The magical small village of Iseltwald Switzerland is known for being one of the most beautiful in the entire country! Honestly, we were a little skeptical before our trip, as we didn’t know if it could possibly live up to the hype.
Here’s everything from how to get to Iseltwald to the best time to go, where to stay, and the most iconic photo spots. We’ll even tell you about a hidden local cheese spot have to try! Hopefully, our tips will help you plan your own trip to this one of a kind town.
Why You Can’t Miss Iseltwald
Imagine a small village that has the classic Swiss Alpine architecture and is set on one of the most beautiful lakes you’ve ever seen. Now picture it being surrounded by massive mountains that only add to its surreal charm. That’s Iseltwald Switzerland!
In the summertime, the sun is sparkling and all the flowers are in full bloom, while the winter brings ice and snow that still makes for picturesque views.
If you had to dream up a perfect small town right on a Swiss lake, you would probably think of Iseltwald without even realizing it. In our opinion, it more than lived up to our high expectations, and no visit to the area would be complete without going.
We do know that it is very popular and can be swarmed during the peak tourist season. With that said, let us share how you can have the best experience possible in Iseltwald!
Where to Stay in Iseltwald Village
We love small towns and ended up using Iseltwald Switzerland as our home base while exploring the area. However, the most popular way to visit here is actually on a day trip.
Many travelers prefer to stay in Interlaken and use it as their home base to explore the area. This isn’t a bad idea, especially if you don’t have a car and plan to utilize public transportation. Here’s some of our favorite things to do in Interlaken Switzerland before your visit.
We decided to camp right on Lake Brienz during this visit to Switzerland. Waking up with a coffee and going for a swim with views of Iseltwald felt like something out of a dream!
By staying overnight, we had the town completely to ourselves each morning. Be sure to book in advance if you do plan to spend the night.
There are very limited places to stay in Iseltwald village. Here is a few of our favorite accommodations to check out.
Hotel Châlet Du Lac & Boutique Hotel Bellevue: These two hotels are right next to each other and super close to the swimming area. We would totally look to see if either had availability for our next visit.
Lake Lodge Hostel: While it is a hostel by name, the rooms are private. The only thing to consider is that they do have shared bathrooms.
This is still a great option if you have a group or large family and are looking to share a living space. Also, the views are absolutely beautiful from the rooms!
Strandbad & Camping: This spot is open seasonally during the summer. It’s definitely one of the most budget friendly options you’ll find. There are small round barrel houses or spots for camping right on the water.
How to Get to to Iseltwald Switzerland
We had a car for our trip to Switzerland and absolutely loved the freedom it gave us. Make sure to check the current prices here before you go. As you’ll see next, we actually used the boat and bus quite a bit as well!
There is a large parking lot at the top of town (location). Yet, if you are visiting in off-season, you might be able to find a spot closer on the map below.
The main road is blocked off from cars to help with the traffic during the busy months. Also, with the small streets, you can quickly get a traffic jam if you’re not careful.
Near Strandbad there are parking spots, but we wouldn’t recommend this during peak season. Here’s more of our best Switzerland travel tips to know when planning your trip.
Lake Brienz Boat to Iseltwald
If you didn’t know already, one of the best ways to get around this part of Switzerland is by boat! There are several stops around the lake and the Interlaken to Iseltwald route is one of the most popular.
We loved the boat ride as it allowed us to get off in the different small towns around the lake. It’s also an absolutely stunning ride in itself.
The schedule changes depending on the season, so make sure to check the times beforehand.
Public Bus to Iseltwald Switzerland
There is a bus that runs from Interlaken to Iseltwald. Still, we recommend planning your visit based on the express services.
If you miss the express bus, you’ll be making plenty of stops along the way. The bus drops off at two places with one being at the top of town. Wait for the next stop since it’s closer to the center of the village.
5 Tips For Your Iseltwald Visit
1. Spend the night if you have time on your itinerary! The major benefit of this is that you will experience the village how most travelers don’t.
Once the ferry and buses stop running for the day, there is a fraction of the amount of people in Iseltwald Switzerland.
2. There is a small local market right in the center of town. They have a bunch of different things including local beer, cheeses, meats and bread to buy. This is perfect for snacks or to make a picnic before heading to the beach.
3. Speaking of the beach… the best place to swim is at Strandbad Campground! This is where we camped for one week, but the beach area is free for everyone to use.
They have a full bar, restaurant, and even a diving board to jump into Lake Brienz. You can easily spend the afternoon here hopping in and out of the water. Just before the campground is also a nice stretch of grass along the lake to lay our your towel out.
4. Have you ever heard of the Korean TV series Crash Landing on You? Well, the dock that was used in the show has become the most famous photo spot in town.
We recommend skipping it because you now need to pay to take a photo here. Know that there are plenty of other beautiful places that you can get a picture at for free.
5. The best way to explore the town is simply by walking. There is a road called Geisswagli (map location) that runs above town and has one of the most scenic views. It was also nice to take a stroll on the loop that goes around Iseltwald village.
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own tips for visiting Iseltwald Switzerland? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
hello . i just want to ask if we need a prenotation for going there on december 29 in tourist bus. thank you
Author
Hi Michele! If you’re just referring to the public bus, you can buy them directly at the station when you get there.