Lake Thun
Lake Scenic Bernese Alpine lake below mountains
West of Interlaken, Lake Thun links lakeside towns and castles-Spiez and Oberhofen-via regular boat services; visitors take cruises for mountain views, stroll promenades, and explore medieval sites and local vineyards.
.jpg?width=1200)
Lake Thun (Thunersee) is a lake in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, located west of Interlaken and framed by the Bernese Alps. The lake sits at about 558 metres above sea level and stretches roughly 17 kilometres.
The shoreline is dotted with notable castles and historic towns such as Thun, Oberhofen and Spiez, all of which are accessible by regular boat services. Historic paddle steamers and modern ferries operate on the lake, linking lakeside settlements and providing scenic cruises.
The lake is popular for watersports, lakeside promenades and panoramic alpine views from the southern shorelines and nearby ridges.
Lake Thun is a glacially formed basin; settlements and fortifications on its shores date from the medieval period and grew in importance as regional administrative and trading centres. Many of the shoreline castles were built or significantly rebuilt between the medieval period and early modern era.
The lake occupies a broad valley west of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland and is drained by the Aare River at the town of Thun; roads and rail link the lake to the surrounding alpine valleys.
- Size and drainage: The lake sits at roughly 558 metres above sea level and is approximately 17 kilometres long, with the Aare River draining it at Thun.
- Castles and boat services: Several well-preserved medieval castles and lakeside towns provide frequent stopping points served by regular boat services, including historic paddle steamers.
What to See #
- Thun and Thun Castle: The town at the western end where the Aare River leaves the lake and several historic buildings and a medieval castle sit close to the shore.
- Oberhofen Castle: A prominent castle on the southern shore with lakeside gardens and a museum, dating to the medieval period and later restorations.
- Spiez Castle: A fortified castle and castle church on the southwestern shore that sits on a headland with a harbour and vineyard terraces.
- Interlaken: Interlaken on the eastern end, which sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and acts as the main transport hub for the two lakes.
How to Get to Lake Thun #
Lake Thun is accessible from both Thun and Interlaken. Thun has direct rail connections to Bern and regional services; Interlaken Ost is served by trains from the Bernese Oberland and is a short walk to the lakefront. Regular BLS boat services operate on Lake Thun between lakeside towns; local roads and buses also provide access to beaches and promenades around the lake.
Tips for Visiting Lake Thun #
- Use the regular boat services between Thun and Interlaken to hop between lakeside towns (Thun, Spiez, Interlaken) and visit quieter stops midweek or outside midday cruise times.
- Include smaller bays and castles such as Spiez Castle or the St. Beatus Caves on the northeastern shore; these attractions are reached easily from the boat piers and tend to be overlooked by visitors rushing between the two main towns.
Best Time to Visit Lake Thun #
Visit Lake Thun in summer for the warmest weather and the fullest range of lake activities.
Weather & Climate near Lake Thun #
Lake Thun's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1050 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
