Thun: Old Town, Aare and Lake Thun
Accommodation in Thun
Thun between the Aare, the lake and the Old Town
Thun lies about 30 kilometres southeast of Bern, where the Aare flows out of Lake Thun. The city is known as the “Gateway to the Bernese Oberland.” When planning a stay, you can consider whether to focus on the Old Town and its architectural history, cultural attractions or places by the water. Thun offers different points of interest for each of these.
The publicly accessible Bonstetten Park belongs to the city of Thun and lies directly on the shore of Lake Thun. It is a local recreation area throughout the year. A lakeside path leads from Thun railway station through Schadau Park, past the lido and towards Bonstetten Park. The route includes a wooden boardwalk along the protected lakeside marsh. This lets you plan a walk around specific stops rather than treating the lakeside landscape merely as a backdrop.
There are also various ways to explore the water, each with a different character. BLS Schifffahrt AG has a boat station in Thun. The solar-powered boat operates as a seasonal shuttle on the water, connecting the city centre with the lido, HĂĽnibach, Schadau Park and Aarequai. If you would like to take it, check the current operating schedule in advance. At Thun Lido, you can swim in Lake Thun and in swimming pools; a diving tower invites you to jump into the water. The lido operates seasonally, and opening arrangements may change.
You can watch surfers at the river wave by MĂĽhleschleuse; local conditions may vary. A different way to experience the Aare is offered by Aareboot Outdoor Switzerland, with an inflatable boat trip that starts in Thun and follows the river to Bern. Check current availability for this commercially offered trip. Watching, swimming and taking a longer boat trip are different water activities, not interchangeable versions of the same experience.
Old Town, architectural history and culture
Thun Castle has been a landmark of the city since the 12th century. Since 2018, the castle museum has told its story across seven levels, from the cellar to the towers. From the castle, you can see the mountain panorama, Lake Thun and Thun’s Old Town. Another viewpoint is Schlossberg, which you can reach from the Old Town via historic stairways.
Two levels of distinctive raised pavements shape the streetscape of Obere Hauptgasse in Thun’s Old Town. The churches also reveal different historical layers: Scherzligen Church has roots dating back to late antiquity. The tower of the City Church was built in the 14th century, and the Baroque nave was added in 1738. The City Church also features 15th-century paintings and Baroque stucco work.
Schadau Castle stands in Schadau Park, was built in 1846 and is a listed building. The “Jewels of Schadau” themed tour is a 1.5-hour walk through the park; dates and availability may change. The castle also offers brunch and afternoon tea, as well as sherry and port tastings. Check current availability if you want to make firm plans for any of these.
There are other specific opportunities for a range of interests in art and culture: the Thun-Panorama is the oldest surviving circular painting in the world. Thun Art Museum presents three to four temporary exhibitions each year, mainly featuring contemporary art. Since 2003, the Thunerseespiele have presented musicals from around the world and original productions every summer. Alongside permanent buildings, you can therefore choose from changing exhibitions and a seasonal stage programme.
Plan your market visit and stay
A market is held on Saturdays in the heart of Thun’s Old Town, offering fresh vegetables, fruit and other delicacies. If you want to plan your visit around the market, check the current market day. The combination of the market, historic streets and cultural venues means your stay need not depend on a single activity: you can divide your time in Thun between the Old Town, exhibitions, seasonal events and activities on the water, depending on your interests.
Discover more destinations: Gwatt, Hilterfingen, Heiligenschwendi, Buchholterberg, Oberhofen Am Thunersee, Schwanden Ob Sigriswil, Wachseldorn, Forst bei Längenbühl.
Go to the main travel overview: Thun.
