St. Beatus Caves
St. Beatus-Höhlen
Stalactite caves in the limestone cliffs on the north shore of Lake Thun. Legend says St. Beatus slew a dragon here and lived as a hermit. About 1 km of the cave is open to visitors.
The St. Beatus Caves lie in the limestone cliffs on the north shore of Lake Thun. The explored cave system is about 14 km long, and about 1 km is open to visitors. Inside are stalactites, an underground lake and waterfalls. According to legend, the Irish missionary St. Beatus drove a dragon out of the cave in the 6th century and lived here as a hermit. A reconstructed hermitage and a cave museum stand at the entrance. The cave stays at about 8–10°C year-round, so bring a jacket. Adult admission is about CHF 20. From the lakeside pier, a path beside the waterfall climbs about 15 minutes to the cave entrance. Getting there: take bus line 21 from Interlaken for about 15 minutes, or take a Lake Thun boat to the Beatushöhlen pier.
Opening hours
Approx. mid-Mar–mid-Nov 09:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Niederhorn
- Lake Thun
- Harder Kulm
- Interlaken Town & Höheweg
- Spiez Castle
- Oberhofen Castle
- Schynige Platte
- Niesen