Brienzer Lake with turquoise blue water, surrounded by mountains and forest, sunny day in summer.

Lake Brienz

4.8(103 Reviews)

13 Activities

Why book with Swiss Activities?

Largest selection in Switzerland

Over 100,000 satisfied customers

Free cancellation option

5 Stars Swiss customer support

Book mobile tickets in 90 seconds

12 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lake Brienz

  • Lake Brienz boasts a stunning turquoise color due to the cold meltwater flowing from the peaks of the Jungfrau region, and it’s considerably colder than its neighbor, Lake Thun. It's the perfect spot for your photo collection and can rightfully be considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland.
  • You can explore Lake Brienz wonderfully by boat from Interlaken. Modern passenger ships and the paddle steamer “Lötschberg” from the Belle Époque sail on the lake between Interlaken and Brienz during the summer months.
  • At the Giessbach station, you can hop off and take a trip to the Grandhotel Giessbach featuring the impressive Giessbach Waterfalls. Visit the waterfalls and even walk behind the curtain of water, all while enjoying a perfect view of Lake Brienz.
  • Experience the lake from a whole new perspective on a kayak tour from Interlaken. You can expect breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains on the (hopefully) calm waters year-round. Tours are also available in winter.
  • Did you know that Lake Brienz gained significant fame in South Korea thanks to Netflix? A notable scene from the series “Crash Landing on You” was filmed on the wooden dock in Iseltwald.
  • If you want to ride a jetboat in Switzerland, you need to head to Lake Brienz. It's the only place offering this fun, fast-paced ride. So, zoom across the lake on the incredibly fast boat and enjoy the pure adrenaline rush.
  • One of the best views of the lake, apart from the mountain peaks in the region, is from the terrace of the Grandhotel Giessbach. By the way, the title photo of this article was taken from that terrace.
  • You can also experience Lake Brienz from the sky. Whether it’s an exciting skydiving adventure from Interlaken or paragliding, stunning views are guaranteed.
  • Numerous day trip destinations around Lake Brienz are perfect to combine with your lake visit. These include the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, the Aare Gorge, or the Brienzer Rothorn.
  • You can relax and paddle about on the lake with a SUP. Rent your stand-up paddleboard in Interlaken and glide over the crystal-clear lake.
  • Several themed boats offer culinary trips like the fondue boat, the breakfast boat, the alpine brunch, or the Halal BBQ cruise. This way, you can enjoy delicious food alongside beautiful views on one of Switzerland's most gorgeous lakes.
  • You can also experience Lake Brienz by bike. The route from Switzerland Mobility runs along the eastern shore, taking you from Interlaken through Iseltwald and the Giessbach Waterfalls to Brienz.
Brienzersee GiessbachfälleGiessbachfälle (Foto: Seraina Zellweger)
Brienzersee SchifffahrtSchifffahrt (Foto: Seraina Zellweger)

Berner Oberland Pass at Lake Brienz

With the Berner Oberland Pass, you can travel flexibly. It’s valid for trains and boats on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. You can also use it on most mountain railways in the Berner Oberland. You can purchase it for 3 to 10 consecutive days and travel by public transport throughout the Berner Oberland. Moreover, with around 40 bonus partners, you can enjoy attractive discounts and deals.

BrienzerseeBrienzersee (Foto: Seraina Zellweger)
BrienzerseeBrienzersee (Foto: Seraina Zellweger)