Things to do in Interlaken range from mountain viewpoints and lake cruises to old-town walks, outdoor adventures and creative experiences you can carry home with you. The town sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Bernese Alps shaping almost every view. That location makes Interlaken an ideal base for visitors who want nature, activity, culture and time to slow down in the same trip.
Some travelers arrive with a full itinerary. Others only know they want to see the mountains. A good visit does not need to include every famous attraction. It should combine experiences that match your energy, the weather and the story you want to remember afterward.
This guide brings together classic highlights and quieter ideas, then introduces a more personal option: turning part of your Interlaken experience into a custom tattoo souvenir at Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery.
1. Start with a Walk Through Central Interlaken
Before taking a train, boat or mountain railway, spend time walking through the center. Interlaken is compact enough to explore on foot, and the route between Interlaken West, the Höheweg area and Interlaken Ost gives you a quick sense of the town.
The open space of the Höhematte is one of the most recognizable parts of Interlaken. On clear days, the mountain panorama creates a dramatic background, while paragliders often descend toward the center. The surrounding streets offer cafés, shops and easy connections to local transport.
This first walk is also useful for planning. You can check the weather, decide whether the mountains are visible and adjust the day before committing to a longer excursion.
2. Go Up to Harder Kulm for the Two-Lake View
Harder Kulm is Interlaken’s local mountain and one of the clearest ways to understand the geography of the region. From the viewpoint, you can see the town between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Bernese Alps beyond.
The funicular journey from Interlaken takes about ten minutes, making Harder Kulm a practical choice when you want a panoramic experience without using the entire day. Operating periods and times are seasonal, so check the official information before planning.
For visitors who enjoy hiking, the area can also become part of a more active day. Route conditions, weather and personal fitness should always be considered before choosing a trail.
Check official Harder Kulm information.
3. Take a Boat Trip on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz
One of the most relaxing things to do in Interlaken is to experience the region from the water. Lake Thun and Lake Brienz have different visual characters, and both connect Interlaken with villages, viewpoints and excursion destinations around the shores.
A boat trip can be the main activity of the day or part of a route that combines train, walking and a lakeside stop. Lake Brienz is known for striking turquoise tones, while Lake Thun offers views toward castles, villages and the wider Alpine landscape.
Schedules vary by season and route. Check current departures before building the day around a specific boat.
View official BLS boat information for Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
4. Explore the Old Town of Unterseen
A few minutes from the busier center of Interlaken, Unterseen offers a quieter atmosphere. The old town around Stadthausplatz has historic buildings, local restaurants and a slower rhythm that contrasts with the activity along the main tourist routes.
Walking beside the Aare and continuing into Unterseen is a good option when you want to experience the area without planning a full mountain excursion. It also works well in combination with cafés, photography or the Tourismuseum.
Discover official information about Unterseen Old Town.
5. Learn How Tourism Changed the Region
Interlaken is not only a place shaped by mountains. It is also a place shaped by centuries of travel. The Tourismuseum in Unterseen explores the development of tourism in the Alps, including transport, hotels, mountaineering and the souvenir industry.
This makes the museum especially relevant when the weather is uncertain or when you want context beyond scenic viewpoints. Understanding how visitors have experienced the region over time can change the way you see modern Interlaken.
Visit the official Tourismuseum information page.
6. Try Paragliding Above Interlaken
Paragliding is one of the activities most strongly associated with Interlaken. Tandem flights offer views of the two lakes, the town and the surrounding peaks from the air. Flights depend on weather, operating conditions and provider availability.
This experience is not for everyone, and it does not need to be. If you prefer to stay on the ground, watching the paragliders descend over the town is already part of the visual character of Interlaken.
Choose professional operators, follow their safety instructions and confirm current conditions directly with the provider.
Read official tourism information about paragliding in Interlaken.
7. Use Interlaken as a Base for Mountain Excursions
Interlaken is an important starting point for exploring the Jungfrau Region and other parts of the Bernese Oberland. Depending on your time and interests, you can plan excursions toward mountain railways, valleys, villages and hiking areas.
Some visitors choose a high-altitude destination. Others prefer a valley walk, a lakeside village or a shorter scenic route. The best choice depends on visibility, weather, season and how much travel time you want within the day.
Do not assume that every mountain excursion is equally suitable in all conditions. Check official transport, weather and route information before leaving.
8. Slow Down with a Café, Gallery or Local Walk
Not every day in Interlaken needs to be built around adrenaline. A slower afternoon can include a café, local food, a walk along the river, photography or time to look at art and design.
These quieter moments often become the emotional center of a trip. They leave space to notice the details: changing light on the mountains, the color of the water, the movement of trains and travelers, or the contrast between international tourism and local life.
For people who connect travel with creativity, Interlaken can also inspire sketches, photographs, writing and personal tattoo ideas.
9. Create a Tattoo Souvenir as a Personal Thing to Do in Interlaken
After mountains, lakes and adventure, some visitors look for a different kind of memory. A tattoo souvenir in Interlaken can transform a place, experience or personal milestone into permanent art.
This does not need to mean choosing a generic Swiss symbol. A travel-inspired tattoo can be based on the shape of a mountain, the movement of water, a route, a botanical element, a date, coordinates or a personal symbol connected to the journey.
At Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery, the goal is to understand what the trip means to you and develop a design that fits your body, preferred style and available time. Some visitors choose a small, refined piece. Others use the trip as the starting point for a larger custom project.
Why a tattoo can be more meaningful than a standard souvenir
A purchased object remembers the destination. A custom tattoo can remember what changed inside you while you were there. That difference is what makes the experience personal rather than purely tourist-oriented.
The design should still be planned carefully. Placement, size, detail and aftercare all matter. A tattoo is permanent, and the fact that it happens during a trip should not reduce the quality of the decision.
When to plan the tattoo during your stay
For many visitors, the appointment works better after swimming, spa visits, long hikes and major outdoor activities. A fresh tattoo needs appropriate care and should not be submerged during healing.
Share your itinerary with the studio before booking. The artist can discuss practical considerations based on placement and travel plans, although individual healing cannot be guaranteed.
What to send before arriving
- Your travel dates in Interlaken.
- A short explanation of the memory or idea.
- Two to five useful reference images.
- The preferred body placement and approximate size.
- The style or visual direction you like.
- Activities and onward travel planned after the appointment.
Send the information through our tattoo booking request. Availability should never be assumed before the studio confirms the project and date.
Looking for a creative memory from Interlaken?
Tell us what the journey means to you. We can review your idea and explain whether a custom tattoo, a smaller travel-inspired piece or a future project is the right direction.
10. Build a Balanced One-Day Interlaken Itinerary
A balanced day could begin with a walk through central Interlaken, continue with Harder Kulm or a lake excursion, include lunch in Unterseen and finish with a quieter cultural or creative activity.
Another option is to dedicate the morning to paragliding or a mountain excursion, then use the afternoon for the old town, cafés and local exploration. Travelers planning a tattoo should normally leave enough time for the appointment and avoid scheduling it between physically demanding activities.
The best itinerary is flexible. Mountain weather can change quickly, and seasonal transport may affect what is possible. Keep one indoor or low-altitude alternative available.
Things to Do in Interlaken When the Weather Changes
Clouds or rain do not automatically make the day unsuccessful. Unterseen, the Tourismuseum, cafés, shops, local food and slower walks can still create a meaningful experience. Boat and mountain operations depend on conditions, so always check before traveling.
A weather change can also be a reason to spend more time developing a creative idea. Visitors sometimes use a quieter day to organize photographs and references for a tattoo consultation, rather than choosing a rushed design at the last moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Interlaken for a first visit?
A first visit can combine a town walk, a lake experience, Harder Kulm or another mountain viewpoint, and time in Unterseen. Choose according to weather and the amount of travel you want.
Is Interlaken only for adventure sports?
No. Interlaken also works well for scenic transport, boat trips, walking, culture, cafés, photography and relaxed day excursions.
Can I visit both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz?
Yes, both lakes are connected to the Interlaken area, but routes and boat schedules vary. Check current transport information before planning both in one day.
Is Harder Kulm suitable for a short visit?
The funicular ride is short, which can make it practical for a half-day or flexible itinerary. Seasonal operating times and weather should be checked first.
Can getting a tattoo be one of the things to do in Interlaken?
Yes. A custom tattoo can become a personal travel experience when it is planned responsibly. Contact the studio before arrival and schedule it around swimming, hiking and other activities.
Do I need to book a tattoo souvenir in advance?
Advance contact is strongly recommended. Walk-in availability cannot be assumed, and custom work needs enough information and preparation.
Experience Interlaken in a Way That Feels Personal
The best things to do in Interlaken are not necessarily the ones that fill the most hours. They are the experiences that connect the landscape, your interests and the reason you traveled.
See the lakes, look at the mountains, walk through the older streets and choose the level of adventure that feels right. Then, if the journey represents something you want to carry forward, consider turning that memory into a thoughtful tattoo rather than another generic souvenir.
Entre Lagos Tattoo & Art Gallery is located in Interlaken and welcomes local clients and international visitors for custom tattoo consultations. Browse our tattoo styles and selected work, read our aftercare guidance or send your idea for review.
