Thun Castle & Old Town
Schloss Thun · Altstadt
A medieval town at the outlet of Lake Thun. A 12th-century castle with four towers stands on a hill, and the old town has a distinctive two-level pedestrian street.
Thun lies at the northwest end of Lake Thun, where the Aare River flows out, and it is the gateway city to the Bernese Oberland. Thun Castle, on the hill, was built by the Dukes of Zähringen at the end of the 12th century. Its white main keep, with round towers at each corner, is the city's emblem. The castle houses a historical museum, and its knights’ hall and tower top offer views over the lake and the Alps; admission is about CHF 10. The old town’s Obere Hauptgasse has a distinctive two-level pedestrian walkway, with shops on the upper level. The old wooden lock bridge (Obere Schleuse) over the Aare River and the surfers in the river are also worth seeing. Getting there: about 30 minutes by train from Interlaken West, or about 2 hours by Lake Thun boat.
Opening hours
Castle approx. 10:00–17:00 (shorter hours in winter)