After our eight week, and seemingly successful, COVID-19 lockdown in Basel, we have set out for a little domestic travel! Our first stops are in locations that are typically very busy with tourists, with hopes of a more relaxed vibe! Welcome to Thun!

From Basel, this is an entry point to the Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Alps. We only had a day to spend here en route to the Jungfrau region, but we certainly made the best of it! After quarantine measures, it was amazing to hit the railway again!

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Fun Times in Thun

A Quick 24hr Visit to Thun, Switzerland on Thunersee

Originally settled around 2,500 BC, the city of Thun is positioned at the lower end of Lake Thun. Thun's historic old town is located just over a kilometer from the shore of the lake, on the river Aare.

One of the city's most famous sites is the castle in the center of the Old Town, dating back to the 12th century and features a museum, hotel, and restaurant. The castle was erected by the Dukes of Zähringen. It's museum features exhibitions and artifacts from early history, including medieval objects, weapons, and uniforms from the 18th and 19th century. The castle's most famous exhibit is the Knights Hall, from the 12th century. Additional sites in the Old Town include the Town Church from 1330 and the Town Hall from the 1700s.

What To Do In Thun

While Thun isn't the largest of Swiss cities, it's a beautiful destination, if only for a short time!

Visit Schloss Thun and Stay in the Hotel

This castle is an incredible blend of medieval and modernism and has been well preserved and maintained. It towers above Thun! You can’t miss it! This beautiful castle was built between 1180 and 1190 by the Duke of Zährigen. In 1218 the castle was owned by the House of Kyburg who added additional levels. After two centuries, Bern purchased Thun and then held the castle until 2006. The city of Thun now owns the castle.

We stayed the night in the attached Schloss Hotel Thun. I highly recommend this lodging option due to the fantastic views of Thun and the surrounding mountains.

Relax in Mühleplatz

Since the visit to Thun was a bit last minute, we got our packs to the hotel and set off on foot to explore. We were pleased and a bit surprised to stumble upon Mühleplatz. I’ve never seen people carrying surfboards through cities in Switzerland. This was a scene I was unaccustomed to, and people watching at it’s best! A group of surfers tied a rope to a nearby bridge to surf the massive flow of water. I love this vibe!

We had an impromptu lunch at El Camino, a cafe overlooking Mühleplatz. This cafe is definitely worth the stop! Grab a Blue Cheese Bacon Burger and a couple beers!

Walk by Lake Thun and Schadau Park

Even if you don't stop to visit the castle for lunch or to look around, a walk around the castle and through the park is a must! The lakeside views are beautiful and serene. The park is free, and we used the visit to just walking around. Others were soaking in the sun, playing games, and having picnics!

Schadau Castle

How often do you get to see two castles in one day? YSou are in for a treat at Schloss Schadau. This is the perfect setting for lodging, lunch or dinner, or even a wedding! We walked from the heart of the city, just over 1km, but you can reach the castle by bus or taxi, of course. Book lunch ahead of time and enjoy the beautiful views over Lake Thun!

Romantic Dinner at Beau Rivage

Sure, you can keep it Swiss and visit one of the many restaurants for regional or seasonal classics. We were in the mood for something a little different! What better way to cap off the great day than a delicious Italian dinner on an outdoor patio by the Aare River? With delicious classics and amazing risotto, you are guaranteed to find something that satisfies your cravings!