Switzerland
Interlaken sits on a strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and it is the base for the Jungfrau region, the Bernese Oberland's great concentration of peaks, valleys and mountain railways.
Twickly plots the ten things worth your time: the Jungfraujoch railway to the highest station in Europe, the Schilthorn and Piz Gloria above Mürren, the Harder Kulm funicular above the town, the First Cliff Walk above Grindelwald, the Eiger Express gondola, the Lauterbrunnen valley and its 72 waterfalls, the lake cruises, tandem paragliding, the quiet Mürren and Gimmelwald villages and the Höhematte meadow and Unterseen Old Town. Five hotels span Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen, and two guides cover what to book and where to stay. November is a changeover month, with some lifts in revision, lake boats on winter timetables and some summer sights closed, so every entry states its season plainly.
Schilthorn and Piz Gloria
A cable car from Stechelberg or Mürren climbs to the Schilthorn at 2,970 metres, home of the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant and the 1969 James Bond film. Open in November, with winter skiing starting in stages.
Harder Kulm Funicular
A steep funicular from Interlaken climbs to Harder Kulm at 1,322 metres, with the Two Lakes Bridge and a panorama of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the Jungfrau.
Eiger Express Gondola
A fast tricable gondola from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher in about 15 minutes, under the north face of the Eiger. It is the quickest way to Jungfraujoch, and is reported to be in revision from 9 to 20 November.
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Cruises
Paddle steamers and motor ships link Interlaken's two turquoise lakes. In November Lake Thun runs an autumn timetable to 14 November and a winter timetable from 15 November to 12 December, while Lake Brienz's summer timetable has ended.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The highest railway station in Europe, at 3,454 metres, with the Sphinx observation deck, the Ice Palace and a view over the Aletsch Glacier. The railway above Kleine Scheidegg is reported to run all year, so it is one of the few big mountain trips that works in November.
A cable car from Stechelberg or Mürren climbs to the Schilthorn at 2,970 metres, home of the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant and the 1969 James Bond film. Open in November, with winter skiing starting in stages.
A steep funicular from Interlaken climbs to Harder Kulm at 1,322 metres, with the Two Lakes Bridge and a panorama of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the Jungfrau.
The Firstbahn gondola lifts you above 2,000 metres to the First Cliff Walk, a steel platform on a rock face, with trails to Bachalpsee. It is closed for its autumn pause until late November, then reopens for winter.
A fast tricable gondola from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher in about 15 minutes, under the north face of the Eiger. It is the quickest way to Jungfraujoch, and is reported to be in revision from 9 to 20 November.
Paddle steamers and motor ships link Interlaken's two turquoise lakes. In November Lake Thun runs an autumn timetable to 14 November and a winter timetable from 15 November to 12 December, while Lake Brienz's summer timetable has ended.
Interlaken is Switzerland's tandem paragliding capital: a pilot launches you off a ridge above the lakes and you glide down towards the Höhematte. Flights run when the weather allows, including in autumn and winter.
FreeA glacial valley with 72 waterfalls and sheer cliffs, including the 300 metre Staubbach Falls, a short train ride from Interlaken. Walking the valley floor is free; Trümmelbach Falls close in early November.
Interlaken's green heart, the Höhematte park, frames the Jungfrau, and a short walk away is the quiet Unterseen Old Town with its square, riverside paths and small museum. Both are free and work in any weather.
Two car-free villages on a ledge above the Lauterbrunnen valley, facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Walking between them is easy, and the Schilthorn cable car links both.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Höheweg, Central Interlaken
Interlaken's grand five-star on the Höheweg, a one-minute walk from the Höhematte meadow, with 216 rooms, the 5,500 square metre Spa Nescens and several restaurants. The splurge address in the region.
Check rates →
$$$Höheweg, Central Interlaken
A four-star tower on the Höheweg with 96 rooms, 84 of them with a Jungfrau view, a sauna and fitness room included, and rooms from the upper floors above the town.
Check rates →Dorfstrasse, Grindelwald
A family-run Grindelwald hotel on Dorfstrasse with an alpine pool, saunas, a Michelin-starred restaurant and balconies facing the Eiger. Free parking and station pickup. Some rooms are being renovated until about 21 December.
Check rates →Wengen Village, near the station
A large hotel in car-free Wengen, one minute from the station and 50 metres from the Männlichen cable car, with an indoor pool, a wellness area and 120 rooms. Check opening dates for the off-season.
Check rates →Lauterbrunnen Village
A family-run hotel in Lauterbrunnen village, about 150 metres from the station, with Staubbach view rooms, free parking and a restaurant, at the friendlier end of the price range.
Check rates →A practical first visit plan for Interlaken and the Jungfrau region: what to book ahead, how the trains and lifts fit together, how many days to stay and what is open in November.
Choose between Interlaken town, Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen as a base, with five hotels matched to each and what to check in the off-season.
