Kursaal
Kursaal is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Interlaken audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~25 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~25 min
- Interlaken Interlaken guide
About Kursaal
The turn-of-the-century Kursaal and casino at the end of the Höheweg, in a garden with a famous flower clock, long the cultural heart of Interlaken on the land of its former monastery.
The Kursaal of Interlaken, with its Casino, stands in its own garden at the eastern end of the Höheweg promenade, on the land of the medieval Augustinian monastery from which Interlaken grew. A first cure-house with a Kursaal opened here in 1859, only for the canton to ban games of chance a month later; the present Jugendstil building dates from around 1898 to 1910 and is a Swiss heritage site of national significance, used for congresses, concerts and theatre.
In front of it spreads the Kursaal garden, free to enter, with lawns, shade trees, a fountain and the well-known flower clock, its face planted in living flowers. Gambling returned only after Switzerland's 1998 casino law, and the Casino reopened in 2002. A statue in the garden honours the Bollywood director Yash Chopra, who filmed many Indian films around Interlaken and was made an honorary citizen, and whose movies helped draw visitors from India.
Did you know? A first cure-house with a Kursaal opened here in 1859, but the canton banned games of chance a month later; the present Jugendstil building dates from around 1898 to 1910.
How long should you spend at Kursaal?
Plan about ~25 min at Kursaal. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Kursaal worth visiting?
Kursaal is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Interlaken, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Interlaken
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Kursaal and read more:
Day 1 of the Interlaken in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Kursaal
Preview the Interlaken tour free in the Gingerguide app.