BEST THINGS TO DO IN ISELTWALD
Iseltwald is one of Switzerland’s gems. Located on Lake Brienz‘s southern shores, it is like a fairy-tale village surrounded by the Swiss Alps with one of the most beautiful lakes just on the doorstep.
I have been lucky enough to visit Iseltwald several times, yet I have never written a blog post about the best things to do in Iseltwald. Why? I do not know. Iseltwald is such a pretty little place that is definitely worth a visit – and worth a dedicated blog post!
THINGS TO DO IN ISELTWALD, SWITZERLAND
I would lie if I said there are millions of activities for visitors, but here are my favorite things to do in Iseltwald.
STROLL THE VILLAGE CENTER
Iseltwald is really tiny. I mean, really tiny and there are not many buildings or attractions. What should we expect with less than 400 inhabitants? Well, the few buildings are charming, though.
Here you have some real, traditional Swiss chalets (houses). The ones you see in movies and the ones you probably connect to Switzerland. It has an authentic touch to it – so, the houses are definitely some of my favorites around Lake Brienz.
STROLL PROMENADE
Lake Brienz’striking color is no secret – and if you are in Iseltwald, it will be natural to admire the lake. If you do not want to get on Lake Brienz, the best way is to stroll the promenade.
There are also a couple of restaurants. So, enjoy your lunch/dinner/snack outdoors with amazing views.
PIER
The pier at Iseltwald Boat Station is actually famous! Apparently, it is very famous!
It was a filming location for the Korean movie “Crash Landing on You.” When I visited for the first time (in 2016 or 2017) and took that picture, it was not even famous. The movie was filmed just in 2019, and the pier has become quite popular since then.
In winter, there might be snow in and around Iseltwald. We won’t know – there is no guarantee. I actually visited Iseltwald in April and had a winter vacation instead of my spring vacation as I was actually hoping for. The Pier looked like this – still pretty, right?
INFO: There is now a 5 CHF fee for getting on the pier. There is a turnstile where you have to pay before you can through it.
BOAT TOUR
Talking about boat tours: Iseltwald is a perfect starting (or end) point for a boat cruise. Boat cruises start in Interlaken and end in Brienz – this takes about 1,5 hours. One of the stops is Iseltwald.
If Iseltwald is your base, hop on a boat and enjoy the surroundings (these pretty Swiss Alps…).
If you do not want to do the entire boat tour, you can get out after several stops and hike back or take the bus back to Iseltwald. I have probably been on 4 Lake Brienz boat tours so far. And I hope to hop on more boat tours. Iseltwald Boat Station is one of my favorite stops!
- The boat tours on Lake Brienz are free with a Swiss Travel Pass.
- Check out more stunning lakes in Switzerland.
WATERSPORTS
I could not help to notice all the different water sports activities offered in Iseltwald. At the hostel, you can book water sports activities. If you are into SUP, kayaking, or other watersports, this is the place to be.
GIESSBACH WATERFALLS HIKE
Giessbach Waterfalls is one of the most unique waterfalls in Switzerland. The good news is that you can get from Giessbach Waterfalls to Iseltwald on foot.
I walked from Giessbach Waterfalls to Iseltwald, but of course, you can also do it the other way around: The hike/walk is along the shores of Lake Brienz and pretty easy.
It is a 6 kilomter long hike, and there will be some uphill hiking (or downhill if you start from the Giessbach Waterfalls), but overall it is one of the most leisurely scenic hikes you can take in Switzerland.
The Giessbach Waterfalls have a total length of around 500 meters over 14 stages.
To see the waterfront from behind, you walk to the boat station of Giessbach Station and then either walk up (10 minutes) or take the funicular. Then you are at the hotel and have to do an additional 15-minute hike).
You can then either take the boat to get back or just hike back.
TIP: If you plan a boat tour, I highly suggest getting from Iseltwald to Giessbach by boat (it just looks amazing from the boat), hiking up to behind the waterfall, and then walking back to Iseltwald.
VISIT THE CASTLE – SCHLOSS SEEBURG
After the pier in Iseltwald, the castle might be the most outstanding attraction in Iseltwald. It looks pretty amazing – a perfect location for this castle.
Many might be wondering how to visit it. Well, the bad news is that it is not open to visitors. It is a rehabilitation center, and so we can only admire it from afar.
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ISELTWALD TRAVEL TIPS
Here are some quick tips for your trip to Iseltwald.
LOCATION ISELTWALD:
Iseltwald is in the canton of Bernese Oberland on the southern shores of Lake Brienz.
It is close to Interlaken, which is one of my favorite travel destinations. So, I always make sure to visit Iseltwald and spend some time here as it is just 20 minutes by public transportation.
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HOW TO GET TO ISELTWALD:
Iseltwald is easily accessible by car, public transportation, or boat.
By car:
- It takes about 20 minutes from Interlaken (9km).
- From Lauterbrunnen, it takes about 35 minutes (21km).
- From Lucerne, it takes almost 2 hours (despite it being just 80 km) but driving the mountain roads will take time.
There are parking spots just outside the village center (it is just a 3-minute walk). One hour of parking is less than $1 (have cash ready).
By public transportation:
- Iseltwald does not have a train station, but buses from Interlaken Ost go to Iseltwald (takes about 20 minutes).
By boat:
- A scenic – if not the most scenic way – to get to Iseltwald is via boat. There are Lake Brienz boat cruises that stop in Iseltwald as well. The ships stop at many stations (including Interlaken, Brienz, or Giessbach Waterfalls).
Private tour:
- You can also do a private tour from Interlaken. The private tour includes a trip to Iseltwald but also allows you to visit some other gorgeous places nearby.
SWISS TRAVEL PASS
If you use public transportation, I recommend getting a Swiss Travel Pass.
- A Swiss Travel Pass allows you to use trains and buses without any extra costs.
- You can also do boat cruises without additional costs – and cruise Lake Brienz (but also Lake Thun) with the regular boats to get around.
- It also gives you a 50% discount on most mountain rides (you can get up via cable car/funicular for half of the price).
The prices are quite high – but I have bought them myself, and it pays off if you get around via public transportation and are active. If you just plan to visit Iseltwald and stay there for a few days, it might not make sense financially.
So, check out prices for boats and trains and then calculate if it is a good option for you. For me, it usually makes sense as I am very active and use public transportation/ mountain rides often (even if I road trip Switzerland).
I also love boat rides – which means many, many boat cruises for me. Check out prices for a Swiss Travel Pass here.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Iseltwald is lovely to visit all year round. My favorite time, however, was in summer. When it is warm and sunny, Lake Brienz looks even better. You can do more outdoor sports and spend time at the lake.
It does get busier in the summer months, but it usually is not overrun as Interlaken is.
Autumn is another great time to visit. Especially September and October. On a sunny day, it looks exceptionally pretty with the foil foilage. There might be no snow in the winter months – but snow could happen. Actually, snow can also happen in the spring months. This photo was taken on my last trip in April!
THINGS TO KNOW
- Bring a water bottle! Switzerland is expensive, but at least fresh water is free – there is a water fountain next to the boat station. That is one of the few ways I save some money in pricy Switzerland.
- German is the main language. However, (basic) English is spoken in the tourism section.
WHERE TO STAY IN ISELTWALD
I have visited Switzerland many times as a day trip from Interlaken, but last time I actually also stayed in Iseltwald in a big apartment (with my family). Iseltwald is small and most visitors just come for a few hours during the day. If you stay in Iseltwald, you get to see the village when hardly anyone is around.
- This is a lovely hotel in Iseltwald – some rooms come with amazing views check out this hotel and its rates.
- If you are looking for something more budget-friendly check out this property and the prices here.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHAT TO DO IN ISELTWALD FOR A DAY
Iseltwald is my go-to popular destination whenever I am seeking a tranquil escape. It is one of my favorite small towns/villages in Switzerland and it is always a pleasure to visit for a day or two.
However, keep in mind, that Iseltwald can be really crowded at times due to the fame it has reached because of the Korean movie. Regardless of the crowds, I still love Iseltwald and suggest you also visit.