Nestled between two alpine lakes in the Bernese Highlands hides Switzerland’s best kept secret. This charming mountain town sits at a natural intersection highlighting the country’s best assets: its awe-inspiring mountains and its sparkling lakes. Plus, it’s a perfect place to connect to other cities and regions, like neighbouring Grindelwald, or the country’s capital, Bern. Whether you’ve come to swim, sail, hike or climb, Interlaken is the perfect place to call home while you explore the great outdoors.
Experience our Interlaken tour packages
Visit Interlaken: get started
Start your Interlaken holiday with our vacation deals on boutique lakeside resorts and luxury mountain retreats. Ride the rails to see spectacular views from Jungfraujoch at the “Top of Europe” or take the Harder Kulm Funicular up to enjoy panoramic vistas of Interlaken’s two lakes. After, head to the water for boat tours and kayaking in Lake Brienz, or cruises and watersports on Lake Thun. Finally, see the natural world up close and personal with some of the region’s many hiking trails. To ease you in, we recommend Aare Gorge, where you can follow cliffside paths and tunnels along the base of a canyon.
Interlaken travel guide
Destination facts
Language
Bernese German, though many will speak English and French.
When to visit
Summer in Switzerland offers warm and sunny weather from June to August, ideal for watersports and hiking, while winter brings perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding in Jungfrau, Beatenberg-Niederhorn and Habkern.
What to bring back
Swiss chocolates, wood carvings, local handicrafts, Swiss army knives and watches.
What to eat
Fondue and raclette are classic Swiss dishes made better by enjoying them in a quintessential Swiss environment. You can also try the local Rugenbrau beer, which is made from some of Europe’s cleanest water. For meals on the go, it’s best to pick up ingredients for sandwiches or picnics at Coop or Migros, the local grocery stores.
Fun fact
The town’s name of Interlaken comes from “between the lakes” in Latin, because it sits right between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It was renamed in 1891 from Aarmühle to promote tourism.
Important info
For more information on all necessary documents for travel to Interlaken, Switzerland from Canada including visa, taxes and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
