Thun

Are you looking for fun and the unusual, or are you more interested in a gentle, reflective time? The town has art and culture to suit every taste and situation. Once you have fallen for the town and its charm, you are bound to want a suitable souvenir, something you will find in one of the lovingly decorated boutiques in the popular main shopping street Bälliz as well as in the Obere Hauptgasse. For a special wow experience, take part in one of the many guided tours. The PanoramaCard Thunersee is particularly attractive for you and your family. It allows you to travel for free on the bus and PostBus throughout the region as well as providing a number of discounts on numerous excursions.

Thun Castle towers over the town. The landmark with its four towers dates back to the 12th century. Enjoy the fantastic view over the deep blue Lake Thun and of the Alps with the legendary Three Peaks. Take a visit to the Castle Museum to find out all about the history of Thun. The area as a whole boasts a number of picturesque castles and historic churches over 1000 years old. Immerse yourself in a bygone world you can both see and touch with the help of buildings and artefacts from the past. First of all you stroll through the old town of Thun with its characteristic high pavements, past the town church dating back to the 14th century. The path along the Aare toward Lake Thun will take you to Schadau Park.

Be enchanted by Scherzligen church, over 1000 years old. Your path will take you past the legendary Schadau Castle to a rotunda with a modern glass cube. Here you will find the Thun-Panorama, the oldest circular painting in the world. Back in the present, you will enjoy refreshments in one of the town’s cafés or bars. You’ll be on a totally different track, in the New Age, when you take the Foxtrail or FoodTrail Thun, paper chases with a difference, where you will have lots of fun and excitement with your friends and family.

The cultural programme in Thun has many a surprise in store for you. The Artists’ Exchange in the spring is unusual, fun, lively and artistic. Emotions are high in the summer when musical sounds can be heard from the lake stage at the Thunerseespiele. You’ll gently hum along to the evergreens while the mountains behind the stage glow in the sunset and are reflected in Lake Thun. Are you more into rock or maybe interested in blues or classic? Then visit one of the many concerts that are held throughout the year at the KKThun, the town’s culture and conference centre.

You will have lots of cheerful, fun moments in August at the Thun Festival. Culture in Thun also means tradition. Have you asked yourself who the “Fulehung” is? In September, immerse yourself in the history of the Battle of Murten in 1476. You will find out all about the connection to Thun and experience how the “Fulehung”, or court jester, chases the crowds through the streets and dishes out sweets to the children. The winter is very much shaped by Thun's carnival which has the town in a spin for a few days.

Thun offers you a special kind of lifestyle. Start off in the popular main shopping street Bälliz. Here you will find everything your heart desires from speciality boutiques to department stores. The Bälliz is particularly worth a look on Wednesdays and Saturdays when you can stroll round the market with its fresh regional produce. Your mouth will be watering: taste the very best cheese, flavoursome bread, fresh fruit and crisp vegetables. Through the slightly winding alleys you will reach the Obere Hauptgasse via the Aare. Here you will find numerous stores with long traditions to look back on as well as ateliers offering special crafts. Be inspired by the lovingly presented goods, clothes and articles of all kinds.

The day is drawing to its close? Just the right time for a stroll though the town centre with its attractive cafés, tastefully decorated bars and inviting restaurants. Stay awhile, enjoy the atmosphere and recharge your batteries over a leisurely aperitif. Go to one of the many restaurants to build up your strength for your forthcoming adventures in and around Thun. The range of restaurants guarantees you a culinary journey whatever your taste.

Slightly higher than the town of Thun itself is the village of Goldiwil. The sun terrace over Thun gives you a fantastic view over the town, lake and the Alps. Goldiwil has a large network of paths that will take you past beautifully decorated houses. In winter, the Multenegg ski lift offers well prepared pistes for children's first skiing attempts.

The variation of possible activities is reflected by the variation of accommodation. You are bound to find just what you are looking for whether simple, homely guesthouse, seminar or wellness hotel. Alternatively you could opt for a fun holiday with family or friends at the camping site by the lake. Or would you prefer something romantic and luxurious? Thun and the surrounding area offer you plenty of possibilities. Choose whether you would prefer to live in the middle of town or on the shores of the lake. Your choice of culinary pleasures is also extensive. Use the PanoramaCard Thunersee to travel free of charge by bus or PostBus to the destinations of your choice.