The Adventure Capital of Europe

Switzerland, a dreamy place

View of Interlaken from Harder Klum mountain

It is an understatement to say that Switzerland is one of those places that is very pretty. It has dreamy landscapes of lakes, mountains, and quaint houses. Interlaken was the specific town I visited in 2019. I was lucky enough to have traveled just before the international borders were closed because of the pandemic. It was love at first sight for me, and I would love to go back there soon and stay longer.

Interlaken is for adrenaline junkies

This place lies between two lakes, namely Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, thus the name of the town. It is also known for its proximity to the mighty Jungfrau Mountain. Besides being a nice place to visit, Interlaken also holds a lot of activities for adrenaline junkies, all year round. It’s not named the “Adventure capital of Europe” for nothing. There’s bungee jumping, paragliding, sky diving, canyoning, rafting, kayaking, ice climbing, and jet boat rides.

Paragliding

I chose paragliding. Twice. What can I say, I guess I couldn’t get enough of it.

Book the activity from CHF 180. From the town, you and other excited paragliders will be picked up by the guide. In the shuttle, they will start briefing you on what to expect and guidelines to follow. They will also try to ease your nerves through small conversations. The ride will be around 20 minutes as it goes higher and higher to reach the take-off point.

Paragliding take-off area where guides prepare

Upon arrival, they will strap your gear and remind you what to do. As this is tandem paragliding, you do not need to worry about controlling the parachute, you just need to enjoy the view and the flight. Although, you do have to run to the edge of the cliff and launch yourself. There will be an opposing force coming from the wind being caught up in the parachute so you need to put some effort into your running.

Enjoying paragliding, for the 2nd time around

There will be a part of the activity where the guide will ask if you want to try and hold the controls of the parachute. Take the opportunity. If you are up to cranking the level higher, the guide can spin the ride, with your permission. Don’t forget to look around and enjoy the view. Remember to follow the guidelines, also when landing. For around CHF40, you can collect your pictures and video through a link that they will give you.

Besides the thrilling activities, the place is a very tourist-oriented area. There are lots of shops, though I would say they are on the pricey side, so it was nice strolling by and looking around. Enjoy a boat ride and soak in the views. Or ride the train to the Jungfraujoch. The trip will bring one to pass by Grindelwald. From there, there’s a gondola to reach the top and see the mountain peaks along the way. You will end up at the Sphinx Observatory, one of the highest observatories in the world. You will want to stay for a while and just be in awe at the sight of the mountains.

Accommodation and getting around

While in Interlaken, ask your accommodation for the guest card to have a free pass to public transportation.

There are lots of hotels to choose from, but I would recommend trying out the chalet-style bed and breakfast. It feels cozy and authentically Swiss. I stayed at Schoenegg and I definitely enjoyed the stay. Summer is the peak season, so if you want to avoid crowds, it would be best to go during the spring. Make sure to check the weather though when planning your activities to make the most out of your trip.

The Adventure Capital of Europe awaits you.

REFERENCES

Headout. (n.d.). Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - Travel Directions and Train Routes. Jungfraujoch Tickets. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.jungfraujochtickets.com/interlaken-to-jungfraujoch/

Municipality Interlaken. (n.d.). Your added value with the Interlaken guest card. interlaken.ch. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.interlaken.ch/en/info-service/gaestekarten/interlaken-guest-card

Schoenegg B&B. (n.d.). Übernachten Jungfrau Region|Goldswil/Interlaken|www.gasthof-schoenegg.ch. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.gasthof-schoenegg.ch/?lang=en

Schönafinger, C. (2020, March 9). 9 things to do in Interlaken for adrenaline junkies. Holidays to Switzerland. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/9-things-to-do-in-interlaken-for-adrenaline-junkies/

Switzerland Tour. (n.d.). Interlaken City a piece of heaven in the Swiss Alps | Switzerland Tour. Switzerland-tour.com. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://switzerland-tour.com/destinations/interlaken