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Iseltwald, Interlaken

Itinerary · Interlaken · Switzerland

One day in Interlaken

A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Interlaken, not crossing it.

Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5

Quick answer

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. Day 1: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe and Harder Kulm. Base yourself in Höheweg and the town centre.

Key facts

Days
1
Sights covered
4
Day trips
None
Best base
Höheweg and the town centre
Book ahead
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Day by day

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

    Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Harder Kulm, Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls and Schilthorn and Piz Gloria, 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. Allow Full day.

    2. Late morning

      Harder Kulm

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

    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. Allow 2–3 hours.

    5. Late afternoon

      Schilthorn and Piz Gloria

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

    6. Evening

      Höheweg and Jungfraustrasse

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

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 Trümmelbach Falls (Lauterbrunnen): Bring a waterproof layer and sturdy shoes; paths are wet and steep.
  • 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

$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury, couples and shopping

Höheweg and the town centre

Grand hotels, watch shops and the open Höhematte meadow facing the Jungfrau

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–17 hours of visiting over one day, 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.

Getting between stops: Walking. Walking covers the town, Unterseen and both lake piers; flat paths also run along the Aare and the lake shores.

More or fewer days

Questions travellers ask

+Is one day enough in Interlaken?

One day is a taster: the plan below covers the essentials, but most visitors want 4. How many days Interlaken needs.

+What should I book before visiting Interlaken?

Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe.