Should you stay in Interlaken?

It depends what you’re asking. If you’re wondering whether the Jungfrau region itself is worth visiting, the answer is an unequivocal yes.

But the answer grows more complicated when you take into account other towns in the region near Interlaken, which may offer a better experience.

In the end, it all depends on what you’re looking for in your travels to Switzerland. So let’s get into it, giving the pros and cons for whichever decision you make. And of course, my personal recommendation!

Why You Should Stay in Interlaken

First and foremost, staying in Interlaken is a good idea if you’re looking to visit a lot of different places in the region.

Interlaken is a great hub, with multiple train stations that can take you almost anywhere in the area. Obviously, this matters less if you have a car.

Another reason why you should stay in Interlaken is because the town is the largest and liveliest in the area. Of course, this matters to some more than others.

Interlaken has a better selection of restaurants than others towns in the area, as well as a better nightlife scene. Although it’s still certainly not a party town.

Finally, it’s usually far easier to find accommodation here, especially if you’re traveling on a budget (click here for budget tips!).

There are a bunch of hostel options, and generally a large selection on Booking.com and Airbnb as well.

Why You Shouldn’t Stay in Interlaken

The honest truth is that other towns in the area- namely Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen- are just nicer than Interlaken.

Nestled into the mountains, these two give the most authentic feel of a Swiss mountain town. And they’re two of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life to date.

Lush green mountainsides, narrow streets combed with cozy wooden chalets, snowy peaks poking up in every direction… what an absolute dream.

Now, here’s the thing- they’re both reasonably close to Interlaken. Whichever way you choose to travel, it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes or so to reach either town. So visiting them remains easy if you choose to stay in Interlaken.

But if you can find good accommodation in one of these towns, I suggest you take it.

The problem is that’s a big if, especially if you’re going during high season and booking right before your trip. Regardless, take a look at the links below.

The only downsides I can think of for these towns is that they’re more remote, and you’ll likely have less to do at night than in Interlaken.

But if you’re here for the scenery and day activities (as you should be?), that won’t matter.

My Personal Recommendations

I think I’ve made my opinion on the matter pretty clear, but I’ll take some time to elaborate further.

Once again, I suggest staying in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen over Interlaken. They’ll offer you the best experiences.

My personal favorite is Grindelwald. The mountains here are unmatched, staggeringly tall in every direction, with the famous Eiger mountain face in prominence. It’s also the base for the Jungraujoch, which is an incredible experience as long as you’re willing to pay a hefty price!

Lauterbrunnen is also incredible. The view with its trademark waterfall falling from the cliffs narrowly surrounding the town on both sides is a sight to behold. The only reasons I prefer Grindelwald are the more expansive views offered and the slightly more interesting town.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either. And you can’t go wrong with Interlaken either. It’s a great base, and these other areas are quickly reachable.

And if you really can’t make up your mind, stay in each of them! Live a little.

More Links For Accommodation

In the event that Booking.com doesn’t have the best choices, it’s smart to check Hostelworld and Airbnb.

Click here for Hostelworld and Airbnb options for Interlaken.

Click here for Hostelworld and Airbnb options for Grindelwald.

And click here for Hostelworld and Airbnb options for Lauterbrunnen.

Enjoy!