Things to Do in Interlaken

Interlaken sits between two lakes and functions mainly as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland rather than a destination to linger in itself; two hours from Zurich HB by direct train. The Höhematte, a large open meadow in the centre with the Jungfrau massif behind it, is where most people first register the scale of the mountains here. Harder Kulm, reached by funicular in ten minutes, has a viewing platform over both lakes for a fraction of what a Jungfraujoch ticket costs. Interlaken is also the region's adventure-sports hub: tandem paragliding flights start around CHF 170-200 and run daily, weather permitting. Treat Interlaken as a base and transport interchange, with Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and the Jungfraujoch as the actual reasons to be here.