Interlaken holidays

Gorgeously turquoise blue waters can be found both east and west of Interlaken, though Lake Brienz is most popular when it comes to lake bathing. The natural lidos around the perimeter invite you to immerse yourself in the invigorating waters and cool off from the summer sun. And unless there are signs telling you not to, you can swim anywhere you want in both Brienz and Thun. The lakes are a popular spot for watersports, including kayaking, jet boats and SUPs.

There are quite a few manmade and natural lidos on Lake Brienz, including Bönigen Lido, which is kitted out with inflatable water trampolines and even a heated outdoor swimming pool – ideal if you're not too keen on the freshwater. Burgseeli Natural Lido is known for its sunbathing meadow, barbeque facilities and unusually warm waters, which can reach up to 26ºC.

Similar to Lake Brienz, Lake Thun has numerous bathing areas around its edges that are very popular in summer. The easiest one to get to is at Neuhaus, which is about an hour's walk away – or you can catch the bus or ferry there instead.

Shopping in Interlaken is diverse, but for high-street buys, the Oberland Shopping Centre will be your best bet. Höheweg is also home to a range of middle-of-the-road shops, selling a variety of typically Swiss goods, including wood-carved children's toys, Swiss army knives and the most important product of all - chocolate.

It wouldn't be Switzerland without watches. Höheweg, the main shopping street in town, is the location for all the prestigious jewellers and watch merchants, from Rolex and Tissot to Omega and Swarovski.

Hone your skills with a game of billiards or opt for a stroll around the town, before having a drink at your hotel's bar.

Partygoers will find a selection of lively bars and clubs either down south on Hauptstrasse, or to the west of Interlaken on Rosenstrasse. The locals, though, usually head over to Matten. For a more cultural atmosphere, make sure you're around for one of the various music, art and theatre festivals that take place throughout the summer, or tag along to a gig at one of the local venues.

Interlaken is said to have the widest selection of traditional and regional cuisines in the whole of Switzerland, lots of them on Marktgasse and the streets that surround the central roundabout. Try Unterseen, the old town of Interlaken, with its picturesque town square dotted with cafés and restaurants - here you'll find Restaurant Bären, a wooden chalet-style restaurant serving classic mountain dishes. Or dine from above at the Harder Kulm Panorama restaurant with fantastic views and a wide range of culinary styles.

In a beautiful building on Marktgasse is the Café de Paris, offering traditional French cuisine with a few local twists. You can enjoy dinner outside under the canopy, or inside for a more intimate experience. Tartare de boeuf is a speciality dish here, among other brasserie-style options.

Part of the Hotel Royal St Georges, Brasserie St Georges is an elegant and spacious restaurant serving up a wide range of dishes. The Swiss Signature menu is a popular choice.

Just outside of town is Little Thai, a small and simple Thai restaurant with a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. The food is truly authentic and their portions are generous.

Both Interlaken East (Ost) and West have bus stations. Buses run every 30 minutes between 8am and 8pm and can take you around the town to Höheweg, to both lakes and to Unterseen and Matten. You can get free use of local buses with your guest card and your Swiss Half Fare Card that you get as part of your holiday gives you up to 50% off buses further afield too.

Ferries are available on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. They depart around once an hour and travel to villages like Iseltwald and Oberhofen. It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach the far side of Lake Brienz, so on the way you’ll be able to take in the beautiful scenery and waterfalls. Ferries on Lake Thun do not start until 11.10am.

You can catch the Niederhornbahn from Beatenberg, which takes under 20 minutes to reach the top of the Niederhorn Mountain where you might spot an ibex – a wild mountain goat.

Interlaken has two railway stations - East (Ost) and West. From these stations you can access mountains and major cities and towns. Trains that run up to the Jungfrau region depart every 30 minutes from Interlaken East, and intercity and regional trains run between 6am and 1am. There’s also a tourist train that operates around Interlaken, departing every 30 minutes from outside the Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel, opposite the casino entrance. And take advantage of your Swiss Half Fare Card that you get as part of your holiday for up to 50% off Swiss train journeys during your stay.

Take a relaxed walk on the waterfront of Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, or stroll up Höheweg, which links the urban Interlaken West with the quieter Interlaken East.

Nestled in the Bernese Oberland region, Interlaken is a flat, walkable town that makes an ideal base for exploring the Jungfrau region. Strollers will love the gentle paths to Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, both of which offer stunning scenery. There are also specialised guided walks, such as the Story of Switzerland and the Food and Culture tours. Those with a head for heights should take the funicular to Harder Kulm, Interlaken’s highest peak, for breathtaking views and access to a handful of marked trails. Really keen walkers might prefer to head to Grindelwald or Wengen and use the gondolas to reach a wider range of trails – such as those to Lake Bachalp and the Panorama Trail.

Get to know the town and its surroundings with this easy route. From Interlaken Ost boat station, wander past the dock and follow the path along the river. It usually takes around 45 minutes to reach Bönigen and the shores of Lake Brienz. After spending some time enjoying the scenery, it’s up to you whether you walk back, or catch the bus or ferry.

A longer route to really stretch your legs, this one is just as gentle. From the boat station at Interlaken West, head along the Kanalpromenade – a really scenic path that will take you past the Weissenau ruins, a former moated castle, and through the Weissenau nature reserve. When you reach Neuhaus you can stop for lunch or even go for a swim or paddle to cool down. Then walk back to Interlaken along the Lombach river to Unterseen, or catch the bus or ferry instead.