the swiss alps hostel.
Balmers is the first private hostel in Switzerland!
Your home away from home in Interlaken...
Balmers Hostel
& the Social vibe
Are you Ready to
MAKE INTERLAKEN YOUR NEXT BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATION
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The best reviews!
We read every review - and we genuinely appreciate all kinds of feedback. The positive ones lift our spirits, and the critical ones help us grow.
That said, we’ve decided not to respond to every single review individually. Instead, we choose to focus our time and energy on actually improving things here at the hostel.
We know that nowadays, people often expect businesses to reply to every review - partly to show they care, and partly to boost visibility online. And we do care, deeply. But replying to every single comment just so it looks like we care feels inauthentic to us. We’re a very human bunch, and we love connecting in real ways.We’d rather keep things real than turn reviews into a checkbox exercise.
We also know reviews are deeply personal and subjective. Please read them with that in mind and take what’s helpful for you in deciding whether Balmers is the right place for your stay.
On a more personal note: getting a negative review, especially when it’s rooted in a lack of communication, can be really disheartening. Our team is always around and available for a chat in person, and you can also reach us by email, phone, or WhatsApp if something’s not right during your stay. We’d much rather try to fix things in real time than read about them later when it’s too late to help.
Everyone here at Balmers genuinely cares about what we do.We want your time with us to become part of the “good, best, amazing” kind of memories you take home.
FAQs
Got questions? We\'ve got answers.
Welcome to Balmers! First time here?
We’re stoked you made it! To help make your stay—and everyone else’s—as awesome as possible, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Be Cool:
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Respect others and their belongings.
- Keep it quiet after 10 PM—some legends like to sleep.
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Check-out is by 10 AM. Please bring your sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcase to reception (no need to bring duvets or pillows).
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Return anything you borrowed—like room keys or adapters.
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Lights and fans off when you leave the room, please!
A Few No-Gos:
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No smoking indoors—even with the window open.
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No cooking outside the guest kitchen.
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Don’t leave windows wide open with the heating on.
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And above all: don’t be disrespectful.
Thanks for being the absolute best! We’re glad you’re here. 🧡
What is Balmers Hostel?
Balmers Hostel is Switzerland’s oldest privately owned hostel, set in three charming Swiss chalets surrounded by mountain peaks waiting to be explored. It’s a relaxed, social place where travelers can connect, unwind, and enjoy a playful, one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Oh, and before we forget, we do throw a party or two, especially in high season.
Who is Balmers Hostel for?
Balmers Hostel is for open-minded and easygoing travelers aged 18 and over, looking for more than just a place to sleep. Whether you’re here to explore the Swiss Alps, meet like-minded people from around the world, or simply relax and enjoy the vibe, Balmers is your home away from home. We welcome solo travellers, groups of up to 10 people, and anyone with a sense of adventure and respect for others.
What time is check in and check out?
Check-in starts at 4:00 PM
Check-out is by 10:00 AM
When checking out, we kindly ask you to bring your bed sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcase down with you. Thanks!
I'm arriving really late, will I still be able to check in?
Yes, but you’ll have to check in online.
We’ll then prepare your keys so that you can get to your room after reception closes.
Get Social
#balmershostel
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland 🇨🇭🌿
April in the valley of 72 waterfalls.
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-in-lauterbrunnen/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @impressive.switzerland
More than just a bed. A vibe you won`t find anywhere else. 🏔️✨
✅ Communal BBQ nights
✅ Live music in the garden
✅ Game tournaments
✅ A lifetime of memories
Your Interlaken story starts here. Are you ready to join the circle? 🇨🇭🔥
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Planning your Swiss escape? 🇨🇭 We highly recommend checking out the travel guides by norwegiantravelcouple. They’ve covered every detail you need: from pricing and opening hours to parking tips and lessons learned from their own mistakes.
Grab their guide to plan your route, and book your stay at Balmers Hostel to be in the heart of the action.
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-interlaken-upcoming/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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Repost from @norwegiantravelcouple
Step 1: Drop the heavy bag. 🎒
Step 2: Find your bunk. 🛏️
Step 3: Make your bed and make yourself at home.
Who’s ready to call the top bunk? 🙋♂️
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" www.balmers.com/hostel/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Visit the Giessbach Waterfalls in style! Our jetboats can travel up to 60 km/h and even perform 360-degree spins. If that doesn’t entertain you, you’ll also cross Switzerland’s deepest lake, Lake Brienz, surrounded by the Swiss Alps, with captains who will share fascinating stories about the region.
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" www.balmers.com/activity/jet-boat-interlaken/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @outdoorinterlaken
Dinner tastes better when shared with friends from all over the globe. 🎸 BBQ on the grill, a guitar in hand, and stories that last all night—this is what Balmers is all about.
Our long table is waiting for you. Grab a seat and join the family! 🌍✨
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" www.balmers.com/weekly-social-activities-at-balmers-hostel-and-social-events/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Aareschlucht, Switzerland🇨🇭
The Aare Gorge - an impressive natural wonder in Switzerland, located between Meiringen and Innertkirchen in the Haslital valley, Bernese Oberland. 💦
The water in the Aareschlucht is known for its striking icy blue and turquoise hues, a result of glacial meltwater and the mineral-rich limestone through which it flows.
‼️Season 2026
Aare Gorge west entrance: 3 April 2026 – 1 November 2026 Aare Gorge east entrance: 9 May 2026 – 1 November 2026
⏱️Opening hours:
03.04. – 12.06.2026 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
13.06. – 20.09.2026 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
21.09. – 01.11.2026 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
When both entrances are open, visitors can pass through the entire length of the gorge.
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" www.balmers.com/top-gorges-and-caves-to-explore-near-interlaken/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @impressive.switzerland
Golden hour goals at Balmers. ⚽️🌅
There’s no better way to end a day in Interlaken than a kickabout in the garden while the sun dips behind the mountains. Skills, snacks, and sunset vibes.
Who’s got the best touch in your travel crew? Tag them below! 👇
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" https://www.balmers.com/category/promotion/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
🌄 Magical moments at Oeschinensee by @havwild🌿
✨ Pure hiking bliss surrounded by Switzerland’s breathtaking natural beauty. Crystal-clear alpine waters, towering peaks, and peaceful trails that make you slow down and truly enjoy the moment 🏔️💚
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" www.balmers.com/day-trip-to-oeschinensee/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Checking into Balmers = instantly gaining a new group of friends. 🌍✨
There’s something about the veranda and a few drinks that turns strangers into travel buddies. Whether you`re sharing stories from the road or planning tomorrow`s hike, this is where the magic happens.
Tag the friends you met while traveling! 👇
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" www.balmers.com/weekly-social-activities-at-balmers-hostel-and-social-events/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Some of the top places you need to visit in Switzerland, given to you by @whereisjanee_ !😍🇨🇭
Which spot is at the top of your list? Let us know below!👇😍
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" www.balmers.com/best-time-to-visit-interlaken-a-season-by-season-guide/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @switzerland.explores
Fire safety training @balmersinterlaken 🔥
Making time to get prepared for the worst case – because having each other’s backs matters, and it’s reassuring to know we’re ready if it ever comes to it.
#firesafetytraining #firesafety #safetyfirst #teamwork #interlaken
POV: You’re dangling 600m above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and you’ve never felt more alive. 🏔️💨
The Mürren Via Ferrata isn`t your average hike; it’s a downward climb that takes you along cliff faces, over zip lines, and across that famous suspension bridge to Gimmelwald.
The best part? It’s just a train ride away from Balmers. Who’s brave enough to look down? 👇
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" www.balmers.com/via-ferrata-around-interlaken-complete-guide/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @george.cohen7
Standing on air has never looked this peaceful⛰️✨
📷 @switzerland.explores
💡 The First Cliff Walk in First Cliff Walk is one of Switzerland’s most thrilling yet accessible experiences. Perched high above the village of Grindelwald, this metal walkway clings to the edge of the mountain, offering jaw-dropping views of the Bernese Alps. It’s completely free to walk once you reach First, and the journey up by cable car is just as scenic as the destination itself.
Save this for your next Switzerland trip and tell us… would you walk all the way to the edge? 👀
📍 First Cliff Walk, Grindelwald Switzerland
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" www.balmers.com/visit-grindelwald-first/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Sun’s down, boots off, and the bass is kicking in. Welcome to the Balmerd Club. 🏔️🎧
This is where the real stories happen. Whether you’re buzzing from a skydive or just looking to find your tribe, our underground lair is the only place to be. Expect cold beers, questionable dance moves, and the best international crowd in the Alps.
Just a fair warning: the "I’m going for an early hike" excuse rarely holds up after the second round. See you at the bar, legends! 🍺✨
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" www.balmers.com/club-nights/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Imagine soaring over Interlaken like a bird, enjoying the view of the lakes surrounded by mountains, and feeling the adrenaline rush as you take in your once in a lifetime moment🪂.
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" www.balmers.com/activity/paragliding/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @interlaken
Where the world meets the mountains. 🌎❤️
From a family home to a global meeting point, the Balmer’s building has seen millions of stories unfold within its wooden walls. Whether you`re here for the adrenaline of the canyons or the quiet of the fireplace, you’re part of something bigger the moment you arrive.
Ready to start your Swiss chapter? Link in bio to book! 🛌✨
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Picture by @sadielesko
There is nothing quite like the morning buzz in a Balmer`s dorm: the sound of backpacks zipping up, last-minute hiking tips being traded, and that shared excitement before heading out into the Alps. Our traditional Swiss wooden dorms are designed to be your cozy home base in the heart of Interlaken.
Ready to meet your next travel buddy? Grab a bed and join the family! 🏔️💤.
Book your bed on
" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
This view literally took our breath away🤯🇨🇭
My friend and I took the train from Interlaken to Lauternbrunnen for the first time and the view shocked us 🙌 As soon as you reach the station you can see the iconic waterfall that flows right above the town. Fun fact, the valley of Lauterbrunnen has 72 waterfalls!
I hope you get to experience this place once in your life, it’s a truly beautiful destination😌
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" www.balmers.com/best-panoramic-train-in-switzerland/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @mark_burstein
Who’s ready for rope park season in Interlaken starting April 1st? 😍
Climb, swing, and test your balance among the trees — perfect for a fun day out with friends.
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" www.balmers.com/activity/high-ropes-course/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @outdoorinterlaken
What I really, really want?!
Adventure in Switzerland 🇨🇭
Good friends
And a LOT of chocolate 🍫🍫🍫
Happy Easter !!! 🐰
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" www.balmers.com/activity/funky-chocolate-workshop/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @funkychocolateclub
✨ What if I told you a place with 72 waterfalls actually exists?
@tales_of_simshu_ invites us to visit the beautiful village of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland — a fairy-tale valley where waterfalls 💦 fall from the sky, cliffs touch the clouds ☁️, and green meadows look straight out of a movie.
🌿 Tucked in the heart of the Jungfrau Region, this village is calm, romantic, and unbelievably beautiful. From Staubbach Falls to peaceful walks and postcard views, this place heals your soul.
🤍 This isn’t just a place you visit — it’s a place you feel.
📍 If you’re planning your Switzerland itinerary, don’t skip Lauterbrunnen. It’s peaceful, surreal, and unforgettable.
📌 Save this for your Switzerland trip!
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-in-lauterbrunnen/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Cold night, warm fire, better company. ❄️🔥👯♂️
This is what Balmer’s is all about. The fireplace is roaring, the games are on, and the house is full of legends from every corner of the globe.
You’re only one booking away from the best night of your trip. Come for the mountains, stay for the people. 🏔️🏠
See you at the fire.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
📅 7-DAY ITINERARY👇
Day 1 — Schäfler & Seealpsee 🥾
Near Appenzell, the hike to Schäfler is moderate-to-strenuous (4–5 hrs round trip, exposed ridgeline). Take the Wasserauen cable car up to save time and loop past Seealpsee lake on the way down.
Day 2 — Arrive Interlaken 🏨
Base yourself here for the next 4 days—perfect hub for the Bernese Oberland.
Day 3 — Lauterbrunnen + Mürren Via Ferrata 🧗
Take the cable car up to the car-free village of Mürren. The via ferrata (Klettersteig) here is rated C/D (moderate-difficult) with fixed steel cables along exposed cliffs. Rent your helmet and harness locally.
Day 4 — Wengen + Jungfraujoch 🏔️
Start in Wengen, then take the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe at 3,454m. Go early to beat tour groups and consider stopping in Grindelwald on your way back.
Day 5 — Iseltwald + Grindelwald First + Harder Kulm🌅
Morning at Iseltwald on Lake Brienz, then head to Grindelwald. Take the gondola up to First for the Cliff Walk (easy), Bachalpsee lake hike (easy, 1.5 hrs), or the First Flyer zip line. End the evening at Harder Kulm for sunset over both lakes.
Day 6 — Oeschinen Lake + Zermatt 🥾
Head to Kandersteg and take the gondola up to hike the ridge trail to Oeschinensee, an impossibly blue glacial lake (moderate, 3–4 hrs round trip). Then train to Zermatt via Brig for your first look at the Matterhorn.
Day 7 — Zermatt 🏔️
Train up to Gornergrat or hike the Five Lakes Walk (easy-moderate, ~10 km) with Matterhorn reflections at every lake.
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Your First Trip to Switzerland: Discover Interlaken Like a Pro
" www.balmers.com/your-first-trip-to-switzerland-discover-interlaken-like-a-pro/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @mark_burstein
