BERNESE OBERLAND
This is the quintessential Swiss Alpine experience: home to the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, iconic waterfall valleys, and crystal-clear turquoise lakes. It’s a paradise for hikers, skiers, and adventure seekers.
Why Visit Bernese Oberland?
World-Famous Alpine Scenery: Witness the sheer-cliff beauty of the Lauterbrunnen Valley and ride to the Jungfraujoch, the ‘Top of Europe’.
Ultimate Adventure Hub: Interlaken is the Swiss capital for adrenaline, offering paragliding, canyoning, and other year-round activities.
Car-Free Mountain Villages: Explore the charming, traditional atmosphere of alpine resorts like Mürren and Wengen, accessible only by cable car or train.
Smart Travel
Shoulder Season (Mid-April to Mid-June, Mid-September to October): Enjoy stunning green valleys and blooming meadows in spring or vibrant autumn colors. Hiking is excellent, and crowds are thinner.
Deep Off-Season (November to Mid-December): This short period offers the lowest prices and few crowds, but many mountain lifts and attractions may be temporarily closed for maintenance before the ski season.
Peak Season (Mid-June to Mid-September, Mid-December to March): Summer is perfect for high-altitude hiking. Winter brings world-class skiing and snow sports. Expect premium prices and heavy crowds, especially in July and August.
Main Areas & Places to Explore
The Jungfrau Region
This is the heart of the Bernese Oberland, dominated by the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. It includes the dramatic Lauterbrunnen Valley (the Valley of 72 Waterfalls), and the scenic villages of Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. It’s the starting point for mountain railway excursions like the one to the Jungfraujoch.
Your Smart Tip: To truly escape the crowds, hike the trails connecting the smaller car-free villages like Mürren and Gimmelwald.
Interlaken & The Lakes
A vibrant town nestled between the deep blue waters of Lake Thun and the turquoise Lake Brienz. Interlaken acts as the main transport hub and the region’s capital for adventure sports, from paragliding to canyoning. The surrounding areas feature castles and stunning lakeside villages like Iseltwald.
Your Smart Tip: For the best views without paying for the most expensive excursions, take the funicular up to Harder Kulm above Interlaken for a panoramic viewpoint of both lakes and the high Alps.
Handy Tips
Weather & Climate
The climate is temperate, with significant variation by altitude. Valleys (Interlaken, Thun) have mild to warm summers and cold winters. Mountain villages (Mürren, Wengen) have mild summers and cold, snowy winters—perfect for winter sports.
Local Customs And Etiquette
Language: The primary language is Swiss German, a local dialect, but High German is the written and official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Punctuality: Swiss culture greatly values punctuality. Trains, buses, and tours run precisely on schedule.
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory as service is included, but rounding up the bill or leaving a few Francs for good service is customary.
Budgeting For Your Trip
Accommodation: Hostels ($45–$80), mid-range hotels ($130–$250), luxury ($350+). Prices are significantly higher in Jungfrau Region and during peak season.
Food: Fixed-price lunch menu ($25–$40), dinner at a mid-range restaurant ($40–$70 per person), fine dining ($100+).
Transport: Local bus/train ticket ($3–$8), Mountain train/cable car ($30–$100 one-way), Car rental ($60/day).
Activities: Ski pass ($70–$95), Paragliding tandem flight ($170–$220).
Daily Budget:
- Budget: $100–$150 (hostels, grocery store food, minimal attractions).
- Mid-range: $180–$300 (hotels, restaurants, attractions).
- Luxury: $350+ (boutique hotels, gourmet meals, private tours, many mountain excursions).
Getting Around
By Train & Cable Car: The rail and lift network is superb and highly efficient, connecting all major towns and mountain peaks. This is often the best and most scenic way to travel.
By Car: Roads are excellent, but driving can be slow on mountain passes. Some famous villages (like Mürren and Wengen) are car-free, requiring you to park at a nearby station.
By Boat: Scenic boat cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are a relaxing way to see the region and are often covered by regional travel passes.
Must-Try Food
Swiss Cheese Fondue: Melted Gruyère and Emmental cheese with bread cubes.
Raclette: Scraped melted cheese (often with small potatoes, pickles, and onions).
Rösti: Grated potatoes pan-fried into a crisp, golden-brown pancake or patty.
Berner Platte: A hearty platter of various meats (bacon, beef, sausages) and sauerkraut or green beans.
Älplermagronen (Alpine Macaroni): A Swiss version of mac and cheese with potatoes, cream, cheese, and often fried onions.
Bündnerfleisch: Air-dried meat (usually beef) sliced very thinly.
Zürcher Geschnetzeltes: Strips of veal in a creamy mushroom sauce, typically served with Rösti.
Bircher Müesli: A cold oatmeal dish prepared with oats, fruit, nuts, and yogurt or milk.
Swiss Chocolate: World-famous milk chocolate, often in bars or truffles.
Nusstorte: A sweet, caramelised nut tart from the Engadin region.
Must-Try Drinks
Swiss Wine: Less known internationally, try local white wines (like Chasselas) or Pinot Noir.
Kirschwasser (Kirsch): A clear, colorless fruit brandy distilled from sour cherries, often served as a digestif.
Absinthe: While not unique to the region, it has a strong history and is produced locally.
Fruchtsäfte (Fruit Juices): High-quality, fresh apple and pear juices.
Ovomaltine: A popular malted chocolate drink mix.
Rivella: A unique and popular Swiss soft drink made from milk whey, available in red (original) or blue (light).
Coffee: Enjoy a variety of high-quality coffee drinks, from espresso to Kaffee Crème.
Glühwein: A warm, spiced red wine perfect for winter, often served at Christmas markets.