For couples · Interlaken · Switzerland
Romantic things to do in Interlaken
Ideas for a couples' trip, from small moments to a special day out.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: James Petts, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Romance here means big landscapes: sunsets over the lakes, car-free villages lit only by chalet windows and quiet boat rides on turquoise water. Couples tend to stay in Höheweg and the town centre.
Key facts
- Romantic ideas
- 5
- Couple-friendly sights
- 5
- Area for couples
- Höheweg and the town centre
- Best months
- June–September
Romantic ideas
1.Sunset at Harder Kulm
Ride the funicular up and watch the light fade over both lakes and the Jungfrau from the viewing platform.
2.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.
3.Lake Brienz by boat
Sail from Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald and walk the lakeshore path towards the Giessbach Falls.
4.Oberhofen Castle gardens
Arrive by boat on Lake Thun and wander the lakeside park around the castle's water tower.
5.Picnic at Bachalpsee
Hike from First to the lake and eat with the Schreckhorn reflected in the water.
Sights couples love
Viewpoint · Interlaken Ost
Harder Kulm
Go up for sunset; the funicular runs into the evening in summer, and the town lights come on below.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Iconic
- Photo spot
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Experience · Lakes
Lake Brienz and Lake Thun boats
Most Swiss rail passes cover the scheduled boats; check before buying a separate ticket.
- Time needed
- 1–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Lake Brienz
Giessbach Falls
Arrive by boat from Interlaken Ost and walk up beside the falls rather than taking the funicular both ways.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Lake Brienz
Iseltwald
Walk the lakeside path towards the Giessbach Falls for quieter views than the jetty.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Castle · Lake Thun
Oberhofen Castle
Arrive by boat for the classic view of the tower from the water.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Where couples should stay
$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury, couples and shopping
Höheweg and the town centre
The Höheweg boulevard runs between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost stations along the Höhematte, where paragliders land. It has the town's historic grand hotels, the Kursaal, most restaurants and plenty of mid-range options, all within 10–15 minutes' walk of both stations.
- Good
- Walk to both stations and lake piers; Widest choice of restaurants; Jungfrau views from the meadow
- Watch out
- Touristy, with many souvenir and watch shops; Higher prices along the Höheweg
- Nearby
- Höhematte, Kursaal, Interlaken West station, Interlaken Ost station
Romantic day trips
- Lucerne (About 1 hour 50 minutes by train) — The panoramic train passes Lake Brienz, Lake Lungern and Lake Sarnen on the way to Lucerne, with its covered wooden bridges, old town and lake steamers.
- Thun (About 25 minutes by train or 2 hours by boat) — A lakeside town with a white-towered castle above the old town and a high pavement along the Obere Hauptgasse.
- Kandersteg and Oeschinensee (About 1 hour by train, plus gondola) — A gondola and an easy downhill walk lead from Kandersteg to Oeschinensee, a turquoise lake ringed by cliffs and waterfalls.
- Spiez (About 20 minutes by train or 1 hour by boat) — A small town on a bay of Lake Thun with a castle, a Romanesque church and vineyards climbing above the harbour.
For dinner
Share local specialities such as Rösti, Cheese fondue and Cheese toast. Carry snacks and water on hikes, as huts can be far apart and some close outside the main seasons.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Interlaken romantic?
Romance here means big landscapes: sunsets over the lakes, car-free villages lit only by chalet windows and quiet boat rides on turquoise water.
+What is the most romantic thing to do in Interlaken?
Sunset at Harder Kulm: Ride the funicular up and watch the light fade over both lakes and the Jungfrau from the viewing platform.
+Where should couples stay in Interlaken?
Höheweg and the town centre: Grand hotels, watch shops and the open Höhematte meadow facing the Jungfrau.