Knowledge & culture

The castles of Lake Thun

A fairytale kingdom stretches along the shores of Lake Thun.

Five splendid castles, each surrounded by extensive parkland, lie directly on the lakeside, offering incomparable panoramas of the Bernese Alps. The castles of Spiez, Hünegg, Oberhofen, Schadau and Thun will spirit you away into the historic world of the Swiss nobility.

All of the locations can be easily reached by boat or bus from Thun or Interlaken West.

Oberhofen Castle - welcome to a journey through time

Oberhofen Castle is a historical gem on Lake Thun. The romantic castle complex with its keep, built around 1200, can look back on a varied and fascinating history of ownership. The castle is surrounded by a spacious park with mature trees and offers breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. With its picturesque location, well-preserved buildings, gardens and interactive exhibitions, Oberhofen Castle is a popular excursion destination for visitors from all over the world. The “Oriental Salon” at the top of the tower with spectacular views as far as the Alps is particularly popular.

The museum provides insights into the castle's history, with a focus on the 19th century. At that time, the castle was owned by a noble Prussian family, who lived under the same roof as the servants who looked after the welfare of their lords. The exhibitions invite visitors to explore and experience the castle from different perspectives.

Oberhofen Castle is also known for its cultural events, which take place from May to October, and welcomes families in particular. For children aged 4 to 12, the “Knight's Trail” and the “Mouse Trail” offer attractive activities.

Spiez Castle - the medieval castle

The charming and historic Spiez Castle grounds are located on a peninsula on Lake Thun with views of the surrounding vineyards and Alps and the turquoise-blue lake. The origins of the castle date back to the 12th century. The castle combines various architectural styles and offers a fascinating insight into the history of the owner families and the region.

The complex comprises various buildings, including the old castle with its tower and the 1,000-year-old castle church. The rooms have been lovingly restored and furnished with historical furniture, paintings and artifacts. A museum has been set up in the historic rooms of the castle, which brings the stories of the former inhabitants to life. In the castle tower, knights' armor, medieval garments and quills are waiting to be tried out. Spiez Castle is also known for its annual small and fine art exhibitions.

Visitors and guests of the castle have the opportunity to stroll through the interior rooms, enjoy the view from the castle tower and explore the castle park. A visit to the museum store and the castle café round off the castle experience in Spiez. The castle park is known for its variety of plants and flowers and offers a relaxing environment for walks.

Highlights:

Annually changing art exhibition
Weekly public events for young and old
Castle breakfast in the castle café

Hünegg Castle with park - a fairytale on Lake Thun

Hünegg Castle is a historical landmark on the shores of Lake Thun in Switzerland. It was built in the late 19th century in the neo-Renaissance style and combines elements of various historical architectural styles. The castle is surrounded by a picturesque park and offers impressive views of Lake Thun and the surrounding mountains.

Originally designed as a summer residence for a Prussian baron and his wife living on Lake Thun, the castle now serves as a residential museum of historicism and Art Nouveau and gives visitors an insight into the lifestyle and design of the late 19th century. The interiors are magnificently furnished and illustrate the upscale lifestyle of the time in its original state.

Visitors can walk through the different rooms of the castle, admire antique furniture, works of art, historical objects and decorative elements. Hünegg Castle is a popular destination for tourists interested in architecture, history and culture, as well as for lovers of historic estates and gardens.

The castle is also often the venue for cultural events, exhibitions and concerts. The combination of the imposing architecture, the picturesque location and the cultural richness makes Hünegg Castle an enchanting place on Lake Thun.

Thun Castle - the mighty castle

At Thun Castle, you can experience culture and history up close. True to the motto: marvel and discover.

In the breathtaking setting of Thun Castle, the museum castle invites you on a journey through over 800 years of history. Visit the mighty donjon built by the dukes of Zähringen around 1200. Follow in the footsteps of Thun's urban development and discover exquisite treasures from the Thun Town Hall collection. Find out more about 800 years of history of the governors at Thun Castle – from the Zähring dynasty to the Kyburgs and the Thun mayor appointed in Bern. Experience the splendor of the high medieval knights' hall. Enjoy unique carpentry dating back to 1434 in the roof truss and the impressive view of the town, lake and Alpine panorama from the towers. There is also an annual special exhibition in the New Castle.

The castle can be reached in a few minutes from Thun railroad station and boat station via the old town via the castle steps or the church steps near the town hall square.

Schadau Castle - back to the present

Schadau Castle, built around 1852 as the summer residence of a banker from western Switzerland, is a cultural asset of national importance and one of the most significant works of romantic historicism. The castle was completely renovated between 2017 and 2019 and reopened as a hotel and restaurant.

The success of the conversion, which was accompanied by the preservation of historical monuments, is demonstrated by the fact that the establishment was named “Historic Hotel of the Year 2021” by ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

The 9 hotel rooms are all unique and enchant with views of Schadau Park with its ancient trees or across Lake Thun to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The restaurant on the first floor offers modern French-Mediterranean cuisine in a historic setting and the drinks menu features a large selection of port wines and sherry.

Guests can enjoy the culinary offerings throughout the day.
From daily breakfast (CHF 39.00) to afternoon tea (CHF 36.00) and Sunday brunch (CHF 68.00), the castle is worth a visit at any time of day.

In the winter months, the castle becomes a cultural monument with exhibitions, themed dinners, wedding dress parties and champagne events.

You can explore Schadau Castle with your own audio guide and return to the present on your own meditation path in the park. It goes without saying that this historical monument also offers public guided tours of the castle's architecture and history.

Schadau Castle is also a member of the “Swiss Historic Hotels” and offers the perfect setting for weddings and banquets for up to 70 guests.

Opening hours Today (Wednesday) open

Hünegg Castle

Mid-May to mid-October: Tuesday to Saturday 14.00–17.00 hours, Sunday and public holidays 11.00–17.00 hours

Oberhofen Castle

Mid-May to end of October: Tuesday to Sunday, 11.00–17.00 hours

Spiez Castle

April to end of October: Monday 14.00–17.00 hours, Tuesday to Sunday 10.00–17.00 hours
July and August: Monday 14.00–18.00 hours, Tuesday to Sunday 10.00–18.00 hours
General public holidays: 10.00–17.00 hours

Thun Castle

February and March: daily, 13.00–16.00 hours
April to June: daily, 10.00–17.00 hours
July to August: daily, 09.30–17.30 hours
September and October: daily, 10.00–17.00 hours
November to January: every Sunday, 13:00–16:00 hours
25 December to 4 January: daily, 13:00–16:00 hours

Schadau Castle

Open daily

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

Entry to Thun Castle museum

CHF 10.00 Adults
CHF 8.00 Concession*
CHF 3.00 Children aged 6 and over
CHF 20.00 Families**

* Students, apprentices, retirees, recipients of invalidity pension, groups of 10 or more people
** 2 adults and 2 children

For holders of the Museum Pass and for children under the age of 6, entry to the Castle Museum is free of charge.

Special exhibition Thun Castle Museum

CHF 5.00 Adults
CHF 3.00 Concession*

Combi-ticket Thun Castle Museum

CHF 15.00 Adults Admission + Special exhibition
CHF 11.00 Concession* Admission + Special exhibition

Entry to Spiez Castle

CHF 16.00 Adults incl. art exhibition
CHF 14.00 Concession* incl. art exhibition
CHF 7.00 Children (6 to 16 years) incl. art exhibition
CHF 20.00 Family ticket A 1 adult + max. 4 children under 16 years
CHF 30.00 Family ticket B 2 adults + max. 4 children under 16 years

* Students, apprentices, retirees, recipients of invalidity pension, groups of 12 or more people
** only available for the castle museum

Entry to Oberhofen Castle

CHF 14.00 Adults
CHF 12.00 Concession*
CHF 6.00 Children**
CHF 20.00 Family ticket A (1 adult with up to 4 children under 16)
CHF 30.00 Family ticket B (2 adults with up to 4 children under 16)

* Students, retirees, recipients of invalidity pension, groups of 10 or more people
** Aged 6–16

Entry to Hünegg Castle

CHF 10.00 Adults
CHF 8.00 Concession*
CHF 5.00 Children**

* Students, retirees, recipients of invalidity pension, groups of 10 or more people
** Aged 6–16

Lake Thun Castle Card

The Castle Card (Schlössercard) grants individuals / families discounted entry to four major cultural-heritage sites by Lake Thun and a refreshment break at the Restaurant Schloss Schadau.

The Castle Card is valid for one year from the date of issue. You therefore have plenty of time to explore the four museum castles and enjoy a good coffee, prosecco or syrup on the wonderful terrace offering panoramic views of the mountains.

CHF 35.00 Individuals
CHF 70.00 Families (2 adults, 2 children)

Included in the price:

Entry to the castle museums at Thun, Oberhofen, Hünegg and Spiez
1 drink (coffee, prosecco, wine, syrup) per person at Schadau Castle

Available at the reception desk of each of the five Lake Thun castles: Spiez, Schadau, Thun, Hünegg and Oberhofen.

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration

BLS suggestion

Boat trip on Lake Thun

Why not combine a visit to the castles with a boat trip on Lake Thun?

Rittertrail

What child doesn't dream of becoming a knight?

The wish to become a knight can be fulfilled in the castles of Thun, Oberhofen and Spiez on the Knight's Trail. Pass exams like in the Middle Ages while you are trained in three levels: page, squire and knight. Successful knighting between the castles rewards you with knighthood. Replay situations of a knight-to-be, solve tasks and earn stamps for progress. Each level can be completed in any castle, but change required after page training.