Interlaken Switzerland & Interlaken Itinerary. Are you planning a trip to Interlaken Switzerland? Or perhaps you are looking for things to do in Interlaken with kids (although a lot are great for adults only too). We had the most amazing break over Easter in the Bernese Oberland region staying close to Interlaken, with two kids aged nine and five. This Interlaken Travel Guide looks at a potential 7-night Interlaken itinerary which is suitable for kids, with many of the main tourist attractions, Interlaken activities and best places. Here is what we got up to in Interlaken with kids.

Interlaken Itinerary – 7 nights Interlaken with kids

Day One – Arrive in Interlaken Switzerland

We decided to bring the car and drive down from Calais to Interlaken in Switzerland. Stopping overnight just outside Reims, France in a budget hotel. This meant that the following day we had a further six hours to drive. So we arrived in Interlaken around four in the afternoon. Which worked well for check in. Our first evening was spent settling in. Despite being mid-April it was also snowing and after the initial excitement from the children we got down to planning our Interlaken itinerary. There are so many beautiful places it was difficult to narrow down our list of day trip.

READ MORE – Novotel Reims France Review

Day Two Morning – St. Beatus Caves & Waterfalls

Our accommodation was located just outside Interlaken on the edge of Lake Thun. Our first stop was St Beatus Hohlen, a cave system which offers self-guided tours. Right on the edge of the lake it is only around five miles west of Interlaken and should take under fifteen minutes by car. There is parking which you can pay for by the machine (cash only) or when you buy your tickets. 

You download an app which gives you information on twenty-four points of interest throughout the cave system. It is easy going although low in places. Not suitable for toddlers or buggies. You wind your way around the cave system seeing lots of different grottos, stalactites and stalagmites as well as running water. The boys really enjoyed walking around and seeing what they could spot. Entrance for 2 adults, one child (under 6s are free) with a discount card and parking came to 47 CHF.

READ MORE – St Beatus Caves & Waterfalls

When you finish the tour you conveniently exit the cave system by the restaurant. There is also a snack bar. If you want guaranteed views overlooking the lake then you should book the restaurant. The snack bar tables are located towards the back of the eating area. Or if you are lucky and it is not busy then there are a couple of tables near the entrance which do overlook the lake. Being Switzerland food is not cheap but it is a convenient place to eat. We spent about three hours in total at the caves

Day Two Afternoon – Thun Castle

After lunch, we headed towards Thun itself. Driving along the edge of the lake you want to stop at every viewpoint! Most will be on the left hand side. So we decided to pick some of these up on the drive back to Interlaken. We arrived in Thun early afternoon on a Sunday and it was getting busy. There are numerous places to park. Although some are quite small. To avoid having to pay in cash as we had no Francs on us, we headed to a parking garage and decided upon Parkhaus City Ost Schlossberg as it was the first we came across.

It proved lucky as there is an exit right next to the castle. The castle was our first stop. Allow yourself an hour, although we did spend slightly longer. But that is mainly because the boys decided to use the props to play knights for a good fifteen minutes. The castle is spread across four floors with the ability to go into the medieval roof and turrets. This was our favourite space as there was much more for the kids to do. And it also gave you some stunning views across Thun via the turret windows. A family ticket with the special sword exhibition which they were running at the time came to 20 CHF.

If you have time to spare then I recommend taking a walk in Thun. Head to the river and you will find a lively riverside full of bars and restaurants. We decided on ice cream and I can recommend Intrigo for delicious tasting gelato. 

Take a gentle drive back towards Interlaken. We stopped at a small car park opposite Schloss Hunegg. To spend some time just sitting by the lake. There is a small play area for the kids, plenty of seating and if you fancy a couple of BBQs.

READ MORE – Thun Castle & Other things to do in Thun Switzerland 

Day Three – Brienz Lake Cruise

As it was a Monday we decided to make the most of the Monday special offer on the boat cruises and go on a boat trip. The cost was 39 CHF per adult, and Charlie was 10 CHF, Harry being under 6 free. With young kids, there was no way we were going to be able to do a cruise on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in one day. Although the boat tour day ticket does allow you to do this. We chose Lake Brienz as the waters are a much brighter shade of turquoise due to the mineral deposits.

We caught the boat from Interlaken Ost railway station which is in the heart of Interlaken. And stayed on until we reached the Giessbach Falls stop which is the last before Brienz. Here we caught the funicular up to the falls (10 CHF per adult) and enjoyed walking underneath them. As well as the best views of the swiss alps, deep blue water and surrounding mountains, before returning to the boat. We got off again at Brienz to have lunch and a wander around as it is known for its wood carving. Returning on the 2.40 pm boat back to Interlaken Ost. The full boat cruise once around the lake takes an hour and twenty minutes. It is an amazing trip

READ MORE – Our visit to Giessbach Falls

READ MORE – Lake Brienz Cruise – everything you need to know

Day Four – Jungfraujoch Top of Europe

The biggest tourist attraction in Interlaken Switzerland, the area is Jungfraujoch Top of Europe and the UNESCO world heritage site Aletsch Glacier. This is why it needs to be in our Interlaken itinerary. The boys were incredibly excited about the potential of snow at the highest point. We did think that we would be able to do both The Top of Europe and Grindelwald First in one day. However, we did not appreciate just how much there is to do there. Or the effect the altitude would have on slowing everything down a little. Jungfraujoch Top of Europe is 3454m above sea level and you will need an entire day to do it justice.

We caught the train from Interlaken Ost and travelled up to the Grindelwald terminal before boarding the Eiger Express. Which is a giant gondola. Nothing prepared us for the views of the mountain peaks. It lasts about half an hour there was plenty of opportunity for photos and to take it all in. Once at Eigergletscher we boarded another train that took us all the way up to the Top of Europe. There is a lot to see, viewing points, an ice palace, the history of the mountain and a cinema experience. You do not want to rush it so with kids I think you really need at least two days to explore the range properly. As once we had spent about three hours up there we boarded the train to go back down to Grindelwald Terminal they were both almost asleep. 

READ MORE – Jungfraujoch Top of Europe – how to plan your visit

Day Five – Grindelwald First

Knowing that we wanted to visit Grindelwald First we used the second day of our two-day swiss travel pass to do just that. However, since the boys love cable cars we decided to take a different route up and try out the others within the mountain range. The route we took is at a lower altitude than yesterday which meant we could fit more in.

This time we took a train journey from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen. The kids had spotted the gondola sign so we decided to head out to Murren. The first stop is a giant standing gondola, before a little single carriage train, that looks a bit like a tram takes you up the mountainside. At Murren, you get a different perspective of the mountain range. We stayed for half an hour to explore, the kids enjoyed the snow and the play area before we returned back down to Lauterbrunnen. Bank on another cogwheel train we headed to Wengen. This is a good place to grab something for lunch its a lovely little town with a good bakery just opposite the tourist information office.

Catching the gondola, we then headed up with the skiers to Mannlichen. It was still very full of snow when we arrived which caused much hilarity as we walked across to the other cable car building. Stopping to play on a giant cow and a beer at the top. An outside bar selling food, and a couple of stalls set up with grilled cheese and bratwurst. The next cable car took us across to Grindelwald Terminal, from here a short train and a walk to the cable car to Grindelwald First. It sounds complicated but it isn’t as everything runs like clockwork.

The cable car to Grindelwald First takes about twenty-five minutes with panoramic views of the mountains and Grindelwald below. If you have time then Grindelwald looks like a great town to explore and you can drive there and just take the cable car up if you are short of time. 

At the top when we visited there was a lot of snow, so we had a play as you do before trying out the Cliff Walk, which is amazing. Both the boys really enjoyed being suspended on the side of the mountain. In the distance, there is the North face of the Eiger. There is also a restaurant at the top plus a number of other activities.

A two-day pass is 195 CHF per adult, and 30 CHF for children between the ages of 6 and 16. (Winter season prices)

READ MORE – Grindelwald First the best things to do

Day Six Morning – Heimwehfluh

Looking for a morning activity only for our Interlaken itinerary. We took a short drive to Heimwehfluh which is near Interlaken West station. Here you can catch the oldest funicular in Interlaken Switzerland. And head up to a viewing point that overlooks both beautiful lakes – Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. There is a play area for the kids to enjoy, plus a panoramic restaurant with incredible views from the terrace overlooking the lakes. The meals are reasonably priced compared to other places we have eaten. You can either return by the funicular or you can take the toboggan run back down to Interlaken, Switzerland. Costs 16 CHF for adults and 10 CHF for children 6 and over. 

READ MORE – Our visit to Heimwehfluh

Day Six Afternoon – Lake Thun, Interlaken with kids

After a very busy few days, we build in some relaxing time in our Interlaken itinerary. We spent the afternoon playing along the shore of Lake Thun. Despite it being April the sun was out and temperatures were around 19 degrees. The boys enjoyed jumping in off a wooden pier and paddling the shallows of the crystal clear lakes. This part of the lake is right next to our campsite. 

If you are looking for a public place to enjoy the lakes then drive towards Thun and you will be able to stop along the lakeside. We found a good stopping point opposite Schloss Hunegg with parking.

READ MORE – Camping at Manor Farm Interlaken 

Day Seven daytime – Ballenberg open-air museum

Today looking for something slightly different we headed to the Swiss Open Air Museum. It is a popular attraction frequented by locals as much as tourists. Yet it is very well set up for its foreign visitors with all the information in English, German, French and Italian. 

The museum looks at all aspects of Swiss life from a bygone era. Many of the buildings date from 1700 and 1900. They are moved from their original locations and rebuilt in the museum. Grouped together by the area of Switzerland they came from. There are also various demonstrations during the day and the opportunity to get hands on with some of them. The museum is over a big area and it is a lot to ask little legs to do in one day. So my advice would be to work out what you want to do in advance and hit those things first. We picked up cheese making, wood carving and pottery. The boys really enjoyed all the different activities and seeing how things work. 

They offer reduced prices for families and we used our camping discount card so the entry for th four of us (Harry was free) was 56 CHF. 

READ MORE – Ballenburg Switzerland Open Air Museum 

Day Seven evening – Harder Kulm by night

On our last night, we decided to head up to Harder Klum. The viewing platform and restaurant sits in between Lakes Thun and Brienz. We were lucky that it opened for the Summer season on our last day. The funicular ride takes you to the top in around eight minutes. But it is very steep and the boys loved that it also went through a tunnel. 

At the top, there is a viewing platform that goes out into a point designed specifically for a photo opportunity. The panoramic breathtaking views are stunning. We opted for their special nighttime deal which meant that we could effectively eat for free. Although the menu options were quite limited. It definitely worked out the best time to visit for us, as it was much quieter, still just about warm enough to eat outside and we got to see all the lights when we went back down. 

The nighttime deal costs 39.95 CHF per person including children 6 and over. Unless you have a family card. It worked for Charlie as it meant he could eat off the adult menu. Whereas we needed to buy Harry’s food in addition, to be honest, their kid’s meals were quite well priced compared to other places we have been. Harder Klum is included in the Summer Top of Europe day passes. 

READ MORE – Harder Kulm Top of Interlaken

Day Eight – Interlaken with kids

We left Interlaken Switzerland, early in the morning to continue our road trip down to Italy. The route took us through the Gothard Tunnel much to the boy’s amazement. 

READ MORE – Top tips for staying at Bella Italia Lake Garda 

Have you visited Interlaken Switzerland or the Bernese Alps before? Or any of the popular attractions or surrounding area? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. I hope you have found this blog post, Interlaken Itinerary – 7 nights with kids.

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