ferienregion.infoWhy the Bernese Oberland?
Hardly any Alpine region packs so many superlatives into so little space: the Eiger north face, Europe’s highest railway station on the Jungfraujoch, 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen valley alone – and, below it all, the turquoise lakes of Thun and Brienz. The dense network of cogwheel and cable railways makes even high-Alpine panoramas accessible without any mountaineering experience, from pushchair age to grandparenthood.
Best time to visit
| Period | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| June – September | Hiking season, all railways and boats running – peak season |
| September – October | Clearest views, golden larches, fewer crowds |
| December – March | Ski season in Grindelwald-Wengen, Mürren-Schilthorn and Adelboden |
| April – May | Shoulder season: some railways under maintenance, but good prices |
The most beautiful spots
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
By cogwheel railway through the Eiger up to 3,454 m: views over the Aletsch Glacier, an ice palace and snow even in midsummer. Expensive but unforgettable – book time-slot tickets in advance.
Grindelwald & First
The glacier village beneath the Eiger north face. From First: the Cliff Walk, scooter-bike descents and the panoramic trail to Lake Bachalpsee – one of the loveliest mountain lakes in the Alps.
Lauterbrunnen & Mürren
The valley of 72 waterfalls, with the Staubbach Falls as its emblem. Above perches car-free Mürren, from where the cable car floats up to the Schilthorn (the James Bond location “Piz Gloria”).
Lake Thun & Lake Brienz
Turquoise water, lakeside castles and historic paddle steamers. Highlight on Lake Brienz: the Giessbach Falls right behind the grand hotel.
Where to stay
Interlaken, between the two lakes, is the central base; Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen put you closer to the mountains. Swiss prices are high – holiday apartments soften the blow noticeably, and outside July/August rates drop sharply.
See hotels in the Bernese Oberland* Find holiday rentals*Activities & tours
Classics: Jungfraujoch rail tickets, the Schilthorn round trip, boat cruises on Lake Thun or Brienz and paragliding over Interlaken. Book online well ahead in high season.
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