Knowledge & culture

Oberhofen Castle by Lake Thun

Magic from eight centuries

Visit this romantic castle complex with its medieval keep, picturesque lakeside turrets, Oriental smoking room and large park with playground right by Lake Thun. The exhibition “Always at your service” introduces you to the daily lives of the servants, while children can enjoy an exciting knight’s trail.

Opening times

Season 2022: 8 May to 30 October

Tues–Sun 11.00–17.00 hours
Mon closed

Open Whit Monday

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

CHF 10.00 Adults
CHF 8.00 Concession*
CHF 2.00 Children aged 6 to 15.99
CHF 8.00 Groups of 10 or more people**

* Retirees, recipients of invalidity pension, unemployed people with ID, military personnel
** Per person

Free with Museum Pass, Oberhofen Museum Pass, Raiffeisen Card, Flexi Pass, Youth Pass, Museums Bern, VMS membership card

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

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.

Castle Museum

A tour of the museum (duration approx. 2 hours) is also a walk through the history of the previous castle owners and its inhabitants. Some rooms are museum-like, while in others you sense the presence of the former occupants.;

“Always at your service”

This new exhibition is dedicated to the servants who looked after the aristocratic family here in the 19th century. Following extensive restoration, the bed chambers of the servants will be made accessible to the public for the very first time.

Visitors will experience situations that took place behind closed doors and in the corridors of the servants’ quarters. The servants had to be at their employers’ beck and call at all hours. Domestic servants in white aprons are on permanent duty. What do they dream of when they sleep in their chambers at night? What do they yearn for? You can eavesdrop on the chamber maids as they hang up the laundry. It’s interesting to hear what they say about the fine ladies and gentlemen.

The insights into the world of the servants is complemented with general information on the status of domestic servants in around 1900 and is placed within a wider context.

Castle rooms & castle dreams

Oberhofen Castle was inhabited until the mid-20th century. Who spent time here and called the castle their home? And how did this former fortress become a fairy-tale palace for the aristocracy? This special exhibition goes in search of answers and spans more than 800 years of history as it traces the lives of the previous residents.

Oriental smoking room

At the top of the former keep is the Oriental fumoir, the smoking room of Count Albert de Pourtalès. The Count was a Prussian ambassador in Istanbul when he commissioned a spectacular interior in Oriental style for Oberhofen Castle.

Take a seat on one of the newly covered divans and you can let this unique setting do its work. The view of Lake Thun and the mountains is breathtaking from the highest point of the Castle.

Oberhofen Castle park

The landscaped park of Oberhofen Castle is an unrivalled paradise that invites you to linger and appreciate it. For children, there’s a play area on the gravel court near the pergola surrounded by linden trees.

Guided tours for groups

If you are travelling in a group and would like to get to know Oberhofen Castle better, book a guided tour. You can choose between several different theme tours.

Restaurant Schloss Oberhofen

In the castle restaurant you will be spoilt culinary at any time of day. Enjoy a cup of tea in the late morning at the glass front directly at the lake, coffee & cake in the afternoon or the house aperitif at the end of the day. In addition to a seasonal a la carte offer, a daily changing business lunch is served.

The romantic castle complex directly on Lake Thun offers a stylish setting for weddings, christenings, family celebrations, company events and seminars in a historical ambience.

Children & families

Oberhofen Castle is a family-friendly place and a great experience for young and old. In the park under the lime trees are swings and a chest with playthings for outdoor games, while at the castle gates is a public playground, accessible even when the museum is not open.

Dress up

On selected Sundays and during special events, you can dress up as a princess, knight, countess, count or ghost and so discover the castle!

Mouse Trail

Domestic staff cleaned the many rooms, cooked and served meals, received guests, helped their lords and ladies dress in fine clothes and occasionally drove mice from the noble rooms. But the mice knew where to hide! The mouse trail calls on children to help the servants search for the hidden castle inhabitants. Cupboards and small doors in the exhibition rooms may be opened for this purpose. Anyone who finds all the mice and answers all the questions gets a reward. The mouse trail is suitable for children from the age of 4 to 10 and is included in the entrance fee.

How to get there

By bus

From Thun railway station, take bus no. 21 in the direction of Oberhofen - Interlaken Ost or bus no. 25, express line Sigriswil. Bus stop: Oberhofen Dorf. 5 min. walk.