Table of Contents:
- Where is Interlaken?
- Why Elope in Interlaken?
- Best Places to Elope Near Interlaken
- Interlaken Elopement Photographer
Picture you and your honey running through the mountains of Switzerland, surrounded by endless emerald-colored lakes, grassy meadows, blooming wildflowers, and ancient glaciers—all within a day’s trip. Maybeeee you even get lucky and meet some highland cows along the way!! Magical, right? That could be your reality if you decide to elope in Interlaken, Switzerland, aka the gateway to the Swiss Alps!
To help you plan your the Swiss mountain adventure of your dreams, I’ve put together this Interlaken elopement guide full of my fave spots in the region, plus allll the reasons why Interlaken is undoubtedly the BEST place to elope in the Swiss Alps.
Looking for an Interlaken elopement photographer to support you along the way? I got you!
Where is Interlaken?
If you’re not totally obsessed with Interlaken like I am, you may never have heard of it. All you need to know right now is that it’s this enchanting resort town in the mountains of Switzerland!
Located in the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland (or the Bernese Highlands), this lil mountain town is nestled right between two of the prettiest lakes in the country: Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz. From Zurich, it only takes about 1.5 hours to get to Interlaken by car, or 2 hours by train. This makes it a superrrr popular tourist destination, because who wouldn’t want to spend time among these glorious landscapes + on the shores of otherworldly blue alpine lakes?
Why Elope in Interlaken?
I’m thoroughly convinced that Interlaken has it ALL, and is the absolute dream place to elope in the Swiss Alps. Let me tell you why!!
The breathtaking mountain scenery—duh
Need I say more? Because of its prime location in the middle of two stunning lakes, you’ll get incredible views pretty much anywhere you go in or near the Interlaken region. There’s something for everyone, whether you love to be at the summit of a snow-capped mountain, deep in a dark cave full of stalactites, atop an ancient glacier, out on the water enjoying a lake cruise. . . or all of the above. It’s honestly a dream come true for couples who are craving an elopement experience fully immersed in nature, embracing the wild and rugged beauty of the outdoors.
It’s accessible year-round
Yup, that’s right! Interlaken is accessible all year by both road and rail, so many travelers will reach the area via the Luzern-Interlaken Express or the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway to enjoy the scenery. Once you’re in Interlaken, the adventure doesn’t stop—you can take the Jungfrau Railway to the world-famous Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station! More on this epic destination a little later!
It’s a gateway to the highlands
When you elope in Interlaken, you shouldn’t only stay in Interlaken—you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the easy access it provides to the Bernese Oberland, or the Bernese Highlands, region of Switzerland. Throughout the highlands, you’ll find spectacular mountain views, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, and vast valleys brimming with lush greenery. . . it’s pretty much THE embodiment of everything you picture when you think of Switzerland. Did I mention there are over 800 lakes in the region, too?!
The opportunities for day trips are endless
Interlaken is the perfect starting point for a ton of day trips around the area, including adventures into the Jungfrau Region, or drives to nearby mountain villages. Maybe you visit the enchanting castles on Lake Thun, take the train to Lauterbrunnen to see Staubback Falls, check out the incredible views from Niederhorn, or set out on a romantic boat trip on Lake Brienz. The hardest part about eloping in Interlaken is choosing where to go and what to do during your time there, because you’ll want to do all of it!
Best Places to Elope Near Interlaken
Speaking of the endless opportunities throughout this glorious region of Switzerland, let’s go through a few of the best places to elope in + near Interlaken!
Grindelwald
Grindelwald is not only the name of a dark wizard from Harry Potter—it’s also a dreamyyyy village in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland! Just a 30-minute train ride from Interlaken, this mountain village is set right at the foot of the north face of Eiger Mountain. It’s got all the charm of a small town with all the incredible outdoor recreation of an epic mountain range—you won’t find any shortage of picturesque landscapes and incredible hikes here!
Jungfraujoch
Remember how I mentioned this a little earlier? Jungfraujoch is the HIGHEST railway station in Europe, nicknamed the “Top of Europe,” and is accessible via a ride on the Jungfrau Railway. The scenery from the observation deck is absolutely out of this world, offering views of the Aletsch Glacier and even as far as the French part of the Swiss Plateau! It only takes 45 minutes to get from the Grindelwald train terminal to Jungfraujoch, so it’s def worth the extra trip.
Lucerne
In Lucerne, you’ll find all the natural beauty of the Swiss Alps PLUS a little bit of a city vibe, making it the perfect home base for your elopement. It’s about an hour north of Interlaken and is most known for its rich history, iconic Chapel Bridge, and proximity to Mt. Pilatus (which you can travel up on such a pretty gondola ride!).
Lauterbrunnen
If you can only choose ONE place to visit in Switzerland, let it be Lauterbrunnen! It’s essentially everything Switzerland has to offer in one amazing village, boasting wildly beautiful views of Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, and countless towering cliffs + dramatic mountain peaks. The cable car up to Schilthorn Mountain features even more spectacular views over the Bernese Alps, plus you could spend foreverrrr checking out the many cascading waterfalls in the area (a whopping 72!).
Lake Thun
Lake Thun is a MUST visit during your time in Interlaken, if only because it’s so close and easy to access via a scenic 2-hour boat ride! Along the way you’ll see all kinds of adorable mountain towns, including Thun’s old town which is home to this stunning 12th-century castle, as well as Spiez Castle a little further south. The boat operates every day all year, so you could even take a trip through this magical winter wonderland when it’s covered in snow ❄️
Wanna see more stunning elopement locations in the Swiss Alps? Check out this blog post next!
Interlaken Elopement Photographer
Did any of those locations catch your eye? Whether you know where you want to elope or you’re not sure just yet, the planning process will become a WHOLE lot easier once you hire an Interlaken elopement photographer who can support you along the way. Lucky for you, she just so happens to be right here 😉
I’m Meghan, an elopement photographer based in Europe who thrives on helping American couples plan once-in-a-lifetime international elopement experiences. My Interlaken elopement + intimate wedding packages start at $4000, and include all of my local expertise, planning resources, and travel fees.
And because I know that eloping in Europe as an American can feel a little overwhelming, I put together this complete guide teaching you exactly how to do it! You’ll learn everything from how to legally get married to how much it costs to elope in Europe, and so much more.
Reach out now to book your Interlaken elopement—I can’t wait to see which of these dreamy mountains, lakes, and waterfalls are calling to your heart!
