There are many ways to discover Münsingen’s local history: in the museum, on a map-based trail or along digital themed routes. The municipality lies in the Aare Valley between Thun and Bern and is considered a semi-urban regional centre. Its history dates back 2,500 years and also includes Celtic settlements from the La Tène period.

Castle, Crafts and Roman Traces

Münsingen Castle was built by Hans Franz Nägeli in 1550. The Museum at Münsingen Castle hosts changing special exhibitions on topics of local and regional importance. Guided tours can be arranged at any time by appointment; please coordinate your visit in advance.

Traditional crafts take centre stage at the Alte Öle. Oil-makers show how they process walnuts on 300-year-old equipment and press them into aromatic oil. On a tour of the historic rooms, you can discover other crafts: making shingles and rakes, repairing shoes and forging nails. The waterwheel is also part of the building’s history; it has been turning again since 1992. Demonstrations follow the Alte Öle’s visiting schedule.

Another historical trace leads to the Roman mosaics on the grounds of USM. Two preserved mosaic floors from the bathhouse of a villa dating back almost 2,000 years can be found there. They are open from Easter to the end of October; check the dates before your visit. These sites offer different ways to explore the past: exhibitions at the castle museum provide insight into local and regional topics, while the Alte Öle brings traditional crafts to life and the mosaics showcase an archaeological find.

Explore History on Foot

The Münsingen trail uses a map to guide you to twelve locations in the village. There, you can discover what the places looked like in the past and learn about their history. The digital themed and adventure trails offered by SmarTrails focus on other subjects: they lead to mysterious places, venerable buildings and traces of almost-forgotten trades, and take you through Münsingen’s history. The SmarTrail “Best of Münsingen” is designed for families, school classes in grades 7, 8 and 9, and adults, and takes you to highlights of local history.

The old village centre also tells a story of change: a stroll there traces the transformation from farming village to urban suburb. Those interested in literature can follow in the footsteps of Swiss crime writer Friedrich Glauser (1896–1938). The walk takes you to locations featured in his novel “Matto regiert”. The experiences differ mainly in their perspective: a map links twelve locations, SmarTrails focus on digital themes, and the Glauser walk explores literary settings.

Everyone can get creative in the workshops at Schlossstrasse 5; no prior experience is required. Two markets are among the cultural events listed in the events calendar: the Münsingen Plant and Environment Market takes place every year on the last Saturday in April in the Schlossgutpark. Check the date for the relevant year. The Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Market is also part of Münsingen’s cultural heritage.

On Foot, by Bike and Along Other Routes

You explore KrimiSpass on foot. The mystery can be played year-round, around the clock; allow about two hours. This is a clearly defined time estimate, unlike the historical walks, for which no duration is given here. Vita Parcours Münsingen route number 70 starts at the Schwand agricultural school. ViaBerna leads to Münsingen and the Schützenfahrbrügg. The “Dr Aare naa” route is considered especially suitable for families; weather and maintenance may affect conditions.

Two Veloland routes also pass through Münsingen, but their designated routes differ. National Veloland Route No. 8 follows stage 3 from Spiez to Bern along the Aare through the town. Regional Veloland Bern-South Route No. 37 connects Riggisberg and Bern and also passes through Münsingen. There are five PubliBike rental stations in the municipality, where bicycles can be rented and returned. The system launched there on 13 May 2026; check the stations’ current availability when planning your trip.

Other options can be found at specific locations in the municipality: the pump track at Schlossstrasse 18 is open to everyone and free to use. Münsingen outdoor swimming pool is right by the Aare. You can choose what suits you best: local history and crafts, a crime game lasting around two hours, or a cycling tour on one of the two named routes.

Discover more destinations: Zäziwil, Wichtrach, Kiesen, Oberhünigen, Aeschlen, Worb, Herbligen, Linden.

Back to the main travel overview: Konolfingen.