Where to stay in Interlaken: The Best Areas for Your Trip
Interlaken is the logistics hub of the Bernese Oberland. Choosing the best area to stay in Interlaken depends on your transport needs and how much you value peace over convenience. Stay near Interlaken West if you want easy access to shops, dining, and the old town. Choose Interlaken Ost if you plan on daily mountain excursions to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, as this is the primary rail terminal. Unterseen offers a traditional Swiss atmosphere away from the main tourist drag. For those seeking quiet immersion in nature, Matten or Bönigen provide a residential feel with mountain views, while Goldswil offers an elevated perspective of the lakes. Your choice dictates whether you wake up to luxury storefronts or alpine meadows.
Interlaken West
Best for: Convenience, shopping, and short stays
- Vibe: Bustling, commercial, and practical.
- Nearest landmarks: Interlaken West Station, Lake Thun boat docks, Heimwehfluh funicular.
This area centers on the Bahnhofstrasse, the main artery connecting the two train stations. You stay here because you want everything within a five-minute walk. The streets are lined with watch boutiques, supermarkets, and outdoor gear shops. It feels more like a small city than a mountain village. It is the most functional base for travelers using the Eurail pass or taking the boat across Lake Thun.
Interlaken Ost
Best for: Mountain enthusiasts and transit efficiency
- Vibe: Transit-oriented, modern, and busy.
- Nearest landmarks: Interlaken Ost Station, Harder Kulm funicular, Lake Brienz boat docks.
Interlaken Ost is the gateway to the Jungfrau region. If your itinerary involves daily trips to the "Top of Europe" or the Lauterbrunnen Valley, stay here. The area around the Höheweg serves as the connecting strip to the rest of the town. While more functional than aesthetic, it puts you seconds away from the trains that climb into the higher Alps.
Unterseen
Best for: Couples and history buffs
- Vibe: Historic, charming, and quieter.
- Nearest landmarks: Stadthausplatz, Aare River, Tourism Museum.
Cross the bridge over the Aare River from the West station to enter Unterseen. This is technically a separate municipality but functions as Interlaken’s "Old Town." The Stadthausplatz is the centerpiece, featuring medieval architecture and cobblestone paths. It feels significantly more authentic than the hotel blocks on the main strip. You get the benefit of central proximity without the heavy crowds of the main promenade.
Matten bei Interlaken
Best for: Budget travelers and adventure seekers
- Vibe: Residential, youthful, and open.
- Nearest landmarks: Tellspiele open-air theater, Rugenbräu Brewery.
Matten sits at the base of the mountains south of the main center. It is more spread out and home to many of the town’s hostels and lodges. The streets are quieter, offering a mix of traditional wooden chalets and newer apartment blocks. It provides a more local perspective on Interlaken life, with easy access to hiking trails and the local brewery.
Bönigen
Best for: Families and lake lovers
- Vibe: Lakeside, peaceful, and scenic.
- Nearest landmarks: Lake Brienz, Bönigen ferry terminal.
Bönigen is a five-minute bus ride or a thirty-minute walk from Interlaken Ost. It sits directly on the shores of Lake Brienz. The village is known for its well-preserved 16th-century wood carvings on the houses. Staying here offers a resort-style feel. You trade the convenience of the train station for the sound of water and a significantly slower pace of life.
Goldswil and Ringgenberg
Best for: Nature lovers and photographers
- Vibe: Elevated, secluded, and panoramic.
- Nearest landmarks: Burgseeli (natural swimming lake), Ringgenberg Castle ruins.
Located on the northern side of the Aare, these elevated villages offer the best views of the surrounding peaks and the turquoise water of Lake Brienz. It requires a short bus trip or a stiff uphill walk to reach, but the payoff is tranquility. The area around the Burgseeli is particularly popular in summer for its warmer natural swimming waters compared to the cold glacier-fed lakes.
Best neighborhood for first-time visitors
For your first trip, the best area to stay in Interlaken is the Central Promenade (Höheweg). This is the long stretch of road connecting Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost.
Staying here places you within walking distance of both major train hubs. You have the Höhematte—the large green park in the center of town—right outside your door. This park is the landing zone for paragliders, providing constant entertainment and a sense of place. From any balcony along the Höheweg, you have an unobstructed view of the Jungfrau massif. It removes the stress of navigating local buses. You are surrounded by the highest concentration of dining options, from traditional Swiss fondue to international cuisine. If you only have two or three nights, don't waste time commuting; stay in the center.
Best for nightlife
Interlaken is more of an "early-to-rise" adventure town than a late-night party destination, but if you want social activity, Interlaken West is the clear winner.
The density of bars, Irish pubs, and late-night eateries is highest around the West station and the beginning of the Bahnhofstrasse. Because many of the town's hostels are located on the border of Interlaken West and Matten, the crowd here is younger and more active after dark. You will find several themed bars and small clubs that stay open until the early hours, especially on weekends. Unterseen also offers several cozy wine bars and riverside terraces that provide a more sophisticated evening atmosphere compared to the rowdy backpacks-and-beer vibe of the main strip.
Best for families
Bönigen and its surrounding areas are superior for families. The town center of Interlaken can feel hectic with massive tour groups and heavy traffic. Bönigen offers a pedestrian-friendly environment where children can move more freely.
The proximity to Lake Brienz means easy access to lidos (public swimming areas), playgrounds, and boat rentals. Most accommodations here are larger, often offering apartment-style layouts with kitchens, which is essential for managing a family budget in Switzerland. The local bus system is free for guests with the Interlaken Guest Card, making the five-minute shuttle into the main station effortless. You get the beauty of the Alps without the stress of navigating crowded sidewalks with a stroller or young kids.
Neighborhoods to avoid or think twice about
There is no "dangerous" part of Interlaken. Switzerland remains one of the safest countries in the world. However, some areas might not align with your expectations.
- Near the Harder Kulm base station: During peak summer, this area becomes a bottleneck of tourists and tour buses. It is loud and can feel claustrophobic during the day.
- The far reaches of Ringgenberg: While beautiful, the bus service ends earlier than some travelers expect. If you miss the last bus after dinner in town, you are looking at an expensive taxi ride or a very long walk in the dark.
- Deep Matten (industrial fringes): Some parts of Matten border light industrial zones or hardware stores. While safe and quiet, they lack the "Alpine charm" most people come to Interlaken to find. Check street views before booking to ensure you aren't overlooking a construction yard or a parking garage.
When searching for your hotel Interlaken, remember that the town is small. You can walk from one end to the other in 25 minutes. Your priority should be proximity to the train station that serves your specific mountain goals. Use the West station for city trips (Bern, Thun, Spiez) and the Ost station for mountain peaks (Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren). Select your neighborhood based on how much you value the silence of the mountains versus the convenience of the shops.