Lausanne to Bern, Thun & Interlaken – The Heart of the Bernese Oberland

Depart from Lausanne, Switzerland’s lakeside capital of art and culture, and travel north across the country’s green plateau. The journey reveals a transition from the vineyards of Lavaux — a UNESCO heritage landscape — to the rolling hills of the canton of Bern, where the Alps rise in the distance.

Your first stop is Bern, the Swiss capital and one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Founded in 1191, Bern still radiates the calm authority of a city built to last. Its Old Town, protected by UNESCO, sits on a natural peninsula carved by the Aare River. Here, you’ll walk beneath 6 kilometers of covered arcades, past fountains topped with Renaissance figures, and sandstone façades that have remained unchanged for centuries. Highlights include the Zytglogge Clock Tower, whose moving figurines perform every hour; the Federal Palace, home to the Swiss government; and the Cathedral of Bern, the tallest church in Switzerland, offering sweeping views from its tower. Between sightseeing, enjoy a coffee or local pastry at one of Bern’s old cafés — timeless, quiet, and distinctly Swiss.

Next, the route continues toward Thun, often called “the gateway to the Bernese Alps.” The drive itself is a delight: a ribbon of road following the Aare River into the lake basin, where the Alps first appear in full view. In Thun, the air feels lighter, the rhythm slower. The medieval Thun Castle, built in the 12th century, dominates the skyline with its four towers overlooking the lake. Just beyond the city lies Schloss Oberhofen am Thunersee, a fairytale lakeside castle surrounded by gardens — an ideal stop for photos. Stroll along Thun’s river bridges or pause by the waterfront for lunch before the final leg of the journey.

Your last stop is Interlaken, Switzerland’s adventure capital and the very heart of the Bernese Oberland. Set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken has attracted travelers since the 19th century with its unbeatable alpine panorama. Walk through Höhematte Park, gaze toward the snow-capped Jungfrau, and feel the crisp mountain air. There’s time to browse local boutiques or enjoy coffee on the promenade. If weather and timing allow, your driver can also include a short scenic stop at Iseltwald, a tranquil lakeside village known from films and postcards alike.

As the afternoon light fades, you’ll travel back toward Lausanne, retracing the route through the Swiss countryside. The return drive offers a calm finale — forests, rivers, and the distant shimmer of Lake Geneva — as your day of discovery winds to a close.