Visit Interlaken, the Adventure Capital of Switzerland
Interlaken is where Switzerland cranks up the volume. This is not your typical sleepy mountain town. It’s a full-throttle basecamp for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and culture chasers. Wedged between two deep-blue lakes and backed by the massive Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, Interlaken offers raw beauty with a side of adrenaline.
The air feels different here. Crisper. Charged. That is probably because Interlaken is packed with some of the wildest activities in Europe. From flying through the sky to paddling down icy rivers, this town doesn’t know how to sit still.
Interlaken is Built for Adventure
Start your day by jumping off a mountain. Paragliding in Interlaken is a rite of passage. You launch off a cliff and glide over lakes that shine like polished turquoise. Want to go bigger? Try skydiving. You will drop from a plane with the snow-capped Alps as your backdrop. The views are so unreal, you might forget you are falling.
If you prefer to stay closer to the ground go canyoning or white-water rafting. The Lütschine River doesn’t play nice. It is fast, loud, and full of cold spray. In summer, the Saxeten Gorge is where brave souls slip, slide, and leap their way through rock walls and waterfalls.
Paul / Unsplash / Interlaken, Switzerland, is a paradise for adventure lovers!
Nearby Grindelwald and Mürren are ski central. You can snowboard, sled, or even ice climb if you are feeling gutsy. Want something crazier? Strap into the Canyon Swing. You free-fall 85 meters into a glacier canyon. That scream you’ll hear? It might be your own.
The Scenery is as Extreme as the Sports
You don’t need to chase danger to enjoy Interlaken. Some of its best moments are slow and scenic. The Jungfraujoch train ride takes you to the top of Europe. At 3,454 meters up, you will stare down glaciers and clouds from a lookout that feels like the edge of the world.
Then there is Schilthorn. The cable car ride alone is worth it, but the real treat is the spinning restaurant at the summit. Piz Gloria starred in a James Bond movie, and it still feels like a secret agent’s hideout, if spies drank cappuccinos and watched the Alps spin around them.
Lauterbrunnen Valley is something else. Waterfalls pour off cliffs like silver threads. Mürren, a car-free village perched above the valley, moves at a slower rhythm. Walk around, breathe the clean air, and let your pulse finally catch up.
Navi / Unsplash / For a quick escape in Interlaken, ride the funicular up to Harder Kulm. It is Interlaken’s own mountain lookout.
From the glass viewing platform, you will get a clear shot of both lakes, the town, and the mighty Jungfrau range. It is like standing inside a postcard.
Water, Trails, and Natural Wonders Everywhere
Back down at lake level, the action doesn’t stop. Hop on a boat and cruise across Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. Stop at Giessbach Falls or Iseltwald and stretch your legs. Every turn reveals a view so good, it feels photoshopped.
If you like to move, this place is a hiker’s dream. Over 500 kilometers of trails wind through forests, ridges, and valleys. Try the Schynige Platte for your first hike. It is long but worth it. The views shift from deep lakes to snowy peaks to blooming alpine meadows.
In winter, everything changes color but not pace. Strap on snowshoes and hike through powdery forests. Try tobogganing on mountain runs that twist like roller coasters.
Interlaken serves up Swiss culture with real flavor. Start with fondue, bubbling cheese you scoop up with fresh bread. It is warm, messy, and ridiculously good. Raclette is the other must-try. Melted cheese scraped onto potatoes, pickles, and meat? Don’t ask questions. Just eat.
For something sweet, sign up for a chocolate workshop at the Funky Chocolate Club. You will make your own bars, sample way too many pieces, and leave buzzing from sugar and pride.