the swiss alps hostel.
Balmers is the first private hostel in Switzerland!
Your home away from home in Interlaken...
Balmers Hostel
& the Social vibe
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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?
No worries. If you arrive after reception closes at 10.00 pm, you can use the check-in kiosk. Please come see us in the morning to get everything you’ll need during your stay.
Get Social
#balmershostel
The ultimate European culture shock: wanting a late-night drink and realizing the entire town shut down 3 hours ago.
Thankfully, staying at balmersinterlaken in Interlaken comes with a major perk. You just walk outside into the freezing night air and fill your bottle straight from a random street fountain. No filter, no cost, just pure Alpine glacier water that tastes better than a $5 bottle of Evian.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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📷 @punjabi.rover
Top of Interlaken 💙🌞,🏔️
You can’t come to Interlaken and skip this view. 🏔️🇨🇭
Harder Kulm is THE classic above Interlaken — with insane views over Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. 😍
🥾 Hike your way up if you’re ready for a steep climb, or take the funicular and save your legs for the next adventure.
Whichever way you get there, the view from the top is 100% worth it.
📍 Harder Kulm – 1,321m
🏡 Starting from Interlaken, just a short walk from Balmers
Who are you taking up there? 👇
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" www.balmers.com/hike-the-harder-kulm "
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Pictures by courtneystravels
Kayak mornings, turquoise water, mountain views, and the kind of summer plans you’ll still be talking about weeks later 🛶🏔️
Grab a paddle, get on the lake, and see Interlaken from its best angle — somewhere between “wow” and “how is this real?”
Staying at Balmer’s?Join the next adventure: " www.balmers.com/activity/kayak/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
The best week ever. Thanks to you all. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! 😭🥹🫶🏼🥰
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-in-one-day-in-interlaken-the-perfect-itinerary/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @brittcarterr
Imagine waking up, opening your hostel window and seeing this. 🏔️✨
Mountains stretching across the horizon, paragliders floating through the sky, and that feeling that the day could take you anywhere.
Some hostel views just hit different. 🪂🌄
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🪂🌸 And… We’re Off! 🌸🪂
That split second where everything begins: the glider lifts, the lines tighten, and you start running into the open sky. 🚀✨
Captured at our take-off field in Beatenberg on a perfect day: blue skies, fresh air, and the excitement building with every step. In just a moment, you’re no longer on the ground. You’re flying above Lake Thun and the Jungfrau mountains. 🏔️💛♥️
This is where the adventure starts. Ready to run with us?
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/paragliding-summer/ "
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📸 captured by @dimi_rogers for @paraglidinginterlaken
It`s always a blast hanging out with Erich. You`re never going to know what`s next!
Come to Balmers Hostel and meet the owner Erich Balmer in person.
Share in the comment you best souvenir from your stay at Balmers
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Repost from Peter
Golden hour at Neuhaus 🌅🏔️
Grab a few friends, pack some beers and snacks, jump in the lake, and stay until the sun disappears behind the mountains. 🍻🏊♀️
Neuhaus in Unterseen is one of those easy Interlaken evenings we never get tired of — picnic on the grass, a swim in Lake Thun, an apéro by the water and absolutely no reason to rush home.
And when the sun goes down? Head back to Balmer’s and keep the night going. 😉
👉 Staying in Interlaken? Make Balmer’s Hostel your base and come experience the Swiss Alps with us.
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" www.balmers.com/social-activities-at-balmers-hostel-and-social-events/ "
Surfing the clouds above interlake Switzerland 🇨🇭 Come fly with us @bumblebee_hanggliding
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/hanggliding-tandemflights/ "
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📷 @wolfgangsiess
You’ve seen the outside… but the best part of Balmer’s happens once you step through the door. 👀🏡
For over 75 years, travelers from all over the world have been finding their way to Interlaken — and to Balmer’s.
Come for the mountains, lakes and adventures. 🏔️
Stay for the late nights, new friendships and people you definitely didn’t expect to meet. 🍻❤️
Your Swiss adventure needs a home base.
👉 Book your stay at Balmer’s and come see what’s behind these doors.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🇨🇭 Is this Switzerland’s prettiest village… or just its most famous Netflix spot?
Welcome to Iseltwald, a tiny lakeside village on the shores of the unbelievably turquoise Lake Brienz 💙
You might recognize its famous pier from Crash Landing on You, but there’s much more to see here:
✨ A picture-perfect fishing village surrounded by mountains
🏰 The fairytale-like Schloss Seeburg sitting right on the peninsula
💙 Some of the bluest water you’ll find in Switzerland
🚢 And one of the best ways to get here? Take the public boat from Interlaken and enjoy the views along the way!
The famous Netflix pier costs 5 CHF to access, helping the village manage tourism and preserve the area.
📍 Iseltwald, Lake Brienz
🏠 Staying at Balmer’s Hostel in Interlaken? This is an easy little adventure to add to your trip.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Would you put Iseltwald on your Switzerland bucket list? 🇨🇭✨
👉🏽 www.misiguienteviaje.com
@ana_castrillo
Summer is slowly packing its bags… 🍂🏔️
The long sunny days are getting shorter, the air is getting crispier, and autumn is starting to sneak into Interlaken.
But some things don’t really change at Balmers.
Backpacks in the hallway.
New faces becoming familiar ones.
Stories being swapped in the kitchen.
Plans being made over a beer.
Big days in the mountains followed by even better nights back at the hostel.
Summer might be ending, but the adventures definitely aren’t. ❤️
Fall in Interlaken means quieter trails, golden mountains, cozy evenings and a hostel full of travellers still wondering where to go tomorrow.
Come make yourself at home.
📍 Balmers Hostel, Interlaken
🍂 Autumn looks pretty good from here.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Picture from @s_kuipers_
Not your average walk in the mountains. 🧗♂️⛰️
Clip in, climb up, try not to look down… then absolutely look down because THAT VIEW. 🤯
Via Ferrata is one of those Interlaken adventures that looks slightly questionable from below and feels absolutely epic once you’re up there.
Grab a few hostel mates, get your gear on and go make some questionable decisions — safely attached to a steel cable, obviously. 😂
Who’s brave enough? 👀
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" www.balmers.com/via-ferrata-around-interlaken-complete-guide/ :
Some hostel nights start with “let’s just go for a quick swim” and end with the whole crew watching the sky turn gold. 🌅🏔️
Sunset by the lake, surrounded by mountains, new friends and that kind of view you somehow never get tired of.
No plans. No rush. Just a bunch of travellers who met in Interlaken and ended up sharing one pretty bloody good evening together. 🇨🇭💛
Come for the Alps. Stay for the people.
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" www.balmers.com "
How do I explain this to someone who has never skydived? 🤔
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" www.balmers.com/activity/sky-diving "
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📷 @outdoorinterlaken
When the cows leave their mountain pastures and make their way down for winter, you know autumn has properly arrived in Switzerland 🐄🏔️
Bells ringing, alpine views, cosy village streets, and the kind of tradition that makes Interlaken feel straight out of a postcard.
Come stay at Balmer’s and catch a bit of Swiss magic for yourself 🇨🇭✨
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" www.balmers.com/the-top-5-reasons-to-visit-interlaken-in-autumn/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @kate._moores
From the bottom of the sea to the incredible Grindelwald Glacier, to the beginnings of tourism in Grindelwald, and now one of the craziest canyon swings in the world, this glacier canyon has seen it all.
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" www.balmers.com/visit-grindelwald-first/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @outdoorinterlaken
Made it out to the Alps! 🏔️🇨🇭🏔️
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At Balmers, we’ve created a variety of spaces where you can kick back, meet fellow travelers, and unwind after a day of adventures. Whether you’re in the mood to cook, relax, or play, we’ve got the perfect spot for you.
" https://www.balmers.com/get-to-know-balmers-hostel/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @kate._moores
Steal my 1-week Switzerland Itinerary!!🇨🇭
Switzerland is an amazing destination for backpackers, as there is so much to do and see, and you can make it more budget-friendly. Here are all my recommendations for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Switzerland 👀
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-interlaken-upcoming/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @madyson_mykel
10 years ago, I stayed at my first-ever hostel, and still probably my favorite one of all time, Balmers Interlaken. This was during my college semester abroad in Barcelona. I had never traveled without my parents and didn’t know what a hostel was. That semester and weekend trip to Switzerland with some of my exchange student friends really set into motion my thrill of travel and meeting people. Little did I know that 10 years later (and about 50° warmer) I would be back!
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" www.balmers.com/hostel/private-dorms/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @_madmay
Not your average walk in the mountains 🧗♀️⛰️
Climb, scramble, question your life choices for a second… then look around and realise it was 100% worth it. 😎
Via Ferrata in Interlaken = big views, shaky legs & one hell of a story for the hostel bar afterwards 🍻
Who’s brave enough? 👀
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/via-ferrata/ "
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📍 Stay at Balmers Hostel & add a little adventure to your Swiss trip 🇨🇭
Video madr by @Chaitya_Amber
Take a seat, have a little wander, and let Interlaken do its thing ❤️
Whether you’re here for the mountains, the mates, or just a cracking place to rest your legs — Balmer’s has a spot waiting for you.
Come on then, pull up a bench.
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" www.balmers.com "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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Picture by @jasmineeva_
Most people visit Interlaken and never hike up here 👀
�It’s one of the best viewpoints in the region—and way less crowded than other popular spots.
✅ No cable car needed (but there’s an option)�✅ Ideal for sunrise (still beautiful anytime)�✅ It’s a short and scenic 3-hour round trip
💡Tip: bring layers—it gets windy at the top, even in summer!
Thanks @themanduls for this amazing video
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
Come for the mountains, stay for the people 🍻
A beer turns into a game, a game turns into a night out, and the stranger you met five minutes ago somehow ends up in tomorrow’s plans.
That’s hostel life at Balmers. Easy to meet, easy to stay, hard to leave.
📍 Interlaken, Switzerland
👉 Book your bed and come say hi.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
