3 days in Interlaken

Day by day

1. Day 1: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe and Harder Kulm

   Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Harder Kulm and Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls, then Höheweg and Jungfraustrasse in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

      The Jungfrau Railway tunnels through the Eiger and Mönch to a saddle at 3,454 metres, the highest railway station in Europe.

   2. Late morning

      Harder Kulm

      Go up for sunset; the funicular runs into the evening in summer, and the town lights come on below.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Rösti

      Mountain restaurants at First, Männlichen and Kleine Scheidegg, and traditional restaurants in Interlaken.

   4. Afternoon

      Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls

      Lauterbrunnen's valley floor is enclosed by limestone walls hundreds of metres high, with waterfalls pouring off the rim.

   5. Evening

      Höheweg and Jungfraustrasse

      Pubs, hotel bars and late-opening places between the stations, busiest in summer and on weekends.

2. Day 2: Schilthorn and Piz Gloria and Höhematte

   Schilthorn and Piz Gloria, Höhematte and Trümmelbach Falls, then Grindelwald in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Schilthorn and Piz Gloria

      Stop in Mürren on the way down for a walk along the cliff-top village.

   2. Late morning

      Höhematte

      The open meadow in the centre of town, protected from building since the 19th century, frames a direct view of the Jungfrau between the hills.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese fondue

      Restaurants in Interlaken, Grindelwald and Wengen; some offer fondue in chalets or mountain huts in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Trümmelbach Falls

      Bring a waterproof layer and sturdy shoes; paths are wet and steep.

   5. Evening

      Grindelwald

      Après-ski bars on the main street in winter, and terraces facing the Eiger in summer.

3. Day 3: Grindelwald First and Schynige Platte

   Grindelwald First, Schynige Platte and Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail, then Sunset at Harder Kulm in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Grindelwald First

      A gondola climbs from Grindelwald to First at about 2,170 metres, where a cliff walkway clings to the rock face.

   2. Late morning

      Schynige Platte

      Strong hikers can take the panorama trail towards the Faulhorn and on to First, one of the classic ridge walks of the region.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese toast

      Mountain huts and village restaurants across the Jungfrau region.

   4. Afternoon

      Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail

      From the Männlichen cable-car station, a gentle trail of about 1.5 hours contours across the hillside to Kleine Scheidegg, facing the Eiger north face the whole way.

   5. Evening

      Sunset at Harder Kulm

      Ride the funicular up and watch the light fade over both lakes and the Jungfrau from the viewing platform.

Before you go

• Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe: Seat reservations on the Jungfrau Railway are needed at busy times; book a day or two ahead in summer.

If it rains

• Swap in St. Beatus Caves (Lake Thun): Combine it with a Lake Thun boat trip, getting off at the Beatushöhlen pier.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Höheweg and the town centre keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Interlaken Ost ($$) suits first-timers, solo travellers and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 23–31 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.6 hours in December to 15.8 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Interlaken
• 2 days in Interlaken
• 5 days in Interlaken

Questions travellers ask