Interlaken
Photography
Food
Excursions
Transportation
Interlaken is a lot like a fairy tale. Like you’re being plucked out of reality and placed directly into a Disney movie. There seems to be adventure and magic at every turn. One minute you’re boarding a train and the next you’re gliding through the peaks of mountains with nothing around you except miles and miles of crisp clean air. The elevation must intoxicate your senses because everything around you looks greener, smells fresher and sounds like a fine orchestra, with the wind composing the trees as it whisks through the valleys.
The first thing you may notice after getting off the train is the staggered houses that seem to clutter the hillside. They are never too far apart from each other, but also never too close. In between them lies fields of lush green pastures with cows, happily munching their life away one bite at a time. From there you can follow the valley down to the town, but you will probably quickly find yourselves distracted by some of the bluest emerald lakes you have ever seen. Nestled in between them you will find Interlaken. You will quickly find yourself falling in love with this small Swiss town and all the adventure it has to offer.
Photography
Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a beautiful little village about a 45-minute train ride outside Interlaken. You can catch the train at Interlaken Ost to take you there. It costs right around 11 Euros each way. This adorable little town is mainly known for its hiking, skiing and mountain climbing. It is impossible to take a bad picture in such a scenic place.
Harder Kulm
This is absolutely the most popular photo spot in Interlaken. This magnificent viewpoint hangs off the top of a mountain and overlooks the tiny city in the valley below. The thin crisp air isn’t the only thing that will take your breath away. The array of light, colors, and scenery that are painted into the distance makes the perfect backdrop for any picture.
Lake Thun
Located in the middle of the Swiss Alps, lies the infamous Lake Thun. This incredible body of water is known all around the world for its mesmerizing deep milky blue water. It almost seems as if it was photoshopped directly into nature. Its unique color can be the perfect addition to any landscape album. You will not be disappointed with your capture.
Schynige Platte
The Schynige Platte lies at the top of the Bernese Highlands. It is only accessible by rail which happens to be the highest rail in Switzerland. The ride itself is filled with breath taking scenic locations. Once you arrive you have the ability to hike around. The landscape is a mixture of gray stones, sharp rock, and rolling green meadows. The perfect spot for a contrasty picture.
Food
Harder Kulm Restaurant
The only thing more extravagant than the views that surround this mountain top restaurant, is the tantalizing food that seems to explode in your mouth with every bite. The Harder Klum Restaurant sits on top of one of the tallest mountains in Interlaken. It has large glass panes and adorable little balconies that ensure a great view with every bite. Their menu consists of traditional Swiss meals that have been passed down and perfected through the ages. One of our favorite items here was the Käsefondue or cheese fondue.
This dish is a creative mixture. The strong overcoming aroma of the fondu is perfectly neutralized with a potato or bread. This perfect duo starts off tasting rather dramatic but leaves rather subtle from the pallet. A combo that makes you continuously wanting more. It does not stop there though. For those wanting a little more, you can also add bacon. Let’s be honest anything with bacon is always better.
Transportation
When it comes to getting around in Switzerland there are not many options. There is no ocean to travel by boat. The mountains are far too steep and dangerous to cross by car. Planes are too expensive. So the majority of the country still gets around by train. This is the best way to get to and from cities within the country. This is also the best way to get to Interlaken. Zurich is usually a good place to start no matter which town you are heading to. The SBB or Swiss Federal Railway is very cost efficient, timely, and clean.
After you are on your train there are a few rules to follow. We highly suggest sitting in the seat listed on your ticket. If a conductor finds you in a different section that you are not supposed to be in, he will charge you on the spot. Also, make sure to always have your ticket on you. If you fail to produce your ticket when the conductor asks, you will be charged at the maximum rate fair, which can sometimes be hundreds of dollars more than the original ticket. Finally, just be courteous. You are a guest in someone else’s country, and no one likes someone that is being loud, rude, or making a scene on a long train ride.
Once you have arrived in Interlaken, most restaurants, hotels, and shops are within walking distance. There is a long strip that spans a couple of miles from one side of the city to the other. However, if you wanted to travel a little further or go to a specific spot, this city has an incredible bus system. It is a hop on hop off system that has about 30 stops. There is usually a bus every 10-15 minutes, and once again it is very efficient, timely, and clean. You can purchase an all-day pass for the bus, however when we were riding it we noticed that nobody was checking our tickets and you could easily ride without one. With that being said, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and purchase one.
Excursions
St Beatus Caves
St Beatus Cave is about a 20 minute bus ride from Interlaken Ost. Once you arrive you will have an intense hike up the mountain to a small outpost before the caves. A waterfall flows out of the cave, and trickles down past you as you hike. Once you get to the top you can follow the cave system deep into the heart of the mountain. You will quickly find yourself immersed in another world filled with unique rock formations. Legend has it that a dragon took shelter in the cave after being hunted by St. Beatus, and that he still rests there to this day. After a long hike you can enjoy a meal at the mountain top restaurant and museum.
Jungfraujock
If you want to find yourself on an all day adventure then Jungfraujock is where you want to head. This mountain is sometimes called “The Top of Europe” for its incredible views. This is about a 2 hour bus ride from Interlaken Ost. Once you arrive you will need to use the cogway train to reach the top. These trains are pretty expensive to maintain and operate which sometimes makes this excursion a little more expensive than most. Once on top the average temperature is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to bundle up before you go.
Hardermatte
Hardermatte is one of the many incredible spots on the Harder Kulm hike. From this spot you can easily see Lake Thun shimmering in the distance surrounded by mountains. This is not an easy spot to get to because it lies in the middle of the hike. The trail to get to it is also filled with twisted roots and loose rocks so make sure you wear proper shoes if you attempt it. We also found ourselves quickly running out of light on this hike, so we suggest getting there in the morning if you’re looking for that golden hour shot. It is definitely worth the view though, and not to mention you can brag to all your friends that you hiked the Swiss Alps.
Lauterbrunnen
If you’re looking for a picturesque place to visit while in Switzerland, then head to Lauterbrunnen. This beautiful little municipality is nestled deep in a valley surrounded by giant rock ledges. It has gained recent popularity on social media because of the waterfall the flows from one of the rock faces near the city. It is also encompassed with rolling green meadows and glacial fed rivers. The town itself is also an attraction. It is filled with tiny shops and restaurants. You will be sure to find a trinket here and snap some amazing photos while you’re at it.