Twann lies in the Bernese Seeland on the northern shore of Lake Biel and includes the districts of Twann, Wingreis and Gaicht. Here, a historic village centre, pile-dwelling history and winegrowing come together. For planning your trip, you can choose from specific themes: the village’s architectural history, archaeological traces near the railway station and paths through the vineyards.

Getting here and the village centre

Twann is well connected to the railway network via its station. The Twann landing stage is part of the scheduled boat network on Lake Biel. If you are planning a boat trip, check the timetable for your travel date.

Twann is a linear village with a winding main street. The continuous rows of buildings and listed houses give the village a small-town character; its centre remains intact. These features offer a tangible way to explore the village on foot and get to know its architectural styles.

Twann was first mentioned in a document in 1185 under the name Duane; Tuanna was also used later. The Reformed church dates back to the early Middle Ages and was probably built no earlier than the 9th century, in the Late Carolingian period. The historic pilgrimage route from Twann to Ligerz is also still easy to walk. Check local conditions before setting out.

Pile dwellings and local history

At the archaeological site near Twann railway station, 21 villages were successively built during the Neolithic period. Since 2011, the site has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps”. South of the station, between the underpass and the landing stage, a stele provides information about the World Heritage site, the rescue excavations carried out from 1974 to 1976, the history of settlement and cultural development.

The Dr. h.c. Carl Irlet Pile Dwelling Museum is located in the Fraubrunnenhaus and is open from April to October. Selected groups can visit by prior arrangement. The museum spans a broad period: it tells the story of life 5,000 years ago and of the collectors who rediscovered the pile dwellings around 1850. The stele and museum focus on different aspects: the stele sets the site and excavations in context, while the museum also explores the later rediscovery.

Vineyard trails and hikes

The Twannbach Bridge, designed by Robert Maillart, is a concrete structure dating from 1936 and forms part of the vineyard trail laid out in the 1930s. The entrance to the Twannbach Gorge trail is by the Maillart Bridge. As you walk through Twann’s vineyards and along gardens bordered by original dry-stone walls, you can spot plants and animals from the Mediterranean region.

The Twann–Ligerz Vineyard Educational Trail is a one-hour walk between the two villages. Informative signs cover the region’s winegrowing. The historic pilgrimage route from Twann to Ligerz offers another connection to local history; check conditions before setting out on this trail too. The two routes have different focuses: the vineyard trail highlights information about winegrowing, while the pilgrimage route follows a historic path.

There is an important seasonal restriction on the Twannbach Gorge trail: due to exceptional drought, the hiking trail through the gorge is closed for safety reasons from 21 August 2026 until spring 2027. If you are planning to visit the gorge, check whether the closure has ended before your visit.

Guided tours and wine

A guided tour of the winegrowers’ village introduces its history and winemaking traditions and takes you through preserved historic buildings and winding lanes. Village tours also cover dark alleys, hidden gardens, and stories and legends from the village. This lets you explore different aspects of Twann, from architectural history and winegrowing to local tales.

The Vinitour includes visits to three wineries and tastings of a total of 13 wines. The Treberwurst meal in the Perrot family’s wine cellar in Twann, by contrast, combines food with the house wines: the menu includes a white wine soup from Twann, Treberwurst with potato gratin and a regional dessert. The difference is clear: the Vinitour focuses on several wineries and tastings, while the Treberwurst meal is a set menu served in a wine cellar.

Discover more destinations: Mörigen, Nidau, Jens, Sutz-Lattrigen, Studen, Ipsach, Ligerz, Täuffelen.

Go to the main travel overview: Nidau.