Interlaken with Kids

Family travel guide for parents planning with children

Interlaken is Switzerland’s ultimate outdoor playground, but with stroller-friendly promenades, short train hops, and countless alpine playgrounds it doubles as a compact, stress-free base for families. Lakeside parks, flat bike paths, and ride-all-day mountain railways mean you can summit a 360° viewpoint at 9 a.m. and still be back for naptime. The catch: prices are steep and weather flips fast, so pack layers and be ready to pivot to indoor pools or museums if clouds roll in. Kids who can walk short distances (4+) get the most out of the trails and gondolas; babies are welcome everywhere but will mostly enjoy the scenery from a carrier. Most families stay 3–4 nights, using Interlaken as a hub for day trips to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald First, or Brienz. The vibe is relaxed Swiss efficiency—trains run on time, restrooms are spotless, and locals smile at children. Mornings are for mountain excursions before afternoon thermals build; evenings are mellow strolls along the Höhematte meadow, gelato in hand. English is widely spoken, high chairs appear in every restaurant, and public fountains dispense drinkable water. If you choose accommodations with kitchenettes you’ll save significantly on “interlaken restaurants” bills. Winter brings sledding and easy ski schools, while summer offers swimming in the lakes and endless hiking variations. Remember that even in July the mountaintop temperature can dip to 40 °F, so bring fleece for everyone.

Top Family Activities

The best things to do with kids in Interlaken.

Harder Kulm Panorama Deck

Eight-minute funicular ride from Interlaken Ost delivers jaw-dropping views of Lakes Thun and Brienz framed by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Flat boardwalks and fenced viewing platform keep little ones safe while older kids pose on the glass skywalk.

All ages $32 adult / $16 child round-trip 2–3 hours (including playground at top and lunch)

Ride at 9 a.m. to beat midday clouds; stroller folds neatly into cable car and lifts await at top.

Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Europe’s highest railway station at 11,333 ft thrills kids with ice palace tunnels, snow tubing, and endless glacier selfies. Book seats in the family car for extra space and table games; altitude can affect toddlers so plan short bursts outdoors.

5+ (altitude) $225 adult / $113 child incl. rail pass discount Full day (8 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Pack sunglasses and sunblock; chocolate sample at Lindt shop is free and a perfect bribe.

Bodeli Seaside Strandbad & Water Park

Lakeside lido on Lake Thun offers zero-entry sandy beach, shallow roped area, slides, and a grassy picnic zone. Showers, changing cabins, and snack bar make a half-day easy. Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks rent by the hour for older kids.

All ages $8 adult / $4 child 3 hours

Bring coins for lockers; lifeguards whistle at noon for adult swim—perfect toddler nap time.

Grindelwald First – First Flyer & Trotti Bikes

From Grindelwald, a 25-minute gondola glides to the First summit. Families then choose: baby-carrier-friendly cliff walk, zip-line seated ride (8+), or downhill scooter track on wide gravel switchbacks. Picnic benches and marmots dot the route.

5+ for zipline, all ages for gondola & walk $70 adult / $35 child incl. scooters Half day

Buy the 3-activity combo online to skip ticket lines; helmets provided for scooters.

Ballenberg Open-Air Museum

100+ historic Swiss farm buildings, interactive cheese-making demos, and free-roaming farm animals across 163 acres. Kids can milk goats, grind grain, and burn off energy on woodland playgrounds. Flat gravel paths welcome strollers.

All ages $30 adult / $15 child; under 6 free 4–5 hours

Pack swimsuits—there’s a splash stream near the Brienz exit for hot days.

Indoor Ropes & Bounce at Seilpark Interlaken

Multi-level indoor climbing walls, trampolines, and toddler soft-play zone under one roof—perfect rainy-day energy burner. Staff clip kids into harnesses so parents can spectate with coffee from the café windows.

3–16 $25 for 2-hour pass 2–3 hours

Non-slip socks required; buy onsite for $3 or bring your own.

Best Areas for Families

Where to base yourselves for the smoothest family trip.

Central Interlaken (Höhematte & Bahnhofstrasse)

Flat grid of shops, playgrounds, and the iconic paragliding landing meadow. Everything—trains, Coop supermarket, lido bus stop—is within a 5-minute stroller push.

Highlights: Ice-cream parlors, carousel, free Wi-Fi in park, public restrooms with baby-change tables

Family suites with kitchenettes in 3-star hotels, serviced apartments, Airbnb lofts

Matten bei Interlaken

Quiet residential village 10 min walk south of center; farm animals next door and open fields for kite flying. Still on the flat valley floor, so no uphill stroller battles.

Highlights: Local bakery, small playground, free parking at most guesthouses

B&Bs, chalet-style guesthouses, family rooms with bunk beds

Unterseen Old Town

Medieval lanes, riverside promenade, and the oldest church in the region create storybook walks. Fewer tourists mean kids can roam cobblestones safely.

Highlights: Wooden bridge for pooh-sticks, Saturday market with pony rides, lakeside cafés with toy baskets

Historic hotels with connecting rooms, boutique apartments above shops

Wilderswil

Tiny rail junction 4 min train ride from Interlaken; gateway to Schynige Platte steam train. Supermarkets and playgrounds but half the noise.

Highlights: Free local bus, easy parking, valley-floor bike path to Interlaken

Self-catering holiday homes, campground with playground and mini-golf

Family Dining

Where and how to eat with children.

Swiss restaurants expect children, provide high chairs without asking, and many have outdoor terraces where squirmy kids can roam. Portions are large—order one adult dish and a side for two small kids or ask for half-portions. Most kitchens close 2–5 p.m.; plan lunch early or pack picnic supplies from Coop.

Dining Tips for Families

Look for the word “Familienrestaurant” on the door—guarantees kids’ menu and play corner.
Tap water is free and safe—ask for “Leitungswasser” to avoid bottled charges.

Pizzeria & Gelato

Quick service, cheap, and universally loved by children. Many pizzerias open until 10 p.m. for jet-lagged families.

$50–60 for family of four

Swiss Farm Restaurants (Berggasthof)

Rustic mountain huts reachable by gondola. Kids pet cows while parents sip coffee. Kids’ rosti and hot chocolate keep everyone happy.

$70–90 with drinks

Migros or Coop Restaurant

Inside big supermarkets—budget-friendly, high chairs, microwave to warm baby food, and toy vending machines for dessert bribery.

$30–40 for family meal

Tips by Age Group

Tailored advice for every stage of childhood.

Toddlers (0-4)

Interlaken’s valley floor is flat and safe, but mountain excursions above 6,000 ft can trigger altitude fussiness. Stick to lakes, playgrounds, and short gondola rides like Harder Kulm.

Challenges: Cobblestones in Old Town jar strollers; nap schedules clash with early last trains from mountain tops.

Use baby carrier on Schynige Platte trail
Book accommodation within 5 min walk of Coop for midnight diaper runs

School Age (5-12)

This is the sweet spot—old enough for ziplines and easy hikes, young enough to be wowed by cogwheel trains and marmots. Kids can handle half-day mountain trips with snack bribes.

Learning: Hands-on cheese-making, avalanche rescue dog demo at Jungfraujoch, Swiss history told through 19th-century farmhouses.

Buy a ‘Swiss Travel Diary’ at station—kids stamp pages at each stop to stay engaged

Teenagers (13-17)

Thrill-seekers rejoice: canyoning, river rafting, and paragliding tandem flights depart from Interlaken daily. Teens also appreciate the free Wi-Fi on trains and Instagram-worthy skywalk shots.

Independence: Swiss punctuality makes solo train hops to nearby towns safe; set meeting points and check-in times via WhatsApp.

Book adventure activities online—slots fill fast in summer
Give them a half-day shopping pass on Bahnhofstrasse for souvenirs

Practical Logistics

The nuts and bolts of family travel.

Getting Around

Interlaken is flat and stroller-friendly; sidewalks are wide and curb cuts are standard. All SBB trains have level boarding and luggage ramps. Buy a Junior Travelcard—kids under 16 travel free with a parent. Boats on Lakes Thun/Brienz allow strollers on deck free of charge. Taxis are rare; use the free local bus if staying in Wilderswil or Matten.

Healthcare

Regional Hospital Interlaken (Römerstrasse) is 5 min taxi from center, 24-hour emergency. Pharmacies (Apotheke) on Bahnhofstrasse stock diapers, formula, and baby paracetamol. Most grocery stores carry organic baby food jars and pouches.

Accommodation

Ask for a “Familienzimmer” with two separate sleeping areas—Swiss fire codes limit occupancy otherwise. Verify elevator access if on upper floors; many chalets have steep stairs. Kitchenettes cut meal costs dramatically.

View Accommodation Guide →

Packing Essentials

Collapsible stroller with sun canopy and rain cover
Microfiber towels for spontaneous lake swims
Altitude sickness chewables for kids headed above 8,000 ft

Budget Tips

Buy a Berner Oberland Regional Pass—covers trains, gondolas, boats, and kids ride free.
Shop after 5 p.m. at Coop for 25% off fresh bakery items—great picnic breakfast.

Family Safety

Keeping your family safe and healthy.

Lake water is cold year-round; non-swimmers wear life vests even in shallows.
Mountain UV is intense—double sunscreen and sunglasses for kids above tree line.
Trains and gondolas depart on the dot—arrive 5 min early to fold stroller and strap kids.
Paragliders land in Höhematte meadow; keep toddlers within fenced playground to avoid landing zones.
Cows on hiking trails may charge if dogs or loud kids approach; give 25 m berth.
Even summer nights drop to 50 °F—pack fleece hats for stroller rides after sunset.