Mountains, Monks & Monarchs: A Self-Guided Interlaken Tour

Interlaken sits on a glacial plain between two lakes of different colours, framed by some of the most dramatic peaks in the Alps. On this self-guided walking tour, you'll follow the area's history from a medieval monastery that once controlled 24 mountain valley churches to a grand boulevard that turned a quiet Swiss town into a 19th-century tourist destination. Starting near Interlaken West Station, you'll cross the Aare River into Unterseen's medieval old town. Back in Interlaken, follow the Höheweg past the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel — a reminder of the era when Queen Victoria's 1868 Swiss holiday inspired a generation of wealthy British travellers — before ending at the Japanese Garden beside the Hotel Interlaken. This tour packs centuries of Alpine history into a single walk — bring good shoes, a curiosity for unexpected stories, and perhaps an appetite for chocolate.

1. 1

   Tourismuseum Interlaken

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   Pass by TOURISMUSEUM, Switzerland's first and only museum dedicated exclusively to the history of tourism, opened in 1980. Housed in the old parsonage in Unterseen's old town, admission is not included in this tour.

2. 2

   Stop 2

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   Pass by Schloss Unterseen, built between 1654 and 1656 in the heart of Unterseen's fortified old town. Take in this historic castle, a lasting reminder of the town's medieval origins.

3. 3

   Casino Interlaken

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   Stop at the Congress Kursaal casino, which once offered guests whey cures alongside small-stakes gambling. Take in this quirky piece of Interlaken's tourism history, blending health treatments with modest games of chance.

4. 4

   Stop 4

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   Visit the Unterseen Stadthaus, once a merchant hall where goods arrived by land and water to be weighed, measured, and sold. Take in this historic building, now home to a restaurant along the banks of the Aare.

5. 5

   Japanese Garden Interlaken

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   Finish at the Japanese Garden, a gift from sister city Ōtsu. Take in this peaceful space, the fitting conclusion to your walk through Interlaken's layered history.

6. 6

   Stop 6

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   Discover why the Reformed Church Unterseen's late-Gothic tower survived when nearly everything else in town burned in 1470. Take in this striking landmark, one of the few structures to withstand the catastrophic fire.

7. 7

   Stop 7

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   Pass by Woodpecker, a family-run wood carving workshop and shop on Marktgasse. Admire the intricate hand-carved sculptures, clocks, and ornaments crafted on site by local artisans.

8. 8

   Stop 8

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   Pass by the Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel, which still recalls the era when Queen Victoria's 1868 Swiss holiday inspired a generation of wealthy British travelers. Take in this grand landmark along the Höheweg, a lasting symbol of Interlaken's 19th-century tourism boom.

9. 9

   Stop 9

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   Pass by Vanini Swiss Chocolate, a Swiss chocolatier tracing its roots back to 1871. Discover an appetite for handcrafted pralines, gelato, and chocolate specialities along the Höheweg.

10. 10

    Monastery and Interlaken Castle

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    Pass the former grounds of the Inter Lacus monastery, the institution that gave Interlaken its name. Explore the grounds of the former Augustinian monastery, whose nuns once owned the land surrounding the Jungfrau.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.