Bernese Oberland

The Bernese Oberland is often what families picture when they imagine Switzerland: jagged snowy peaks, lush green meadows, and cows with ringing bells. The adventure hub of Interlaken sits nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, serving as the perfect base camp. From here, families can board the historic paddle steamers. The boat trip to the Giessbach Falls, where a funicular climbs up to the crashing waterfall, is a favorite excursion that combines transport fun with nature.

Mountain railways are a major attraction here. The train ride to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe takes you to the highest railway station in Europe. Children are fascinated by the Ice Palace carved inside the glacier and the chance to go sledging even in the middle of summer. For a slightly more accessible thrill, the gondola to Grindelwald-First features the 'First Cliff Walk'—a metal walkway clinging to the rock face—and offers adventurous descents via mountain cart or 'Trottibike' scooters tailored for various ages.

Cultural history becomes a game at the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum. This massive site displays over 100 historic Swiss buildings. Kids can pet farm animals, watch cheese-making demonstrations, and try traditional crafts like wood carving. In the Haslital valley, the legend of the Muggestutz Dwarves transforms hiking into a treasure hunt; the themed trails are dotted with play stations, dwarf houses, and drying racks for wet clothes, motivating children to hike further than they thought possible. Whether it's the thundering Trümmelbach Falls inside a mountain or the chocolate workshops in Interlaken, the region balances high-adrenaline nature with accessible family infrastructure.