Located in the breathtaking Bernese Oberland region, Lake Thun feels like a slice of paradise. With its clear, emerald waters, towering mountains, and charming little towns along the shore, it’s one of those places that’ll take your breath away the moment you see it. Honestly, it’s the kind of place that captures your heart—and you won’t forget it anytime soon.
But here’s the real beauty of it: Lake Thun isn’t just about the views (though they’re pretty incredible). Whether you’re up for an adventure, interested in the local culture, or just want to unwind in nature, there’s something for everyone. The options are as vast as the lake itself.
I’ve put together a list of 11 must-do activities around Lake Thun to help you make the most of your visit. Consider this your personal guide to one of Switzerland’s most beautiful spots. By the end, you’ll be inspired to plan a day—or even a whole week—of unforgettable experiences.
So, pack your sense of adventure (and maybe a camera for all the jaw-dropping sights). Let’s dive into what makes Lake Thun so special!
List of 11 Top Activities
1. Thun
The city of Thun with its beautiful castle and awe-inspiring Old Town, lies at the north-western end of Lake Thun (Thunersee in German) which serves as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland.
The castle, which towers majestically over the Old Town, was built between 1180 and 1190, and it offers unparalleled views over the lake and the Alps.
Another highlight during your visit are the historical raised promenades in the Old Town which provides various small shops on different levels that invite visitors to browse and explore.
And let’s not forget about the Aare quay – 2 kilometers of restaurants and cafes offering some of the best food and views around. Thun is indeed a worthwhile place to visit!
2. Spiez
Aside from Thun, Spiez is another town worth-seeing around Lake Thun, nestled on the southern banks of the lake in what can only be described as Europe’s most beautiful bay.
The main attraction here is undoubtedly the castle and what a castle it is! With over 1000 years of history behind it (early Romanesque structures).
If you are visiting on a warm summer’s day, there are also quite a number of beaches to choose from, including Schattenbad Spiez, Frei- und Seebad Spiez, Faulensee Beach and more. My personal favorites include Strandweg, Lido Spiez (with its heated pool), and sunbathing areas in Faulensee and Einigen.
Spiez also has a wine culture with its vineyards on Spielberg, in Faulensee, as well as Spiezwiler. These are among the highest wine-growing regions north of the Alps.
3. Oberhofen Castle
Oberhofen Castle, a medieval masterpiece nestled in the picturesque village of Oberhofen, graces the shores of Lake Thun with timeless elegance. Originally built around 1200 AD, the castle has served as the residence of numerous noble families over the centuries.
Its most notable transformation came in 1844 when Prussian Count Albert de Pourtalès restored it, turning it into his family’s summer retreat. This blend of history and personal grandeur adds a unique charm to the castle’s story.
Today, you can marvel at the stunning Oriental Smoking Room on top of the tower for panoramic vistas of the lake and mountains beyond. You can also venture into the chapel for murals from the 15th century or take a stroll through the English-style gardens that overlook the Bernese Alps.
4. Lake Thun Panoramic Round Trail
Lake Thun’s panoramic round trail offers a challenging adventure and jaw-dropping vistas for thrill-seeking hikers with stunning views everywhere.
The real highlight of this trail is undoubtedly the two suspension bridges at Sigriswil and Leissigen. These bridges are not for the faint-hearted as they afford heart-stopping panoramas that will leave you feeling exhilarated!
If you’re brave enough to cross the 340m long panorama bridge at Sigriswil, your gaze will be rewarded with jaw-dropping Alpine scenery stretching far beyond Lake Thun. But beware – looking down from this dizzying height reveals Gummi Gorge (Gummischlucht) some 182 meters below!
The cost of crossing the Panorama Bridge Sigriswil may seems small compared to the memories that’ll last a lifetime.
5. Niesen
If you’re looking for an adventure-packed day excursion, then brace yourself for some serious adrenaline rush as you take the 30-minute journey to the summit of this pyramid-shaped mountain.
The historical funicular railway from 1910 takes you in just 15 minutes from Mülenen station to Schwandegg station and another 15 minutes from there to reach the Niesen Kulm summit, standing tall at an elevation of 2362 meters above sea level. Once you get there, prepare yourself for breathtaking views that will leave you spellbound!
Do not miss out on checking out the longest stairway in the world next to the funicular track consisting of whopping eleven thousand six hundred seventy-four steps!
Plan your visit between end April till mid-November when Niesenbahn runs daily.
6. Stockhorn
Another lovely mountain excursion I can wholeheartedly recommend is Stockhorn. The Stockhornbahn cable car whisks you in just 20 minutes from Erlenbach base station up to a staggering height of 2139 meters above sea level.
The viewing platform for the north face is the perfect spot to soak up stunning vistas across the plateau and down as far as Lake Thun. You will also be able to explore various hiking trails.
7. Hünegg Castle
The moment you step inside Hünegg Castle, prepare to be transported on an enchanted journey through time.
This magnificent structure was commissioned in 1861 by Baron Albert von Parpart of Prussia and Adelheid von Bonstetten, who drew inspiration from the Renaissance castles of Loire in France.
But that’s not all – Gustav Lemke-Schuckert and his wife renovated the interior with a touch of art nouveau style in 1900, which remains unchanged till date! From the terrace you have a beautiful view overlooking Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps.
If you visit during the summer, you can also stop at the Hünegg bathing site and Lido for a refreshing swim before heading back home.
8. Aeschi
The beautiful landscape, unspoilt character and attractive leisure and sports facilities make Aeschi an insider tip for nature lovers.
With its quiet and sunny terrace overlooking Lake Thun, this picturesque village of 1900 inhabitants offers unparalleled views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
There is no shortage of hiking routes catering to both beginners and experts alike with classics like hikes up Morgenberghorn or through Suldtal valley, where you can indulge in delicious Alpine dairy treats en route.
And for those seeking some waterfall magic, look no further than Pochtenfall restaurant, which leads you on a circular trail over steep paths, small stairs and bridges to the waterfalls bearing the same name.
9. St Beatus Caves
Are you ready for an adventure that will take you deep into the Earth’s history? Then St Beatus Caves at Lake Thun should definitely be on your bucket list!
Accessible by road or boat, this natural wonder allows visitors to witness the incredible rock formations that were created over millions of years deep underground.
As you make your way along the one-kilometer-long pathway inside the limestone caves, prepare to be amazed by the stunning stalactites and stalagmites all around you!
There’s also a museum filled with fascinating scientific information about cave exploration throughout history. Open daily from mid-March to mid-November and on weekends during the off season!
10. Niederhorn
The trip to the summit of the Niederhorn is in two stages, funicular and then cable car. As you reach the top, your eyes will be met with stunning panoramic views of Lake Thun and snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
But that’s not all! If you visit during summer, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy – ride a mountain scooter into the valley or try Alpine orienteering for an adrenaline rush.
Even little visitors have something special waiting for them at Niederhorn – a big wooden playground right next to the restaurant.
11. Lake Thun Cruise
If you want to experience Lake Thun from the water, then taking a cruise is an absolute must! With stops at St Beatus Caves, Mount Niederhorn, Spiez and Oberhofen Castles, there’s no shortage of exciting stops along the way!
Whether you choose to ride out the entire two-hour trip from Interlaken to Thun or hop off at one of these amazing destinations, a boat cruise on Lake Thun will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience!
How to Get to Lake Thun
Whether by car or train, Thun, Interlaken and Spiez are easily accessible.
Trains from Bern, Zurich, and Geneva depart every half an hour.
It takes 20 minutes to get from Bern to Thun, and 30 minutes from Bern to Spiez.
The journey from Zurich to Thun takes about 1,5 hours.
And if you prefer driving through stunning Swiss scenery en route to your destination, Thun, Spiez and Interlaken are well signposted from Switzerland’s motorway network.
