One Week in Interlaken: The Ultimate 7 Day Interlaken Itinerary
Interlaken is the logistics hub of the Bernese Oberland. It sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, providing a base for the high-altitude peaks of the Jungfrau Region. Using Interlaken as your anchor allows you to access waterfalls, glaciers, and alpine villages without moving hotels every night.
This 7 day Interlaken itinerary balances high-octane sightseeing with the regional logistics required to see the best of Switzerland efficiently.
Day 1: The Peaks and Valleys of Lauterbrunnen
Spend your first day in the valley that inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell. Lauterbrunnen is 20 minutes from Interlaken by train.
Morning
Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen. Walk the valley floor toward Staubbach Falls. This 300-meter drop is visible from the station. Continue walking for 45 minutes to Trümmelbach Falls. These are ten glacial waterfalls inside the mountain, accessible by a tunnel lift. It’s loud, cold, and wet. Bring a jacket even in summer.
Afternoon
Head to the cable car station and ascend to Mürren. This is a car-free village perched on a cliff ledge. Walk through the town to the Allmendhubel funicular. At the top, you get a clear view of the "Big Three": the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. If you have the energy, hike the North Face Trail back down to Mürren. It takes about 90 minutes.
Evening
Return to Interlaken via the train from Lauterbrunnen. Keep it simple. Grab dinner along the Höheweg, the main strip connecting Interlaken’s two train stations. Watch the paragliders land in the Höhematte park.
Day 2: The Top of Europe (Jungfraujoch)
Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe. It is expensive, so check the live weather webcams at Interlaken Ost before buying your ticket. If it’s cloudy, swap this day with another.
Morning
Take the Bernese Oberland Railway to Grindelwald Terminal. From there, board the Eiger Express tricable gondola. It cuts 47 minutes off the traditional travel time. You’ll arrive at Eigergletscher and transfer to the cogwheel train that tunnels through the Eiger mountain. At the top (3,454 meters), go straight to the Sphinx Observatory for 360-degree views of the Aletsch Glacier.
Afternoon
Walk through the Ice Palace, a series of tunnels carved directly into the glacier. If the weather is clear, do the 45-minute trek to Mönchsjochhütte. It’s a marked snow path. It is the highest occupied hut in Switzerland. High altitude makes walking difficult; pace yourself. Take the traditional cogwheel train back down via Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen to see a different side of the mountain.
Evening
Arrive back in Interlaken. You will be tired from the altitude. Find a quiet spot for fondue. Many local spots near the Aare river serve traditional Swiss cheese dishes without the tourist markup of the main square.
Day 3: Harder Kulm and Lake Brienz
Today focuses on the immediate surroundings of Interlaken. You’ll see the town from above and from the water.
Morning
Walk to the Harder Kulm funicular station near Interlaken Ost. The ride takes 10 minutes and drops you at 1,322 meters. Walk out onto the Two Lakes Bridge. You’ll see Lake Thun on the right, Lake Brienz on the left, and the mountains you stood on yesterday directly in front of you.
Afternoon
Descend from Harder Kulm and walk to the Interlaken Ost boat docks. Board the steamship heading toward Brienz. Use your Swiss Travel Pass or regional pass for this. Disembark at Giessbach See. Take the oldest funicular in Europe up to the Grand Hotel Giessbach. Walk behind the Giessbach Falls, which tumble through 14 stages into the lake.
Evening
Continue by boat or train to the town of Brienz. It’s famous for woodcarving. Walk the Brunngasse, once voted the most beautiful street in Europe. Take the train back to Interlaken (20 minutes) for a late dinner.
Day 4: Local Exploration and Unterseen
This is the "slow day" of your 7 day Interlaken itinerary. Avoid the trains and cable cars. Explore the neighborhoods that locals actually live in.
Morning
Walk west toward Unterseen, the "Old Town" of Interlaken. It’s quieter and more authentic than the central tourist district. Visit the Stadthausplatz and the 13th-century church. Grab coffee at a local bakery and watch the Aare River rush past the sluice gates.
Afternoon
Walk or bike along the Aare Ship Canal toward Lake Thun. Head to Neuhaus. It’s a nature reserve and beach area. If it’s summer, you can swim. If not, follow the wooded paths to the St. Beatus Caves. Legend says a dragon lived here. The walk takes about 90 minutes from Interlaken and offers one of the best perspectives of the Niesen (the Swiss pyramid mountain) across the lake.
Evening
Head back to Interlaken via the local bus (usually free with your visitor card). Spend the evening at the Interlaken Casino—not necessarily for gambling, but for the gardens and the neo-baroque architecture. It’s one of the few places in town with a nightlife scene that isn’t just a pub.
Day 5: Day Trip to Grindelwald First
Grindelwald is the "Adventure Capital" of the region. This is where you go for adrenaline and high-altitude activities.
Morning
Take the train to Grindelwald and walk through the village to the Firstbahn station. Take the 30-minute gondola ride to the summit. Immediately do the First Cliff Walk by Tissot. It’s a metal walkway bolted to the side of the cliff. It’s free and offers a terrifying view of the drop below.
Afternoon
Hike to Bachalpsee. It’s a 50-minute walk on a relatively flat gravel path. On a still day, the mountains reflect perfectly in the alpine lake. For the descent, don't just take the gondola. Buy a ticket for the "Adventure Package." You can zip-line (First Flyer), ride a mountain cart, or use a Trottibike (a scooter-bicycle hybrid) to get back down the mountain.
Evening
Stay in Grindelwald for dinner. The Sunstar or any of the hotels along the main street offer terraces with a direct view of the Eiger North Face. The sun hits the rock wall late in the evening. Return to Interlaken by train.
Day 6: Overnighter or Day Trip to Kandersteg
Kandersteg is in the next valley over. It feels more rugged and less commercial than the Jungfrau region.
Morning
Take the train from Interlaken West toward Spiez, then change for Kandersteg. Upon arrival, take the Oeschinensee cable car. Walk 20 minutes to Lake Oeschinen. This is arguably the most beautiful lake in Switzerland. It’s turquoise, fed by glaciers, and surrounded by 3,000-meter cliffs.
Afternoon
Rent a rowboat on the lake. If you’re feeling active, hike the loop trail that climbs higher above the lake for better views (Heuberg). Alternatively, use the mountain coaster (rodelbahn) at the cable car station. It’s a 750-meter slide down the hill.
Evening
You can head back to Interlaken, but many travelers choose to stay one night in Kandersteg to enjoy the silence after the day-trippers leave. If you return to Interlaken, stop in Spiez on the way back. Walk down to the Spiez Castle and the vineyards on the edge of Lake Thun.
Day 7: Leisurely Wrap-up on Lake Thun
The final day of your 7 day Interlaken itinerary focuses on the western lake and a bit of history.
Morning
Take the boat from Interlaken West toward the city of Thun. This side of the lake is lined with castles. Get off at Oberhofen to see the Oberhofen Castle. Its spire sits directly in the water. The gardens are free and well-maintained.
Afternoon
Continue by boat or bus to Thun. This is a larger, more functional Swiss city. Explore the Obere Hauptgasse, a street with double-decker sidewalks. Climb up to Thun Castle (Schloss Thun) for a view over the red roofs of the city and the river.
Evening
Take the train back to Interlaken. Use your final evening for souvenir shopping—chocolates at Läderach or a Swiss Army knife at one of the specialized boutiques. Have a final meal at a riverside restaurant in Unterseen to toast the end of the trip.
Where to stay for a week in Interlaken
When booking your 7 day Interlaken itinerary, location matters more than luxury. You want to be within walking distance of a train station.
- Near Interlaken Ost: This is the best location for transport. All trains to the mountains (Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald) and boats for Lake Brienz depart from here. If you plan on being "out" every day by 8 AM, stay here.
- Near Interlaken West: This area is closer to the "town" center, shops, and the boats for Lake Thun. It is generally quieter and has more local dining options.
- Unterseen: This is the historic district. It’s a 10-minute walk from Interlaken West. Stay here if you want a boutique hotel experience and want to avoid the main tourist crowds.
- Matten: This neighborhood sits behind the main strip. It's often cheaper and offers more apartment-style rentals. It’s popular with backpackers and long-term travelers because of its proximity to adventure sports outfitters.
Regardless of where you stay, your hotel or hostel will provide an "Interlaken Guest Card." This gives you free travel on local buses and discounts on many of the attractions listed in this itinerary. Use it.