Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Interlaken?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Interlaken?

Many visitors spend two to five days in Interlaken during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The town offers the chance to go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, dine out at amazing restaurants, and ski down the slopes.

Interlaken is a mountain resort town that serves as a nice base for exploring the Alps. It sits in a valley between the beautiful Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The town has many timber houses and a nice foot path. It also offers easy access to nearby mountain towns and stunning hiking trails.

Do you have one or two days to visit Interlaken? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Interlaken?

Interlaken enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. One day is probably not enough time here even though it's not the largest of cities. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Interlaken such as the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, the food, and the skiing. To thoroughly enjoy all that the town has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to five days to fully experience the adventurous town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Interlaken

Known for it's hiking, Interlaken sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Interlaken is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. While the city itself has a lot of charm and character, it's really about exploring the surrounding countryside. There are world class hikes, stunning vistas, and adrenaline-filled adventure sports that you shouldn't miss.

The public transit in Interlaken is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Interlaken?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the adventurous town of Interlaken, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, the food, and the skiing. Many tourists set aside two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Interlaken below.

Interlaken, Switzerland Interlaken, Switzerland

How to spend 2 days in Interlaken

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Interlaken, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

Don't miss its many mountain views. During your trip to Interlaken, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Interlaken, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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