Thun, Switzerland’s Secret Small City of The Alps

In August 2024, I took myself on a solo day trip to Thun, Switzerland from Lausanne, Switzerland. I took the intercity train with the SBB for 1hr 30 mins transferring at Bern. Despite living in Switzerland, there are so many places that I have not visited yet. One of my goals is to visit a city or town in each canton in the country. Luckily for me, when I was picking my solo dates for the summer, I picked a day trip to Thun from my solo dates jar. It’s no secret that the German-speaking part is my favourite part of the country to visit. In comparison to the French-speaking part, I feel that there is more of a variety of activities to do there.

Thun is a small city in the canton of Bern that lies beside Lake Thun. It is also known as the gateway into the Bernese Oberland. The River Aare flows from Lake Thun towards the federal capital of Bern. From its sweeping views of the Alps, historical raised promenades in its old town, summery and wintry lakeside landscapes, land and water activities, paddle steamer cruises to the resort town of Interlaken and culinary delights, this secret small city of the Alps has something to offer anyone looking for an authentic Swiss adventure.

For anyone planning a trip to Switzerland or considering Thun as a potential destination in their bigger trip, here is a travel guide to help you plan your trip there.

Disclaimer: This post does include some affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and tours that I have personally vetted.

About Thun

To most people, tourists and immigrants alike, Switzerland is most known for its picturesque views, mountainous landscapes and food like cheese and chocolates. On the other hand, most tourists know it for its winter sports, winter wonderland magic and Christmas markets. For those not familiar with Switzerland, it is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. To the south, it shares its borders with Italy, to the west, it shares it with France, to the north, Germany, and to the east Austria and Liechtenstein. What makes Switzerland unique is the feeling of having three separate countries intertwined into one. For example, with a quick hop on the train, you can seamlessly move to different language regions. In addition to being a popular winter destination, you can experience Mediterranean-styled summers in the warmer months.

Thun is a lesser-known city 20 minutes away from the federal capital of Bern. Surrounded by green mountains and snowy summits like Jungfrau, you will be fascinated by the attractions and activities that you can do in this city. For the same reason, I was intrigued to spend a day there.

Getting To Thun

First, I took the intercity train from Lausanne transferring at Bern to Thun with the SBB. The whole trip took 1hr 30 minutes. There are other transfer spots depending on which part of the country that you live. Despite that, I will always recommend taking an intercity train to get across the country faster than the regional trains. If you are flying into Switzerland and you aim to stay in the German-speaking part, I would advise flying into Zurich International Airport (ZRH) in Zurich. From there, you will be able to catch trains taking you to a variety of destinations.

Transport in Switzerland is significantly more expensive than other European countries. If you are visiting from a different country and are not driving, I recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass for tourists. You will have unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats in over 90 cities and towns across the country.

What To Do In Thun

As I mentioned there is more to Switzerland than winter sports. The German-speaking side know how to take advantage of their lakes and rivers creatively. When I got to Thun, there seemed to be a children’s marathon or sports day happening. Their Old Town and town hall square were extremely busy so I missed out on that. However, I didn’t expect to see people river surfing and kayaking in the rapid force of water gushing from the lake. It really was a sight to see! If you visit Thun in the summertime, here are my top recommendations:

History & Nature

1) Take a stroll along the River Aare

You can’t go to Switzerland without spending some time by the rivers and lakes. I went for a leisurely stroll by the promenade close to the River Aare which is less than 5 minute walk from the train station. If you don’t want to be directly in the sun, I would recommend getting there later around 5pm or 6pm.

2) Visit Thun’s Castle and get a panoramic view of the city

Thun’s Castle towers over the city. It is quite a long walk to get up there but the views are worth it. There is a guided tour in the Castle Museum to learn more about the history of the city.

3) Choose a picnic spot in front of Schloss Schadu

Once you leave the castle, follow the cobblestones as they take you back to the newer part of the city. Choose a picnic spot for lunch in front of the Schloss Schadu. It’s impossible to miss this spot as you will have the view of Lake Thun and the mountains.

Lakeside Adventures

4) Get homemade gelato at La Favolosa Gelato

If you are a gelato or ice cream lover, you cannot miss La Favolosa Gelato on your trip! They make fresh Italian gelato daily with natural ingredients that are processed according to the Italian art of ice cream making. It is a fan favourite so there will be a queue when you go.

5) Take a paddle steamer boat cruise on Lake Thun

Boat cruises are another highlight of being in Switzerland as most cities offer them. In Thun, they have a historical steamship, Blüemlisalp, which is a double-decker saloon steamer from the Belle Époque. You find the timetable here.

6) Visit the lakeside town of Spiez by boat

Spending close to an hour on a boat cruise during sunset was the best way to end my trip! The views of the lakeside towns and the mountains reflecting on the lake was really beautiful. Spontaneously, I decided to cruise to the town of Spiez for dinner before heading back to Lausanne. I am not a spontaneous person so I surprised myself that day!

Summer Essentials

Generally, summers in Switzerland are extremely hot and humid. The weather does not play around in this country. When I went to Thun in late August 2024, the averages temperatures were around 30 to 33°C. Although I had no plans of going into the water, I did bring my summer essentials with me.

• Sun protection: You are definitely going to need a hat, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen. My go-to face sunscreen is Glowscreen by Supergoop and it feels like a tinted moisturiser that gives you an extra glow throughout the day.
• My body sunscreen for this past summer has been the Rio Radiance Body SPF by Sol de Janeiro.
• Portable fan: I don’t care what anyone thinks, I will always have a portable fan in my bag during the summer. It’s my personal wind for the day.

Final Thoughts

Spending a day trip in Thun was relaxing and it was exactly what I needed to round off my summer adventures. I would love to go back and take some surfing classes. Whether you are travelling for excursions, nature or relaxation – Thun has something to offer you. I wonder where my next adventure in Switzerland will take me next!

---

I hope this mini travel guide provided you with some useful and interesting information on what to do and how to get to Thun. Thank you for reading this guide and share this with a friend that might be interested in visiting. Make sure to hit that subscribe button to join the community and never miss out on a post. Find me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok for more powerlifting and wellness content.

Until next time,

Folakemi