Breathtaking Interlaken Switzerland a Treat All Year Round
Whether you're skiing or strolling in the sun, Interlaken is a great tourist destination.
Some resort towns are true all-season destinations, and Interlaken is one of those special places. Visitors come to this charming Swiss village, nestled between two lakes, to enjoy snow sports in the winter and warm weather pursuits in the summer months. Spring and fall are pretty special, too!
The town has been a resort for over 300 years, first earning its reputation as an ideal summer resort, cooled by the nearby Alps. Now it's a year-round playground for the thousands of tourists that make a stop at this gateway to Switzerland's Oberland region.
Summer Activities
There's so much to do here during the summer if you choose to be active. Relaxing is a good option in Interlaken as well, but here are a few favorite summer pursuits for those who prefer to be on the go.
If you thought the Alps were just for winter skiing, you're definitely mistaken. One of the favorite summer activities in Interlaken, Switzerland is a train ride to the highest railroad station in Europe, located at the top of the mountain known as Jungfrau (The Virgin). This ride is touted as the best attraction in Europe and many visitors agree.
Guests can also reach the tops of several other peaks via bus, funicular, or aerial cableway. Once at the top, you'll be treated to a number of other activities such as hiking, husky-drawn sledging, alpine slides, and views that are indeed unparalleled.
In a town that's surrounded by two bodies of water, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, there's sure to be plenty of boating. Renovated majestic steamers take visitors on lake cruises, with sailings that include lunch or dinner, themed parties, and even kids' activities.
If you love water, you'll want to visit Trummelbach Water Falls. These ten beautiful glacier-fed falls are accessible via a special tunnel lift that gives guests a great view of this stunning spectacle.
The summer also presents many options for enjoying the culture and arts of Interlaken. Enjoy impressive theatrical productions at the William Tell Open Air Theater, hear live music at the annual Interlaken Music Festival, or visit the Jungfrau Regional Museum of Tourism to learn about the history of the Bernese Oberland region.
Winter Activities
In the winter, snow is the name of the game in this pristine town that sits in the shadow of the Alps.
Downhill skiing is the sport of choice for many that visit Interlaken during the cold months. In the Jungfrau Region, guests can choose from three ski areas: "Mürren-Schilthorn," "Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen" and "Grindelwald-First."
At these three resorts, 45 lifts and cable cars soar passengers up the mountains to enjoy the dozens of trails available for skiers of all levels. There are also cross-country trails for Nordic enthusiasts and snowboarders are heartily welcomed.
You'll want to do some "sledging" (sledding) while you're in Switzerland as well. Designated sledge runs make it a delightful and safe winter sport.
Outdoor adventurers can also try their hand at snowshoe trekking, ice climbing, winter hiking, heli-skiing, and even winter para-gliding.
Indoor activities for the winter also include curling, ice skating, and ice hockey in addition to year-round indoor sports like bowling, billiards, and much more.
Best Times to Go
Strangely enough, most tourism information for Interlaken notes that low season is from November through March. Of course, this is the best time to go skiing, so winter vacations in this town are quite affordable as accommodation prices are lower during this time of year.
Like most of Europe, high season is June through September, so you'll encounter the most crowds and highest prices during those months.
The mid-season (April, May, October) is quite pleasant and a great vacation buy for anyone with a flexible schedule who may be interested in visiting Interlaken.
Posted by Pat on Monday, September 12, 2005