A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to win a competition that entitled me to an all-expenses-paid minibreak to Switzerland. I was put up in a luxury hotel on the edge of a small town called Thun.
I’ll be honest: until that trip, my knowledge of Switzerland extended to mountains, chocolate, finance, and lakes. I had heard of Interlaken, of course—everyone has. But Thun? It wasn’t on my radar.
That was a mistake.
After spending time there, I realized that Thun isn’t just a “stopover” city. It is arguably the most underrated town in the Bernese Oberland.
While the crowds flock to the tourist-heavy streets of Interlaken, Thun offers something more authentic: a medieval old town with a castle that looks like it was drawn by Disney, river surfers (yes, really), and a culinary scene that loves a good pun.
Whether you’re a hiker looking for a civilized basecamp or a history geek wanting to explore 800-year-old dungeons, here is my guide on why you need to visit Thun, and exactly how to do it.
Getting There: The Swiss Efficiency
Thun sits at the lower end of Lake Thun (Thunersee), acting as the gatekeeper to the high Alps. Getting there is almost distressingly easy thanks to the Swiss railway network.
I flew into Zurich, and from there, it’s a direct train ride of about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Thun. If you are coming from Bern, it’s only 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you are planning to travel around, look into the Swiss Travel Pass immediately. Switzerland is expensive, but this pass is the great equalizer. It covers your trains, buses, and—crucially for this trip—the boats on Lake Thun and entry to the castle.
1. Explore the Old Town and the “High Pavements”
Thun’s Old Town (Altstadt) isn’t just a collection of old buildings; it has a unique architectural quirk I haven’t seen anywhere else.
Head to the Obere Hauptgasse. This is the main shopping street, but it’s split-level. Due to the history of the town’s layout, the street features raised pavements (Hochtrottoirs) that run along the roofs of the shops below.
It creates a canyon-like effect where you can walk on the “ground floor” or take the stairs up to the “terrace level” to browse boutiques and bars. It’s charming, slightly confusing at first, and completely brilliant for photos.
2. Climb Schloss Thun (The Castle)
You can’t miss it. The castle dominates the skyline, sitting perched on a hill looking down over the Aare River like a stern grandfather.
Built around 1190 by the Dukes of Zähringen, this is a “Donjon” style castle—essentially one massive fortified tower with four corner turrets.
The climb up the covered wooden stairs (the Kirchtreppe) from the Old Town is a bit of a workout, but the payoff is worth it.
Inside, there is a Historical Museum spread over five floors, including the impressive Knights’ Hall. But the real highlight is climbing into the corner turrets. From there, you get a 360-degree view of the terracotta roofs, the turquoise river, and the “White Giants” of the Alps (Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau) in the distance.
Castle Logistics (2025)
The opening hours here can be tricky, especially in winter, so don’t get caught out.
|
Season |
Opening Hours |
|---|---|
|
April – October |
Daily: 10:00 – 17:00 |
|
Nov – Jan |
Sundays Only: 13:00 – 16:00 |
|
Christmas (Dec 25 – Jan 4) |
Daily: 13:00 – 16:00 |
|
Feb – March |
Daily: 13:00 – 16:00 |
- Entry Fee: Adults CHF 10.00 / Children CHF 3.00
- Swiss Travel Pass: FREE
3. Watch the River Surfers at the Wooden Bridges
Water defines Thun. The River Aare flows out of the lake and splits the town in two, creating an island known as the Bälliz (the main shopping district).
Connecting the island to the mainland are two stunning ancient wooden covered bridges: the Obere Schleuse and the Untere Schleuse.
These bridges date back to the 1700s and are covered in flowers in the summer. They also function as locks (floodgates) to regulate the lake level.
But look down at the water at the Obere Schleuse (Upper Lock). The rushing water coming through the floodgates creates a permanent standing wave.
Day or night, summer or winter, you will often spot locals in wetsuits surfing right in the middle of the medieval town. It’s a surreal clash of 18th-century architecture and modern adrenaline culture.
4. A Sweet Treat: The “Thunfisch”
After watching the surfers, walk over to Mühleplatz (Mill Square) for a coffee. While you are in town, you have to visit Confiserie Steinmann.
The locals have a sense of humor about their town’s name. “Thun” sounds exactly like the German word for tuna fish (Thunfisch). Steinmann has capitalized on this with their famous “Thunfischli”.
Don’t worry—it’s not fish. It’s a delicious almond-based pastry shaped like a fish.
They are perfect for hikers because, unlike chocolate, they don’t melt in your backpack on a hot day. If you do want chocolate, try the “Thunerli”, a chocolate-covered shortbread.
5. Cruise Lake Thun (The Blümlisalp)
You cannot visit Thun without getting on a boat. The BLS Navigation fleet operates regular services that connect Thun to Interlaken West.
For a touch of nostalgia, try to time your trip to catch the Blümlisalp. It’s a beautifully restored Belle Époque paddle steamer from 1906.
Watching the massive pistons turning in the visible engine room is fascinating, even if you aren’t an engineer.
The full trip to Interlaken takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. The scenery is dramatic: you drift past Spiez Castle and the vineyards, all while the mountains get bigger and bigger ahead of you.
- Cost: A day pass for the lake is approx. CHF 83.00, but the trip is 100% covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Winter Magic: Unlike many lakes, boats run daily in winter too. They even do Fondue cruises—eating hot cheese while floating past snowy peaks is peak Switzerland.
6. Hiking: The Mountains on Your Doorstep
For us BaldHikers, Thun is the “civilized basecamp.” You get the luxury of a city hotel, but the trailheads are minutes away.
- The Niesen (The Swiss Pyramid): That perfectly triangular mountain you see across the lake? That’s the Niesen. You can take a funicular to the top (which runs alongside the longest staircase in the world—11,674 steps!) or hike the steep trails for incredible views.
- Stockhorn: Famous for the panoramic window in the rock face and high-alpine fishing.
- The Niederhorn: Take the boat to Beatenbucht and head up. The ridge hike here offers arguably the best view of the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau trio because you are standing directly opposite them.
7. Where to Stay
During my trip, I stayed at the Hotel Seepark. It sits right on the edge of the lake, a short walk or bus ride from the station.
It’s a bit of a splurge (luxury spa included), but waking up to that view of the lake and the Alps is something I’ll never forget.
They also have their own bikes for guests, which is the perfect way to get into the Old Town along the river path.
Final Thoughts
Thun is often called the “Gateway to the Bernese Oberland,” but that makes it sound like just an entrance. It’s a destination in its own right. It has the history of Bern, the water of Zurich, and the mountains of Interlaken, but with a fraction of the stress.
My advice? Don’t just pass through. Stop. Eat a (pastry) fish. Watch the surfers. And take that boat ride.
