Best Hotels Interlaken: Where to Stay 2026

Interlaken sits literally between two lakes: Lake Thun to the west, Lake Brienz to the east, with the Aare river flowing between them, carrying kayaks and wooden boats. Behind all of this: the trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. There is almost nowhere in Europe where mountain scenery is so dominant and yet so beautiful.

Interlaken is the launchpad for the Bernese Oberland. Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) is accessible from here, as are the Lauterbrunnen Valley (waterfall paradise), Grindelwald and Schilthorn. The town itself is small, touristy and expensive. But the reason to come isn’t the town itself. It’s what lies behind it.

Which area fits which trip?

Interlaken East (East Station, Harderstrasse): Closer to Lake Brienz and Jungfrau railway connections. For mountaineers and Jungfraujoch visitors.

Interlaken West (West Station, Höheweg): Main street with shops and restaurants, closer to Lake Thun. For first-timers wanting a central base.

Matten bei Interlaken: Quieter community to the south, more local character. For slow travelers.

Unterseen: Small historic community to the west, charming old town core. For couples and quiet-seekers.

Surroundings (Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen): Sleeping directly in the mountain villages. For immersive alpine experiences.

Interlaken Center: Höheweg and tourist world

The Höheweg is the main street between the West and East stations, lined on both sides with hotels, watch shops, fondue restaurants and paraglide booking offices. Touristy but practical. Arrivals by train from Bern (50 minutes) or Zurich (2 hours) end here.

Who fits: First-timers, those wanting an excursion base without a car, group travelers.

Prices per night: Budget €100-170, mid-range €150-280, grand hotels €300-700.

Top picks: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa (classic luxury, legendary), Hotel Du Nord Interlaken (mid-range, Höheweg), Stella Swiss Quality Hotel (boutique, quieter location). Over 150 hotels in the Interlaken region are on Booking.com.

Unterseen: The forgotten historic heart

Unterseen lies west of Interlaken, directly on the Aare, and is actually the older of the two centers. Old Town with medieval character, parish church, the Tourism Museum of the Jungfrau region. Less tourist bustle than the Höheweg, 10 minutes walk from the West Station.

Who fits: Couples wanting character, repeat visitors, slow travelers.

Prices: Budget €85-150, mid-range €130-250, boutique €170-380.

Top picks: Hotel Interlaken (historic building, Unterseen), Gasthof zum Bären (small guesthouse, charming), Park Hotel Interlaken (boutique, park setting).

The Jungfrau Region Tourism Portal has comprehensive information on mountain railway tickets, hiking trails and weather conditions across the Jungfrau area.

Matten: Quiet and local

Matten bei Interlaken is the southernmost of the three communities, directly below the Harder Kulm (Interlaken’s local mountain with panorama restaurant). Little tourism, genuine village atmosphere, yet 10 minutes walk to the Höheweg.

Who fits: Families, hikers, those wanting evening quiet.

Prices: Budget €80-140, mid-range €120-220.

Top picks: Landhaus Aarau (guesthouse, garden), Hotel Artos Interlaken (mid-range, quiet), Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (budget hostel, popular with backpackers).

Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen: Sleep in a mountain village

Those who genuinely want to be in the Bernese Oberland stay in the mountain villages. Grindelwald (1,034 m) is the touristy mountain village with a direct view of the Eiger North Face. Lauterbrunnen (796 m) lies in the spectacular waterfall valley (75 waterfalls in the cliff faces).

Who fits: Mountain hikers, skiers (winter), those treating the mountains as the primary experience.

Prices Grindelwald: Mid-range €120-250, hotels €180-500.

Top picks Grindelwald: Grindelwald Grand Hotel & Spa (premium), Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof Grindelwald (boutique), Hotel Kirchbühl (mid-range, family-run).

Where should you book?

Interlaken and surroundings are well covered on Booking.com. The mountain villages (Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen) have many small guesthouses listed only there. Book early: Jungfraujoch travelers book months ahead and hotels follow the same pattern.

Also read: Switzerland travel highlights guide and Where to stay in Lucerne.

Zercy helps with Interlaken planning: Jungfraujoch timing, mountain village versus town, best season. Save the plan in the Zercy Logbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jungfraujoch and how much does it cost?

The Jungfraujoch (3,454 m) is Europe’s highest railway station (“Top of Europe”), with glacier, tunnel and panorama platform. Return train ticket from Interlaken: approximately CHF 225 (regular price). Cheaper with Swiss Travel Pass or Halbtax card. Early-bird tickets bought online can be CHF 20-30 cheaper.

When is the best time to visit Interlaken?

Summer (June-September) for hiking, green alps and paragliding. Winter (December-March) for skiing in Grindelwald and Wengen (Lauberhorn race in January). Spring (April-May) for wildflower meadows and fewer tourists. October/November can be foggy.

Can you visit Interlaken without a rental car?

Yes. The public rail network (SBB plus mountain railways) covers all the main places. From Interlaken East, trains to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen run several times per hour. The main advantage of a rental car is flexibility for exploring smaller valley villages.

How much does a paragliding tandem flight over Interlaken cost?

Tandem flight with a pilot: approximately CHF 170-220 (about €185-240). Flight duration: 15-30 minutes. Launch point usually Beatenberg or Harder. Video and photo packages cost extra (CHF 30-60). Multiple operators in Interlaken, comparing pays off.

Best Hotels in Interlaken: Where to Stay in Each Neighborhood 2026