Living near the “completely touristy” resort town of Interlaken, Switzerland, travel blogger Jana Aplin often takes her out-of-town guests to the lesser-visited lakeside town of Thun.
Nestled between Bern and the Bernese Alps, the town sits on the northern tip of Lake Thun. Divided by a crystal blue river with a mountain backdrop, Thun is a picturesque, hidden-gem destination worth visiting, Aplin told Business Insider.
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“In general, Thun is not that well known to many tourists, and we regularly recommend it to our visitors to avoid crowds,” a representative of the travel site MySwissAlps told Business Insider.
With warm summers and snowy winters, Lake Thun has a range of activities, including easy access to hiking trails and ski slopes. And the town of Thun is a medieval paradise straight out of a fairy tale.
“Whether you’re on a backpacking budget or a luxury trip, whether you want shopping or views, whether you want to walk around or sit on the water and enjoy a drink, I think everyone who goes there would find something that they really enjoy,” Aplin said.
Castles and old town charm
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The MySwissAlps rep said that Thun’s charm comes from its medieval roots, which are ever-present in the Old Town neighborhood. Here, you’ll find narrow alleys, cobblestone streets lined with shops and cafés, and the historic town hall square.
“You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time,” Aplin said.
Thun is also home to two castles, Thun and Schadau. Aplin said the 12th-century Thun Castle is iconic.
“It towers above the city, and you really can’t miss it,” she said. “You get great views up there of the castle, but also overlooking the city, the rivers, and of course, the mountains in the distance.”
Schadau Castle sits right on the lake in a large park.
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“It’s a beautiful park to walk along on the water,” Aplin said. “There’s a trail that goes completely around Lake Thun as well, and it runs right here in front of this castle.”
Thun’s historic covered bridges over the river are not to be missed, both experts said. The wooden lock bridges regulate river flow, making it possible for people to surf in the landlocked country.
“You can see people cruise on the waves and watch them do all these cool tricks in the river from the bridge,” Aplin said. “I’ve never seen anything like that anywhere else.”
Ideally located for nature and city adventures
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Thun’s centralized location between Bern and the heart of the Alps makes it a great home base for a Swiss vacation, Aplin told Business Insider.
The MySwissAlps rep said staying in Thun would be a strategic choice for weeks of exploring the country.
“It’s very easy to reach all of the Bernese Oberland, one of the top holiday regions for many visitors to Switzerland,” they told Business Insider. “It also has these wonderful train connections to the federal capital city, and so many other regions.”
6 Things to do in Thun
- Take a boat around the lake. Both experts recommend a boat ride on Lake Thun to see mountain bunkers, quaint villages, and snowy peaks. “You can ride around the whole lake or get off at these little villages along the way,” Aplin said.
- Watch surfers catch a wave. The bridges over the Aare River are designed to regulate water flow. You may see some surfers riding the waves, Aplin said.
- Hike up to Thun Castle. Views of the town and the Alps from the hilltop 12th-century masterpiece make it worth the climb, both experts said.
- Stroll Old Town. Take a peek inside local shops and marvel at historic architecture on cobblestone pedestrian streets like Obere Hauptgasse, both experts suggest.
- Stop for a local sweet treat. Both sources said they love the pastries at Confiserie Steinmann. Aplin suggests picking up a local treat called a Thunfischli — an almond cake shaped like a fish.
- Dine in luxury in a castle on the water. Aplin and the MySwissAlps rep recommend dining at the upscale restaurant on the Schadau Castle terrace for a luxurious night out.
“There are more towns in Switzerland that are charming and historic, but the combination of that charm and great location without the tourist masses makes it unique,” the MySwissAlps rep said about Thun.
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