When Athens hits 40 degrees in August, the idea of a cool mountain escape starts to sound like a luxury. The Bernese Oberland — the heart of the Swiss Alps — is one of the most direct counter-heatwave getaways you can take this year.
Interlaken and the villages above it
Interlaken works as a gateway between two lakes, but the real experience is in the villages above it:
- Lauterbrunnen — built inside a dramatic valley where waterfalls drop straight off the cliffs.
- Mürren and Wengen — both car-free, ideal for travelers who want complete quiet.
- Grindelwald — livelier, with easy access to trails and cable cars.
The train to the top of Europe
The train up to Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe,” runs through a tunnel bored into the mountain itself and reaches 3,454 meters — one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. It isn’t cheap (tickets easily run past 200 francs), but the view is hard to forget.
Hiking with a view
The route from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg is one of the most accessible view-hikes in the Alps — nearly flat, about two and a half hours, with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks accompanying you the whole way.
Practical tips for the cost
- Stay in the smaller villages instead of Interlaken, for better prices.
- Get a Swiss Travel Pass if you’re planning several train rides.
- Pack your own food for the hikes instead of eating at the mountain huts.
Getting there from Greece
There’s no direct flight from Kalamata, but the flight from Athens to Zurich or Geneva takes about three hours. From there, the train gets you to Interlaken in two to three and a half hours.
Plan your own escape
At Penguin Travels & Tours, we put together Switzerland getaways with the right mix of trains, hiking, and downtime — ideal for when the Greek heat gets to be too much.
Looking for a break from the heat? Stop by our office in Kalamata (Vasilissis Olgas 4) or call us at +30 27210 80701 — we’ll plan a route that fits you.
