Interlaken Landmarks and Monuments

(Interlaken, Berne, Switzerland)



Aerial view of Lake Brienz (Brienzer See / Brienzersee)In a town heavily geared up to the tourist market and famed for its beautiful mountainous scenery, Interlaken is home to a number of important monuments, the majority of which tend to be natural. These landmarks include both the lakes on Brienz and Thun, which reside either side of Interlaken and offer a variety of scenic cruises.

Hardly what you would describe as a 'Disney Castle', Interlaken Castle is nevertheless a very attractive landmark building, dating back to the early part of the 19th century. Close by and hard to miss, the Jungfrau mountain is sited alongside the mountains of Eiger and Mönch.


Photo of Lake Brienz (Brienzer See / Brienzersee)

Lake Brienz (Brienzer See / Brienzersee)

Situated directly east of Interlaken and to the north of the Swiss Alps, Lake Brienz is named after the village of Brienz, which is to be found on its northerly shoreline. Lake Brienz is an important local landmarks and edged by the southwesterly villages of Unterseen and Matten, both of which are is close proximity to Interlaken. The lake adjoins the Aare River and stretches for around 14.5 km / 9 miles in length, being around 2 km / 1.5 miles in width. Highlights around Lake Brienz include the southerly Giessbach Falls and its neighbouring hamlet of Iseltwald, as well as a popular paddle steamer, which offer half-day excursions, evening cruises and live onboard entertainment.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Picture of Lake Thun (Thuner See / Thunersee)

Lake Thun (Thuner See / Thunersee)

Lake Thun is a large expanse of water located on the western side of Interlaken. Its namesake city of Thun lies on the northern shoreline and contains many interesting attractions, including a 12th-century castle, a 16th-century town hall (Rathaus) and the Wocher Panorama, which is the oldest panorama drawing in existence. Lake Thun is linked to the slightly higher Lake Brienz. Around 10 passenger boats currently operate on the lake and offer scenic cruises and day trips to Thun.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Hohematte Park (Hohe-Matte) image

Hohematte Park (Höhe-Matte)

The Hohematte resides in the middle of Interlaken and demonstrates how good town planning is so important. Covering around 14 hectares / 35 acres in total, the Hohematte provides some awe-inspiring views of the Jungfrau mountain and is always filled with seasonal flowers and colour. Of particular interest in the Hohematte is a popular theatre, a coffee shop, a historical Augustinian convent and church, and even a working clock made of flowers.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Photograph showing the Interlaken Castle

Interlaken Castle and the Tin Figure Exhibition

Address: Propstei 9, Interlaken, CH-3800, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 033 823 1332
The entrance of Interlaken Castle boasts formal gardens with clipped hedges, with dramatic hillsides offering an impressive backdrop. Home of the Interlaken Treaty Organisation, most tourists visit the castle not for its architecture, but for its acclaimed Tin Figure Exhibition. Well over 100,000 individual tin figures are displayed within the historical castle, groups into roughly 150 different scenes.
Open hours: mid-April to mid-October, Tuesday to Friday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Jungfrau Mountain picture

Jungfrau Mountain

One of the most spectacular natural landmarks and providing a beautiful backdrop to the town of Interlaken, the Jungfrau mountain is part of the Swiss Alps. To explore the Jungfrau mountain in comfort, consider a train ride on the Jungfraubahn cog-wheel railway, which actually runs through the Eiger and Mönch mountains and offers some extraordinary views from its large windows. The railway terminals at the Jungfraujoch station, which is Europe's highest. There are a number of attractions located on the southern side of the Mönch, including an observatory, a cinema, a notable ski school and a number of carved ice sculptures at the 'Ice Palace'.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free