Where to Stay in Interlaken: 2 Neighbourhoods Ranked 2026

Interlaken has 2 distinct neighbourhoods scored across walkability, food, safety, vibe and cost. Data updated May 2026.

Neighbourhood	🧭 Solo	👪 Family	🍽 Food	🏛 Culture
1. West	72•	70•	70•	66•
2. East	55	55	56	60

West

✨Top food neighbourhood — food score 76/100

FOODIE

Why it works for you

West Interlaken is a walker's paradise with direct access to the Aare River valley and local Swiss alpine cuisine that tourists miss. Start your food journey at the farmers markets and hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving rösti and fondue made from regional dairy.

⚠ Not ideal if: Budget travellers on a shoestring—accommodation and dining costs are steep, and public transit is limited if you don't want to walk everywhere.

For families: West Interlaken is ideal for families seeking safe, walkable streets with direct access to outdoor playgrounds and gentle riverside paths. The neighborhood offers excellent family amenities like Harder Kulm funicular nearby and abundant green spaces perfect for young children without requiring constant car use.

Score breakdown

This 70 is weighted toward food (35%) and vibe (20%) for foodies. See methodology →

Walk

Food

Vibe

Safety

Transit

Cost

🧭 72👪 70🍽 70🏛 66

☀ A day here

Start with coffee and pastries at Café Noir on Hohematte, then walk to Migros for fresh mountain cheese and cured meats. Lunch at Restaurant Hirschen for traditional Bernese Oberland cuisine, afternoon stroll along the Aare, then dinner at Balmers Herberge for communal fondue and local wine.

📍 Local insight food

The butcher on Hauptstrasse sells fresh Bresi (cured meat) only Thursday mornings; locals queue before 9am.

🍽 Where to eat

Restaurant Aareschlucht

Simple grilled trout and rösti. Riverside setting, local favourite.

€

Restaurant Hirschen

Bernese alphorn cheese fondue and slow-cooked Alpine beef.

€€

Balmers Herberge Restaurant

Raclette and wine pairings with mountain views. Book ahead.

€€€

🏛 What to see

Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht) Free

Limestone canyon walk carved by glacial river. Stunning geology.

Jungfrau Railway Museum Paid

Alpine railway history and engineering. Near West station.

Höhematte Park Free

Free riverside meadow. Local gathering spot and picnic area.

🗺 Getting around

AirportZurich Airport: train to Interlaken West station. 2.5 hours. CHF 60-90.

DailyWalk everywhere in West—it's compact and scenic. Rent a bike for Aare valley rides.

Day trips

Jungfrau (30 min train from West station)Lauterbrunnen Valley (20 min train)Lake Brienz (15 min boat or train)

⚡ West sits on a steep slope—narrow cobbled streets and constant uphill walks are tiring with luggage. Summer brings massive tour groups; visit markets early or eat off-peak hours (1:30–5pm) to avoid queues.

Full guide to West →🏨 See hotels in West

East

📍Höheweg restaurants close kitchen by 9:30pm, even in summer; eat dinner early or find West s...

FOODIE

Why it works for you

East Interlaken is where locals eat, not tourists. You'll find authentic Swiss mountain cuisine and farm-to-table restaurants clustered around Höheweg and the residential streets away from the crowded West side. Try Schuh Restaurant for traditional fondue and raclette with a view of the Eiger.

⚠ Not ideal if: Don't pick East if you want walkable nightlife and easy access to shops—it's quieter and more spread out than West, with fewer bars and boutiques within steps.

For families: East Interlaken offers excellent train connectivity (score 88) and proximity to outdoor family activities like Harder Kulm funicular and lakeside paths. Your family gains easy access to adventure without navigating the busier West side, plus budget-friendly accommodation options.

Score breakdown

This 56 is weighted toward food (35%) and vibe (20%) for foodies. See methodology →

Walk

Food

Vibe

Safety

Transit

Cost

🧭 55👪 55🍽 56🏛 60

☀ A day here

Start with strong coffee at Confiserie Schaller, then browse the Migros supermarket for local dairy and bread. Lunch at Schuh for Alpine cuisine overlooking mountains. Afternoon walk along Aaresee's quieter eastern banks, then cook dinner with ingredients from the market or dine at Restaurant Hirschen for Bernese specialties.

📍 Local insight food

Höheweg restaurants close kitchen by 9:30pm, even in summer; eat dinner early or find West side.

🍽 Where to eat

Migros Restaurant East

Budget-friendly Swiss classics, self-service, locals eat here daily.

€

Schuh Restaurant

Iconic fondue and raclette, Eiger views, mid-range Swiss.

€€

Restaurant Hirschen

Fine Bernese Oberland cuisine, game in season, reservation essential.

€€€

🏛 What to see

Jungfrau Railway Museum (Höheweg) Free

Historic train engineering, free outdoor exhibits visible from street.

Interlaken Adventure Park Paid

Zip-lines and climbing courses in forested East area.

Aaresee Lakeside Promenade Free

Tree-lined walking path, local picnic spots, mountain backdrop.

🗺 Getting around

AirportZurich Airport to East: train to Interlaken, 2.5 hours, CHF 50–70.

DailyRent a bike or use local buses for short hops; most restaurants within 2km are bikeable on flat terrain.

Day trips

Jungfrau summit and Grindelwald (30 min by train)Lauterbrunnen Valley (25 min by train)Thun Lake and old town (20 min by train)

⚡ East is quieter but also more car-dependent than West; public transit score is high (88) but buses run less frequently after 9pm, limiting late-night dining options.

Full guide to East →🏨 See hotels in East

Where should first-time visitors stay in Interlaken?

For first-time visitors, West is the top recommendation — central, walkable and easy to navigate. It scores 72/100 with walk 90/100, food 76/100 and vibe 65/100. Refine the ranking for families, foodies or culture seekers.

What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Interlaken?

It depends on your travel style. For first-time visitors and solo explorers, West ranks #1 with a score of 72/100. For families, West leads with safety score 65/100. For foodies, West scores 76/100 for food.

Is West a good area to stay in Interlaken?

West is the top-ranked neighbourhood in Interlaken for solo explorers with a combined score of 72/100. Walk score 90/100, food score 76/100, vibe score 65/100.

Which area of Interlaken is best for families?

West is the top family neighbourhood in Interlaken, with safety score 65/100 and family score 88/100.

What is the safest neighbourhood in Interlaken?

West has the highest safety score in Interlaken at 65/100.

How does LocaleChoice rank Interlaken neighbourhoods?

LocaleChoice scores each neighbourhood across 7 factors: walkability (OpenStreetMap), transit (Google Places), food (Google Places), family-friendliness (OSM parks), safety (editorial), cost (editorial), vibe (editorial). Data updated May 2026.