2/24/2026 · 8 min read
The Bernese Highlands are compact on a map but expansive in experience. Within a relatively small area, you find glacier platforms, waterfall valleys, ridge hikes, historic towns, vineyard slopes, and two major lakes. Distances are short and trains are efficient, but base location still shapes your mornings, evenings, budget, and flexibility, especially if Jungfraujoch is part of your itinerary.
Interlaken is central, connected, and busy. It sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and functions as the main transport hub. For short stays or high-energy trips, this is convenient. Adventure activities, restaurants, supermarkets, and core services are concentrated here.
Interlaken also has the highest tourism intensity in the region. In peak summer, tour buses and crowding are common, and accommodation pricing reflects that demand. It works very well for short, movement-heavy trips, but for three to five nights many travelers prefer quieter alternatives.
Grindelwald is alpine immersion. You wake up surrounded by peaks, cable cars and trailheads are nearby, and Jungfraujoch access is efficient via the modern terminal route. For hiking-focused travel or winter ski stays, Grindelwald is a strong fit.
The tradeoff in Grindelwald is cost and exposure. Accommodation is often higher priced, weather effects can feel stronger at elevation, and there is no lake access. It is ideal when your trip is mountain-first and less ideal when you want broad day-to-day variety.
Lauterbrunnen is dramatic and compact. The valley is visually exceptional, with steep rock walls and major waterfalls such as Staubbach. Access to Murren and Wengen is straightforward, and the scenery is among the most iconic in Switzerland.
Lauterbrunnen itself is smaller in services. Restaurant choice and accommodation inventory are narrower than Interlaken or key Lake Thun towns. It is excellent for couples and scenery-priority travelers who value atmosphere over range.
Lake Thun towns including Spiez, Faulensee, Einigen, and Thun are where many repeat visitors shift their base. They are around 20 to 30 minutes from Interlaken by direct train and offer waterfront access, vineyard landscapes, castle views, larger apartment-style stays, and lower tourist density.
From Lake Thun, Jungfraujoch remains fully practical in about two hours, and Lauterbrunnen plus Grindelwald are straightforward day trips. The key difference is evening quality: calmer streets, stronger local rhythm, and better recovery after mountain days.
Choosing where to stay in the Bernese Highlands is not about prestige. It is about pacing. If you want nonstop activity, Interlaken can fit. If you want contrast between mountain intensity and lakeside calm, Lake Thun towns are often the most balanced choice.