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Switzerland Destination Information and Travel Reservation Services
Mountain ResortsZermattSt. MoritzGrindelwaldGstaadDavosMuerrenWengenLake-sideInterlakenMontreuxAsconaLocarnoNeuchatelMurtenThun |
Thun Attractions and Activities Thun offers a very charming Old Town to stroll around and for shopping, and the Lake of Thun invites to a number of activities on and in the water as well as along the shores. The city, called the gate of the Bernese Oberland is an ideal base for making daily excursions to the many attractions in the Jungfrau region, the Simmental Valley, and also to most of the larger Swiss cities. We are presenting just a few options. Shopping: Museums: Book Online:
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Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 40 minutes by train from Thun to the top). From Muelenen in the valley of the River Kander, a spectacular ride in a funicular alongside the world’s longest stairway (with 11,674 steps) takes visitors up to an observation platform with a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Bernese Alps, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, the Bernese Mittelland and right up to the Jura. The Niesen also offers an extensive network of hiking trails and a restaurant including mountain lodge. This mountain is often called the Swiss Pyramid, and was the subject of a number of paintings by 
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 70 minutes by train from Thun to the top). An excursion to the Stockhorn is possible during summer and winter months. From Erlenbach, a village in the Simmental, the cable car takes visitors up to the well maintained hiking trails and circular walks, and the idyllic mountain lakes which are popular for fishing. The restaurant with its large sun terrace offers delicious meals in a cosy atmosphere and a fantastic panoramic view of more than 200 mountain peaks.
Half-day or Full-day excursion (approx. 70 minutes by bus and funicular from Thun to the top). You can get there by bus and funicular or taking a cruise on Lake Thun to Beatenbucht, and then up to Beatenberg by funicular and by aerial cableway to the top of the Niederhorn. This mountain is one of the most popular vantage points in the Bernese Oberland. Fine panoramic views extend from the Lakes of Thun and Brienz to the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau. In addition, this mountain offers winter sports during the winter months, and several hiking paths during winter and summer - you might want to rent a Trotti-Bike for a special way to descend to the village of Beatenberg.
Full-day excursion (approx. 3 hours by train from Thun to the top). Snow and ice 100% guaranteed! The UNESCO World Heritage offers the Sphinx observation hall, an impressive Ice Palace and a hiking plateau in the glacier - these are year-round attractions up on the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Summer attractions include a skilift, husky-drawn sledging and adventure activities.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 2 hours by train from Thun to the top). The most spectacular 360° panorama in the Alps! Dine-and-wine in the world's first revolving restaurant at an altitude of nearly 3,000 metres. Impressive views embrace some 200 snow-capped peaks, ranging from the Bernese Alps to Mont Blanc in France and Germany's Black Forest.
Full-day excursion (approx. 4 1/2 hours by train from Thun via Interlaken and Lucerne to the top; 3 1/2 hours by train via Bern). Snow and Fun all year round; the Titlis is the highest alpine tourist destination in Central Switzerland, and the Titlis Rotair is the world's first revolving cable car. Visitors will be impressed by attractions such as the Ice Flyer chairlift or the Glacier Park. From Thun, this destination can be reached through the Bernese Oberland via Interlaken: drive along Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and over the Brünig Pass, or take the scenic train Golden Pass from Spiez via Interlaken to Lucerne.
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/2 hours by train from Thun to the top). The journey takes you through the Lötschberg-Tunnel and then, on the Glacier Express route climbing through rugged valley landscape, to Zermatt. Then continue this popular excursion either by cogwheel railway to the Gornergrat or by gondola to the Klein Matterhorn to enjoy great views of the world famous Matterhorn.
Half-day or Full-day excursion, (approx. 2 hours by train from Thun to the top). Take the cosy cogwheel railway to this superb vantage point, where the views of the Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau are acclaimed as the finest. Other attractions include extensive hiking trails, the Lowa Hiking Shoe Test Center and, especially for our little ones, the "Teedyland", a large Teddy Bear exhibition. The Alpine Garden is a famous botanical attraction that comprises some 500 different flowering plants and ferns grouped in 15 groups of near-natural locations. From mid-June until late September, the Alpine Garden is an ever changing blaze of colour.
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/4 hours by train from Thun to the top). Take a trip up to the Rothorn on Switzerland's only surviving steam-driven cogwheel railway. The route passes through wonderful woodland, over mountain pastures and past rugged rockfaces. The scenic summit is an ideal departure point for memorable mountain hikes and to observe Alpine animals.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 30 minutes by train from Thun). Interlaken, the small town between the cristal-clear lakes of Thun and Brienz is surrounded by Alpine pearls such as sparkling streams, fantastic falls and extraordinary mountain scenery including the famous peaks of the Eiger, the Moench and the Jungfrau. Don't miss strolling along Interlaken's famous "Höheweg" promenade - it is one of the best locations in Switzerland for souvenir and watch shopping, and offers superbe views of the Jungfrau mountain range. Consider combining the excursion to Interlaken with visiting other sights of the Jungfrau region, such as the 
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 20 minutes by train from Thun). Founded in 1191, this is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions of Bern include several historic sites such as the famous Clock Tower, the bearpits (home to the city's heraldic animals), the House of Parliament, the Paul Klee Center, the Swiss Alpine Museum, and excellent shopping arcades.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 85 minutes by train from Thun). There are various routes to get from Thun to Lucerne: either going or on your return, take the scenic ride on the 
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 hours by train from Thun). This attractive excursion crosses the "border" between German and French-speaking Switzerland and takes you to the shores of Lake Geneva. Enjoy the mild climate and the beautiful terraced vineyards of Lavaux that are part of the UNESCO world heritage. While in Montreux, you want to consider visiting one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Switzerland, the Chateau de Chillon: in the 13th century this castle was built in a unique setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, and today also serves as a typical postcard souvenir from Switzerland. There are various routes to get from Thun to Montreux, either via Spiez and through the Loetschberg Tunnel to the Rhone Valley; or via Bern and Lausanne, or the 
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 85 minutes by train from Thun). In Basel you can live and breathe art and culture. The city promises "Culture Unlimited" and sparkles with an incomparable programme of culture and leisure activities. The city also is known as an important trade center, and an interesting place of archtiecture offering both - old historic buidlings as well as modern structures designed by world famous architects.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 85 minutes by train from Thun). Zurich is Switzerland's largest city, and with its famous "Bahnhofstrasse" (business and shopping street) is considered the country's most important financial, industrial and commercial center. It is also known to be the intellectual capital of the nation and particularly receptive to contemporary trends associated with younger generations. Zurich and the surrounding region is home to the biggest number of museums and exhibitions in Switzerland - the city offers a wealth of history, architecture, and culture, and is an absolutely charming, interesting and beautiful place to visit.
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/4 hours by train from Thun). Known for being headquarters for many international organizations, Geneva also features the world's tallest fountain, the Jet d'Eau, Cathedrals, the University, the Opera and numerous museums and libraries. Check out the Horology Museum that highlights the importance of clock and watch making to the Genevan economy.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 90 minutes by train and bus from Thun). Experience Switzerland as it used to be! In Ballenberg rural culture and the life of our ancestors becomes a fascinating experience. More than one hundred century-old buildings from all over Switzerland, 250 farmyard animals, traditional, old-time gardens and fields, demonstrations of local crafts and many special events create a vivid impression of rural life in days gone by.
Half-day excursion (approx. 35 minutes by bus from Thun). Switzerland's first and only underground cave museum - spectacular but safe. Explore this mysterious maze of stalactites, stalagmites, lakes and waterfalls to a depth of 3,000 meters. Located on the shores of Lake Thun, you can get there by ship, car, bus - or on foot along the historic Pilgrims' Path.
Half-day excursion (approx. 70 minutes by train and bus from Thun). The wildly-romantic gorge, with its mills, erosion, pink and green marble blocks, is a masterpiece of nature. From the Gletscherschlucht hotel-restaurant a wooden walkway leads over raging water, through galleries and tunnels in the rock over 1,000 m (approx. 0.7 miles) into the depths of the gorge. At the entrance to the Glacier Gorge there is a crystal museum with minerals found in the Bernese Alps. The Glacier Gorge is reached within 35 minutes on foot from the center of Grindelwald, or by bus from Grindelwald station within just a few minutes.
Half-day excursion (approx. 80 minutes by train and bus from Thun). Located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley between Stechelberg and Lauterbrunnen. 10 glacier-waterfalls inside the mountain made accessible by tunnel-lift and illuminated. The Trummelbach river drains the mighty glacier defiles of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains - up to 20,000 liters of water per second.
The Aare Gorge is situated between Meiringen and Innertkirchen in the valley of Hasli. The gorge is 1.4 kilometres long and up to 180 metres deep. For more than 100 years, the gorge is accessible to visitors by a system of safe paths and tunnels that run through it. The walk through the gorge is a very special way to experience nature.
Half- or Full-day excursion or evening cruise. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on a modern motorship or one of the renovated stately steamers. Excellent catering and banquet facilities, theme events and club, company and family festivities, paddle steamer with children's club, evening cruises with entertainment.
Thun Tourism and partners offer varied and informative tours which give an insight into the hidden corners, history, art and culture of this Zähringer city. The guided walking tours of the Old Town and the castle are offered each Wednesday and Saturday from Mai through October (plus on Friday from July - September only) starting at 2 PM at the tourist office (at the railway station), lasting approx. 1.5 hours at a price of CHF 15.00 per person. There also are specially themed and/or seasonal tours available - detailed information at the Thun Tourist Office.
Full-day excursion. In Spiez or Interlaken you can board the scenic Golden Pass train with its panoramic wagons. Your destination either is 
The Lake of Thun is crystal clear and is inviting to enjoy activities on and in the water. There are several public swimming areas; most popular the "Thuner Strandbad", one of Europe's most beautiful lake-side beaches offering numerous options on 50,000 m2 (538,350 sq. ft.), but also the "Schwaebis" river beach to enjoy swimming in the Aare river. Other Lake Thun watersports include sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding, boating and scuba diving.
Thun is an excellent destination for leisure and adventurous hiking. The greater region features more than 500 km (310 miles) of summer hiking paths: from strolls along the shores of the lake with its Mediterranean atmosphere, to panoramic walks with views of Lake Thun and mountain walks with views of some of Switzerland’s 4,000 m peaks - it is all possible here. Free brochures with suggestions for walks, and various detailed hiking maps are available at the local tourist office.
Enjoy biking through the wonderful scenery of the Bernese Oberland. Around Lake Thun there is a huge choice of great bike routes: you can choose to ride along the shores of the lake or up in the foothills of the Alps with views of the peaks of the Bernese Alps.
There are 3 golf clubs in the Thun region: 36 holes at the 
include indoor sports such as Badminton, Squash and Tennis, Billard, Pool and Bowling, and Fitness; outdoor leisure activities such as Fishing, Horseback Riding, Nordic Walking, Beach Volleyball, Minigolf and Inline-Skating; or adventure sports such as Mountaineering, Rock-Climbing, Sky Diving, Paragliding, Bungy Jumping and River Rafting (on the rivers Aare, Simme and Luetschine, a Class 4 white water rafting river).
During winter months, sports activities within Thun's city limits mainly consist of indoor sports such as Badminton, Squash and Tennis, Billard, Pool and Bowling, Fitness and Swimming, but also winter sports such as Curling and Ice Skating (2 rinks, and sometimes on frozen lakes nearby), Winter Walking along the shores of Lake Thun and in Heiligenschwendi and Goldiwil, situated in the hills and forests above Thun, and in Heiligenschwendi even Cross Country Skiing (2 trails), Skiing (1 lift), and Sledging are possible.
- The Jungfrauregion with the famous resorts of 
- The Saanenland with 
Eriz and Heimenschwand, 
Just 30 minutes from Thun, the Casino Kursaal Interlaken is a unique complex which was built at the end of the 19th century with spacious halls and elegant gardens. The tradition of gambling at the casino dates way back to 1858. Today you find slot machines, Black Jack, Poker and American Roulette tables - try your luck or visit the Swiss Folklore Show at the Restaurant "Spycher".
Mostly covered under the "Lauben" similar to Bern, Thun's picturesque Old Town provides for a different shopping experience offering souvenirs, watches, sports equipment and much more. You'll also find all the handicrafts and art objects you could possibly need. There are over 900 large and small shops of all types most of them located within a small area, and there also are lovely cafés and restaurants for shoppers needing a break.
Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 9 AM – 6:30 PM
In Thun, there are more than 10 different markets: weekly, monthly and special markets offering a huge range of products - from local products to all types of services, and lots of delicacies to taste, too. 
Indians have for decades enjoyed Swiss landscapes in Bollywood films, and especially the Bernese Oberland has served as the background for numerous films for more than 50 years. In fact, up to 50 film crews visit the Lake Thun region each year, and therefore, the Bollywood Festival in Thun is a perfect opportunity to present Indian culture - films, dances, songs, and culinary delights to the local people as well as to visitors.
For years the Castle Concerts Thun have been a highlight for fans of classical music. The series of concerts is performed in churches, in the castle, in other halls or even on a ship, always providing a special atmosphere. Well-known musicians from near and far make up the program and often provide some acoustic surprises.
Each summer, the "Thuner Seespiele" present a new musical on Europe's most beautiful stage - situated on the shores of Lake Thun with the peaks of the Bernese Alps serving as an impressive background.
New dimensions in a magnificent mountain world - the most beautiful and spectacular endurance event in the Swiss mountains! From Thun (560 m / 1,837 ft above sea level) up to the Schilthorn summit (3,000 m / 9,840 ft): 3.1 km / 1.9 miles swimming (Lake Thun: from Thun to Oberhofen), 86 km / 53.4 miles biking (from Oberhofen via Sigriswil, Beatenberg, Interlaken, Meiringen and Grosse Scheidegg to Grindelwald), 31 km / 19.3 miles mountain biking (from Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg) and 25 km / 15.5 miles uphill run (from Stechelberg via Lauterbrunnen and Muerren to the top of the Schilthorn).
The Ausschiesset can be traced back to the 16th century. Originally the festival marked the end of the shooting club’s shooting practices: processions were held and a meal was eaten together, and in later times, a ball was organised. Hand in hand with the Ausschiesset is the Fulehung. The Fulehung only appeared at this event dressed as a jester with a devil‘s mask. According to what we know today, the Fulehung was the court jester of Karl der Kühne (Carl the Bold), who is said to have been captured by the Thun soldiers in the Battle of Murten in 1476.
Friedrich Schiller’s dramatic tale of William Tell, Switzerland’s heroic freedom fighter, has been performed on the scenic stage in Matten’s Rugen forest since 1912. The large "Tell family" is made up of over 170 actors - each one an amateur, from extras to leading characters. Many horses, cows and goats also play their part in making each open-air performance an impressive spectacle. The auditorium provides covered seating for up to 2300 people. German spoken. The performances take place s on Thursdays and Saturdays.
In five large rooms in the tower the Historical Museum presents a wealth of cultural and historic exhibits. The highlights are the Great Hall, archaeology, Heimberg ceramics and Thun Majolica ceramics, toys and a military collection from the 19th century.
The first and the oldest Swiss circular painting still preserved in the world (painted by Marquard Wocher between 1808 and 1814) provides an intimate look at the living rooms, classrooms, and alleyways of the early 19th century.
The Swiss Gastronomy Museum presents the history of gastronomy, the hotel industry as well as the culture of eating and drinking. The museum has been housed in Schadau Castle in the wonderful Schadau Park in Thun since 1988.
A historic document of the Army on the military base in Thun. There are various collections of historical army equipment: uniforms, headwear, artillery guns, tanks, tank and anti-aircraft defences, and lots more.
On the Wichterheer Estate in Oberhofen is an exhibition of valuable items from private collections as well as from the Museum. Every year there is a special temporary exhibition. Every visitor is guided around the museum.
