Best Sights in Interlaken Away From the Tourist Traps
Words by
Sophie Andermatt
The Best Sights in Interlaken That Locals Actually Visit
I have lived in Interlaken for over a decade, and if there is one thing I have learned, it is that the best sights in Interlaken are not the ones plastered across every tour bus window. They are the places where the light hits the mountains at a certain angle in the late afternoon, where the owner remembers your name after two visits, and where you can stand on a quiet path and hear nothing but the river and the wind. This guide is for the traveler who wants to see what to see in Interlaken beyond the souvenir shops on Höheweg, the ones who would rather find a bench with a view of the Jungfrau than queue for a selfie at the main overlook. Every location here is real, every detail something I have personally verified on foot.
1. The Riverside Path Along the Aare River (Unterseen Side)
Neighborhood: Unterseen, along the Aare riverbank between the old town and the lake outlet
The Aare river path on the Unterseen side is where I go when I need to clear my head after a long day. It runs from the old town of Unterseen westward toward where the river flows into Lake Thun, and most tourists never cross the bridge to this side of town, which is exactly why it stays so peaceful. The path is flat, paved in parts and gravel in others, and it passes under old stone bridges and past small gardens that belong to houses whose families have lived here for generations. You will see kayakers in summer and herons standing motionless in the shallows, and the whole stretch takes about 40 minutes to walk end to end at a relaxed pace.
What to See: The small stone footbridge near the Gasthof Bären, where the water runs turquoise over smooth rocks and you can sit on the bank with your feet almost touching the current.
Best Time: Early morning, between 6:30 and 8:00 in summer, when the light comes through the valley and the mist is still lifting off the water.
The Vibe: Quiet, residential, almost village-like. The only drawback is that there are no public restrooms along the path, so plan accordingly.
Local Tip: If you follow the path past the last house and keep going another 10 minutes, you reach a small gravel beach where locals swim in July and August. There is no sign, no facilities, just a rope swing that someone maintains every spring.
2. Unterseen Old Town (Dorfplatz and Surrounding Streets)
Neighborhood: Unterseen, centered on the Dorfplatz and the narrow streets radiating from it
While most visitors walk the Höheweg on the east side and never look back, the old town of Unterseen on the west bank of the Aare has its own character entirely. The Dorfplatz is a small square with a fountain, a few benches, and the kind of low stone buildings that date back to the 17th century. This was historically the market town, the working counterpart to Interlaken's monastic and later tourist identity, and you can still feel that difference in the pace of life here. The streets around the square, particularly Postgasse and Hauptstrasse, have small independent shops, a bakery that opens at 5:30 in the morning, and a weekly market on Wednesday mornings from May through October.
What to See: The painted facade on the building at the corner of Postgasse and the alley leading toward the church. It depicts a scene from the old market days and was restored in 2011 by a local artist whose name is carved into the lower right corner.
Best Time: Wednesday mornings between 8:00 and 11:00, when the weekly market is running and the square fills with local vendors selling cheese, bread, and seasonal produce.
The Vibe: Genuinely local, unhurried, with a handful of cafés where the same people sit at the same tables every day. The downside is that most shops close by 6:30 in the evening and are shut on Sundays, so timing matters.
Local Tip: Walk down the narrow alley behind the church (Reformierte Kirche Unterseen) and you will find a small courtyard with a view of the Heimwehfluh hill that almost no tourist photographs, even though it is one of the best angles in the area.
3. The Heimwehfluh Hill and Funicular
Neighborhood: Heimwehfluh, accessible from the Därligenstrasse side of Interlaken
The Heimwehfluh funicular has been running since 1906, and it takes you up to 680 meters above sea level in about six minutes. At the top there is a wooden observation platform, a small restaurant, and a toboggan run that operates in summer. What makes this one of the top viewpoints Interlaken has to offer is the perspective: you look directly across at the Jungfrau, Mönch, and Eiger, but from an angle that is completely different from the famous Harder Kulm overlook. Fewer people come up here, which means you can actually hear the cow bells from the pastures on the opposite slope. The funicular runs roughly every 30 minutes and the round trip costs around 28 Swiss francs for adults.
What to See: The wooden observation platform at the summit, and specifically the view toward the Niederhorn range to the northwest, which most visitors overlook because they are focused on the famous three peaks.
Best Time: Late afternoon, around 4:00 to 6:00, when the light turns golden on the Jungfrau face and the tourist groups have mostly descended.
The Vibe: Family-friendly, a little old-fashioned in the best way. The restaurant at the top serves simple Swiss food and the portions are generous. One honest complaint: the funicular can feel cramped if a large group boards, and there is no reservation system, so you may wait through one or two cycles during peak hours.
Local Tip: Instead of taking the funicular back down, walk the trail that descends through the forest toward the base station. It takes about 35 minutes, is well marked, and passes through a section of old-growth beech forest that smells incredible after rain.
4. The Japanese Garden at the Hotel du Nord (Publicly Accessible Courtyard)
Neighborhood: Höheweg area, adjacent to the Hotel du Nord on the lake side
This is a small, easily missed courtyard garden that the Hotel du Nord maintains and leaves open to the public during daylight hours. It was designed in the early 20th century as part of a cultural exchange program between Interlaken and a Japanese sister city, and it features a small pond, a stone lantern, and carefully pruned maples. It is not large, maybe 20 meters across, but it is one of the most peaceful spots in the center of town. Most people walk right past the entrance, which is a narrow gate between two buildings on the path that runs behind the hotel toward Lake Thun.
What to See: The stone lantern near the pond, which was carved from local Bernese Oberland granite and shipped to Japan for finishing before being returned and installed here in 1923.
Best Time: Mid-morning, between 9:00 and 11:00, when the light filters through the maples and the courtyard is usually empty.
The Vibe: Still, contemplative, almost secret. The only real drawback is that there is no seating, so if you want to sit and take it in, you will need to use the low stone edge of the pond.
Local Tip: The gate is sometimes closed during heavy rain or in winter, but from April through October it is almost always open. If it is closed, ask at the hotel reception, and they will usually let you through.
5. The Jungfrau Panorama (Mönchsjoch Ridge View from the Train)
Neighborhood: Visible from the train route between Interlaken Ost and Kleine Scheidegg
I am including this because it is one of the most extraordinary sights in the Interlaken region, and yet most people experience it as a blur through a train window while checking their phones. The train from Interlaken Ost to Kleine Scheidegg passes through Wengen and then climbs through the Kleine Scheidegg pass, and at a certain point on the upper section, the entire north face of the Eiger opens up on one side while the Jungfrau and Mönch dominate the other. This is not a stop you get off at, but it is a sight worth planning for. Sit on the left side of the train (facing uphill) for the Eiger view and the right side for the Jungfrau. The full journey from Interlaken Ost to Kleine Scheidegg takes about 90 minutes and costs around 65 Swiss francs one way with a standard ticket.
What to See: The moment, roughly 20 minutes after leaving Wengen, when the train emerges above the treeline and the Eiger north face appears in full. It is one of the most dramatic mountain reveals in the Alps.
Best Time: Take the 8:00 or 9:00 departure from Interlaken Ost in summer for the clearest skies. Afternoon clouds often build up by 2:00 PM and can obscure the peaks entirely.
The Vibe: Awe-inspiring, humbling, and surprisingly emotional if you let it be. The practical downside is that the train fills up quickly in July and August, and if you do not have a seat on the correct side, the view is partially blocked by other passengers.
Local Tip: Buy a one-way ticket to Kleine Scheidegg and hike down to Wengen via the well-marked trail, which takes about two hours and gives you the views at your own pace. You can then take the train back to Interlaken from Wengen.
6. The Interlaken Cemetery (Friedhof) and Its Mountain Views
Neighborhood: Just south of the town center, off the road toward Wilderswil, near the Matten bei Interlaken border
This may sound unusual, but the Interlaken cemetery is one of the most beautifully maintained and quietly moving places in the area. It sits on a gentle slope with a direct view of the Jungfrau, and the graves are marked with simple wooden crosses and local stone, many of them belonging to families that have lived in the valley for centuries. There is a small chapel, a row of old linden trees, and a bench where I have sat many times watching the alpenglow turn the snow pink in the evening. It is a place that tells you something real about how this community relates to the mountains, not as a backdrop for photographs but as a constant presence in daily life and in death.
What to See: The row of oldest graves along the eastern wall, some dating to the early 1800s, with inscriptions in an older dialect of Swiss German that even some locals find difficult to read.
Best Time: Late evening, around 7:00 to 8:30 in summer, when the light is soft and the cemetery is almost certainly empty.
The Vibe: Solemn, beautiful, deeply respectful. There is no drawback other than the fact that it is a place of mourning, so keep your voice low and do not photograph individual graves.
Local Tip: The cemetery is not well signposted. Walk south from the intersection of the main road and the small lane that runs past the Matten bei Interlaken fire station. It is about a five-minute walk from the center of Interlaken.
7. The Lakeside Path from Interlaken West to Bönigen
Neighborhood: Following the southern shore of Lake Thun from Interlaken West station to the village of Bönigen
This is a paved walking and cycling path that runs along the southern edge of Lake Thun for about four kilometers, from the area near Interlaken West station all the way to the small village of Bönigen. It passes through a stretch of lakeside that is flat, shaded in parts by old trees, and almost entirely free of commercial development. Bönigen itself is a former fishing village that was absorbed into the Interlaken municipality but still has its own identity, a small harbor, and a handful of houses with window boxes that look like they belong in a different century. The walk takes about 50 minutes one way, and you can return by bus or by the same path.
What to See: The small harbor at Bönigen, where a few wooden boats are moored and the water is so clear you can see the bottom even at a depth of two or three meters.
Best Time: Late afternoon, when the lake turns a deep blue and the mountains behind you are backlit. In autumn, the path is lined with trees that turn gold and red.
The Vibe: Peaceful, residential, with a sense of being slightly outside of time. The one honest complaint is that the path has very little shade in the middle section, and on a hot July afternoon it can feel exposed and warm.
Local Tip: At the Bönigen end, there is a small kiosk near the harbor that sells drinks and ice cream in summer. It is cash only, which catches some visitors off guard.
8. The St. Beatus Caves (Entrance and Surrounding Forest)
Neighborhood: Near the northern end of Lake Thun, about 4 kilometers from Interlaken, accessible by bus or boat
The St. Beatus Caves are a limestone cave system that has been a tourist attraction since the 19th century, but what most visitors do not realize is that the walk from the bus stop or the boat dock to the cave entrance is itself one of the most beautiful short walks in the region. The path follows the lake shore and then climbs through a dense forest of beech and fir, passing small waterfalls and rock formations that are older than the caves themselves. The legend says that Saint Beatus lived in these caves in the 2nd century and fought a dragon, and whether or not you believe that, the atmosphere of the place is undeniably powerful. The caves are open from mid-March to early November, and admission is around 19 Swiss francs for adults.
What to See: The waterfall just inside the cave entrance, which is lit from behind and creates a curtain of light that shifts as the water flow changes with the season.
Best Time: Midweek mornings, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the tour groups are smallest. The caves are cool year-round (about 8 degrees Celsius inside), so bring a jacket even in summer.
The Vibe: Mysterious, cool, slightly damp. The caves are genuinely impressive, but the guided tours can feel rushed during peak season, and the guide may only speak German with a brief English summary.
Local Tip: Skip the caves themselves if you are short on time and just walk the forest path from the lake to the entrance and back. It takes about 20 minutes round trip and is free. The path continues beyond the cave entrance up to a small chapel with a view of the lake that most visitors never reach.
When to Go and What to Know
Interlaken sits at 568 meters above sea level, and the weather can change faster than you expect, even in summer. Mornings are almost always clearer than afternoons for mountain views, so if seeing the peaks is a priority, plan your outdoor activities before noon. The tourist season runs roughly from June through September, with July and August being the busiest. May and late September offer thinner crowds and often excellent weather, though some mountain transport routes may have reduced schedules. Public transport in the region is reliable and well connected, but the last buses from outlying areas like Bönigen and the St. Beatus Caves typically run around 7:00 or 8:00 in the evening, so check timetables before you set out. Cash is still preferred at smaller kiosks and rural stops, though cards are accepted at most restaurants and ticket offices in town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free or low-cost tourist places in Interlaken that are genuinely worth the visit?
The Aare river path on the Unterseen side, the Interlaken cemetery, and the lakeside path to Bönigen are all completely free and offer some of the most authentic experiences in the area. The Japanese garden courtyard behind the Hotel du Nord is also free and open during daylight hours. The Heimwehfluh funicular costs around 28 Swiss francs round trip, which is modest compared to the Harder Kulm at about 36 francs, and the views are arguably better because of the different angle.
Do the most popular attractions in Interlaken require advance ticket booking, especially during peak season?
The Jungfraujoch railway and the Harder Kulm funicular both benefit from advance booking in July and August, as same-day tickets can sell out by mid-morning. The Heimwehfluh funicular does not require reservations and rarely has significant queues. The St. Beatus Caves accept walk-ins, but guided tour slots fill up on weekends, so arriving before 10:00 AM is advisable. Boat trips on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz can be boarded without advance purchase on weekdays, but weekend sailings in high season sometimes reach capacity.
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Interlaken without feeling rushed?
Three full days allow you to cover the main sights, including one mountain excursion, one lake activity, and time in the town itself, without rushing. Two days is possible but requires prioritizing, and you will likely need to skip either a mountain trip or a lake activity. Four to five days lets you explore the quieter locations like the Unterseen old town, the Bönigen path, and the Heimwehfluh area at a genuinely relaxed pace.
Is it possible to walk between the main sightseeing spots in Interlaken, or is local transport necessary?
The town center is compact, and most central sights are within a 15 to 20 minute walk of each other. The walk from Interlaken Ost to Interlaken West stations takes about 25 minutes along the main road. However, reaching the St. Beatus Caves, the Heimwehfluh, or the lakeside path at Bönigen requires either a bus, a boat, or a longer walk of 30 to 50 minutes. Local buses run frequently and a day pass for the Interlaken area costs around 10 Swiss francs.
What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Interlaken as a solo traveler?
The Swiss public transport system is exceptionally safe and reliable, and Interlaken is well served by buses, trains, and boats. Buses connect all the major points within the municipality, and trains link Interlaken Ost to regional destinations like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Meiringen. Taxis are available but expensive, with a short ride within town costing 15 to 20 Swiss francs. Walking is safe at all hours, though some paths outside the town center are unlit after dark, so a small flashlight is useful in the evening.
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