5 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

      Check the summit webcam before you go; on cloudy days you may see nothing, and the ticket is costly. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Harder Kulm

      Go up for sunset; the funicular runs into the evening in summer, and the town lights come on below. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Rösti

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

   4. Afternoon

      Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls

      Walk the flat valley path south towards Trümmelbach and Stechelberg for the best views of the falls. (2–3 hours, free).

   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. (Half a day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Höhematte

      Sit on the benches at the eastern end in the late afternoon to watch paragliders spiral down. (30–60 minutes, free).

   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. (1 hour, low cost).

   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

      Hike to Bachalpsee in the morning before clouds build around the peaks. (Half a day to a full day, expensive).

   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. (Half a day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cheese toast

      Mountain huts and village restaurants across the Jungfrau region.

   4. Afternoon

      Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail

      Go up from Grindelwald by gondola and return via Wengen and Lauterbrunnen by train to make a loop. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   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.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Bern

   About 50 minutes by train each way. Getting there: SBB or BLS train from Interlaken West or Ost.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Bern

      About 50 minutes by train (SBB or BLS train from Interlaken West or Ost); about 55 km.

   2. Day

      Bern

      Switzerland's capital has a UNESCO-listed old town of arcaded streets, the Zytglogge clock tower, the Federal Palace and the Bear Park on the bank of the Aare. Best for culture and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Interlaken

      Dinner: try Bernese platter.

5. Day 5: Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats and Giessbach Falls

   Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats, Giessbach Falls and Iseltwald, then A night in Mürren or Wengen in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats

      Most Swiss rail passes cover the scheduled boats; check before buying a separate ticket. (1–4 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Giessbach Falls

      Arrive by boat from Interlaken Ost and walk up beside the falls rather than taking the funicular both ways. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bernese platter

      Traditional restaurants in Interlaken and Thun, especially in autumn and winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Iseltwald

      Walk the lakeside path towards the Giessbach Falls for quieter views than the jetty. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      A night in Mürren or Wengen

      Stay in a car-free village after the day visitors leave and watch the last light on the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 27–39 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Interlaken

Questions travellers ask