Best Rooftop Bars in Interlaken for Sunset Drinks and City Views
Words by
Lukas Zimmermann
Interlaken sits in a narrow strip of flat land between two lakes, hemmed in by mountains, and that geography does something unusual for a town of its size. It pushes the view-seeking instinct upward. If you want the best rooftop bars in Interlaken, you quickly realize that "rooftop" here does not always mean a six-floor climb. Sometimes it means a terrace on the second floor of a building on Höheweg that frames the Jungfrau just right. Sometimes it means a beer garden on the elevated side of a street that catches the last sun after 8 p.m. in summer. Over the years I have spent more evenings than I can count on these terraces and rooftops, usually with something cold in hand, always watching the light change on the mountains. This is my personal guide to the spots worth your time. They range from polished hotel sky bars Interlaken visitors rave about, to modest outdoor bars Interlaken locals retreat to when they do not want to deal with the tourist drag on the main promenade.
Höheweg and the Hotel Rooftops
Höheweg is the promenade spine of Interlaken, running roughly east-west between the two train stations with the Jungfrau massif as a backdrop on a clear day. Several of the town's better-known hotels have top-floor bars or terraces that technically qualify as rooftop experiences. These are the places people picture when they search for sky bars Interlaken online, and they actually deliver on the promise, with one or two caveats.
1. The Top Floor Terrace at Hotel Interlaken
Location: Höheweg, central Interlaken, east of the main promenade intersection.
Hotel Interlaken is one of the oldest hospitality buildings in town, with a history stretching back to the early 19th century when it served as a coaching inn. Today the top-floor terrace is open to non-guests during warmer months, roughly May through September, and the view is straightforward. You sit facing south-west toward the Jungfrau, and when the weather cooperates, the entire ridge catches the last golden hour light.
The Vibe? elegant and unhurried, more of a sitting-with-a-glass-of-wine place than a cocktail-slinging scene.
The Bill? a cocktail runs 18 to 24 CHF, a decent Swiss white wine by the glass starts around 12 CHF.
The Standout? the sightline to the Jungfrau at sunset with almost no visual obstruction from nearby buildings.
The Catch? the terrace is relatively small, maybe eight to ten tables, and on peak July evenings it fills up fast with hotel guests getting first priority.
Getting there early (around 6:30 p.m. in July and August) is the smart move. A detail most tourists do not know: the side of the terrace that faces slightly north-east also gives you a partial view of the Harder Kulm ridge, which turns a deep purple after sunset. Most people face the Jungfrau and never notice.
2. The Lakeside-Terrace at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Location: Höheweg, near the western end of the promenade.
The Victoria-Jungfrau is the grand dame of Interlaken hotels, a name that appears in travel writing about this town going back to the golden age of Alpine tourism in the late 1800s. Its main restaurant and terrace face the mountains, and while it is not a rooftop in the strict sense, the building's elevated position above the street and the generous terrace create a similar effect. This is one of the most photographed spots in Interlaken, and for good reason. At 7 p.m. in summer, with a Hugo Spritz in hand and the Jungfrau lit up pink, you are living inside a postcard.
The Vibe? polished and slightly formal, a jacket-and-collar vibe without being stuffy.
The Bill? expect 20 to 26 CHF for cocktails, 14 to 18 CHF for wine by the glass.
The Standout? the frontal, diagonal view of the Jungfrau framed by the garden terrace.
The Catch? the draw of this place is directly proportional to how crowded it gets. Weekend evenings between 6 and 9 p.m. in high season feel more like a curated queue than a relaxed drink.
A local tip: the terrace has a side section near the eastern garden hedge that most visitors walk right past. On busy nights it is quieter, and the view is only marginally different. Ask for it by name if you can. One detail worth noting is that the Victoria-Jungfrau has hosted aristocrats, musicians, and mountaineers for well over a century. You are not just having a drink on a nice patio. You are sitting where people have been gazing at the same mountain since before the Jungfraubahn was completed in 1912.
Bäächli and the Lake Thun Side
The western side of Interlaken, particularly the Bäächli neighborhood near the river outlet of the Lütschine into Lake Thun, has a different character from the Höheweg strip. It is more residential, a bit more relaxed, and the interplay of the river and the lake creates a unique evening atmosphere. The sunsets here come with a slightly different angle, catching the Niederhorn range and the water surfaces in ways that Höheweg cannot replicate.
3. The Terrace at Restaurant & Bar Talweg
Location: Bäächli, on the western bank of the Lütschine river, close to the Sporthalle and Mattenhof Resort area.
Talweg is one of those spots that sits firmly in the "locals who know" category. It is technically a restaurant with a generous outdoor terrace that overlooks the river, and in summer the late sun hits this side of town beautifully. The space is not technically a rooftop, but the elevated terrace seating, combined with the open sky above and the unobstructed westward view, earns it a place in any honest list of outdoor bars Interlaken has to offer for a late-afternoon drink.
The Vibe? relaxed, family-friendly earlier in the evening, gradually shifting toward a couples-and-friends energy as the sun drops.
The Bill? beer from around 7 CHF, wine by the glass 10 to 14 CHF, cocktails 15 to 18 CHF.
The Standout? sun-warmed stone under your feet and the sound of the river behind you while the mountains go orange.
The Catch? mosquitoes can be genuinely bothersome here in June and July near the river. Bring repellent or you will not last an hour.
Talweg connects to Interlaken's growing role as a base for people doing more than just ticking off the Jungfraujoch. The surrounding neighborhood hosts a lot of adventure-sport guides and seasonal workers who come here after long days on the water or in the hills. That gives the place an energy that is more peer-to-peer than host-to-tourist. A local detail: a few of the seasonal regulars have been working the paragliding and rafting circuits in Interlaken for over a decade. If you are curious about what the town looks like on a Tuesday in October, they are the people to ask.
4. The Lakeside Area Near Strandbad Interlaken and the Lake Thun Promenade
Location: the stretch along Lake Thun, south of Bäächli, near the Strandbad (public lido/beach).
The Strandbad area does not have a rooftop bar in any formal sense, but the entire lakeside promenade functions as an open-air gathering point on warm evenings. People bring their own drinks, sit on the low stone walls, and watch the sun set over the water. It is democratic, free, and arguably more beautiful than any paid terrace. A few small kiosks and the nearby terrace spots serve drinks, making this an honest, if modest, entry in the outdoor bars Interlaken list.
The Vibe? casual and open, the polar opposite of a hotel terrace. Kids, couples, groups of friends, dogs on leashes.
The Bill? if you buy from a kiosk, a beer is about 6 to 8 CHF. Sitting on the wall with your own bottle from the Coop costs you almost nothing.
The Standout? the sun setting directly over Lake Thun with the silhouette of the Niederhorn in front of you.
The Catch? no real seating infrastructure, no table service, and the area can get noisy with local teenagers on Friday and Saturday nights.
One detail most visitors miss: if you walk a few hundred meters east along the promenade, past the main Strandbad area, the crowds thin out dramatically and the view opens up. It is my preferred spot to sit with a drink and a notebook. The promenade here has been part of Interlaken's identity since the town began formalizing its lakeside spaces in the late 19th century. The town's entire reason for existing as a tourist destination is the lakes-and-mountains combination, and this is the most literal expression of that.
The East Side and Höhematte
East of the main Höheweg strip, the Höhematte is Interlaken's great central open meadow, bordered by streets and buildings. The eastern end of town, near Oststation (Interlaken Ost), has a more practical, less polished feel. But there are elevated and terrace options here that carry their own appeal, particularly for people who want Interlaken bars with views without the premium pricing of a five-star hotel.
5. The Rooftop Terrace at Hotel Restaurant Goldener Anker
Location: center of Interlaken, a short walk from the western end of the Höhematte, on the street running parallel to the river.
The Goldener Anker has been operating for decades as a mid-range hotel and restaurant, and its rooftop terrace is one of the more accessible sky bars Interlaken visitors stumble onto, often by accident. The terrace is not enormous, but the angle toward the Jungfrau and the surrounding peaks is wide, and the atmosphere is relaxed. You are not going to get the meticulous cocktail program of a high-end bar here, but you will get a solid drink and a view that punches well above the price point.
The Vibe? friendly, slightly old-school, the kind of place where the bartender might recommend a local apple soda if you mention you have had enough alcohol.
The Bill? beers around 7 to 9 CHF, wine by the glass from 9 CHF, cocktails 14 to 17 CHF.
The Standout? the combination of a real rooftop view and a price that does not require a second mortgage.
The Catch? the terrace furniture is basic, plastic chairs and simple tables. Comfortable enough, but you will not mistake it for a design-forward lounge.
Go on a weekday evening around 7 p.m. to avoid the after-dinner rush. A local detail worth knowing: the Goldener Anker is popular with guides and outdoor instructors who use Interlaken as their base. On any given evening you might overhear conversations about climbing conditions on the Eiger, paragliding thermals over the Lütschine valley, or whether the via ferrata at Mürren is doable in the rain. This is a window into Interlaken's working life as an adventure-sport town, not just its tourist veneer.
6. The Terrace at Number 44
Location: on the ground floor but with a wide front terrace facing the Höhematte, central Interlaken.
Number 44 (also known simply by its address on the Höhematte-facing street) is a bar and restaurant that leans into a more contemporary style than most Interlaken drinking spots. Its wide, open-front terrace faces the Höhematte green space, and in the evening the open sky and the mountains beyond create a rooftop-like sense of openness. The drinks program is more creative than a typical Swiss beer garden, with a modest cocktail list and rotating specials.
The Vibe? modern-bar-meets-Alpine-town, younger crowd, good music at a conversational volume.
The Bill? cocktails 15 to 19 CHF, local beer around 8 CHF, wine by the glass 10 to 13 CHF.
The Standout? facing the Höhematte in the last light, with the mountains behind the town's skyline.
Get It While It's Good? the terrace is exposed directly to the open street, so on evenings when the tram or bus traffic is heavy, the constant rumble can undercut the otherwise pleasant atmosphere.
This place fits into a newer chapter of Interlaken's story, the one where the town is slowly balancing its 19th-century grand-hotel identity with a younger, more itinerant population of seasonal workers, digital nomads, and adventure athletes. The Höhematte itself was historically used as a parade ground and gathering space. Today it is frisbee-throwers and open-air yogis. The terraces around it reflect that shift.
Mountain-Adjacent and Elevated Spots
Interlaken's geography means that some of the most dramatic views come not from rooftops in the town center, but from slightly elevated positions within walking distance of the center. These spots blur the line between a bar with a viewpoint and an actual rooftop, but they belong in any complete list of Interlaken bars with views.
7. The Panorama Terrace at Balmer's Hostel Area and Nearby Bar Spots
Location: on the Matten side of town, south and slightly uphill from the center, accessible on foot in about 15 to 20 minutes or by a short bus ride.
Balmer's Hostel is well known in the backpacker circuit, and the bar area just outside it, along with a few small drinking spots nearby, offer an elevated perspective of Interlaken and the surrounding peaks. You are slightly above the town here, and the angle toward the Jungfrau is different from anything you get on Höheweg. It is more encompassing, more panoramic, the kind of view that shows you the whole valley rather than a single postcard peak.
The Vibe? backpacker energy, international crowd, cheap(ish) drinks, sunset selfies.
The Bill? beer from around 6 to 8 CHF, simple mixed drinks 12 to 15 CHF.
The Standout? the price-to-view ratio is extremely good. You get a mountain panorama without the hotel markup.
The Catch? the sound levels can climb fast. This is a social, drinking-with-strangers environment, and if you are looking for quiet contemplation, it is the wrong address.
A local tip: the access road behind Balmer's leads uphill to a small clearing that most visitors never find. Locals and long-staying seasonal workers sometimes bring beers up there for an even better angle. It is not a bar. It is just a patch of flat ground with a view. But it illustrates something important about Interlaken: the best experience is often a few meters off the main path.
8. The Harder Kulm Restaurant and Terrace (Top Station)
Location: the summit station of the Harder Kulm funicular, a 10-minute ride from Interlaken, reachable from the Harderbahn stop near the eastern edge of town.
This is the only entry that is technically not in Interlaken proper, but it is so close and so definitive that leaving it out would be dishonest. The Harder Kulm top station restaurant has a terrace that looks south over Interlaken, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, the entire valley, and the full sweep of the Bernese Alps. It is the ultimate "rooftop" for the region. The food is simple but adequate, and the drinks are reasonably priced for a mountain-top operation.
The Vibe? touristy at midday, magical in the early evening when the day-trippers have gone down.
The Bill? a beer is around 8 to 10 CHF, wine by the glass 11 to 14 CHF, a simple mixed drink 14 to 17 CHF. The funicular ride itself is about 32 CHF return.
The Standout? you are above everything. The Jungfrau is to your left, the lakes are below you, and on a clear evening the light does things that no ground-level bar can compete with.
The Catch? the last funicular down is usually around 6:30 or 7 p.m. depending on the season. Missing it means a long walk or an expensive taxi.
Getting up there for the last hour before the final descent is the single best sunset move in the Interlaken area. The mountain has been a viewpoint since the Harderbahn opened in 1908 as one of Switzerland's first funiculars. Generations of visitors have stood on that same terrace. The difference is that if you time it right, you will have it almost to yourself.
Where the Locals Actually Go on a Tuesday
Sunday and Monday evenings in Interlaken are noticeably quieter than Friday and Saturday. If you visit on those nights, the rooftop and terrace spots are emptier, service is more personal, and the mountains feel closer. Wednesday and Thursday are intermediate. Saturday in July and August is peak chaos everywhere. If you can, plan your sunset drinks for a weekday. The difference is not subtle.
A broader local truth: Interlaken does not have a deep cocktail-bar culture in the way Zurich or Geneva does. The town's drinking life revolves around beer gardens, hotel terraces, and casual wine bars. That is not a criticism. It is an honest description. The sky bars Interlaken offers are rooted in the landscape and the view, not in the drinks program. You come here for the mountains, and the bar is just the chair you sit in while you watch.
When to Go / What to Know
Season: most rooftop terraces operate from May through September. A few hotel terraces are open year-round, but the view is cold and often fog-bound in winter. Late June through mid-August offers the longest evenings, with sunset around 9:15 p.m. at the summer solstice.
Weather: Interlaken sits in a valley, and cloud cover can obscure the peaks even on otherwise pleasant evenings. Check the mountain visibility on a local webcam before committing to a pricey hotel terrace. If the Jungfrau is hidden, a beer at the lakeside promenade is a better use of your money.
Pricing: expect to pay 18 to 26 CHF for cocktails at hotel rooftop terraces, 6 to 10 CHF for beer. Prices have risen in recent years, and Interlaken is not cheap by Swiss or international standards.
Getting around: Interlaken is small enough to walk everywhere mentioned in this guide. The furthest point (Harder Kulm) requires a funicular ride. Most other spots are within 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the center.
Reservations: essential for the Victoria-Jungfrau and Hotel Interlaken on weekend evenings in July and August. Less critical elsewhere, but a phone call ahead for groups of four or more is never a bad idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Interlaken?
Service is legally included in the price at all Swiss restaurants and bars, so tipping is not expected but appreciated. Most locals round up the bill or add 5 to 10 percent for good service. At a rooftop bar where a cocktail costs 22 CHF, rounding to 25 CHF is perfectly normal. Overtipping is not socially odd, but it is also not the norm the way it might be in North America.
Are credit cards widely accepted across Interlaken, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at virtually all bars, restaurants, and hotels in Interlaken, including the rooftop terraces covered in this guide. However, small kiosks at the lakeside promenade, market stalls, and a few cash-preferred mountain-top snack points may only take physical currency. Carrying 50 to 100 CHF in cash as a backup is sensible, particularly if you plan to buy drinks outside formal establishments.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Interlaken?
Vegetarian options are widely available at most restaurants and bars. Vegan options are less common at upscale hotel restaurants but can usually be accommodated with advance notice. The more casual outdoor bars and beer-garden-style spots tend to have fewer dedicated vegan dishes. Several restaurants in the town center offer plant-based menus, and the Coop and Migros supermarkets carry a reasonable selection of vegan convenience foods for self-catering.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Interlaken?
A specialty coffee (flat white, latte, cappuccino) costs approximately 5 to 7 CHF at most cafés and hotel bars. A pot of local tea or a standard tea bag preparation runs 4 to 5 CHF. Hotel rooftop terraces tend to charge slightly more, often 7 to 9 CHF for a coffee, reflecting the view premium as much as the beverage itself.
Is Interlaken expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
Interlaken is one of the more expensive towns in Switzerland. A mid-tier traveler should budget approximately 150 to 220 CHF per day excluding accommodation. This covers two modest restaurant meals (25 to 40 CHF each), drinks (10 to 30 CHF), local transport (10 to 20 CHF), and a small activity or entrance fee. A single sunset cocktail session at a rooftop bar will typically cost 20 to 35 CHF per person. Accommodation averages 120 to 250 CHF per night for a mid-range hotel or private rental.
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