This post might contain affiliate links.
As a wanderer, I count Lake Thun, along with Lauterbrunnen in the Jungfrau Region, among my favorite destinations in Switzerland.
The turquoise water of the lake, the towering snowcapped mountains above — it’s a sight that paints peace onto our minds. Add the castles to the scene, and it becomes a fantasy in reality.
Did you know that Lake Thun is surrounded by five castles? I discovered them while exploring the lake, and they simply reinforced my belief that Lake Thun is indeed Switzerland’s fairytale lake.
The overall experience at Lake Thun is something I would highly recommend to travelers who, like me, hail from the total opposite side of the world, both literally and figuratively.
One of us? Well, whether you’re planning an extended weekend in Switzerland or a week-long getaway, Lake Thun is definitely worth considering.
If you want to create your own itinerary, my list of 10 beautiful attractions around Lake Thun would be a great start.
However, you might not need to do that since I also have my own Lake Thun itinerary, which you’ll see in a bit. It will give you an idea of how to spend a day in Lake Thun, visiting the highlights, castles, and breathtaking ultimate viewpoints.
Good to know
When I was exploring Thun, I discovered a plethora of attractions and places to visit.
From unlimited lake cruise rides to mountaintop viewpoints, anyone could easily spend a day at Lake Thun.
Let’s not forget the water activities. And if you wish, you could join a group visiting the lake’s classic attractions.
There are also once-in-a-lifetime activities available, such as helicopter rides and tandem paragliding flights.
What’s more?
More than 10 villages and towns sit around this lake, awaiting you to visit. They could be amazing destinations, especially if you’re the kind of person who loves to wander and go off the beaten path.
These include Aeschi, Gunten, Hilterfingen, Hünibach, Interlaken, Krattigen, Leissigen, Merligen, Oberhofen, Sigriswil, Spiez, and Thun. You can check the official website of Switzerland at the resources section of this post to learn more.
With so many things to do and places to visit in Lake Thun, I definitely understand if you might feel a little overwhelmed planning a trip here.
Been there, done that!
But what would be the best way to explore the lake? Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there could be an ideal way for everyone.
For wanderers, here’s what I can suggest: try the things that are unique to Lake Thun.
This means visiting unique attractions like the town of Thun, Oberhofen Castle, Spiez, and either Mount Niesen or Niederhorn. If the weather does not cooperate, consider replacing Mount Niesen or Mount Niederhorn with Saint Beatus Caves, as this attraction can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.
- Visit the town of Thun because it has a castle that offers a magical view of the Bernese Oberland;
- Oberhofen Castle because of its beautiful blend of scenery and architecture;
- Spiez for its unique Mediterranean flair; and
- Mount Niesen or Niederhorn for their unique breathtaking views of the region.
This will be our approach for this itinerary.
One of the most important things to do before going on a trip to Lake Thun is to familiarize yourself with the transportation around the lake.
This is necessary not only to avoid getting lost, but also to make the most of your trip.
It means that we don’t want to waste a significant portion of our day at the lake asking for directions or missing a boat ride from one destination to another.
However, if it’s your first time in Switzerland, here’s some good news: the country has immaculate public transportation, and Lake Thun is no exception.
The sole reason I’d consider renting a car for Lake Thun is if I were seeking the ultimate scenic drive. The northern shoreline near Sigriswil is merely one place where you’d prefer to decelerate and immerse yourself in the pleasing landscape for a bit longer.
Public transportation around Lake Thun comes in three forms: trains, buses, and ferries.
Buses cater to the northeastern side of the lake, while trains traverse the towns and villages on the southwestern side of Lake Thun.
Ferries make stops at nearly every town or village on Lake Thun, significantly reducing travel time between opposite sides of the lake.
Funiculars and cable cars provide connections from the mountain tops to the nearest towns.
Refer to the map below for a comprehensive overview of Lake Thun’s public transportation services.
The longest cruise on Lake Thun spans its 17-kilometer length, from Interlaken to Thun (and vice versa)—the towns at the two ends of Lake Thun—and lasts for over 2 hours.
Naturally, travel times are shorter when using trains and buses.
IMPORTANT: The last time I checked, the boat ride information on Google Maps was outdated. For more accurate travel time estimates, check the interactive timetable of the Lake Thun boat cruise on bls-schiff.ch (BLS cruise). I’ve included a link to the timetable in the resources section of this post.
Here’s a tip: If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland for a few days, ideally a week, it might be a good idea to get yourself a Swiss Travel Pass.
This one-time-purchase card covers many attractions in Switzerland and offers unlimited use of public transportation. Especially if you’re going to be visiting numerous places and using public transportation frequently, this pass can be a real bargain.
The cost of a single Swiss Travel Pass is often significantly lower than the combined price of individual admission fees or tickets.
Full Itinerary Details
Located in the heart of Switzerland, Lake Thun offers visitors several ideal starting points for their journey. The most popular jump-off locations include…
- Spiez (west of Lake Thun), which is frequented by visitors from Gstaad, Montreux, Visp, Kandersteg, Brig, or Zermatt.
- Interlaken (southern tip of Lake Thun) is another common starting point, particularly for travelers from Lucerne and the rest of the Bernese Oberland.
- Lastly, Thun (northern tip of Lake Thun) is a favorite among tourists from Bern, Basel, and Zurich.
Regardless of your origin, though, I recommend beginning your trip at the northern part of Lake Thun, and there is a couple of reasons for this.
- The tourist attractions in the northern part of the lake are conveniently close to each other. This proximity allows you to visit more places in the early part of your day without the crowds that typically gather around midday.
- Thun serves as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. The city offers stunning panoramas of the Bernese Alps and Lake Thun, providing a visual “appetizer” for the beautiful experiences that await you later in the day.
Morning
So yes, this trip to Lake Thun begins in Thun.
From this charming town, you’ll gradually uncover the beauty of Lake Thun, moving southward towards Oberhofen Castle, drawing ever closer to the even more breathtaking Bernese Alps.
Visual summary of your morning visiting Lake Thun
Thun, in a nutshell, is a small city packed with beautiful sights. Despite its smaller size, Thun bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful city of Lucerne, particularly in terms of its charm.
Once you arrive, my suggestion is to immerse yourself in the city’s viewpoints, picture-perfect spots, and notable landmarks. Explore Old Town Thun on foot. It’s a wander-worthy place!
Like Lucerne, Thun has its own version of the Chapel Bridge, known as the Untere and Obere Schleuse Brücke. Thun also has a medieval landmark that dominates its skyline. If Lucerne has the Musegg Wall, Thun has Thun Castle in Schlossberg, which will undoubtedly be the highlight of your visit.
There are several amazing things you can see when visiting Thun Castle, but the views from here are the best part! I am one hundred percent sure you’ll love them too!
Note: With this itinerary, you won’t be able to explore the interiors of Thun Castle or visit its tower for the highest overlooking view of the city and Lake Thun. However, you can visit the pavilion behind the church to enjoy a nearly identical view.
If you’re interested in finding the attractions in Thun Old Town and other nearby places, feel free to check out my map of Thun.
In this map, you can also find other attractions in Thun that you might want to visit, say, if you finish exploring Old Thun quickly.
One such attraction is Thun Panorama, a hidden gem of the town.
On the other hand, Oberhofen Castle is a picturesque castle offering amazing views of Lake Thun. It will be your next destination after Thun.
Don’t worry, getting there is pretty straightforward; it’s just a short bus ride away. Bus #21.
I think you should be excited, especially since Oberhofen Castle offers many beautiful things to see and discover!
Oberhofen Castle is a time-transporting museum… and a stunning architectural surprise in one of its rooms awaits you!
The castle also has a restaurant where you can enjoy lunch while taking in the lake views after exploring the castle and its garden.
Part 1 (Morning):
Thun Old Town DIY Walking Tour (with a Map, Route, and Tips)
Part 2 (Morning):
Afternoon
After enjoying your lunch, you’ll be heading to Spiez, another picturesque town that boasts yet another castle. Finally, Mount Niesen, which offers a sweeping view of Lake Thun.
I recommend Mount Niesen because I simply can’t think of any other place that offers such a panoramic view of Lake Thun!
The view from this unique mountain could indeed be utterly spectacular.
However, depending on the season and weather, you might want to consider other attractions like Niederhorn. It’s a beautiful alternative to Mount Niesen, especially since Mount Niesen isn’t easily accessible during winter.
The funicular to this mountain only operates outside of the winter season.
If the weather turns completely against you, you can still make the most of the day by visiting the Saint Beatus Caves.
Early Afternoon: Spiez
From Oberhofen Castle, you can quickly reach Spiez by a 20-minute boat ride.
The last time I checked, there was a 12:00 pm departure from Oberhofen. The boat makes a stop at Gunten before arriving at Spiez.
Perched on the southern shores of Lake Thun, Spiez offers 180-degree views of the lake and the Emmental Alps. The pyramid mountain of Switzerland, Mount Niesen, dominates the Spiez skyline with its triangular appearance.
Late Afternoon: Mount Niesen
Lake Thun is surrounded by majestic mountains. You’ll start to truly appreciate them as you reach the southern half of the lake, where the peaks rise above 2000 meters. Among these towering mountains, Mount Niesen is sure to catch your attention.
Some people call it the ‘Swiss Pyramid,’ and indeed, it will captivate you, especially when you reach Spiez, where this triangular mountain dominates the horizon.
Alternative Destinations
After visiting the mountains several times, I’ve learned my lessons.
The season, weather, and timing are crucial to truly enjoy the visit.
Once, I climbed the mountains and came home very disappointed. It rained during my climb, and all I saw was a white wall of fog. Since then, I always have a backup plan whenever I plan a trip to mountainous areas like Lake Thun and the Swiss Alps in general.
Here’s a tip: just after you finish your lunch, immediately check the live webcam broadcasts for Mount Niesen and Niederhorn.
These live broadcasts could save your day; they can give you hints about whether going to the summit is worth it or not.
If you see a wall of fog, consider visiting Saint Beatus Caves in the late afternoon after your visit to Spiez.
You can check the live cam view of Mount Niesen and Niederhorn at their official websites (linked at the resources section)
If you plan to visit Lake Thun during winter, Niederhorn is the place to go if you also want to see panoramic views of Lake Thun, similar to what you can see from Mount Niesen.
Niederhorn is not only accessible during winter, but it also offers a wide range of winter outdoor activities, from skiing to snowshoeing, sledding, paragliding, and more.
So, where is Niderhorn?
Niederhorn is one of the peaks in the Emmental Alps (north of Lake Thun), almost 2000 meters tall. It is one of the mountains you can find on the other side of Lake Thun if you are currently in Spiez.
Aside from being a stunning vantage point of Lake Thun, you would also like to come here because it is also a beautiful viewing point of the Jungfrau Region.
Niederhorn’s slopes decline facing south, toward the Jungfrau massif. It’s like a giant natural theater for the three Bernese Oberland superstar peaks: Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
The opposite side of Niderhorn has natural scenery to also convince you to come to this mountain.
If you’re a landscape photographer, you’ll probably take numerous photos of the spectacular valley, ridge, and cliffs formed by this mountain and Rothorn.
There are a few ways you can get to Niederhorn from Spiez. But since you will be coming from Spiez Castle, which is very close to the town’s harbor, I recommend going for a boat ride.
Unlike Niesen, there’s no specific time that you need to catch in Niederhorn.
You can go to Niederhorn anytime you want and not miss anything. From Spiez Schiffstation, you have to get a boat ride to Beatenbucht. It is usually a 25-minute boat ride, dropping by a couple of towns in between.
Alternatively, you can also hop in a boat that has a stop in Gunten (See). Disembark there, and walk to Gunten Dorf (a 5-minute walk).
In Gunten Dorf, you can find buses #21 (heading to Interlaken), which would also bring you to Beatenbucht. This route takes a little longer, about 30 minutes of travel time.
Once you reach Beatenbucht, ride the funicular up to Beatenberg-Niederhorn cable car valley station.
Continue to Niderhorn summit by riding the cable car.
Overall, the journey to Niederhorn from Beatenbucht would take not more than 45 minutes.
I linked the official website of Niederhorn in the resources section. On their website, you can find different programs and activities to make your visit worth it.
Also, kindly check the updated timetables and availability of the facilities before heading to the mountain.
If, unfortunately, you come to Lake Thun with the weather not cooperating, you don’t need to worry. Saint Beatus Caves got your back!
Saint Beatus Caves is a network of caves above the shores of Lake Thun in the Niederhorn Massif, near Interlaken.
It is a popular tourist attraction which showcases a kilometer of underground beauty that includes numerous impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique rock formations.
For me, Saint Beatus Caves is another twist in a journey in Lake Thun.
Like, who would expect that there are more to see in Lake Thun other than blue water, charming towns, magical castles, and awe-inspiring mountains? Most importantly, visiting Saint Beatus Caves is both entertaining and educational.
Along the pathways inside the cave, you’ll see the rock formations made even more spectacular by the light installations inside the cave.
Information screens are placed beside them to quench the curiosity about the rocks that they can spark in you.
You also get to discover a part of Bernese Oberland’s heritage when you visit Saint Beatus Caves. Right at the beginning of your tour inside the cave, the legend of Saint Beatus is narrated by informational screens and boards.
In a brief summary, the legend says that Saint Beatus, a hermit, killed a fire-breathing dragon that lived inside the cave.
And if you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, I’m sure you’ll love the waterfalls that cascade into several streams outside Saint Beatus Caves.
The waterfalls spout out under the quaint medieval-looking pathway, which should remind you of Rivendell—the home of the elves.
So, how can you get to Saint Beatus Caves from Spiez? There are a few ways to get to Saint Beatus Caves from Spiez. The quickest and most scenic route is by boat.
Saint Beatus Caves has its own ferry terminal (Beatushöhlen Sundlauenen), and you can find boat rides in Spiez that have a stop on it. The boat ride is approximately 50 minutes long.
After arriving at Beatushöhlen Sundlauenen, you still have to hike for 20 minutes to reach the entrance to the cave.
Saint Beatus Caves also has a restaurant, and if you want, you can have your dinner at it. The restaurant also has an epic overlooking view of Lake Thun—have your tummies and eyes satisfied!
Disclaimer: Saint Beatus Caves’ restaurant is also a tourist favorite. If you really want to eat there, it’s better to book a table ahead of time. The restaurant gets full quickly, especially during the peak season.
You might find this article helpful:
10 Attractions in Lake Thun That Make the Lake Worth a Visit
You might find these interesting!
Itinerary Timestamps
So, there you have it! That’s how you can spend a day in Lake Thun, no matter the season or weather. If you’re curious about how to carry out this itinerary, here’s the sequence with timestamps:
Morning in Lake Thun
- 6:00 am — Breakfast
- 7:00 am — Thun Old Town Walking Tour (snack time after the tour)
- 9:30 am — Bus to Oberhofen Castle
- 10:00 am — Oberhofen Castle
Afternoon in Lake Thun
- 12:00 pm — Boat to Spiez (last time I checked, 12:05 pm was the departure time of the boat)
- 12:30 pm — Lunch at Spiez castle restaurant & explore the castle park.
- 1:45 pm — Head to Spiez train station (last time I checked, 1:49 pm was the bus departure time from the harbor)
- 2:00 pm — Depart Spiez (last time I checked, 2:12 pm is the train departure time)
- 2:30 pm — arrival at Mülenen and walk to Niesen funicular valley station
- 3:00 pm — Funicular ride to the summit
- 3:30 pm — Enjoy and relax at Niesen’s summit
- 5:45 pm — Descent from Niesen
- 6:15 pm — Head back to the hotel
Author’s Note: In this one-day Lake Thun itinerary, you might want to skip Spiez Castle (since you’ve already visited Oberhofen Castle) if the schedule seems too packed. I recommend booking your tickets (for the boat, trains, and funicular) online and in advance to save time at the ticket counters. A Swiss Travel Pass and other regional day passes (see the resources section) can be really helpful in saving time and keeping to your schedule.
Also, note that the time stamps above are only estimates. Please double-check the schedules and timetables of the public transportation involved for your Lake Thun trip. Also, please expect adjustments you may apply considering the following factors:
- weather
- preventive maintenance of the facilities
- local events
- holidays
That would be all! I hope you enjoy your journey in Lake Thun. 🙂
Is One Day Enough?
As you may have discovered throughout this Lake Thun itinerary, it’s impossible to visit every tourist attraction around Lake Thun in a single day. So, do you need an additional day in Lake Thun?
A single day should be sufficient to visit Lake Thun and see its highlights: a charming town, a fairytale-like castle, and a breathtaking mountaintop destination.
However, you might want to allocate more time if you’re seeking a relaxing, laid-back trip to Lake Thun. If you prefer, you could arrange it this way: a 2-day visit to Lake Thun.
For instance, spend one whole day in Thun and visit Oberhofen Castle, then explore the rest of the Lake Thun attractions on the following day.
Take note: While it might seem tempting to spend more than one day in Lake Thun, I’m not strongly advocating for it. Particularly if your trip to Switzerland is less than a week, one day in Lake Thun is enough, and you can spend the rest of your time seeing other beautiful places in Switzerland.
In fact, you don’t have to venture outside central Switzerland to visit some.
Spend a few days in Bern, which is just 30 minutes away from Thun, to see its well-architected city and its scenic city view.
Alternatively, you can go to Lucerne. Two days in Lucerne is fun with a mix of nature and city adventure.
And let’s not forget about the Jungfrau Region!
There’s so much to see there. I don’t know where to start! LOL. Here are my top suggestions: Aside from Lauterbrunnen, try Wengen, Murren, or Gimmelwald for the utmost idyllic alpine village experience.
Resources & References
Here are the links that can help you plan further and prepare your Lake Thun trip.
- Spiez Castle (Official Website)
- Mount Niesen (Official Website)
- Niederhorn (Official Website)
- Saint Beatus Caves (Official Website)
- Lake Thun Cruise Timetable (Official Website)
- SBB.ch (bus schedules, train timetables, regional passes, and more)
- List of activities and tours in Bernese Oberland (GetYourGuide)
- Attractions and more things to do in Lake Thun (Official website of Switzerland)
Plan Your Trip Now
Here are my recommended services
Do you like visiting lakes? Well, well, well! Switzerland has another stunning lake you can visit. It’s called Lake Brienz and it’s the largest lake with the brightest turquoise water in the entire country (as far as I know). Amazingly, it’s also home to a picturesque village called Iseltwald. For a high-altitude location where you can capture an inverted image of the mountain peaks, Bachalpsee near Grindelwald is the place to go. Check them out! 😍
