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 - Magic from eight centuries

Oberhofen Castle is a historical jewel on the shores of Lake Thun. The beginnings of this charming complex date back to the 13th century and it has undergone a fascinating development over time. The castle is surrounded by a charming park and offers breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

With its picturesque location and well-preserved architecture, Oberhofen Castle is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. The various rooms inside the castle are artfully decorated and house a diverse collection of historical objects and pieces of furniture.

The castle park is a place of relaxation, inviting visitors to stroll and linger. From the shores of Lake Thun, there is an impressive view of the castle reflected in the water.

Oberhofen Castle is also known for its cultural events and exhibitions that take place throughout the year. The combination of historical elegance, natural beauty and cultural offerings makes Oberhofen Castle a unique destination for visitors who appreciate history, art and the splendour of nature.

Spiez Castle - the medieval castle

The Spiez Castle is a charming historic fortress complex located on the shores of Lake Thun. The origins of this fortress date back to the 10th century, and it has been expanded and renovated over the centuries. The castle blends various architectural styles and offers a fascinating insight into the history of the region.

The striking location of Spiez Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the lake and the surrounding mountains, gives it a special visual presence. The complex includes various buildings, including a keep, a palace, and defensive structures. The interiors have been lovingly restored and equipped with historical furniture, paintings, and artifacts.

Visitors to the castle have the opportunity to wander through the interiors, enjoy the view from the towers, and explore the castle's park. The park is known for its variety of plants and flowers, offering a peaceful environment for walks.

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 hill

Thun Castle is a significant historic fortress located in the town of Thun, on the shores of Lake Thun in Switzerland. The castle was built in the 12th century and majestically overlooks the town and the lake. It's an outstanding example of medieval architecture and a landmark of the region.

The structure of Thun Castle consists of various buildings, including the imposing keep, the palace, and additional defensive structures. The architecture reflects the castle's evolution over the centuries, from its original medieval form to later extensions and adaptations.

Visitors to the castle have the opportunity to explore the historic rooms, furnished with authentic furniture and artifacts. This provides insight into the life and history of past centuries. From the castle's towers, there's an impressive view of the town of Thun, Lake Thun, and the surrounding Alps

Schadau Castle - the pearl on Lake Thun

Schadau Castle is an elegant castle on the shores of Lake Thun in the city of Thun. It was built in the 19th century in the style of historicism and is characterised by its harmonious architecture and picturesque location.

Schadau Castle captivates with its combination of classical elegance and a dreamlike setting. The façade of the castle is characterised by romantic elements and ornate details. Visitors can admire the beauty of the castle from the outside as well as explore the interior, which has been lovingly restored and offers insights into life at the time.

Schadau Castle is particularly famous for its extensive park, which lies directly on Lake Thun. This park is a green oasis of peace and offers a breathtaking view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It invites you to take relaxing walks and picnics.

Today, the castle houses a restaurant and café, offering visitors the opportunity to dine and enjoy the view in stylish surroundings. Schadau Castle is also a popular venue for weddings, events and cultural activities.

Breakfast

Surrounded by elegant tapestries and overlooking the lake and majestic mountains, Schadau Castle invites you to enjoy a delightful breakfast. Let yourself be pampered. Experience delicacies served directly to your table on a tiered stand. Fruit juices, coffee, and a glass of sparkling wine accompany fresh pastries, fruits, preserves, and a choice of egg dishes. Schadau Castle's breakfast is available daily from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Please note that the tables will be needed for lunch starting at 11:30 AM (starting at 11:00 AM on Sundays). Be sure to arrive at the castle by 10:30 AM.

Enjoy the castle breakfast for CHF 39.00 per person.

Sunday Brunch

Every Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Schadau Castle invites you to indulge in a lavish brunch buffet. During the warmer months, brunch is enjoyed outdoors on the garden terrace in good weather. In the winter and during cool or unstable weather, brunch is served indoors within the castle.

In the spirit of word creation, help yourself freely to the combined breakfast and lunch buffet. Look forward to a classic breakfast buffet, a variety of appetizers, a hearty Sunday roast with vegetables and sides, and a tempting array of desserts.

Your enjoyment is accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine, water, coffee, and tea. Fruit juices are readily available at the buffet.

The price per person is CHF 68.00.

Children up to 16 years old pay CHF 2.00 per year of age (without sparkling wine).

Opening hours Today (Wednesday) open

Hünegg Castle

Mid-May to end of 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

April to October: daily 10.00-17.00 o'clock
November to January: every Sunday 13.00-16.00 o'clock
February and March: daily 13.00-16.00 o'clock

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 Eintritt + Sonderausstellung
CHF 11.00 Concession* Eintritt + Sonderausstellung

Entry to Spiez Castle

CHF 12.00 Adults
CHF 10.00 Concession*
CHF 5.00 Children**
CHF 20.00 Family ticket***

* Students, apprentices, retirees, recipients of invalidity pension, groups of 12 or more people
** Aged 2–16
*** 2 adults and 2 children

Entry to Oberhofen Castle

CHF 12.00 Adults
CHF 10.00 Concession*
CHF 5.00 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.