What to do in Interlaken when it rains?

It is always disappointing when you experience rainy days while on holiday but they shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your destination! We had this exact same situation in Interlaken, Switzerland. A destination that is well known for its beautiful nature and outdoors….so what to do when it rains?

This blog was in collaboration with Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Travel System. All opinions are our own, we are excited to show you this incredible country!

Explore the castles

Rainy days in Interlaken can seem like the worst thing that can happen on your holiday. The great outdoor experiences suddenly don’t seem as appealing. We stumbled on the perfect activity, exploring the castles!

We jumped on the train and went up to the town of Thun. It is only a 30 minute train ride and the scenery is stunning along the way. We used our Swiss Travel Passes to get around while in Switzerland and they made our trip so easy!

Views from the turret at Thun Castle, Interlaken

Thun Castle – the perfect activity for when it rains in Interlaken

We jumped on the train and went up to the town of Thun. It is only a 30 minute train ride and the scenery is stunning along the way. You will need to walk up to the castle but honestly if you have a raincoat or umbrella you will be fine. It is not a long or difficult walk at all.

Tickets

Once inside find your way to the ticket counter. Our ticket was included in our Swiss Travel Pass so we only had to show these to get our tickets. Otherwise the cost is just 10CHF for adults. This includes the entry to the whole castle and it is worth it. I think we spend a good two hours exploring the castle and reading about its history.

What you will see

The castle is really well organised. You enter one area and will leave in another essentially completing a loop. There are various levels, rooms and exhibits to explore. It is really well signed with historical information and also interactive displays and information for kids. We saw many families there enjoying the displays and the castle itself.

The rooms

The first room will have general information about the beginning of the castle. It shows some artefacts and information about the beginnings of the town and area. It is a great start to understanding the history behind the castle itself and the time it was built.

Keep going up and each room reveals more information and artefacts. There are ancient tapestries, knights armour and even a torture room and a room where captives where kept.

Our favourite area was in the roof where you had access to the turrets. It was so interesting, the roof had a display which showed how wood was used for the structure. There was not a single piece of metal used, even as a nails. The turrets were so incredible. There was way more space there than I expected and the views were amazing. They stretched right out over the town along the river. Each turret had its own perspective.

The external part of the castle

We explored the outside area of the castle and you can do this without a ticket if you don’t need to escape the rain! There is a church, courtyard and a walkway where you will see the old buildings and views across the old town.

We really loved visiting Thun castle. It was a good price, had excellent information and was quite interactive. Easily the top of our list of what to do in Interlaken when it rains!

Spiez Castle

Spiez is a little town along Thun Lake. It is really pretty and has great views but on a rainy day the castle is the place to visit. It is a little far from the train station to walk in the rain. You can take a bus that drops you just about out the front though!

Opening hours and cost

Unfortunately the season hadn’t started for this one when we were there but if it is open I suggest you take a look. It sounds great. Its open from 1st May – 31 October 2023 (Monday 2 pm – 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm) and the ticket to the Castle Museum is 12CHF or free with the Swiss Travel Pass.

The castle museum

I really wanted to visit this one, it sounds great. It is set up in a similar manner to the Thun Castle with information and displays but with its own unique history. Some of the highlights listed on the website are tournament graffiti in the tower from around 1300, the medieval castle kitchen, and the early-baroque ballroom. I really want to go see this!

The external Castle

The external area was beautiful, set on the lake with lots of chairs to relax or have a coffee or picnic. There is a café onsite. It was perfect, just not covered for a rainy day, if you can get inside I would try this one out!

Visit the Church and Castle at Interlaken

Interlaken also has its own church and castle and they are both beautiful. The castle was its own cloister area and is currently the seat of local government in Interlaken. The church is right next door and there is another church next to that. They are all in a little group with a garden area out front. While there isn’t much to see inside compared to the other 2 castles, it is still worth a look.

Other castles that we would like to visit and would be perfect to do in Interlaken when it rains

There are 3 other castles that I can’t wait to come back and visit. They are Oberhofen Castle, Hünegg Castle and Schadau Castle. Each are on Lake Thun and look beautiful. If you are looking to fill up your rainy day, or even a sunny one, I suggest a visit to these as well!

Make sure to eat somewhere great in Interlaken when it rains!

Our favourite café in Interlaken is Spatz Café! The food is excellent, service is so friendly and the atmosphere is second to none. We stayed just around the corner in No 8. Boutique Hotel and discovered this is the absolute best place to eat. They do breakfast through o aperitif, the charcuterie boards are legendary! Everything is of high quality, if you are looking for a place to enjoy a cosy meal with a great view during your rainy day make sure to go to Spatz! I can’t think of a better place to sit, watch the rain over the water with a delicious charcuterie and glass of wine.

Spatz Cafe Best place to eat in Interlaken

That is how we spent our rainy day in Interlaken and honestly we had a great time despite the weather. Switzerland is always a good idea and one of our favourite countries. If you have any questions about what to do in Interlaken when it rains or to plan your trip feel free to leave a comment or dm us on Instagram @passport_nomads or @kelly___buckley and we will be happy to help!