Balmers is home of an
authentic Swiss experience
Balmers is the first private hostel in Switzerland and truly is a home away from home for travellers from all over the world! With friendly and knowlegable staff, we continue to strive towards providing travellers everything they wish for in a hostel and more!
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General Information
Got questions? We've got answers.
Checkin: generally 4pm
Checkout: 10am
We provide free high speed wifi
Check out all services that are included at Balmers Hostel
Visa, Mastercard, Maestro cards and Paypal are accepted.
For directions, click how to get here, then scroll to Balmers Hostel
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.
You're one step away from an adventure of a lifetime
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Join the love of our great travel community
Get Social at #balmershostel
One of my favorite hikes in Switzerland 🇨🇭
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" www.balmers.com/day-trip-to-oeschinensee/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @sebpic_
Join us on a chocolate journey 🍫🌍
Learn where cocoa comes from, how chocolate is made, taste different flavors, and create your own chocolate experience.
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/funky-chocolate-workshop/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @funkychocolateclub
Cow heaven, chasing waterfalls, pretty flowers, Swiss views, and a 45-minute hike that somehow became 3 hours 🫠🐄
New best friends, girlies, sunsets, and never too many cows.
MOOOOOO from Balmer’s 🇨🇭✨
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @taylahramsay_
When you get to meet Erich Balmer himself, you know it’s not just a hostel; it’s a proper piece of Interlaken history.
Stories, smiles, and a legendary Balmer’s moment with the man behind the name.
Stay where the stories started.
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" www.balmers.com/about-us/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📷 @_kaylob05
Does the idea of dangling 600 meters (2000 feet) above the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor interest you?
How about walking across a tightrope, with nothing below you except a rushing river?
Or how about walking across a wobbly, narrow suspension bridge?
If you said yes to all of these questions, then put the Mürren via ferrata on your list of things to do in Switzerland.
The Mürren via ferrata is a 2.2 km journey, part via ferrata and part hiking trail. You’ll cling to a cliff, climb down steep ladders, walk on a tightrope and a suspension bridge, and (with a guide) zip line across a ravine.
This is one of the most thrilling experiences to have in the Bernese Oberland.
ABOUT THE MÜRREN VIA FERRATA
Distance:
2.2 km (1.4 miles) one-way
Elevation Loss:
300 meters
Difficulty:
K3 on the German scale
Length of Time:
3 hours
Start:
Mürren
End:
Gimmelwald
When to go:
The via ferrata is open from June 1 to October 31, from 9 am to 6 pm
Required Gear:
Harness, via ferrata set, helmet, hiking shoes
Cost:
Free
Official website:
Klettersteig Mürren
Important Note: You cannot climb the via ferrata in the rain or if rain is in the forecast. The metal steps are very slippery when wet. During our visit, we had to wait several days for the forecast to be clear before we could climb the Mürren via ferrata.
Follow @swiss.routes for daily Swiss Content 🇨🇭
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" www.balmers.com/via-ferrata-around-interlaken-complete-guide/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Game night, cold beers, questionable strategies, and everyone pretending they definitely understood the rules 🍻🎲
Proper good vibes, big laughs, and another very happy night at Balmer’s.
Join the next one — bring your best game face; we’ll bring the chaos.
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" www.balmers.com/social-activities-at-balmers-hostel-and-social-events/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
Splish splash 💦 The Lütschine hasn’t disappointed this summer 🌊
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" www.balmers.com/portfolio/rafting/ "
🔗 More info in our link in bio
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📸 by pernikphoto @outdoorinterlaken
🏝️ This Lake in Switzerland Looks Like the Maldives
Lake Brienz is one of the most unique lakes in Switzerland — known for its bright turquoise color caused by glacier minerals.
📍 Location: Lake Brienz (near Interlaken)
📸 Best places to visit:
• Iseltwald (famous pier and village views)
• Lakeside viewpoints along the road
• Boat rides across the lake
⏰ Best time to visit:
Midday on a sunny day for the strongest color
💰 Cost:
• Walking along the lake — free
• Boat ride — approx. CHF 30–50 depending on route
💡 Tips:
• Avoid cloudy days — the color looks much less vibrant
• Go early morning or later in the evening for fewer people in Iseltwald
👨👩👧 Perfect for:
Couples, photographers, and anyone visiting the Jungfrau region for the first time
💾 Save this for your Switzerland trip 🇨🇭
✈️ Share with someone you’d travel with
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
🔥 BBQ NIGHT AT BALMER’S 🔥
You bring the meat, we bring the vibes 😎🥩
Grab whatever you want to throw on the grill, meet us in the garden, and let’s eat together. Good food, cold drinks, new friends & that Balmer’s summer energy. 🍻🌭
Simple rule: bring your meat, share the moment. ❤️🔥
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
Isn`t Switzerland beautiful ❤️ ??
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" www.balmers.com/what-to-do-interlaken-upcoming "
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repost from @naturalspy_
Giessbach kind of day 💦🌿⛰️
Waterfalls, mountain views, a refreshing swim and a pretty solid crew to share it all with. 🥾💙
Just another day at Balmer’s making Switzerland look unreal 🇨🇭✨
Who’s joining the next adventure? 👀
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
Nothing compares to the beauty of Switzerland🇨🇭
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
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📷 @mark_burstein
August 1st, you were something special 🇨🇭❤️
What a day! From good vibes and sunshine to games, drinks, laughs and one hell of a party 🔥🍻
Here’s a little recap of an unforgettable Swiss National Day at Balmer’s 🇨🇭✨
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who celebrated with us and made this day as amazing as it was. This is what summer in Interlaken is all about! 🏔️❤️
See you next year? 👀🔥
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
Sunset at the lake just hits different 🌅🏔️💦
Golden skies, mountain reflections, a swim before the sun disappears… just another summer evening in Interlaken. ✨
Grab your hostel crew, head to the lake and enjoy the show. This is what Swiss summer is all about. 🇨🇭💛
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
Ready to take the leap? 💦🪨
Cliff jumping is one of those unforgettable Interlaken experiences. Crystal-clear water, epic scenery, and just the right amount of adrenaline. Whether you`re sending it from the highest jump or cheering your mates on, it`s guaranteed to be a day to remember.
Who`s brave enough? 😏
🏡 Stay at Balmer`s, play in Interlaken.
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" www.balmers.com/cliff-jumping-interlaken/ "
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📷 @sup_brienzersee
🎲 Game Night at Balmer`s Hostel! 🎉
Good vibes, new friends, and a little friendly competition. Whether you`re a board game champion, a card shark, or just here for the laughs, Game Night is the perfect excuse to meet fellow travellers from around the world.
Grab a drink, pick a game, and let the fun begin. Who knows... you might leave with a new best friend (or a dramatic Uno rivalry 😄).
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
Running above Interlaken 🇨🇭 by @scottrunning
Fav trail #1: Hardergrat Ridge!
The Hardergrat Ridge just hits different.
Started this run from the Interlaken Ost train station, going up the Hardergrat Kulm and then running the full ridge all the way to Rothorn, then descending to Brienz for a well-deserved dip in the lake. A total of 35km and 3100 D+ in 7 hours… with insane views along the way!
⚠️ The Hardergrat ridge has several exposed spots and I would not recommend it if you are not very comfortable moving theough technical, exposed terrain. You got to be careful while hiking there, let alone running. Bring shoes with good grip and avoid it on (or after) rainy days. You can get the view without doing the whole ridge, by just hiking up or taking the train up to Harder Kulm, and keep hiking for roughly an hour.
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" www.balmers.com/ultimate-guide-to-hiking-in-the-interlaken-region-trails-tips-scenic-routes "
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Swiss National Day celebrations! 🇨🇭❤️
Our annual 1st of August group picture was once again one of the highlights of the day. Seeing so many smiling faces together is what makes Balmer`s so special.
A huge thank you to everyone who came along, brought the great vibes, and made this tradition another unforgettable memory. We couldn`t do it without you!
See you next year! 🥂
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" www.balmera.com/hostel "
🇨🇭 Happy Swiss National Day! ❤️🤍
Today we celebrate the mountains, the lakes, the chocolate... and, of course, the brilliant people who make Switzerland such a special place.
If you`re staying at Balmer`s, don`t miss one of our favourite traditions: 📸 The famous Swiss National Day group picture at 7:00 PM!
Come along, wear your best red and white (if you`ve got it), bring your biggest smile, and be part of this year`s Balmer`s memory.
See you at 7 PM – let`s make it our biggest group photo yet! 🇨🇭✨
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" www.balmers.com/activities "
🇨🇭 Swiss National Day at Balmer`s! ❤️
Join us on 1 August as we celebrate Switzerland`s biggest day of the year! From traditional folklore and the famous parade to an evening BBQ, games and our annual Balmer`s family photo – it`s one of the highlights of the summer. 🎉
Here`s what`s happening:
🍻 6 PM – Free drink for all guests + games & BYO BBQ
📸 7 PM – The traditional Balmer`s group photo (don`t miss it!)
🎲 7:30–9:30 PM – More fun at the hostel
✨ 10 PM – Head into town together for the spectacular drone light show over the Höhematte.
Whether you`re staying for one night or a week, come celebrate with travellers from all over the world and make some unforgettable memories.
See you in the photo! 🇨🇭❤️
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
Fresh mountain water, straight from our brand-new fountain, installed by Erich Balmer. 💧
Known as "the best drinking water", it`s the perfect place to refill your bottle before heading out to explore Interlaken – whether you`re off hiking, paragliding, rafting or simply wandering the town.
Small touches like this are part of what makes Balmer`s feel like home. Stop by, take a sip, and taste the Swiss Alps at their finest.
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" www.balmers.com "
Some places are simply somewhere to sleep. Others become part of the journey.
At Balmer`s, it`s the little moments that make the difference – chatting over a drink, swapping travel stories by the fire, meeting new mates from every corner of the world, and feeling at home the moment you walk through the door.
Come for the Alps. Stay for the atmosphere. 💚🏔️
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
The best way to experience summer in Interlaken? Make Balmer`s your home base. 🌿
Wake up in the heart of the Swiss Alps, spend your days chasing waterfalls, swimming in turquoise lakes, hiking epic trails or soaring through the skies – then come back to great food, good company and the legendary Balmer`s atmosphere.
Adventure out. Relax in. Repeat.
📍 Stay at Balmer`s and make the most of your Interlaken summer.
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
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Picture by @willpuckett
💦 Ready to turn up the adrenaline? Join us for an unforgettable day of rafting through stunning alpine scenery, wild rapids, and plenty of laughs along the way! 🌊🚣
Whether you`re chasing thrills or just looking for a unique way to explore the Swiss outdoors, this is an adventure you won`t forget.
Book your rafting experience at Balmer`s and make your Interlaken trip legendary! 🤙
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" www.balmers.com/activity/rafting "
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@outdoorinterlaken
Good morning everyone ☀️
For those *checking out today*, just a friendly reminder that check-out is by *10:00 am*.
Before you leave, please return the following items:
• Key card
• Grey mattress cover
• Red pillow cover
• Red duvet cover
• Towel
• Any borrowed adapters
Thank you for being part of the Balmers family over the last few days ❤️ We hope you’ve had a great stay and made some wonderful memories along the way.
Have a safe onward journey, and hopefully we’ll see you again someday!
🙏👋
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" www.balmers.com/hostel "
🍻 Cheers to unforgettable views!
Nothing beats an ice-cold beer with the Alps stretching out in front of you. 💙🏔️ Whether you`re chasing adventures or simply soaking in the moment, this is what Interlaken is all about.
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" www.balmers.com/best-things-to-do-in-interlaken/ "
Hey! 🪂
Let`s turn up the heat a bit with those summer posts.🔥🔥
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" www.balmers.com/activity/sky-diving/ "
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Repost from @skydiveswitzerland
When you go to the Top of Interlaken...
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" www.balmers.com/activity/harder-kulm/ "
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Repost from @fryerursula
