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May to October is the best time for the lake, the falls and the Rothorn railway. Summer is warm. Autumn is calm and has clear light. Winter is quiet, and many attractions close. The steam railway runs only in summer.

• Giessbach Falls is a series of waterfalls above the lake, reached by boat and a historic funicular.
• Brienzer Rothorn is a mountain above the village, reached by a steam rack railway.
• Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg is a large open-air museum of historic Swiss buildings, a short bus ride away.
• Schweizer Holzbildhauerei Museum Brienz shows the local wood carving craft.
• Wildpark Brienz is a small wildlife park with alpine animals.
• Die schöne Schifferin von Brienz is a historic ship moored at the lakefront.

• Ride the steam railway up the Rothorn.
• Take a boat to the Giessbach Falls and ride the funicular.
• Visit Ballenberg for a day.
• Watch a wood carver at work.
• Swim or paddle on the lake in summer.
• Walk the lakeshore path.

• Interlaken is about 20 minutes away by train.
• Grindelwald is a mountain village below the Eiger, reached from Interlaken.
• Lauterbrunnen is a valley with waterfalls.
• Meiringen is about 20 minutes away by train, with gorges and falls.
• Lake boats go to Interlaken and other lake villages.

• Interlaken is the main town of the area and the parent locality.
• Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are the nearest mountain villages.

• By air: Zurich is the nearest main airport.
• By train: Brienz is on the scenic line between Lucerne and Interlaken. Check times on SBB.
• Lake boats stop at Brienz in summer.

• The village centre is small and easy to walk.
• The Rothorn railway station is next to the main station.
• Boats go to Giessbach and other lake villages.
• Local buses link Brienz with Ballenberg.

• A car is not needed in Brienz.
• Parking near the station and the lake is limited in summer.
• Roads along the lake are scenic.

Try lake fish, cheese and rösti. Brienz is known for wood carving and violin making. Local cafés and lakeside restaurants serve alpine dishes.

People speak German with a Bernese dialect. English is widely understood.

• Brienz is very safe.
• Lake water is cold. Swim in marked areas.
• Mountain weather changes fast, so check the forecast.
• Tap water is safe to drink.

Brienz grew as a lakeside village with farming and woodwork. Wood carving grew into a trade in the 19th century, when visitors started to buy carved souvenirs. A carving school was founded in 1884.

The Rothorn steam railway opened in 1892 and still runs today.

Quick practical facts for Switzerland at a glance: