33 Best Sights in Berner Oberland, Switzerland

This museum traces the history of alpine tourism in the area over the last 500 years. Exhibits include souvenir production, models of early transportation, and primitive mountain climbing and skiing equipment.

On the north side of the River Aare is this tiny town, founded in 1279 on land rented from the Augustinians. Unterseen retains some of the region's oldest buildings, including the 17th-century Stadthaus (city hall) and the 14th-century church, its steeple dating from 1471. The Schloss Unterseen (Unterseen Castle), built in 1656, stands at the opposite end of the square from these structures, near a medieval arched gateway. You can get here via a 10-minute bus ride from the center of Interlaken, or by walking from the Interlaken West train station.

You can be inspired—and thrilled—by taking the famous Wengen-Männlichen Aerial Cableway, whose 75-passenger cabins soar up the top of the Männlichen ridge, a nearly five-minute ride; they come complete with an open-air rooftop balcony for those who like to feel the wind in their hair (only open during the summer season). In Männlichen, hike the Royal Trail about 25 minutes up to the viewing station for a spectacular outlook onto the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen valleys framed by the Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. You'll also find the Berghaus Männlichen (Mountain Guest House), with several restaurants and guest accommodations. Kids will love the Alpine Herdsman’s Playground, which features an 8.5-m (28-ft)-high cow made of wood and steel with a walk-in interior, viewing platform, and slide. After your visit, either return down to Wengen or take another scenic cable car down to the town of Grindelwald.