Interlaken occupies the flat strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, directly beneath the triple crown of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau — three of the most famous peaks in the Alps. The setting is so dramatic that the town itself barely needs to try, which is fortunate because Interlaken is more launch pad than destination. Everything starts here: the train to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 meters; the helicopter rides over glaciers; the paragliding, canyoning, and skydiving that make this the adrenaline capital of the Alps.
For those who prefer their adventures at lower altitudes, the Harder Kulm funicular climbs to a viewing platform that hangs over the town like a balcony, offering the classic three-peak panorama. Lake Brienz is the wilder of the two lakes — deep turquoise, rimmed by cliffs, with the Giessbach Falls plunging into the water from forested heights. Lake Thun is broader and gentler, with castles on its shores and steamers connecting lakeside villages. The Hohematte park in the center of town is where the paragliders land, and watching them spiral down against the mountain backdrop never gets old.
When to go: June to September for hiking and water sports. December to March for skiing in the Jungfrau region. Avoid November, when the town goes quiet between seasons.