Things to Do in Interlaken West, Interlaken

Atmosphere

Unapologetically commercial, the main boulevard shouts. Cross the river—Unterseen waits, quieter, slower. This town coexists with the tourist machine without being swallowed.

Price Level

$$$

Safety

excellent

Höhematte Park

This meadow sprawls flat and wide—rare breathing room in a Swiss town—and cuts straight through Interlaken West like a green artery. Paragliders drift down from Harder Kulm most clear afternoons, a slow parade of color against the sky. Stand at the western edge and the Jungfrau fills the frame; you'll stop and shoot it even after twenty photos.

Tip: Before 8am, the meadow is nearly empty. Mountain light slices in at perfect angles—zero crowds. You'll have the Jungfrau view all to yourself until the tour buses roll in.

Unterseen Old Town

Interlaken's lesser-known neighbor sits just across the Aare—you'll reach it in a short walk from the West station. The Marktplatz anchors itself around a medieval church tower dating from the 14th century. Those surrounding streets carry a lived-in quality that's largely absent from the main Höheweg strip. You might find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Tip: Walk the old wooden bridge from Interlaken. Skip the main drag—better approach, prime Aare view.

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel Promenade

The Victoria-Jungfrau's Belle Époque facade stops pedestrians cold. Most people can't afford to stay here—at these prices, few even try—but the building still deserves a slow walk past. Built in 1865 and expanded repeatedly since, it defines the Höheweg the way grand old hotels anchor their towns. The manicured gardens facing the meadow stay open to passersby.

Tip: CHF 45-65 buys you afternoon tea in a Victorian drawing room that stares straight at the Höhematte. Self-indulgent? Absolutely. The splurge-to-experience ratio still holds.

Tandem Paragliding from Beatenberg or Harder Kulm

Interlaken West is where adrenaline junkies queue—tandem paragliding is the buzz you can't ignore. Launch from Beatenberg or the Schynige Platte area, then hang for 20-30 minutes above the valley while the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau parade in front of you. Pure theatre, and yes, it feels exactly that dramatic.

Tip: Skip the hotel concierge. Walk to the operator offices by West station instead. Same outfit, CHF 20-30 less—every time.

Aare River Walk

That glacial turquoise? The Aare owns it. You'll stop. You'll stare. You'll wonder if the color is real. The riverside path from Interlaken West toward Unterseen stays quiet—dog walkers, joggers, the lone fisherman. A deliberate counterweight to the hectic main streets.

Tip: Summer water is cold—yet locals still float the Aare. They swim it. They grin through chattering teeth. Check conditions first; the river's current can yank you sideways without warning.

Kursaal and Casino Interlaken

Since the 19th century, the Kursaal complex near the West station has anchored Interlaken society—aristocrats on Alpine grand tours once filled its halls. The casino won't wow high rollers; it is modest by international standards. Yet the building— those garden terraces—still carries its original grandeur. Folk music nights and cultural evenings keep the place alive.

Tip: Check the calendar before you arrive—Kursaal hosts William Tell outdoor theatre in summer, and these shows sell out fast.

Restaurant Schuh

Swiss café and patisserie

Specialty: Since 1818, The Schuh has anchored Höheweg. House chocolate cake or meringues with double cream—order one. The latter is a Bernese Oberland specialty; you should try it once. Cakes run CHF 8-14, mains CHF 25-40.

Gasthof Hirschen, Unterseen

Traditional Swiss

Specialty: Raclette and Rösti done right—surrounded by locals, not tour groups. The Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (veal in cream sauce, CHF 34-38) never fails. Quieter, less self-conscious than the Höheweg restaurants.

Benacus

Italian

Specialty: Swiss-German food fatigue? Höheweg fixes it—solid Italian. Fresh pasta daily. Wood-fired pizzas CHF 20-26. No revolution here. Just dependable plates. Young crowd packs the place.

El Azteca

Mexican-Swiss hybrid

Specialty: El Azteca, beside West station, has fed backpackers since forever. Their burritos—CHF 18-22—are huge, cheap, ideal after a day of hiking. Grab one. Don't overthink it.

Goldener Anker, Unterseen

Swiss-European

Specialty: Skip lunch. Come after dark. Unterseen’s market-square locals’ haunt flips the script once the sun drops. When the lakes deliver, the seasonal trout lands on the plate—simple, perfect. Mains run CHF 28-42. High season? Book.

Café Mokka

Café and light meals

Specialty: Unterseen hides a café that plays by its own rules. The vibe? Pure ease. Lunch plates run CHF 16-22—solid value for this corner of Switzerland. The coffee delivers. Most places around here can't manage that.

Buddy's Pub

Interlaken’s single real pub—expect chaos. Backpackers pile in with ski bums and the two locals who've waved the white flag to tourism. Pool table, sports blaring, beer cold: CHF 7-9. Total mess. Worth it.

Easygoing, international, unpretentious

Balmer's Hostel Bar and Funny Farm

Balmer's has been Interlaken's backpacker heartbeat for decades. The attached bar roars most nights—total chaos, cheap shots, climbers swapping bruised tales of paraglides and canyon swings. Downstairs, the Funny Farm keeps the beat until late. Young crowd. Loud music. Worth it.

Young backpackers, party-oriented, loud

Kursaal Terrace Bar

The Kursaal garden terrace pours better wine than anywhere else in town. Skip the pub crawl. You'll share the wrought-iron tables with couples who've already seen the world. Summer evenings here are quiet—just clinking glasses and the last of the light.

Relaxed, grown-up, scenic