Interlaken makes adventure easy and is a great base for a summer holiday. Sprawled out between the turquoise lakes of Thun and Brienz, this town launches you into the great outdoors in an array of memorable ways – from mountain hikes to sunset cruises. But for all the adventure on its doorstep, Interlaken is a relaxed home base. Sip a kafi crème at a sun-trap café or stroll downriver to the timber buildings of the old quarter. Interlaken is also the start of some of the most scenic rail journeys in Europe, all easily voyaged thanks to the expansive and reliable train network.
Choose your adventure
Rafting, canyoning, kayaking, stand-up paddling, zip lines, via Ferrata – you name it, and Interlaken has probably got it. Interlaken is also one of the top places in Switzerland for paragliding; watching adventurous souls land in Hohematte Park is practically a tradition here (popcorn optional). A lake cruise is a must - boats with panoramic picture windows glide between towns, passing vineyards and fairy-tale castles en route.
Explore Interlaken
Interlaken might have an adventurous spirit, but it remains a laid-back base. Picnic by the chilly waters of the River Aare, where only the daring dip their toes, before meandering on to Unterseen. This is the oldest neighbourhood in Interlaken, with a cobbled town square and houses laden with flowers. Restaurants gather here too, including chalet inns with röstis and rieslings on the menu.
For a deeper dive into local cuisine, go for a tour and tasting at the Rugenbräu Brewery, which has been making alpine ales in the Bernese Oberland for decades. Or book a workshop at the Funky Chocolate Club to learn exactly what it takes to become a master chocolatier.
Gateway to the Bernese Oberland
Variety is the order of the day when it comes to hiking Interlaken and the Bernese Highlands. Easy waterside paths circuit Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. There are hill climbs – up Kleiner Rugen, perhaps, or to the hair-raising glass viewing platform at Harder Kulm (take the funicular one or both ways, depending on how lively you’re feeling). Worthwhile day trips include Grindelwald, where you can wander through meadows to the distant chimes of cowbells or the alpine botanical garden of the Schynige Platte near Wilderswil.
Trails by train
Trains sweep through the countryside around Interlaken, journeying up some of the highest mountains in the region. It’s easy to connect to the Jungfrau Railway, which chugs up to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe. Even in summer, the sure-footed can walk on the vast snowy glacier. Some of the most beautiful walks start from the village stations here – Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren included. Elsewhere, the Brienz Rothorn Railway quite literally heats things up, serving passengers sausages cooked in the steam train’s engine.
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Why book a summer holiday in Interlaken with Inghams?
At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time at your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of the Bernese Oberland's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.
With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Interlaken include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team overseas can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
