Family-friendly 2-day Interlaken: Lakes, Views & Play

Why this experience

Interlaken with kids is a place where your pace becomes their pace, and somehow that turns out to be exactly right. You'll arrive and check into a quiet room with views, and your children will play on the Höhematte—a sprawling green lawn where paragliders drop from the sky and land on the grass. That's entertainment enough for an hour. By afternoon you're on the Harder Kulm funicular, and the ride itself is the thrill; the panorama at the top is a bonus they'll remember. The lake boats aren't just transport—they're adventures. Your kids sit by the window watching Giessbach Falls emerge from the shoreline, and for a moment, everything about traveling with young children feels easy.

Day 2 tightens the rhythm around what kids actually want: play, chocolate, water, and the strange joy of being in an escape room designed for families. You'll make chocolate together at Funky Chocolate Club, which somehow becomes a memory more vivid than any museum. The Heimwehfluh funicular leads to a playground and a summer toboggan that matters to them way more than it should. By the time you're in Unterseen's old town eating gelato on cobblestones, you've packed entire seasons of family time into two days, and it all feels unhurried. This itinerary isn't about seeing everything. It's about watching your children discover a place at their own speed, and discovering how much you like them when there's no rush.

Before you go

• Best time: June through August. Summer means warm water (18-22°C), all boat cruises and funiculars running, playgrounds full of other kids, and long daylight for flexibility. July-August is busiest (25°C+, crowds). June and early September offer the same activities with slightly milder crowds and cooler mornings (16-20°C).
• Budget: This is a self-guided itinerary on TheNextGuide—free to read and follow. Budget separately for accommodation (family-friendly mid-range hotel ~80-120/night), meals (~15-30 per family meal), boat cruises (~12-20 per person), funicular rides (~10-15 per person), chocolate workshop (~20-25 per child), summer toboggan (~5-8 per ride), ice cream (~3-5), and any babysitting or spa as desired. Bring cash for small vendors in towns.
• Difficulty: Easy. All activities are child-appropriate. Walking is flat, boats are accessible to strollers, and funiculars accommodate folded strollers. The pace is set by nap schedules and attention spans, not distance or elevation.
• What to bring: Stroller (compact folding for boat rides), light layers for the funicular/higher elevations (it's cool at Harder Kulm and Heimwehfluh even in summer), swimsuit or waterproof clothes for water play, sunscreen and sunhat, snacks and water bottles (refill free at fountains), change of clothes, first-aid basics (bandages, pain reliever), phone charger.
• Getting there: Fly into Zurich, then train to Interlaken Ost (3 hours). Or train from Geneva (2.5 hours). Interlaken is stroller-friendly; use taxis for the funicular transfers and longer moves.
• Accessibility: Excellent for families with young children. Hotels have family rooms and cribs. Main paths are paved and stroller-friendly. Boats fold strollers and accommodate kids well. Funiculars accept folded strollers. Restaurants offer high chairs and kids' menus. Playgrounds and rest areas are abundant.

Frequently asked questions

Are the itineraries on TheNextGuide free? Yes. Every itinerary is free to read and follow. You pay for accommodation, meals, activities, and transport—not the plan itself. Families often find the activities very affordable (many are under 10 per child).

What if my kids are younger than 2 or older than 12? This itinerary is designed for ages 2-12. For younger kids, simplify: skip the e-bike and escape room, focus on playgrounds and gentle boat rides. For older kids (12+), add the e-bike loop, more challenging hikes if they're interested, or overnight camping. The core—boats, funiculars, playgrounds—works for almost any age.

Do kids need to be good swimmers for the boat rides? No. Boat rides don't involve swimming. Life jackets are required for activities like kayaking (not included in this itinerary). Let your boat staff know if kids are nervous about water, and they can often seat you more centrally or indoors.

Can I book ahead for activities? Yes, and it's smart in summer. The Funky Chocolate Club and Heimwehfluh have capacity limits, so booking a day or two ahead ensures your time slot. Boat cruises are walk-up but can get crowded mid-morning in July-August.

What happens if my child has a meltdown or needs to skip an activity? This itinerary is flexible. Skip anything that isn't working and rest instead. Hotels offer quiet spaces. Höhematte park is free and endlessly engaging. Kids don't care if you see every activity—they remember how they felt. If an afternoon is a washout, move to the evening or the next day.

Is the chocolate workshop messy? Yes, wonderfully. Kids make and decorate their own truffles. Bring clothes you don't mind getting cocoa on, and plan to rinse hands thoroughly at the studio before leaving. The mess is part of the memory.

Complete your trip in Interlaken

Your family might stay longer. Here are three other ways to explore:

• Family-Friendly 3-Day Interlaken (Summer, Relaxed, Kid-Tested) — Add a third day for slower exploration, more naps, and less FOMO.
• Gentle 1-Day Family Visit to Interlaken (Summer) — If you're passing through quickly, a single-day version focuses on the essentials.
• Discover Interlaken: Lakes, Ruins & Views — Older kids might enjoy a day exploring Unterseen's history and the views from both lakes.

Browse all Interlaken itineraries at TheNextGuide.

Last updated: April 2026