Why Visit Iseltwald and How to Get to This Beautiful Village
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If you’re visiting Switzerland for only a few days, it might seem like this country is an endless place to explore.
Every alpine village appears as though it’s worth wandering through. I’ve explored some of them, a few left me in total disbelief of the beauty they possess. Unreal! Particularly in the Jungfrau region, you must see the beautiful places near Interlaken.
One that stands out because of its location beside the lake is Iseltwald. This lovely village on the shores of Lake Brienz is a must-see, especially if you are visiting the Jungfrau Region for 4 days (in my opinion) or more.
The quaint chalets in Iseltwald and the picture-perfect view of the lake from its shores are simply a slice of paradise for wanderers like me.
The best part for everyone? There are restaurants and cafes along the shore of Lake Brienz in Iseltwald. Eating authentic Swiss cuisine while taking in the view of the fairytale scenery is an unforgettable indulgence.
If you’re still currently looking for a destination in Switzerland, let me give you reasons to choose Iseltwald as one of them.
Visit Iseltwald? YES!
Similar to other alpine villages in the Jungfrau Region, I’d say yes — Iseltwald is worth visiting.
In my opinion, Iseltwald is somewhat like the Hallstatt of Switzerland. Both villages have turquoise lakes and are surrounded by mountains. They also have very picturesque landmarks that gracefully beautify the lake scenery even more.
Good to know: Hallstatt is the iconic village in Austria near Salzburg that is said to be the inspiration for the movie, Frozen. As for the picturesque landmarks, Hallstatt has its church while Iseltwald has Schloss Seeburg.
It’s difficult to compare the two villages side by side, but one advantage of Iseltwald over Hallstatt so far is that Iseltwald isn’t as famous as Hallstatt yet.
Tourists haven’t swarmed Iseltwald’s streets and picture spots. I hope it stays that way for the sake of travelers seeking tranquility in such a beautiful alpine lakeside village.
While I think Iseltwald is worth visiting, one should not forget that there are other more breathtaking alpine villages in Switzerland to consider as well.
You should check out my favorite village, Lauterbrunnen, and its heaven-on-earth scenery.
Another is Wengen, a village that offers the best views of the Lauterbrunnen valley; Gimmelwald, which is the most rustic and idyllic in all of the Jungfrau Region; Grindelwald and Mürren, if you want to have a mix of adventure and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Outside the Jungfrau Region, try Oberhofen where you can see Oberhofen Castle, a castle with a tower built in Lake Thun. There’s so much more.
Regardless, indeed, if you’re looking for a quaint village with a unique picture-perfect view of a lake, Iseltwald is the best option in Switzerland that I can think of.
5 Beautiful Attractions and Activities
If you’re an Asian millennial or Gen-Z who loves watching Korean dramas, I believe you wouldn’t want to miss Iseltwald for this reason: Iseltwald is a filming location of the famous 2019 Rom-com Korean TV series, Crash Landing on You.
The exact filming location is the small dock next to the Iseltwald ferry terminal. It’s selfie time! Fun fact: another filming location is the Sigriswil Panorama Bridge, which is one of the best places to visit around Lake Thun.
However, as a traveler, there are five activities and attractions in Iseltwald that I think could be the reason to visit Iseltwald. Let’s talk about them now.
You might find these interesting!
Take In The View Of The Beautiful Lake Brienz
I’ve been creating travel content for several years now, and the map has become my best friend in this hobby.
Whenever I look at Switzerland, aside from the white mountain peaks of the Alps, the turquoise Lake Brienz always catches my eye. Lake Brienz is so turquoise that you can easily spot it from space!
That’s how spectacular Lake Brienz is. Here’s what it looks like from Google Earth:
Photograph The Picture-Perfect Schloss Seeburg
If Lake Thun has Oberhofen Castle as its magical landmark, then Lake Brienz has Seeburg Castle.
This castle, situated in Iseltwald on Lake Brienz, is one of the reasons why Iseltwald is such a beautiful destination. Seeburg Castle, better known as Schloss Seeburg in German, is an architectural gem of Iseltwald.
Have A Simple Adventure (Ride A Kayak)
There’s another way to appreciate Schloss Seeburg and Lake Brienz, though, and it involves a little adventure!
It’s by kayaking to the middle of the lake and viewing the other side of Schloss Seeburg.
If you’re a photography enthusiast, you can capture a unique perspective of Schloss Seeburg while kayaking. However, it’s important to exercise caution when bringing your gadgets along on the kayak.
You can rent a Kayak from Beach & Camping Iseltwald or Outdoor & Wasserport BO, which are only a stone’s throw away from Boutique hotel Bellevue (walk east).
Kayak rental here starts at 20 CHF per person per hour.
I linked its official website in the resources section of this post in case you want to learn more.
Explore and See the Charming Little Village
Iseltwald may not be the most awe-inspiring village in the Jungfrau Region, but it is definitely one of the loveliest. The traditional Swiss alpine chalets and stunning lake views will satisfy your wanderlust completely.
Immerse in Nature; visit Giessbach Waterfall
From Iseltwald, you can visit Giessbach Waterfall which is another impressive natural landmark in the Jungfrau Region.
The waterfall is a giant, standing 500 meters tall, with 14 stages. It’s simply beautiful and should look stunning in slow shutter shots.
How To Get There
If Iseltwald is your chosen destination, let me now give you some ideas and instructions on how to get there.
To reach Iseltwald, there are several options, but first, you must make your way to Interlaken. It is the most easily accessible town in the Jungfrau Region from the main cities in Switzerland like Bern. Once in Interlaken, you can choose from a variety of transportation options, including roads, buses, and ferries, to reach Iseltwald.
Here’s a tip: before you leave Interlaken to visit Iseltwald, you might want to see Harder Kulm first. It’s a stunning viewpoint of the Jungfrau Region, offering views of Lake Thun, the Jungfrau massif, and Lake Brienz.
Resources
Looking for assistance in planning your visit to Iseltwald? I’ve got resources to help you organize your trip to Iseltwald.
- Beach & Camping Iseltwald (Kayak Rental)
- Outdoor & Wassersport BO (Kayak Rental)
- Public transportation schedule (sbb.ch)
- Boat schedule (bls.ch)
Plan Your Trip Now
Here are my recommended services
Discover other regions of Switzerland with my 4-day itinerary. It highlights Bern, Lucerne, and nearby attractions such as Thun for Bern and Mount Pilatus for Lucerne. If you’re after a mix of history, mountain adventures, serene lake cruises, and architecture, Lucerne is your destination. Lucerne is a stunning city that should be a top priority for anyone visiting Switzerland for the first time.
