26 Sep INTERLAKEN TRAVEL GUIDE FOR WINTER
Nestled between the snow-dusted peaks of the Swiss Alps, Interlaken transforms into a winter wonderland that feels straight out of a fairytale. If you’re visiting this popular region in Switzerland for the first time, this is the travel guide for you. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie craving the rush of snow sports or simply looking to soak in the serene beauty of the mountains, Interlaken in winter promises an unforgettable escape.
Winter in Interlaken
We visited Interlaken in both Spring and Wintertime, and both seasons bring different, but amazing options to the table. When you first arrive in Interlaken without any additional information, it can be quite overwhelming. Personally, we like to discover the spots that are a little less crowded, and unique. Although Interlaken is a place loved by many tourists, we managed to include some spots that are also recommended by the locals. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Where to stay in Interlaken
We only stayed in two hotels during our stay, and both are very different from one another, yet highly recommended. To find the best hotels in Interlaken, we advise you to check all hotels here.
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
One of the most amazing hotels in Interlaken. This 5-Star hotel has 216 rooms, of which 106 are Junior Suites or Suites. All rooms and suites are decorated in classic style or a range of contemporary moods. These oases of hospitality are surrounded by all the facilities you would expect of a tradition-conscious luxury hotel, including three restaurants, and two bars. When it comes to active and passive “wellness” the unique Spa Nescens at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa offers everything you could wish for, allowing you to relax and restore your energy levels. If you travel with kids , we highly recommend a delicious meal at Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori where pizza’s are made in front of you. Book here!
Hotel Berghof Amaranth
This charming 3-Star holiday hotel has marvelous view towards the Jungfrau massif. It’s only five minutes walking distance to the centre, and ten minutes to the train station. The cordial nature oasis with a beautiful lounge, cosy bar and is kids friendly. We stayed in an apartment style room with a balcony and extra sofa-bed for the kids. The owner is very nice, and gives you tips for the surroundings. There is a garden with sunbathing lawn and solar heated pool, as well as a small playground for kids. Book here!
Skiing in Interlaken
Now, we don’t have to tell you that you can ski and snowboard in Interlaken. But let’s give you a little insight about the slopes and options here. You can slide across the slopes of Kleine Scheidegg, Lauberhorn and Männlichen. Sometimes on steep sections, sometimes on gentle slopes. And the world famous three peaks that make the Jungfrau Ski Region so unique are always in sight.
Kleine Scheidegg
If you travel with kids, the Kleine Scheidegg is a perfect slope to begin with. To get there you must take the train from Lauterbrunnen (where you can park your car) all the way up the mountain. The trip there is worth while, so sit next to the window. Sidenote: Lauterbrunnen is one of the prettiest villages in Switzerland, so make sure to walk around, and watch the impressive waterfalls. There is a ski equipment rental, that goes by the same name, right next to the train station. Our kids booked ski-lessons at Swiss Ski School Kleine Scheidegg.
We had lunch at Restaurant Eigernordwand, which has large windows and is warm inside. Salads are better than the schnitzels though!
Plan a visit to Thun
The city where medieval charm meets alpine beauty. This enchanting Swiss town effortlessly combines the grandeur of the Alps with centuries-old charm. With its cobblestone streets, historic castles, and vibrant lakeside promenades. The iconic Thun Castle, perched majestically above the town, provides a window into the past, offering panoramic views that stretch from the shimmering lake to the snow-capped peaks beyond.
As you stroll through the Old Town, the unique raised sidewalks and colorful facades reveal a town that cherishes its history while embracing the natural beauty that surrounds it. You can hire a boat on the crystal-clear lake, more on an unique experience on the water later on. Some must-visit spots in Thun are:
- Schloss Thun (open in the afternoon) – the pretty castle you cannot miss when you arrive in Thun. An inside visit is nice, but walking towards and around it, is also good enough.
- Bonstettenpark – Beautiful park for hiking, outside grills and relaxing.
- Old town – shops, restaurants, bars, overall nice for a stroll.
- Schloss Schadau – a beautiful renovated castle that is now a hotel by the lake. There are some playgrounds around also.
Schloss Schadau
You can visit the Panoramic Bridge in Sigriswil on the way back to Interlaken, which you can walk for about 7CHF.
Where to eat in Interlaken
If you want to find the best hidden restaurants that are not yet swamped by tourist yet, check out our previous article. Here are some restaurants we loved and recommend.
- Mani’s – a great stop for lunch! On the menu are homemade bagels, salads and bites. Reserve a table because it’s a small restaurant. Take-out is possible also! manis.ch
- Velo – would you like to eat exclusively vegetarian food and skip the Swiss meat? Then you can do so at Velo Café.
- Taverne – infamous for their appetizing food, it may look a little outdated from the outside, inside it’s very cosy. This restaurant is located in Hotel Interlaken and needs a reservation.
- Luegibrueggli – stunning views, on the top of a mountain in Unterseen.
Restaurant Taverne
Hot Tug at Lake Brienz
Definitely one of the most unique experiences you can have in Interlaken! On the beautiful Lake Brienz, you can float inside a HotTug, filled with water heated to 38 degrees. Glide easily across the lake as you enjoy the only experience of its kind in Switzerland in the company of friends or family. This hot tub boat is powered by an electric engine – and you can add wood as you go, to warm the water. Bring swimwear, bathing shoes and a hat or headband, and changing facilities are available. One HotTug accommodates a maximum of six people, and you must be 18 years old to operate one. We booked our at Pirate Bay.
Visit Jungfraujoch
Icy air streams across your face, snow crunches under your feet, and the view nearly takes your breath away: on one side the view of the Mittelland up to the Vosges, on the other the Aletsch glacier, bordered by four thousand meter peaks. Standing on the Jungfraujoch 3,454 metres above sea level, it feels like being on top of the world. This interactive visit, can take up some time – so plan at least 3 hours. To get there, travel from Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher sation.
Once you get there, you can walk through a network of tunnels, which takes you past ice-sculptutes, the history of the first explorers and how the first railway was built. There are also several restaurant and shops here, but expect to pay. More info about this experience and prizes here.
All in all, enough exploring to do in Interlaken!
More about Switzerland here!
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