Thun: Old Town, Aare and Castle

Thun lies where the Aare flows out of Lake Thun, around 30 kilometres southeast of Bern. The city brings together river, lake and a historic centre. The Old Town, castle and lakeside landscape give your stay a variety of highlights – from urban history and art to water activities.

Thun Old Town and Castle

The late-medieval Old Town features an unusual detail along Obere Hauptgasse: raised pavements on two levels. Rathausplatz is also part of the historic cityscape; it was built around 1500. A market selling fresh vegetables, fruit and other delicacies is held there on Saturdays. If you plan to visit the market, check the date in advance.

The museum at Thun Castle presents more than 800 years of history. Its four white towers are visible from far away, and the castle offers views across Thun’s Old Town and Lake Thun to the mountain panorama. The castle is open year-round; check the specific opening hours before your visit. From Thun railway station or the boat station, it is about a 15-minute walk through the Old Town.

Art, panoramic views and cultural events

A guided tour through Schadau Park leads to the Thun Panorama: the circular painting is 38 metres long, was created between 1809 and 1814, and is considered the oldest surviving panorama in the world. The glazed extension regularly hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. You can learn about the panorama with an audio guide and on special guided tours, including the “Anna Maria Wocher and the Thun Panorama” tour.

Schadau Castle also combines architectural history with a distinctive visitor experience. The listed castle was built in 1846 in an English-style park and offers afternoon tea and port wine tastings. Check the current offerings before planning a visit. The programme at KKThun ranges from theatre and concerts to comedy and musicals; individual performances depend on the programme period.

Discovering the city and activities

Several experiences offer different ways to explore Thun. The Thun AdventureTrail starts at the railway station and passes through historic lanes and various squares. It is available in German and English; check the availability and languages in advance. Foxtrail Thun has five trails, which also start at the railway station. Puzzle stations, deciphered messages and technical challenges are central to the experience; the trails and individual tasks may change.

The FoodTrail focuses on food: this city scavenger hunt includes five stops where you can eat or drink something. Allow around four hours and check the current estimated duration and participating stops. Comparing the two can help with planning: the FoodTrail has an approximate duration, while Foxtrail Thun offers a choice of five different puzzle trails.

By the lake and in nature

Bonstetten Park is a public recreational area on the shore of Lake Thun, accessible year-round. It has an adventure playground for children. Nearby is the Gwattlischenmoos nature reserve, which invites visitors to explore and spend time there. Check the latest visitor information if needed.

Further afield, Lake Thun lies amid the mountains of the Bernese Oberland. It stretches between Thun and Interlaken and covers around 48 square kilometres. Water sports, sailing and swimming are among the activities available on the lake; historic paddle steamers run between its shores and the lakeside towns. Boat trips on Lake Thun are available from Thun, although timetables are seasonal and may change. The Lake Thun Panorama Trail covers 63 kilometres in four stages around the entire lake – a multi-stage tour in the wider area, not simply a walk through the city.

A trip on the water can also be planned more specifically: the canoe route from Thun (Gwatt) to Leissigen can be explored by canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Check water conditions and access before setting out. A guided city tour, a puzzle trail and a trip on the water offer different ways to experience Thun and its surroundings.

Getting here and finding your way around

Direct train services to Thun run from Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich; timetables depend on the day of travel and should be checked in advance. In addition, more than 40 daily direct services connect numerous German cities with Swiss cities overall – this figure does not refer only to services to Thun. Visitors can park their car at the railway station and transfer to a train; check the current parking situation. Thun Welcome Centre is also at the railway station and provides tourist information as well as bookings for city tours. Check opening hours and available services in advance.

The annual Thunfest adds live music, food, drinks and a varied programme to the cultural and city experience. The programme and providers may vary from one edition to the next; check the event dates for your travel year.

Discover more destinations: Goldiwil (Thun), Heiligenschwendi, Hilterfingen, Thun, Unterlangenegg, Aeschlen Ob Gunten, Tschingel Ob Gunten, Schwanden Ob Sigriswil, Sigriswil, Oberhofen Am Thunersee, Steffisburg, Uetendorf, Amsoldingen, Wachseldorn, Eriz, Blumenstein, Thierachern, Uebeschi, Heimberg, Buchholterberg, Forst bei Längenbühl.

For the regional travel overview: Bern.