SHOULD YOU VISIT ANNECY OR INTERLAKEN?
📍 Grouse Mountain, Vancouver, BC
If you’re planning a visit to the Alps, you may be stuck deciding which charming mountain town to make your focus. There are so many alpine towns to catch your fancy, but today I’ll be breaking down the merits of Annecy, France and Interlaken, Switzerland. Both cities are fantastic destinations, each with their own unique charm and attractions, but you may have to choose one, based on limited time or funds. When I’m trying to decide where to visit on a trip, I use the following categories to compare, knowing what I favor in each.
Culture
Though straddling the same mountain range, Annecy and Interlaken have two very different feels.
📍Downtown Annecy, France
With a smaller footprint, Annecy -- often called the Venice of the Alps -- provides a romantic atmosphere with winding canals, old town markets, and a slower pace. The town boasts of plentiful boutiques and trendy cafes, art shows and waterfront installations. It’s quintessential small town France, but with an alpine twist. You can even visit the castle Walt Disney based Sleeping Beauty’s set off at Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard.
Interlaken, on the other hand, offers little in the way of a town. There are of course, restaurants, hotels, and shops, but nothing too notable. It’s much more known for the outdoor activities available.
📍Downtown Interlaken, Switzerland
Nature
In general, you can’t go wrong in the Alps. The area is rich with beautiful mountain landscapes and picturesque lakeside villages. But by nature of its location, Interlaken boasts more stunning vistas, as well as access to many surrounding views.
Interlaken sits at the base of the Bernese Alps, in between two aquamarine lakes (hence the name). From the city center, you can see 360 degree views of snow capped alps and glittering waters. I don’t want to overplay it, but whatever you’re picturing in your mind, it's better. Take the ferry to nearby Giessbach waterfall or the train into the Jungfrau for mountaintop scenery.
📍First Mountain, Grindelwald, Switzerland
Annecy is nestled in the foothills of the French Alps, with mountains to the east. It's a true lakeside village, on the northern tip of Lac d’Annecy. As the cleanest lake in Europe, you can imagine how pristine the waters are. Across the lake, the lush green mountains provide a welcoming backdrop and a perfect setting for hiking.
Activities
If you prefer a more traditional European city vacation, complete with quaint cafes, charming boutiques, and medieval architecture, you’ll enjoy Annecy. You can stroll through the Old Town for an ice cream, take a dip in the lake, and admire the Gardens of Europe before an early night. Or get on the lake for some paddleboarding. During the summer, the town hosts many festivals for film watchers, art enjoyers, and music lovers.
📍 Lake Annecy, France
Interlaken, however, is often referred to as the Adventure Capital of Europe and it lives up to its reputation. Many backpackers travel through the area looking for adrenaline-filled adventures like paragliding, canyoning, skiing, bungee jumping, or kayaking. It’s basically an outdoor playground.
📍Downtown Interlaken, Switzerland
Transportation
We prefer to go carless on vacations if we can, saving money by taking public transportation and walking. Like many European towns, both Annecy and Interlaken were easy to maneuver without cars. The towns are compact and walkable, so you can easily visit the sights and explore Old Town by foot. For destinations further out, the train is easily accessible.
📍Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France
Finding your way to Interlaken is a little easier than Annecy. While the closest major airport is two hours away in Zurich, it's well connected via high speed rail to other Swiss cities and beyond.
With Annecy being a little less popular for tourists, the train route makes many stops throughout the region and may require a couple changes if traveling outside of France.
📍Lake Brienz, Switzerland
Cost
Without a doubt, Interlaken will take more of your dollar than Annecy. Switzerland is often referred to as the most expensive country in the world and the prices don’t disappoint the reputation.
In Annecy, you might find an average hotel price to hover around $150, with a similar hotel in Interlaken running you $190.
We found food to vary the most, with dinner at a sit-down restaurant costing between $22 and $50 pp in Interlaken, with the same dinner in Annecy topping out under $40.
📍 First Mountain, Switzerland
Our Thoughts
We loved both cities for different reasons, but if I could only visit one, I’d pick Interlaken. If I’m going to the Alps, I’m going for the scenery and you just can’t beat the town between two lakes. We both fell absolutely in love with the scenery and the cleanliness throughout the town and region. Trains and buses run on time and efficiency is key.
But I think as I get older, I’d lean toward choosing Annecy on a repeat visit. The town is perfect for a slower pace and a classic European feel.
📍 Menthon-Saint_Bernard, France
