Why Visit Iseltwald and How to Get to This Beautiful Village

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If you’re visiting Switzerland for just a few days, it might feel like there’s no end to the places worth exploring. Every alpine village looks like it belongs in a postcard. I’ve explored several, and some were so breathtaking that I could hardly believe they were real. Unreal! If you’re in the Jungfrau region, you should definitely check out the beautiful spots near Interlaken.

One place that I explored and found incredible because of its location by the lake is Iseltwald. This charming village sits on the shores of Lake Brienz, and if you’re spending at least four days in the Jungfrau Region, I highly recommend adding it to your list. Let me give you a few reasons why Iseltwald should be on your list.

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All the beautiful things about Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
All the beautiful things about Iseltwald

Visit Iseltwald? YES!

Similar to other alpine villages in the Jungfrau Region, I’d say yes — Iseltwald is a place you’d not regret 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.

FYI: 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.

Iseltwald is nestled on the southern shore of Lake Brienz, located in the Bernese Oberland region within the Canton of Bern. It’s positioned between the towns of Interlaken and Brienz, about 10 kilometers (or approximately 6.2 miles) northeast of Interlaken and roughly 12 kilometers (or about 7.5 miles) southwest of Brienz.

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

Asian millennials and Gen Z travelers who love Korean dramas wouldn’t want to skip Iseltwald for one big reason—it was a filming location for the hit 2019 rom-com series Crash Landing on You. The exact spot is the small dock next to the Iseltwald ferry terminal. Perfect for a selfie! Fun fact: another filming location from the show is the Sigriswil Panorama Bridge, one of the best places to visit around Lake Thun.

But beyond its K-drama fame, there are five activities and attractions in Iseltwald that make it worth a visit. Let’s dive into them now.

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The small dock (filming location of 'Crash Landing on You') in Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
The small dock (filming location of ‘Crash Landing on You’) in Iseltwald
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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:

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View of Switzerland with a very noticeable Lake Brienz with its turquoise water
View of Switzerland with a very noticeable Lake Brienz with its turquoise water
View of Lake Brienz from Iseltwald with Brienz at the far end corner of the lake, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
View of Lake Brienz from Iseltwald with Brienz at the far end corner of the lake on a sunny day

Iseltwald, located in the middle of the southern shoreline of Lake Brienz, offers a breathtaking 180-degree view of the lake.

The stunning panorama of Lake Brienz, visible from Iseltwald, extends from Interlaken and Bönigen to the village of Brienz.

I couldn’t find a spot or viewpoint in Iseltwald that offers a complete 180-degree panorama of Lake Brienz. However, you can easily traverse the peninsula of the village to see both halves of the beautiful lake scenery.

Regardless of which side you choose, your eyes will feast upon the crystal-clear turquoise water of Lake Brienz. The water sparkles when hit by sunlight, creating a stunning spectacle.

This natural wonder is formed by the minerals carried by the meltwater streams from the mountains.

In my opinion, the two finest vantage points to admire Lake Brienz from Iseltwald are:

  1. the benches located near the small dock beside the ferry terminal and
  2. the mini-park situated in front of Boutique Hotel Bellevue.

Fun fact! The symbol of Iseltwald is an ibex, which is the blazon of the municipal coat of arms of Iseltwald. That’s why you can see a sculpture of an ibex if you wander around the small park beside the ferry terminal.

Here’s a tip! Assuming you’re planning to visit Iseltwald tomorrow and the weather forecast predicts a windless day for the next 24 hours, I suggest you come early in the morning.

When the wind is calm, Lake Brienz’s surface is serene and resembles a giant blue mirror reflecting the mountains that surround it. It’s a breathtaking and magical sight that you don’t want to miss!

Keep in mind that the tranquility of the lake is disrupted by the ferries that cruise at midday. So, to fully enjoy the peacefulness of the lake, it’s best to come early in the morning.

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.

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Zoomed-in shot of Schloss Seeburg in Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Zoomed-in shot of Schloss Seeburg
Schloss Seeburg and its beautiful reflection over Lake Brienz, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Schloss Seeburg and its beautiful reflection over Lake Brienz

From its position at the tip of the Iseltwald peninsula, Schloss Seeburg never fails to captivate the visitors to Iseltwald.

Its graceful white facades are reflected in the calm turquoise waters of Lake Brienz, creating an absolutely picture-perfect scene that you simply must see.

Currently, Schloss Seeburg is privately owned, and travelers can only view it from the outside.

Nevertheless, Schloss Seeburg is best admired from afar.

As mentioned, the castle can reflect on Lake Brienz’s turquoise water. From a distance, you can see Schloss Seeburg in its most eye-catching appearance.

If you want to photograph Schloss Seeburg, position yourself in front of Hotel Chalet du Lac or Boutique Hotel Bellevue for the best angles.

From these places, you can capture Schloss Seeburg with the mountains in the backdrop, which also reflect in Lake Brienz.

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.

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A pleasant day for renting a boat or kayaking in Iseltwald or Lake Brienz, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
A pleasant day for renting a boat or kayaking in Iseltwald or Lake Brienz

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.

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The chalets in Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
The chalets in Iseltwald
View of the houses in Iseltwald from Lake Brienz, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
View of the houses in Iseltwald from Lake Brienz
View of the Iseltwald village and Lake Brienz, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
View of the Iseltwald village and Lake Brienz

A dose of Swiss authenticity is everywhere in Iseltwald.

However, for me, it’s best found on the shoreline road in the bay area of the village. According to Google Maps, these parts of the village are the streets called Mätteli, Marderbach, and Schorren.

During your stroll, you’ll stumble upon flower-embellished chalets with facades decorated with beautiful carvings and markings.

I don’t understand the inscriptions on the facades of the chalets in Iseltwald, but I assume they are the names of the owners and the years they acquired the chalets.

The characters are reminiscent of the wall paintings I found in the dining room of Oberhofen Castle.

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.

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Giessbach Waterfall and Giessbach Hotel near Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Giessbach Waterfall and Giessbach Hotel near Iseltwald
Hiking trail or bridge under Giessbach Waterfall near Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Hiking trail or bridge under Giessbach Waterfall near Iseltwald
View under the cascades of Giessbach Waterfall near Iseltwald, Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
View under the cascades of Giessbach Waterfall near Iseltwald

Architecture lovers may be surprised to discover the opulent Giessbach Hotel located near the foot of the waterfall.

This Swiss-style, castle-like hotel is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia as it comes into view upon your arrival at the waterfall. It dates back to 1874 and is served by one of the oldest funiculars in Europe. The funicular station is located along the shores of Lake Brienz.

Seeing the hotel after riding the funicular is a time-transporting experience to try.

There are two ways you can get to Giessbach Waterfall from Iseltwald.

  1. The first is by hiking a relatively flat 5.5-kilometer trail parallel to the shoreline of Lake Brienz. It takes 2.5 hours to hike and ends at the funicular station of Giessbach Waterfall. If you want, you can hike to the waterfall from Iseltwald and continue on the path that goes up the waterfall. The hiking trail passes over and under Giessbach Waterfall, providing various viewpoints of the waterfall and Lake Brienz.
  2. To reach Giessbach Waterfall much faster, ride the ferry to Giessbach Waterfall. The ferry station of the waterfall is just beside its funicular station, so you can go straight to the waterfall right after you arrive in the area.

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.

Driving is the most convenient way to reach Iseltwald.

It’s the preferred mode of transportation if you need to arrive at any specific time of the day without worrying about a schedule. If you own a car, it’s a no-brainer to visit Iseltwald and witness the mirror-like surface of Lake Brienz reflecting Seeburg Castle early in the morning.

Once you park your car in one of the two parking lots in the village, you can easily walk to the viewpoints of Schloss Seeburg along the bay I mentioned earlier.

The first parking lot is on the outskirts of the village. You should be able to spot the parking lot upon entering the village from the A8 driveway. If you plan to arrive early in the morning, consider parking at the lot in the center of the village. It’s only a few steps from the ferry station and much closer to the village’s prime vantage points.

Another way to get to Iseltwald is by taking a bus from Interlaken.

  1. First, head to either the Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost terminals and then
  2. take Bus 103 to Iseltwald, Dorfplatz.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Iseltwald from Interlaken West and 25 minutes from Interlaken Ost. The first bus departures from Interlaken terminals usually occur a few minutes after 6:00 am during the summer and 7:00 am during the winter.

You can check sbb.com (see the link in the resources section) for the complete bus schedule.

You can also reach Iseltwald from Interlaken Ost station by boat, which, in my opinion, is the most scenic and relaxing way to travel.

However, the downside is that the boats do not depart as frequently as the buses. Boats travel directly to Iseltwald from Interlaken, with some making a stop at Bönigen. The journey takes less than an hour, around 45 to 50 minutes, from Interlaken Ost.

If you plan to spend a day on Lake Brienz without a Swiss Travel Pass or Jungfrau Travel Pass, consider the Lake Brienz & Lake Thun unlimited boat day pass. This pass is useful if you want to visit Iseltwald, Giessbach Waterfall, or Oberhofen Castle on Lake Thun.

Planning a trip? From great hotel deals to skip-the-line tickets and affordable eSim to cheap rentals, check out the travel resources I recommend and use for a smooth and memorable trip.

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Where to Go Next

As I mentioned earlier, there’s so much more to see in the Jungfrau Region beyond Iseltwald. Lake Brienz itself has a few more beautiful and interesting spots, and you won’t have to go far from Iseltwald to reach them. But if you’re looking for a truly breathtaking view, I recommend heading to Harder Kulm. From there, you’ll get a panoramic view of Lake Brienz, the Jungfrau Region, and Lake Thun all in one. Learn more about these places by clicking the buttons below.

Discover More Things to Do in Lake Brienz
See the Breathtaking View from Harder Kulm

If you’re looking for ways to visit Iseltwald along with other great destinations in the Jungfrau Region, I have two suggestions for you.

Explore Jungfrau Region on a Budget (4 Days)
Ultimate 7-Day Exploration of the Jungfrau Region

For a convenient, unique, or more enriching visit, check out these experiences and services:

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Resources

Looking for assistance in planning your visit to Iseltwald? I’ve got resources to help you organize your trip to Iseltwald.

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