Interlaken is a small tourist resort located in the county of Bern, in Switzerland. Its location is unique, as the city lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and is surrounded by mountains, glaciers and alpine meadows. So sleeping in Interlaken is a great option to get to know the beautiful area of the Bernese Alps.
Sometimes called the adventure capital of the world, Interlaken is a great place to go if you love mountain sports, both summer and winter. However, finding the right place to stay in Interlaken can be a difficult task, especially during the peak season.
At the end of the day, after the beautiful excursions you have to do to visit the whole area you will be very tired, so it is very important to choose your base of operations well. In this post we describe the best areas and hotels to stay in Interlaken.
Where sleeping in Interlaken
Staying in the Interlaken area means staying in the middle of a postcard landscape. The city of Interlaken itself is the main urban area. Although the city is not as scenic as some of the Swiss villages that can be found in the surrounding area, it is still beautiful and will immediately take you into the alpine atmosphere.
Sleeping in the city is a great option to have a base from which to explore all the nearby villages and mountains. The first thing to know before finding the ideal hotel to stay in Interlaken is that the city has two stations: the east and the west. But why are they so important? Because all the major sites in the area can be reached by train from Interlaken.
We have extended the guide on where to stay in Interlaken to some of the surrounding villages, as they offer a true Swiss experience in such a scenic setting.
Grindelwald it will charm you with its traditional chalet houses and green lawns in summer while in winter, it transforms into a snowy wonderland straight out of a postcard.
Lauterbrunnen, just a few kilometers away, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers and has a plethora of mountain activities to be enjoyed in both summer and winter.
Interlaken Ost (where to sleep in Interlaken for the first time)
Interlaken Ost is the eastern part of the city of Interlaken. That's where there is main train station, and therefore where should you stay if you want to explore the whole region (which we highly recommend if you are visiting Interlaken for the first time).
The eastern station is the most important one because most of the trains that you will need to visit the area leave from here. For example, to go to Jungfraujoch, Schynige Platte or Brienz you will have to start from this station.
So we believe that its surroundings are the most practical area to sleep in Interlaken. The downside is that the hotel offer in this area is rather limited.
While in Interlaken Ost, you can visit the old monastery and castle. Take a stroll in the Gothic gallery and courtyard and enjoy the peace that reigns there.
From Interlaken Ost it is easy to access the lake of Brienz, which boasts incredibly turquoise waters, coming directly from the surrounding glaciers. You can do one boat cruise on the lake to enjoy one of the most beautiful sceneries in Europe.
Find accommodation in Interlaken OstSleeping in Interlaken West
The center of Interlaken is closer to Interlaken West than to Ost. So the hotel offer is greater around the western station. Here you will also find more shops, supermarkets and restaurants.
Interlaken West is also a very important station. Mainly because it will connect you with Thun, its lake and many of the attractions that surround it such as the splendid ones Kandersteg lakes and Caves of San Beato. So even if you will probably use this station less, sleeping nearby is a good choice. Plus staying here is cheaper than staying in Interlaken Ost.
Find accommodation in Interlake WestLauterbrunnen, to explore the Jungfrau
Lauterbrunnen is a small village located a few kilometers from the city of Interlaken, at the foot of the Jungfrau. It is a typically Swiss village, lined with chalet-style houses, restaurants and Swiss cafes. In addition you will find beautiful meadows, impressive waterfalls that fall from the slopes of the mountains and snow-capped peaks that surround the landscape.
You can stroll around the village and admire the breathtaking scenery all around. From here you can see the three highest peaks in the area, Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch. To enjoy a 360-degree view from above, take the train and cable car to the Schilthorn, where part of the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was filmed.
From Lauterbrunnen, it is also possible to reach the Trummelbach caves after half an hour of walking. You will be able to admire a series of waterfalls emerging from the largest underground cave system in Europe.
Find accommodation in LauterbrunnenUnterseen, an inexpensive alternative to sleep in Interlaken
While it may look like the same city, it isn't. Unterseen is located northwest of Interlaken and is really beautiful. The main advantage of sleeping in Unterseen is the prices.
The offer is more limited but it is cheaper. Furthermore, it will only take you 10 minutes on foot to reach Interlaken. Unterseen is very close to Interlaken West Station, so it's a very practical area to sleep in.
Find accommodation in UnterseenMatten bei Interlaken (stay in Interlaken on a budget)
Matten bei Interlaken is a small town near the city of Interlaken which can be easily reached on foot or by using the available public transport. This is where you will find the lowest prices for staying in the area.
During the summer, the Seilpark Interlaken Adventure Park it is the ideal place to spend a fun day. The park has obstacles and trails built into the treetops, including ziplines.
Discover all the excursions available in InterlakenGrindelwald (best place to stay with family)
Grindelwald is a picturesque village directly on the north face of the mighty Eiger. It is a great place to stay if you are coming to Interlaken with children, as there are many exciting activities for everyone in the family.
From Grindelwald, take a train and get on Jungfraujoch, which with a height of 3.454 meters above sea level, is the highest railway station in Europe. At the top you will find several attractions, including theIce Palace which exhibits unique ice sculptures, the observation deck and the snow amusement park.
Kids will love taking the cable car up to Pfingstegg and enjoy a ride on the summer toboggan run. If you like scenic walks, take the cable car up to Männlichen, the route to the top takes about 30 minutes and offers beautiful landscapes!
Find accommodation in Grindelwald
