Are you thinking about visiting Interlaken, Switzerland? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Interlaken worth visiting?
This town is a good place to visit for two to five days. During our first trip to Interlaken in the summer of 2022, we fell in love with its refreshing alpine setting and fun outdoor activities such as ropes courses and hiking. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Forbes Best Places to Travel in 2023. 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.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Reasons to Visit Interlaken
Hiking
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.
Food
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.
Skiing
While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.
Is Interlaken worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Interlaken is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 21°C (70°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 27°C (81°F).
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the hiking.
Summer Weather in Interlaken
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| August | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| September | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Interlaken worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Interlaken, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery, appreciate the quaint setting, and get out into nature.
Autumn Weather in Interlaken
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| December | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Is Interlaken worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the shoulder season for travel in Interlaken. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
The weather in Interlaken can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (37°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to hit the ski slopes and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
Winter Weather in Interlaken
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| February | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| March | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Interlaken worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Interlaken. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 12°C (53°F).
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. During this season it's fun to experience the quaint atmosphere and the gorgeous scenery.
Spring Weather in Interlaken
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| June | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Interlaken
Lots of Tourists
Interlaken sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Interlaken might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Interlaken here or see if Interlaken is expensive here.
Related
What is Interlaken most famous for?
Interlaken is most famous for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. People visit this impressive town for its great hiking. It is also known for its great food. And many visitors also come to this town for its skiing. It is often described as stunning, adventurous, adrenaline-filled, breathtaking, and world-class.
What is the most famous sight in Interlaken?
The most popular sight in Interlaken is its many mountain views.. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Interlaken on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for its many mountain views. and other attractions here.
How touristy is Interlaken? Is it a popular town to visit?
Interlaken is a very touristy town that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Experience Switzerland in the Ballenberg open-air museum: $36
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $29
- Hidden gems e-bike tour with picnic at Lake Brienz: $212
- Interlaken Insight: Exclusive 3-Hour Private Walking Tour: $153
- Iseltwald, Aare Gorge and Lake Brienz Experience in Switzerland: $291
- Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz: $140
How long should I spend in Interlaken?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Interlaken is two to five days. Since Interlaken has a variety of activities such as hiking, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Interlaken?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Interlaken?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Interlaken?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.