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7 Most Instagrammable Spots in Interlaken, Switzerland's Alpine Town Between Two Lakes
Set on the narrow strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau visible from its meadows, Interlaken packs an unusually concentrated run of Alpine viewpoints into one small town.
Sep 23, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Interlaken takes its name from its position, between the lakes, sitting on the strip of land separating turquoise Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east, with the glaciated peaks of the Bernese Oberland rising directly behind the town. It has been a base for Alpine travel since the 19th century, and its combination of accessible lake and mountain scenery makes it one of Switzerland's most photographed towns.
1. Höhematte meadow
The open meadow at the centre of Interlaken, kept deliberately undeveloped since the 19th century, frames an uninterrupted view of the Jungfrau massif behind the town's rooftops, and is the classic low-effort shot for anyone arriving by train.
2. Harder Kulm
Reached by funicular from the town centre, Harder Kulm's viewing platform looks down over Interlaken with both lakes visible at once, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau lined up on the horizon beyond.
3. Lake Brienz shoreline
Lake Brienz's glacial-blue water, fed by meltwater from surrounding glaciers, is a shade brighter than neighbouring Lake Thun, and its shoreline villages, Iseltwald and Giessbach among them, are the usual stops for the colour.
4. River Aare's turquoise channel
The Aare river, which connects the two lakes and cuts through the edge of town, runs an intense turquoise from glacial sediment, and the footbridges and riverside paths along it are a straightforward, central shot.
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5. Lake Thun shoreline
West of Interlaken, Lake Thun is framed by vineyards and lakeside castles including Schloss Thun and Oberhofen Castle, giving a softer, more pastoral counterpart to the high-Alpine views on the town's other side.
6. Schynige Platte
A cogwheel railway, in operation since 1893, climbs to this ridge above Interlaken, where an alpine botanical garden and open viewpoints look directly across at the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch from a higher, quieter vantage than Harder Kulm.
7. Iseltwald pier
A small village on Lake Brienz's southern shore, Iseltwald's wooden pier framed by mountains has become one of the most photographed single spots in the region, a simple composition of lake, jetty and peaks.
Traveller tips
- Interlaken has two main train stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost; both connect easily to Bern and Zurich by rail.
- June to September gives the clearest mountain views and warmest lake-shore weather; the Harder Kulm funicular and Schynige Platte railway both run seasonally, so check operating dates in advance.
- Iseltwald's pier draws crowds at sunrise and sunset; an early visit avoids the busiest window.
- A regional Bernese Oberland travel pass can cover several of these funiculars, railways and boat trips together rather than buying each separately.
Where this is
Interlaken, Switzerland