Aare, Old Town and castle history
Thun lies where the Aare flows out of Lake Thun, about 30 kilometres southeast of Bern. At the MĂĽhleschleuse or Scherzligschleuse weirs, you can watch surfers ride the river wave; river conditions may vary. This makes Thun not only a lakeside destination, but also a city on the river.
The historic centre includes numerous historic buildings, an Old Town and a castle. The late-medieval Old Town has two-storey raised pavements along Obere Hauptgasse—a distinctive street feature you can discover as you walk along the lane. Thun Castle is a museum castle that tells more than 800 years of history. Its four white towers are visible from far away; from the castle, you can enjoy views of the mountain panorama, Lake Thun and the Old Town. Thun Castle is open year-round. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.
From Thun railway station or the boat landing, you can reach the castle via the Old Town in about 15 minutes on foot. You can park your car at the station and continue by train; check parking options before your trip. The Welcome Centre is also at the station and provides tourist information as well as bookings for guided city tours. Opening hours and visitor services may change.
Panoramas, art and market life
A guided tour through Schadau Park leads to the 38-metre-long Thun Panorama. The circular painting was created between 1809 and 1814 and is considered the oldest surviving circular painting in the world. Contemporary special exhibitions are regularly held in the glazed extension. An audio guide and special tours, including “Anna Maria Wocher and the Thun Panorama,” provide interpretation. This lets you combine the historic panorama with complementary exhibitions and guided tours.
The Thun Art Museum also has its own distinctive focus: it presents four to five temporary exhibitions each year, mostly dedicated to contemporary art. The programme may change. Built around 1500, Rathausplatz brings another regular meeting place to the cityscape on Saturdays: the market offers fresh vegetables, fruit and other delicacies. Check the market day before visiting.
Puzzle trails, food and events
Several activities offer different ways to explore Thun. The Thun AdventureTrail starts at the railway station and leads through historic lanes and past various squares; it is available in German and English. Foxtrail Thun comprises five trails, each starting at the station. Along the way, you’ll encounter puzzle stations, coded messages and technical challenges. As activity offerings may change, it’s advisable to check availability in advance.
The FoodTrail Thun centres on five food stops where you can enjoy something to eat or drink. Allow about four hours. A guided alternative combines a city walk with a visit to the medieval castle on Schlossberg as part of the city and castle tour; check availability and visitor conditions in advance.
Cultural events and food experiences are also part of the city’s character. Thunfest takes place annually and offers live music, food, drinks and a varied programme; the programme and vendors may vary from one edition to the next. KKThun’s programme features theatre, concerts, comedy and musicals, with individual performances changing over time. Schadau Castle is a listed building, built in 1846 in an English-style park. Afternoon tea and port wine tastings are offered there; check the current offerings if you’re planning your visit around them.
The lakeshore and surrounding landscape
On the shores of Lake Thun, the publicly accessible Bonstetten Park is a year-round recreation area. The park includes an adventure playground for children. Nearby, the Gwattlischenmoos nature reserve invites you to explore and linger. For a different perspective on the lake, you can take a boat trip from Thun; timetables are seasonal and should be checked in advance.
Further afield, Lake Thun stretches between Thun and Interlaken amid the mountains of the Bernese Oberland and covers around 48 square kilometres. The Lake Thun Panorama Trail runs for 63 kilometres in four stages around the entire lake. Water sports, sailing and swimming are enjoyed across the wider lake area; historic paddle steamers travel between the shores and lakeside towns. For a trip along the canoe route from Thun (Gwatt) to Leissigen, you can choose a canoe or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Check water conditions and access in advance.
Discover more destinations: Schwanden Ob Sigriswil, Tschingel Ob Gunten, Aeschlen Ob Gunten, Unterlangenegg, Thun, Hilterfingen, Heiligenschwendi, Goldiwil (Thun), Oberhofen Am Thunersee, Steffisburg, Uetendorf, Amsoldingen, Eriz, Blumenstein, Thierachern, Heimberg, Sigriswil, Buchholterberg, Wachseldorn, Uebeschi, Forst bei Längenbühl.
Go to the main travel overview: Bern.
