interlaken is a beautiful city nestled between the Swiss Alps along gorgeous rivers and lakes. It allows for the hustle of a fun touristy area all while giving you the peaceful serenity of the alpine mountains. It is a quick stop for a longer European tour and can be easily accessed via the Eurail. It is also a beautiful place to spend an entire holiday, as this 48 hour itinerary can be expanded into a several day stay.
To learn more about what there is to do in Interlaken and to plan your next vacation, visit Interlaken Tourism:
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