How to Spend One Day in Thun (an Easy Day Trip Itinerary)
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Thun is among the places in Central Switzerland that I find so wander-worthy.
The picture-perfect scenes I discovered in Thun are sure to inspire every wanderer to include Thun in their Switzerland trip. A quick look at Thun’s map and one can easily understand that this cute little city is a beautiful place to explore.
After thoroughly exploring Thun, I can say that a visit to Thun is about a blend of nature, history, and surprisingly, architecture — thanks to the castles!
If you have been to the beautiful city of Lucerne before, you might feel a familiar vibe.
Anyhow, if an affordable trip that focuses on beautiful sightseeing experiences is what you aim to have during your time in Switzerland, Thun won’t let you down.
This is why I recommend including this town in your plans whether you are planning an extended weekend Switzerland trip or a week-long Switzerland getaway.
In this one-day Thun itinerary, you can expect to experience all the beautiful experiences in this town. From viewpoints, charming streets, castles, picturesque parks, even the town’s little gems — they are all here. Excited?
Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes. There will be a lot of walking and you can expect some stairs, too. Let’s go!
Good to know
The itinerary you’re reading now is best suited for non-winter months.
I’ve added timestamps to each item on the itinerary as a guide, but remember, they’re just estimates. You have complete control over your time.
Here’s good news: spending one day in Thun is straightforward. Most of the town’s attractions are accessible on foot. Others, including the nearby castles at Lake Thun, can be easily reached quickly with just one bus ride.
If you are arriving at Thun using the train, Thun’s treat is just a few steps from the train station.
From the station, you can already find a lovely view of Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps after a three-to-five-minute walk to a bridge called Göttibachsteg.
There, I realized how lucky the residents of Thun are. With that view, they can boost their mood and have a greater sense of peace anytime they want!
Actually, if Bern is your home base for exploring central Switzerland (you’re staying in Bern for a few days), Thun is undoubtedly one of the easiest day trips that you can do.
This is also the case if you are staying in Interlaken to explore the Jungfrau Region and Bernese Oberland in a few days. Thun is within an hour away from these towns.
That said, booking a hotel in Thun for a one-day visit may not be necessary. However, it is an option if you also want to spend one day in Lake Thun, which is located just beside the town.
9:00 am — Arrival in Thun
First things first! How can you get to Thun?
Well, there are several ways you can get to Thun. You can reach the city by public transportation, private car, or boat. For this trip, it’s all up to you.
But I would always prefer public transit, it’s more convenient in Switzerland!
If you have a car, the best parking lot I know is the Schlossberg parking lot, located under the hill where Thun Castle stands.
You can find the car entrance along Burgstrasse. It has modern facilities (like electric car charging stations), more than 300 car capacity, and accepts credit cards.
The best feature of this parking lot is it has a pedestrian exit that goes straight to the castle grounds of Thun Castle. The parking lot has an elevator, so you don’t have to worry about climbing stairs.
Another parking lot is beside Thun Ship Terminal, a few steps from the train station.
It is an open-air parking space with a few cafés nearby where you can quickly fill up your tumors before you start your journey in Thun.
The main sights in the city open at 10:00 am (i.e., Thun Castle), so you might want to arrive in Thun earlier than that to maximize your day in the city.
For me, the best perk of going to Thun early is that you’ll have the opportunity to see the city with fewer other tourists. That means better pictures, too!
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9:30 am — Thun Old Town Walking Tour & Visit Thun Castle
What’s so great about some cities in Switzerland, like Thun?
Their central public transportation hub is located, if not adjacent, within walking distance to the city centers. It’s the same for parking lots.
Although they were designed to serve the city’s residents, as a traveler, this always comes into my mind: it’s the government’s way of bringing their old towns to us “on a silver platter.”
That is why Thun Old Town is the first on the list on this Thun one-day itinerary.
And here’s what I recommend you do: explore Thun’s Old Town on foot to see its unique charming landmarks and visit Thun Castle to take in the breathtaking scenery of the Bernese Oberland from the castle’s tower.
Old Town Thun Visual Summary
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11:30 am — Balliz (Souvenirs and Lunch)
As you may already know, River Aare flows right into the heart of Thun.
It’s what makes the city even more picturesque and interesting. The calm water on the upper part of the river reflects the buildings along the quays. Together, they make picture-perfect scenes you’ll encounter as you explore the city.
On the flip side of the lock bridges, you can find locals surfing on the current released by the locks. If you are lucky, you can see them performing tricks.
But did you know that Thun has a small island in the middle of the Aare River?
That island is called Balliz.
And it is also a shopping district with a range of shops, cafes, fast food, and restaurants where you can rejuvenate after hours of walking and wandering in Thun Old Town.
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1:30 pm — Explore Schadau Castle Park and Thun Panorama
After your lunch, go to Schadau Park. It is the most beautiful place in Thun, outside Thun Old Town.
Schadau Park is worth visiting because it is a scenic park with an awe-inspiring castle, and beside the castle is a remarkable artwork, considered the world’s oldest circular painting: Thun Panorama.
Basically, it is a three-in-one not-so-ordinary destination. So you better not miss it on your Thun day tour.
Visual summary of your visit to Schadau Park
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4:00 pm — Wander in Oberhofen Castle
Have I already told you? I call Lake Thun the fairy tale lake of Switzerland because not only it has two castles along its shores, but five!
By going to Thun, you give yourself a chance to fully immerse yourself in the magical flair of its lake.
And for this Thun trip, we are taking that opportunity! So, the next destination is Oberhofen Castle—a 13th-century castle in Oberhofen in the district of Thun, a 20-minute bus (#21) ride from Thun train station.
This castle silently screams: “pull out your camera and take pictures of me!” LOL.
Visual summary of your visit to Oberhofen Castle
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Resources
So, that’s it! That’s the best way to spend a day in Thun. Which part did you like the most? If you need more information about some of the places I mentioned in this article, you can check the following links:
- More information about Schadau Castle (official website)
- Alternative to Schadau Castle: Kunstmuseum Thun (official website)
- Oberhofen Castle visiting information (official website)
Plan Your Trip Now
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There are more stunning destinations that await you in Bernese Oberland. They’re specifically located in the Jungfrau Region, which is less than an hour away from Thun. My favorites are Lauterbrunnen, which is called “Heaven on Earth,” Männlichen for a 360-degree view of the Jungfrau Region, and Harder Kulm, which is located above Interlaken.
