Interlaken is one of the rainiest towns in Switzerland. On average, it rains every other day in this popular destination, so there’s a pretty good chance there will be some rain while you’re in town.
But that’s nothing to worry about; you might not be able to enjoy the hiking trails around the town to their fullest, but there are plenty of other things to do in Interlaken in the rain!
Medieval castles, local history museums, and minigolf under a blacklight are the top things that come to mind for staying busy in Interlaken in poor weather. There’s a plethora of other things to keep you occupied during your stay, so let’s dive into all the ways you can have fun in Interlaken even on rainy days!
Table of Contents
Tour the Castles
Staying indoors is best for keeping out of the rain, and there’s no better indoor destination than a medieval castle!
Thun Castle
Set on a hilltop overlooking Thun’s Old Town, the Thun Castle is a stunning place to explore on a rainy day. The Swiss heritage site of national significance dates back to the 12th century when it was constructed as a display of the power of the Zähringen noble family. Today, the castle houses a local history museum with five floors of exhibits.
Spiez Castle
Accessible by boat from Interlaken, the Spiez Castle is a beautiful waterfront landmark with spectacular views of Lake Thun. The Castle Museum recounts the history of the castle owners and provides background on its location. Tours of the wine cellar and wine tastings are available upon request, so don’t hesitate to arrange one on a rainy afternoon.
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Other Castles to Visit
Interlaken is a Swiss town, so of course there are a few more castles (and castle ruins) close to it:
- Oberhofen Castle (stunning castle gardens and a museum on the history of the Bernese Oberland)
- Interlaken Castle (the castle church is open to the public and free to visit)
- Weissenau Castle Ruins (interesting attraction but bring an umbrella because it’s open-air)
- Burgruine Unspunnen (13th-century castle ruins in Wilderswill)
Explore Some Museums
Museum tours are my favorite thing to do on a rainy and gloomy day. Some excellent museums are close to Interlaken and worth visiting.
Ballenberg, Swiss Open Air Museum
The open-air museum Ballenberg is hands down one of the best historical museums in the country. A small village has been turned into a cultural museum, and even though it’s open-air, you can seek shelter from the rain in the various houses of the museum. The houses represent unique architecture from all Swiss regions and offer insight into locals’ lives over the centuries.
Bernatone Alphornbau
Bernatone Alphornbau is a music store but it might as well be a museum. Here you can see various models and iterations of the Swiss Alphorn, and even hear a demonstration of the iconic instrument live. Even if you have no interest in shopping for musical instruments, this place is awesome to visit.
Tourismuseum Interlaken
Tourismuseum Interlaken is situated in Unterseen, so it’s easily accessible from everywhere in town. The museum offers an exhibit on the history of tourism in the region. Learn how tourism developed in the Jungfrau region and see some vintage sleds, skis, snowshoes, and bicycles.
Culinary Experiences
Culinary adventures are one of the best things about traveling in Switzerland. Delicious local cheeses and decadent chocolates are staples of local cuisine, and the perfect comfort food to make you forget all about the poor weather outside.
Funky Chocolate Club
Funky Chocolate Club is a chocolate shop and cafe with the best desserts in Interlaken. Not only does it offer shelter from the rain, but all the different cakes and chocolate bars will keep you warm around your heart.
Everything here is absolutely delicious, and the hardest part about a visit to the Funky Chocolate Club will be controlling yourself not to devour everything in your line of sight. Or maybe I’m just projecting.
Kambly Experience
Head to Trubschachen to discover the history of Kambly, Switzerland’s most famous biscuits manufacturer. The family-owned company has existed for more than 100 years, and they’ve got more than 100 different types of biscuits you can sample during the tour.
See a movie about the production of biscuits and learn about everything that goes into making a signature Kambly snack. Then head to the factory shop to stock up on delicious biscuits to bring home as souvenirs.
Outdoor Water Activities
Wet weather is no excuse not to have some fun on the water while you’re in Interlaken. You’re already drenched from the rain, so what’s a few more drops of river or lake water?
River Rafting
River rafting is a thrilling and fun activity that ends with all participants drenched in water. So, why does it matter that it’s raining, if you’re going to end up soaking wet anyway? Head to Outdoor Interlaken to inquire about upcoming rafting adventures; if you’re lucky, they might just have a free spot for you.
If the weather forecast for your trip to Interlaken isn’t looking great, book a river rafting adventure in advance for a guaranteed spot.
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Jet Boating
Jet boat tours are a very fun way of discovering Lake Brienz and they can be done whenever. They even take place during storms, which is either insane or super exciting, I haven’t yet decided.
Ride around the lake at high speeds taking sharp turns and embracing the splatter, all the while enjoying spectacular sights of the Swiss Alps. Head to the jetty in Bönigen to inquire about jet boating adventures.
Lake Cruises
Cruises on lakes Thun and Brienz are excellent for seeing the sights around Interlaken without getting drenched. Lake Brienz is my personal favorite, partly because of the gorgeous turquoise color but also for the fabulous sights along its shores. Hop on a ferry to see Iseltwald, Giessbach, and even Brienz on an afternoon cruise.
Lake Thun’s stunning castles and charming waterfront homes won’t disappoint you either. Regardless of the direction you head in, the ferries should provide some much-needed shelter from the rain.
Natural Sites to Explore
Just because it’s a gloomy day doesn’t mean you can’t explore some of the top natural landmarks in Interlaken!
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Trummelbach Falls
Trummelbach Falls is a system of cave waterfalls, the key word there being a cave. Much of the area is sheltered, so rain will dampen this experience. Just make sure you wear sturdy (and waterproof) shoes, because the walking paths through the caves can be quite slippery, especially in wet weather.
Board a train towards Lauterbrunnen to reach Trummelbach Falls in about 40 minutes. Normally I’d tell you to hike through the Lauterbrunnen Valley, but considering the weather, it’s best to board a local bus. You can always hike back to town if it stops raining!
St. Beatus Caves
St. Beatus Caves is a cave system near Interlaken, usually accessible by hiking trails from the town. On gloomy days it’s best to take the bus (line 21), which takes only 15 minutes to arrive at the caves.
This is among the top ten largest cave systems in Switzerland so there’s plenty to explore. Guided tours of the grotto are available, and visitors can also explore the area on their own thanks to maps and info panels to guide them through the caves.
Wellness & Relaxation
Nothing can combat the bad mood of a somber day like a hot stone massage or 20 minutes in a sauna. If the weather’s too bad for hiking and outdoor adventures, it’s perfect for a day at a spa center.
Spa
Interlaken’s fabulous hotels have excellent spa centers, many of which are open for non-guests for a fee. If you’re in the mood for some rest and relaxation, a spa day is the perfect way of forgetting all about the raindrops outside. The best spa centers in Interlaken are:
- Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
- Lindner Hotel Interlaken Beau Rivage
- Zentrum Artos Interlaken
- Hotel Metropole
Also, there are several massage parlors throughout Interlaken so plenty of places to get a massage, if you’re not in the mood for saunas and thermal pools.
Indoor Pools
The lakes around Interlaken might be a touch cold for swimming on a rainy day. But you can still swim in indoor pools, which can be found in a few of Interlaken’s popular hotels:
There’s also an indoor swimming pool at Beatenberg, and this is my favorite option out of the bunch. The village is higher in the mountains, and the pool offers striking panoramic views of Lake Thun and the towns on its shore.
JungfrauPark
JungfrauPark is a vast amusement park situated in Matten bei Interlaken. It’s easily accessible by buses that pass through Interlaken and offers a wide variety of things to keep you occupied on cloudy days.
The family-friendly park is the best place to visit if you’re in Interlaken with children. It boasts climbing frames, pedal carts, an arcade room, and many other things that will make you, the adult, wish you were a little kid again.
Grindelwald Indoor Rope Park
The Indoor Rope Park at Grindelwald is a great way to have fun and enjoy things normally done outdoors while staying sheltered in wet weather. The village of Grindelwald is only about 30 minutes from Interlaken by train, and the rope park is very close to the train station.
The high ropes course is in the Grindelwald Sports Center, and the climbing is high above an ice rink. There are improvised sleds on the ropes and even a hamster wheel you can try spinning around! It’s a super fun place and an excellent way to kill a few hours if you can’t spend much time exploring the stunning nature around Interlaken.
Spiez Funpark
Spiez Funpark is another top destination for families in Interlaken. It’s only 20 minutes by train from Interlaken to Spiez, and the Funpark is about 15 minutes from the train station. On particularly wet days, you can take a taxi to the indoor playground to keep dry.
The Fun Park is a vast indoor playground with many different activities for kids. Ballpits, climbing walls, and trampolines are usually favorites of the children. But they’re only three of over a dozen different things to do.
Omega Next Level Minigolf
Omega Next Level Minigolf is an indoor minigolf course set in a dark room with bright neon lights. I love the concept because it’s wildly different from regular golf, plus the neon animals on the walls look super cool.
Step inside this center and you’ll quickly forget all about the weather outside. The courses are lined with neon colors and the ball, so you can easily spot them under the blacklight. All minigolfers get 3D glasses for the ultimate experience and are encouraged to put neon war paint on their faces.
This minigolf course is in Wilderswil, 12 minutes from Interlaken by train.
Boulderhalle Jungfrau
In addition to that indoor minigolf course, Wilderswil also has a rock climbing gym. So, if you came to Interlaken hoping to explore the Alpine climbing opportunities in the area, and the rain ruined your plans, this is the next best thing!
It’s not as exciting as climbing rocks and boulders, but it’s a decent place to practice your skills. The only catch is that the gym is open only to annual subscription holders, so not anyone can just show up and train.
You can go climbing if you’re accompanied by a subscription holder, so ask around Wilderswil and on social media and you might get lucky. Alternatively, a few rock climbing gyms in Thun are open to everyone.
Shopping
Bad weather is the perfect excuse for shopping if you need a reason to spend some hard-earned money. The main street in Interlaken is lined with shops that sell everything from top-of-Europe souvenirs to high-end Swiss watches.
Whether you want to get a few trinkets to bring back home or you’re looking to buy some high-quality Swiss gear, Interlaken won’t disappoint.
For some more serious fashion shopping, board a train to Bern. You’ll be in the city in about 50 minutes, and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to department stores, high-street shops, and luxury boutiques.
Grindelwald is also not a bad destination for shopping, especially if you’re looking to pick up some sporting equipment.
Map of Interlaken Attractions and More
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it rain every day in Interlaken?
It doesn’t rain every day in Interlaken but it does rain every other day. The town has an average of 154 rainy days in a year, so there’s a 50% chance it will rain during your stay there.
