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Balmers is the first private hostel in Switzerland!

Your home away from home in Interlaken...

Balmers Hostels in Switzerland, Interlaken
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Welcome to Balmers! First time here?

We’re stoked you made it! To help make your stayโ€”and everyone else’sโ€”as awesome as possible, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Be Cool:

  • Respect others and their belongings.

  • Keep it quiet after 10 PMโ€”some legends like to sleep.
  • Check-out is by 10 AM. Please bring your sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcase to reception (no need to bring duvets or pillows).

  • Return anything you borrowedโ€”like room keys or adapters.

  • Lights and fans off when you leave the room, please!

A Few No-Gos:

  • No smoking indoorsโ€”even with the window open.

  • No cooking outside the guest kitchen.

  • Donโ€™t leave windows wide open with the heating on.

  • And above all: donโ€™t be disrespectful.

Thanks for being the absolute best! Weโ€™re glad youโ€™re here. ๐Ÿงก

What is Balmers Hostel?

Balmers Hostel is Switzerlandโ€™s oldest privately owned hostel, set in three charming Swiss chalets surrounded by mountain peaks waiting to be explored. Itโ€™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 8 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.

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Get Social

#balmershostel
Backpacking? Staying in a hostel is the ultimate hack! ๐ŸŽ’โœจ At Balmers Hostel, meet fellow travelers from all over, swap epic stories, and dive into adventures together. Plus, itโ€™s budget-friendly and packed with good vibes. Ready to make friends and memories? Your next adventure starts here! ๐ŸŒโ 
.โ 
" www.balmers.com/hostel "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
๐Ÿ”ฅ Weekly Activities at the Hostel ๐Ÿ”ฅโ 
Get ready for an epic week! ๐Ÿ‘‡โ 
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๐Ÿ– Monday โ€“ 7 PMโ 
Bring Your Own BBQ โ€“ you bring the food, we bring the fire! ๐Ÿ”ฅโ 
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๐Ÿฅพ Tuesday โ€“ 11AMโ 
Hike to Giessbach Waterfalls โ€“ nature at its finest ๐ŸŒฟโ 
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๐Ÿง  Wednesday โ€“ 8:30 PMโ 
Trivia Night โ€“ show us what youโ€™ve got! ๐Ÿ˜โ 
๐ŸŽ‰ 10:30 PM Club Night โ€“ letโ€™s dance! ๐Ÿ’ƒโ 
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๐Ÿ’ƒ Thursday โ€“ 8 PMโ 
Bachata Class โ€“ shake those hips to Caribbean rhythms ๐ŸŽถโ 
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๐ŸŒ… Friday โ€“ 6 PMโ 
Sunset at the lake โ€“ chill vibes & stunning views ๐Ÿง˜โ€โ™‚โ 
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๐ŸŽฑ Saturday โ€“ 8 PMโ 
Bingo Night โ€“ prizes & good laughs ๐ŸŽโ 
๐ŸŽ‰ 10:30 PM Club Night โ€“ again? Oh yes! ๐Ÿ•บโ 
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๐Ÿ›ถ Sunday โ€“ 9:30AMโ 
Kayak Adventure โ€“ paddle into the wild ๐Ÿ’ฆโ 
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๐Ÿ‘‰ Please note: Activities may change depending on the weather.โ 
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See you there! โ 
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" www.balmers.com/social-activities-get-together/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bio
ITINERARY โฌ‡๏ธ NO GATEKEEPINGโ 
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Day 1 - Harder Kulm & Giessbach Falls ๐ŸŒณโ 
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You can either do a 2-hour hike up to the Harder Kulm viewpoint, OR take a 10-minute cable car. There is a restaurant and cafe at the top, then further up, there is a forest where you can continue your hike. โ 
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Take a 30-minute train from Interlaken Ost to Brienz, then hop on the boat to Giessbach Falls (1 stop, 20 min journey). When you get to Giessbach Falls, the entire hike up to the main waterfall and back down will take you around 2 hr.โ 
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Day 2 - Schilthorn & Grindelwald๐Ÿšก๐Ÿ—ปโ 
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Get the train to Lauterbrunnen, then from there get a bus to Murren, from here you can take the cable car up to the peak of Schilthorn mountain and catch some amazing snowy views. This mountain is basically the same as Jungfraujoch Mountain, even the locals say you should just go to Schilthorn to save money because it's just the same thing! โ 
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After taking in the views, get the cable car back down to Murren and find yourself a way back to Lauterbrunnen, where you'll take a train to Grindelwald. Depending on the season, you can go to Grindelwald First, where you'll be able to go on a nice walk and do a bunch of fun activities. This opens May 23rd and will close in the Autumn! There is also Pfingstegg, which is walking distance from the Grindelwald train station. โ 
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Day 3 - Oeschinensee ๐Ÿ๏ธ๐Ÿ”๏ธโ 
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Get the train to Oeschinen (Bergstation) and then walk 15 minutes to the cable car to take you to the start of the Oeschinensee hike/trail. You can do the slide before or after you start the hike, then it's a 20-30 min walk to Oeschinensee lake, there are a lot of different routes around the lake and up the mountains so make sure you grab a map at the entrance to see which one you'd prefer to do! You can hire a paddle boat for 30 Swiss Francs for an hour on the lake. We weren't allowed to swim when we went (mid-May), but I believe it's seasonal and you should be able to swim in the summer. If you go to the cafe at the top, just keep in mind that they take cash onlyโ 
.โ 
" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-interlaken-upcoming/"โ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @joshgoesgym
Whoโ€™s ready to test their fear of heights?๐Ÿค“โ 
.โ 
Our complete guide for via ferrata around Interlakenโ 
" www.balmers.com/via-ferrata-around-interlaken-complete-guide/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @outdoorinterlaken
Have you ever been to a place that feels like a dream? ๐Ÿค” If not, Grindelwald might be the spot to add to your list! couldnโ€™t get enough of these breathtaking views. ๐ŸŒ„โ 
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๐Ÿ—ป Fun fact: Grindelwald is one of Switzerlandโ€™s oldest mountain resorts, known as the โ€œGlacier Village.โ€ Its stunning landscapes have been inspiring travelers for centuries.โ 
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โ‰๏ธ Who would you bring here to experience this incredible scenery?โ 
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" www.balmers.com/top-hikes-around-grindelwald/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @switzerland.explores @wheretonextyall
๐Ÿฅพ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Hiking views in Switzerland are unreal โ€” endless trails, epic peaks, and lakes so blue they look fake! Start your adventure from Balmers and see it for yourself. Whoโ€™s ready to hit the trails? ๐Ÿ”๏ธโœจโ 
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" www.balmers.com/ultimate-guide-to-hiking-in-the-interlaken-region-trails-tips-scenic-routes/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @sebpic_
Is bed linen provided?โ 
Yes! We provide all bed linen. We have a short video to show you how to make your bed. At check-out, we kindly ask you to bring the sheets and covers down to reception.โ 
.โ 
" www.balmers.com/faq/#hostel "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bio
๐Ÿ’ธโœจ 2 days in Interlaken for under $100? Yes, itโ€™s possible! Stay comfy at Balmers Hostel ๐Ÿก, grab fresh bites at local grocery stores ๐Ÿฅช๐Ÿ, and explore epic views for free โ€” lakes, mountains, waterfalls, all on foot or with budget-friendly trails. Spend less, adventure more! ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ”๏ธโ 
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in the bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @xeniaminton
๐Ÿšดโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’ฆ Cruise around stunning Lake Brienz on an epic E-Bike tour! Ride out of Interlaken along turquoise shores, pedal through Brienz, Iseltwald & Bรถnigen, and soak up the views at the majestic Giessbach Falls. Peaks above, crystal waters below, letโ€™s ride! ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿž๏ธ #LakeBrienz #Interlaken #EBikeTour #HostelAdventuresโ 
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" www.balmers.com/activity/yellow-velo-e-bike-tour-around-lake-brienz/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bio
๐Ÿซ Get your sweet fix in Interlaken! Join our Funky Chocolate Club workshop and make your Swiss chocolate bars โ€” fun, messy, delicious! ๐ŸคŽ Whoโ€™s in? โ 
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Book your chocolate workshop here:โ 
" www.balmers.com/activity/funky-chocolate-workshop/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @funkychocolateclub
๐Ÿช‚โ˜€๏ธ From Spring Breezes to Summer Dreams! โ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿช‚โ 
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Blue skies, sunny days, happy faces โ€” and the breathtaking beauty of Interlaken from above! โ 
Glide through clear skies with Lake Thun sparkling below and the mighty Jungfrau peaks rising on the horizon. Every flight is pure joy and freedom! ๐Ÿ”๏ธโœจโ 
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" www.balmers.com/activity/paragliding-summer/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @paraglidinginterlaken โ 
๐Ÿ“ธ captured for PGI by sonsibarโ 
+ pascal_geebelenโ 
+danroborgh
Harder Kulm flexinโ€™ like a boss right behind us ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ”๏ธ If you think climbing itโ€™s tough, wait till you try resisting the views! Pro tip: Take the funicular up and then pretend you totally hiked it. ๐Ÿฅพ๐Ÿ˜‚ Whatโ€™s your favorite Interlaken adventure? Drop your best tips or funniest fails in the commentsโ€”letโ€™s hear those stories! ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ”ฅโ 
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" www.balmers.com/hike-the-harder-kulm/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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Repost from @cm94aan
This is NOT just any lake๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญโ 
This might be one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland.โ 
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The name of this place is:โ 
๐Ÿ“Oeschinenseeโ 
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A day trip to Oeschinensee is ideal for its proximity to Interlaken and the variety of activities you can enjoy. โ 
" www.balmers.com/day-trip-to-oeschinensee/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @travelih
๐Ÿ’Œโœจ Before you go, leave a little piece of your adventure behind! Drop a postcard with your best memories of your stay at Balmers โ€” your stories and souvenirs inspire the next travellers to make theirs. ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธโค๏ธ #TravelMemories โ 
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All you need to know about Balmers Hostel:โ 
" www.balmers.com/faq/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
.โ 
๐Ÿ“ท @maciekoliva
โ™ป๏ธ Eco-Wanderer Alert: Travel green, save big, stay epic. โ 
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๐Ÿš†Choose train or bus over plane - convert your CO2 saving into a 5-20% discount at any Famous Hostels across Europe. Check out our CO2 calculator to see how much you could save! โ 
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How do you travel in Europe? โ 
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" www.balmers.com/sustainable-travel-train-bus-europe-eco-wanderer/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @famoushostels
Our Swiss hostel at Balmers Hostel โค๏ธโ 
One day, we had fun at the club in the hostel, another day, we drank beer all night with new people, it was a fulfilling and happy hostel life๐Ÿ˜‡โ 
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
.โ 
Repost from @so_tographer
Believe it or not, the water we raft on every day comes straight from the glaciers; it melted just a few hours ago. Thatโ€™s what makes the Lรผtschine so wild, refreshing, and fun.โ 
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Book this activity here:โ 
" www.balmers.com/activity/rafting/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @outdoorinterlaken
The Augstmatthorn hike is a hidden gem you shouldnโ€™t miss. โค๏ธ This ridge walk offers stunning views over Lake Brienz and the surrounding Alps.โ 
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Hereโ€™s a quick breakdown:โ 
โฑ๏ธ Hike duration: 3 hoursโ 
๐Ÿฅพ Distance: 6.3 kmโ 
โฌ†๏ธ Elevation: 576 metersโ 
๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ Difficulty: Easyโ 
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DISCOVER THE AUGSTMATTHORN SUMMITโ 
Augstamatthorn is one of the best hikes you will ever do near Interlaken.โ 
" www.balmers.com/augstmatthorn-hike/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @themanduls
Skydiving in the Swiss Alps is a must for your bucket list! โญโ 
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" www.balmers.com/activity/sky-diving/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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๐Ÿ“ท @outdoorinterlaken
๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ’จ Say hello to our vintage Balmers car, an iconic piece of hostel history! Parked out front and full of stories, itโ€™s the perfect selfie spot and a symbol of all the epic adventures that start here.โ 
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๐Ÿ“ธ Snap a pic with it and tag us, we might just feature you!โ 
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bio
One for the bucket list in Switzerland, the views are breathtaking! There is some phenomenal hiking in the Jungfrau region; this has to be one of the prettiest parts of the country!โ 
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PS. The Cliff Walk is free, but the gondola up isnโ€™t.โ 
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" www.balmers.com/5-must-do-hikes-in-interlaken/ "โ 
๐Ÿ”— More info in our link in bioโ 
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Repost from @calsnape