News and Highlights you shouldn’t miss
Special Edition Quai Concert with WilDC postponed
The Special Edition Quai Concert scheduled for Aug. 28, 2026, has been postponed due to the unfavorable weather forecast. It will now take place Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Forest fire danger – level 3 “considerable”
Forest fire danger is at level 3 “considerable” in the following administrative districts. The district governors have lifted the ban on fires in forests and in the vicinity of forests:
- Frutigen-Niedersimmental
- Interlaken-Oberhasli
- Obersimmental-Saanen
In regions with considerable forest fire danger (level 3), avoid lighting fires in windy conditions. When lighting fires outdoors, use only designated, fixed and properly constructed fire pits. Always keep fires under observation and immediately extinguish any sparks or embers.
The situation will be reassessed by the Office of Forests and Natural Hazards on Aug. 27, 2026.
More information can be found here.
Please Help Conserve Water
Prolonged dry weather has significantly reduced the flow from local springs. We kindly ask everyone to use water responsibly.
Concerts by the Lake 2026
Music, summer and lakeside views: Concerts by the Lake invite visitors to enjoy
atmospheric evenings of live music in Bönigen and Iseltwald on the shores of Lake Brienz.
The Quay Concerts in Bönigen and Village Square Concerts in Iseltwald
offer a varied musical program in a unique setting. A popular summer event for visitors
and locals alike — right by the lake.
Any cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced no later than 5 p.m.
68 Years of Loyalty to Iseltwald: A Connection That Grows Across Generations
More than 20 years ago, when Frances and John Bach from the United Kingdom were traveling by boat past Iseltwald, they noticed the Strandhotel. They thought: Staying at this place and sitting on that terrace would be a dream, but surely it was reserved for the wealthiest guests.
They were even more delighted when they later came across an advertisement for the hotel and realized that a stay was actually within their means. They seized the opportunity and have returned to Iseltwald every year since.
Last Thursday, they celebrated their 20th anniversary together with the hotel owners and the managing director of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism. As a sign of appreciation, they were named honorary guests of Iseltwald. The honor clearly moved the couple.
Just a few minutes later, it became clear that a connection to Iseltwald can reach an entirely different dimension.
A Family Story Spanning 68 Years
The two brothers Markus and Stephan Gerber, together with their wives Susanne and Doris, from Burgdorf and Röthenbach, were honored next. Their story with Iseltwald dates back to childhood. For 68 years, the Gerber family has regularly returned to the village, staying in the Houetli, Seehus and Schönbühl vacation apartments and, time and again, at the Strandhotel.
Over the decades, their stays have added up to more than a year and a half spent together in Iseltwald. Parents, siblings, children and now grandchildren — for generations, the village on Lake Brienz has become a permanent part of the family’s history.
Along the way, countless memories have accumulated, many of which were shared at the celebration with a palpable sense of connection.
There was the major explosion at the fireworks factory on the opposite side of the lake, for example. Or the capsized boat in which several people lost their lives. The brothers also recalled swimming in the indoor pool under the supervision of the deaconesses and taking long hikes, including one from which they returned so late that the hotel owner eventually set out himself to bring his guests back.
Memories That Last
Particularly impressive were the beautiful photographs from the family album shown during the reception. They brought bygone times back to life and told stories of vacations that ended long ago but whose memories remain to this day.
One tradition is particularly important to the family: the Swiss National Day celebration in Iseltwald. The guests emphasized how much they value it because such a traditionally celebrated national holiday has become increasingly rare: with folk traditions, music, a ceremonial address and a parade.
That afternoon, it was not simply a matter of honoring longtime hotel guests. Rather, the celebration recognized a special connection between people and a place where they feel welcome — a connection that has grown over decades, across generations and across national borders.
Strandhotel Iseltwald Honours Long-Standing Guests
The Morel-Luginbühl family from Lutry was honoured at a special guest appreciation ceremony at Strandhotel Iseltwald on Ascension Day. The family’s grandparents have been spending their holidays at the hotel since 1999 and have since passed on their tradition of returning to the hotel to their children and grandchildren, who were also invited to the celebratory aperitif. Hosts Hornung-Hornberger organised the event with great warmth and hospitality.
Titia Weiland, managing director of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism, presented the family with a certificate and thanked them for their many years of loyalty. Jeannette Unterberger, a member of the municipal council, also expressed her appreciation on behalf of the council and presented the family with a watch as a gift.
The atmosphere was warm and celebratory. For the honoured guests, who had not been told about the surprise, the ceremony was a great joy and a special honour.
Further News
A piece of Iseltwald takes to the skies: SWISS’ new Airbus A320neo, HB-JDM, bears the name of our beautiful village.
Iseltwald has long been known far beyond the Bernese Oberland. The village gained international recognition in particular through the South Korean Netflix series Crash Landing on You, which was filmed in part in Iseltwald. Guests from around the world now travel to Iseltwald to visit locations featured in the series.
Now, that international recognition is taking on a special form: Iseltwald is flying with SWISS. The new Airbus A320neo, registered as HB-JDM, bears the name of our village and will operate on SWISS’ scheduled routes in the future.
For Iseltwald, having the aircraft named after the village is a special honor. The name of our village will now be present not only on the shores of Lake Brienz, but also at airports and high above the clouds. We are particularly pleased that the new Airbus model is a comparatively fuel-efficient aircraft.
We thank SWISS for this special honor and the wonderful connection to our village, and we wish HB-JDM many safe and successful flights!
A new Tourist Information Center has opened on Iseltwald's village square, providing a central point of contact for visitors and residents. The new facility offers personalized visitor services, supports visitor management and improves orientation throughout the village. At the same time, Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism is implementing one of the first measures defined in the tourism strategy jointly developed in early 2026.
The tourism strategy was created through a participatory process involving the local communities of Bönigen and Iseltwald. During public events, residents shared their perspectives, ideas and needs. One of the key outcomes was the desire for a visible and easily accessible visitor information point in Iseltwald. In addition, members of the Board of Directors and staff of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism worked together in workshops to establish the strategic foundations for the destination's future development. The new Tourist Information Center is one of the first concrete projects resulting from this process.
The Tourist Information Center is located in the former Iseltwald Tourist Office. The premises have been redesigned to meet today's needs and now serve as a central source of information about Iseltwald and the surrounding region. Visitors can receive personalized advice on excursions, hiking trails, activities and events.
The Tourist Information Center will initially operate as a pilot project during a trial season. During this period, it will complement the existing information point in the village shop, which will continue to operate in parallel. The new facility also contributes to visitor management by providing information about local conditions, customs and appropriate visitor behavior, helping to promote respectful interaction between guests and the local community. At the end of the trial season, the Municipality of Iseltwald and Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism will evaluate how the Tourist Information Center should continue in the future.
"Visitors arriving in Iseltwald often have similar questions. Their feedback helps us further improve visitor guidance and signage throughout the village. We look forward to welcoming many guests and learning from the pilot season. We will use these experiences to continuously improve our services," said Titia Weiland, Managing Director of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism.
With the new Tourist Information Center, the existing visitor information services in Iseltwald are being expanded. It contributes to tourism that takes into account the needs of both visitors and the local community.
In early 2026, several public participation events were held as part of the development of the new strategy for Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism. Many residents took the opportunity to share their perspectives and concerns.
In a short, self-guided process, participants recorded their views on quality of life, recreation and tourism. The feedback highlights what matters most to residents and where they see opportunities as well as challenges.
These inputs were incorporated into the strategy and helped shape its overall direction.
The strategy and further information on public participation can be found here.
The Board of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism is aware that a visit to the Christmas market, enjoying a mulled wine or a warm bowl of soup, is not something everyone can take for granted. For this reason, it was decided to donate the proceeds from the stand at the Iseltwald Christmas Market 2025 to Christliche Gassenarbeit Interlaken.
This organization provides people on the Bödeli who are poorly integrated and predominantly affected by addiction with a common room and a warm meal several times a week, thereby making an important social contribution.
The donation was handed over on 12 January 2026 by Titia Weiland at the meeting place “in medio”. The amount was gratefully received by Karin Oberli and Elisabeth Löffler, who explained the work carried out on site and emphasized that donations such as this are of great importance and are used in full to support the services offered. Of the staff members of the street outreach present, three live in Bönigen, further underlining the local relevance of this commitment.
Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism would like to sincerely thank all visitors to the stand, the helpers, and Lake Lodge for the donation of materials. The association is pleased to be able to contribute to this valuable work through its presence at the Christmas market.
Further information: Christliche Gassenarbeit Interlaken
As of 1 September 2025, the loading and unloading of passengers is only permitted at the Müli. Buses must then park at the ASTRA parking area near the A8 exit. The parking area at the motorway access is not a pick-up or drop-off point and is closed to pedestrians.
Please observe the applicable regulations. Thank you for your cooperation.
Bönigen on Lake Brienz has become the first village in the Bernese Oberland to receive the Best Swiss Villages label. Its historic village center with picturesque wooden houses, along with the wide range of leisure activities on the lake and in the surrounding mountains, make Bönigen a place of special charm. With this label, Bönigen joins a network of unique villages in Switzerland and across Europe.
More information: Bönigen - Best Swiss Villages
Artikel Itinerari: Viaggio a Bönigen, il nuovo borgo più bello della Svizzera
Bilder: @Swissvillages, Christian Guerra
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) raises awareness of the rules in Switzerland with #FlyDronesSafely. Drones must be registered, insured, and flown correctly. Violations may result in fines. This ensures that the guest experience remains safe and enjoyable.
More information: Swiss Tourism Federation
Press Release, Giessbach, 15 May 2025
From 26 May 2025, a new barrier system will be put into operation at the entrance to Giessbach Nature Park in Brienz. This measure aims to improve visitor management, create a more relaxed and organized parking situation for all guests, and ensure the long-term protection of the sensitive natural surroundings around the popular Giessbach Waterfall, the historic Grand Hotel, and the Giessbachbahn. In addition, it provides a valuable opportunity for people seeking a conscious escape from everyday life in nature, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of the area in peace.
The new barrier is part of a comprehensive concept for sustainable visitor management. Controlled access will create a calm, safe, and orderly parking situation on site. At the same time, each visitor contributes directly to the preservation of the unique Giessbach Nature Park by purchasing an entrance ticket. Hotel guests with a room reservation automatically receive their entrance ticket and can park in the designated hotel parking areas. All other visitors – including guests with a table reservation – must book their ticket online in advance. The number of entrance tickets is limited, and without a valid ticket, entry will no longer be possible. The price is CHF 15 (evening ticket CHF 10).
The road to Giessbach is a narrow mountain road. There is very little space to turn around just before the barrier, making it essential to purchase the entrance ticket in advance. Parking along the road or in front of the barrier is strictly prohibited.
Entry for coaches and buses remains prohibited. Exceptions can be granted in coordination with the Events Department upon prior arrangement.
The recommended way to reach Giessbach is by boat and the historic Giessbachbahn. This not only provides a memorable experience but also avoids traffic congestion and is not subject to ticket limits.
With the new access system, Giessbach Nature Park sends a clear message for gentle tourism and responsible management of the beautiful landscape and sensitive forest. At the same time, it creates space for peace and relaxation – a valuable opportunity for those who want to escape the everyday and enjoy the surrounding beauty in tranquility.
Giessbach Foundation – for the Swiss people
Whether the concert takes place at the Quai in Bönigen or at the open-air concerts in Iseltwald will be announced here by 17:00 on the day of the event in case of uncertain weather.
On Thursday, 3 April 2025, the 12th Annual General Meeting of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism took place. During the meeting, Franziska Tidy Imhof (auditor), Vreni Kaufmann (vice president), and Bettina Hutmacher (board member) were bid farewell after several years of dedicated service. President Rolf Schlunegger warmly thanked them for their valuable contributions to the tourism association. He also stepped down from his role as president, which he had held since 2017. Vreni Kaufmann praised his achievements over the past eight years. Rolf Schlunegger will continue to serve on the board as vice president.
Newly elected were Sascha Grossniklaus from Raiffeisenbank Jungfrau as auditor and two new board members. Eveline Coretti, managing director of the Lake Lodge in Iseltwald, will now represent hosts’ perspectives in tourism matters. Andrea Schneider from Interlaken took over the presidency at the AGM.
Andrea Schneider brings an extensive network in tourism and beyond. She has experience in leading teams and managing processes, and works as an independent consultant for sustainable development, tourism, and location management. Her consultancy allows her to integrate different perspectives and communicate effectively – participation is a key concern for her. She combines strategic thinking with pragmatic implementation.
In her new role as president of Bönigen-Iseltwald Tourism, Andrea Schneider has the following goals:
- Strengthening collaboration with tourism stakeholders and members: Successful tourism relies on strong networking and joint development.
- Developing strategies that benefit both guests and locals: Tourism can be a win-win for everyone if a balanced approach is achieved.
- Targeted use of financial resources for suitable, innovative projects: Investments should be strategic and support both sustainable development and economic stability.
The board is pleased that the proposed candidates were elected by the general assembly and looks forward to working together in the new configuration:
- President: Andrea Schneider
- Vice President: Rolf Schlunegger (Iseltwald)
- Managing Director: Titia Weiland
- Municipal Representatives: Simon Seiler (Bönigen) and Jeannette Unterberger (Iseltwald)
- Other Members: Biggi Kobler (TCS Camping, Bönigen), Sandra Budd (Seehotel, Bönigen), Eveline Coretti (Lake Lodge, Iseltwald), Jürg Vogel (Bönigen)
The new SmarTrail Historic Houses takes you to significant historical buildings that reflect Bönigen's architecture over the centuries. On this exciting circular trail, you can discover the stories behind these impressive structures and experience history up close. A worthwhile excursion for anyone interested in culture and history!
