Why Interlaken Is the Ideal Base for Exploring the Bernese Oberland
By Vaishali Bhatore · 2026-08-18
Why Interlaken Is the Ideal Base for Exploring the Bernese Oberland
Discover why Interlaken is one of the best places to stay when exploring Switzerland’s spectacular Bernese Oberland. If you're planning a trip to the Swiss Alps, choosing where to stay can make a big difference to your experience. While the Bernese Oberland is home to countless charming mountain villages, breathtaking lakes, and spectacular Alpine landscapes, Interlaken stands out as one of the most convenient and rewarding bases for exploring the region.
Nestled between the turquoise waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and surrounded by some of Switzerland's most famous mountains, Interlaken offers an exceptional combination of natural beauty, excellent transportation connections, outdoor adventures, and easy access to picturesque Alpine villages.Whether you're visiting Switzerland for a few days or planning a longer Alpine holiday, Interlaken provides the perfect gateway to some of the country's most unforgettable destinations.
The Heart of the Bernese Oberland
One of Interlaken's biggest advantages is its central location.Situated between two beautiful lakes and surrounded by mountains, Interlaken is well connected to the region's railway, bus, and boat networks. This makes it an excellent starting point for exploring the valleys, villages, lakes, and mountain peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
From Interlaken, many of the region's most famous destinations can be reached as easy day trips.
Some of the most popular places to visit include:
- Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
- Grindelwald
- Lauterbrunnen
- Wengen
- Mürren
- Schilthorn
- Thun
- Brienz
- Lake Thun
- Lake Brienz
The ability to explore so many destinations without changing hotels makes Interlaken particularly appealing for travelers who want to see more of Switzerland while keeping their itinerary simple.
Excellent Transportation Connections
Getting around Switzerland is remarkably easy, and Interlaken benefits from some of the best transportation connections in the region. The town has two main railway stations: Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West. These stations provide connections to regional trains, mountain railways, buses, and other transportation options throughout the Bernese Oberland.
For many travelers, staying in Interlaken means that a rental car isn't necessary. Switzerland's public transportation system makes it possible to travel comfortably while enjoying the scenery along the way. The town is served by two main railway stations, Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West, providing convenient connections to the surrounding villages, mountain resorts, lakes, and major Swiss cities. From Interlaken, many popular destinations are easily accessible by train and other public transportation. Lauterbrunnen is approximately 20 minutes away, while Grindelwald can be reached in around 35 minutes. Wengen takes approximately 45 minutes, and Mürren is about an hour away. One of the region's most famous attractions, Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, can generally be reached in under two hours, depending on the connection. Interlaken also makes it easy to explore destinations beyond the immediate mountain villages. Thun is around 30 minutes away, while Switzerland's capital, Bern, can be reached in approximately one hour. With such convenient connections, travelers can explore several highlights of the Bernese Oberland without the need to change accommodation or rent a car. This combination of accessibility and reliable public transportation makes Interlaken an ideal base for travelers who want to experience as much of the Swiss Alps as possible while keeping their trip comfortable and convenient.
Surrounded by Lakes and Mountains
What makes Interlaken particularly special is its combination of lakes, mountains, waterfalls, valleys, and Alpine villages.
Few places allow you to experience so many different landscapes within such a short distance.
Lake Thun
Located to the west of Interlaken, Lake Thun is known for its deep blue waters, beautiful lakeside towns, and impressive mountain surroundings. A boat cruise across the lake is a relaxing way to appreciate the scenery. Visitors can also explore charming towns, enjoy lakeside walks, or simply spend a peaceful afternoon taking in the views.
Lake Brienz
To the east lies Lake Brienz, famous for its striking turquoise waters.
The lake is surrounded by steep mountain slopes and picturesque villages, including Brienz and Iseltwald. A boat trip on Lake Brienz offers spectacular views and is particularly beautiful on a sunny day.
The Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
The iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains form one of the most impressive landscapes in the region.
Their dramatic peaks provide a spectacular backdrop from many locations around Interlaken and serve as a reminder that some of Switzerland's most famous Alpine scenery is right on your doorstep.
A Gateway to Switzerland's Most Beautiful Villages
Another major reason to choose Interlaken as your base is its proximity to some of Switzerland's most famous mountain villages.
Grindelwald
Known as the "Glacier Village," Grindelwald is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and offers hiking trails, cable cars, viewpoints, and numerous adventure activities.
It is an excellent destination for travelers who want to experience classic Swiss Alpine landscapes.
Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is one of the most recognizable destinations in the Bernese Oberland.
The village sits in a dramatic valley surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls. Often associated with the Valley of 72 Waterfalls, Lauterbrunnen offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region.
Wengen
Perched above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Wengen is a charming, car-free Alpine village known for its traditional Swiss atmosphere and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
It is particularly appealing to travelers looking for a peaceful mountain escape.
Mürren
Located high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Mürren offers spectacular panoramic views of the Swiss Alps.
The village's elevated position provides a completely different perspective from Interlaken and makes it a wonderful destination for hiking, photography, and simply enjoying the mountain scenery.
The best part is that you can visit all of these villages as day trips while continuing to enjoy the convenience of staying in Interlaken.
Interlaken: Switzerland's Adventure Capital
For travelers looking for adventure, Interlaken is hard to beat.
The surrounding mountains, rivers, valleys, and lakes create ideal conditions for a wide range of outdoor activities.
Popular adventures include:
- Paragliding
- Skydiving
- Canyoning
- White-water rafting
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Rock climbing
Interlaken has developed a strong reputation as one of Europe's leading destinations for adventure sports.
However, you don't have to be an adrenaline seeker to enjoy the area. There are plenty of relaxing alternatives, including scenic walks, boat cruises, mountain railways, photography excursions, and leisurely days exploring nearby villages.
Things to Do in Interlaken Itself
Although Interlaken is often used as a base for exploring the surrounding mountains, there is plenty to see and do within the town itself.
Höhematte Park
Located in the heart of Interlaken, Höhematte Park is a beautiful open green space with spectacular views toward the Jungfrau.
The park is also famous for the colorful paragliders that regularly descend over the town and land nearby, creating one of Interlaken's most distinctive sights.
Shopping and Dining
Interlaken has a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, bakeries, shops, and supermarkets.
Whether you're looking for traditional Swiss cuisine, international food, coffee, or a quick meal before heading into the mountains, you'll find plenty of options around town.
Lake Cruises
One of the most relaxing ways to experience the region is by boat.
Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offer scenic boat excursions, allowing visitors to enjoy the surrounding mountains and lakeside villages from the water.
Culture and Local Heritage
Interlaken and the surrounding region also offer opportunities to experience Swiss culture through historic buildings, churches, museums, festivals, traditional events, and local cuisine.
Interlaken in Every Season
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Interlaken as your base is that it is a year-round destination.
Summer: June to September
Summer is ideal for outdoor activities and mountain exploration.
Popular experiences include:
- Hiking
- Lake cruises
- Paragliding
- Mountain excursions
- Outdoor festivals
- Cycling and adventure activities
Longer daylight hours also make it easier to fit several activities into a single day.
Autumn: September to November
Autumn brings colorful landscapes and generally fewer visitors.
The changing colors of the forests and mountains create excellent photography opportunities, while cooler temperatures make sightseeing and walking particularly enjoyable.
Winter: December to March
Winter transforms the Bernese Oberland into a snowy Alpine wonderland.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Winter hiking
- Christmas markets
- Snow-covered mountain scenery
- Scenic mountain excursions
Spring: April to June
Spring brings the return of greenery, blooming Alpine meadows, and powerful waterfalls created by melting snow.
It can also be a quieter time to explore the region before the busiest summer months.
Why Choose Interlaken as Your Base?
With so many beautiful destinations in the Bernese Oberland, you may wonder why you should stay in Interlaken rather than one of the smaller mountain villages.
The answer comes down to convenience and flexibility.
Interlaken offers:
- Excellent transportation connections
- Easy access to major attractions
- A wide range of accommodation
- Numerous restaurants and cafés
- Shops and everyday services
- Activities throughout the year
- Easy access to both lakes and mountains
- Convenient day trips to surrounding villages
Smaller Alpine villages can offer a more secluded experience, but Interlaken provides something that is difficult to match: the ability to experience many different sides of the Swiss Alps from one convenient location.
Is Interlaken Worth Staying In?
For most first-time visitors to the Bernese Oberland, yes.
If your goal is to explore destinations such as Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, Jungfraujoch, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz without constantly packing and moving between hotels, Interlaken is an excellent choice.
It combines the atmosphere of a Swiss Alpine destination with the practical advantages of a well-connected town.
You can spend one day exploring a mountain village, the next taking a boat cruise, and another traveling to a high-altitude viewpoint—all while returning to the same accommodation each evening.
Final Thoughts
The Bernese Oberland is one of Switzerland's most spectacular regions, and Interlaken is one of the best places from which to experience it.
With turquoise lakes, dramatic mountain peaks, charming Alpine villages, waterfalls, scenic railways, and endless outdoor activities, the area offers something for almost every type of traveler.
Whether you're visiting for hiking and adventure, photography and sightseeing, a romantic getaway, or simply a relaxing holiday surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Interlaken makes an excellent base.