Spiez Things to Do

If you travel here by lake steamer, watch the side of the mountain as you near the station and you will see the building built into the side of the mountain. (This will give you a moment to realize what a steep hike you're gonna have getting up there!)

This is a popular rainy day activity and when we arrived to the ticketing area we had to fight our way through the milling masses to the ticket booth. Lucky for us, we only had to wait 5 minutes for our tour to start.

You cannot go into the caves alone-only by guided tour. About 40 people a group. Our leader put the english speaking people up front with her. (There were 5 of us, my family, and a couple from Ireland.) As the tour moved along, she spoke first in english and then repeated it in german.

The route is about a mile. Takes about an hour. Damp and cool conditions of course. Here's the part that cracked me up. Our guide tore through the caves at breakneck speed. We had to almost run in places (not easy to do in damp, dark, slippery caverns.) The walls were close and the ceiling low. I saw more than a few people bump their heads! (ah, a plus for being short)
Forget trying to read the brochure that explains each numbered spot-no time, nor enough light!

Open:
Palm Sunday until 3rd Sunday in October
Times: 10:30-5:00
Closed on Monday

No pictures allowed inside caves. (Someone(s) kept doing it anyway-boy, was our guide livid!)

Not accessible to wheelchairs.

Take a steamer that is coming from Thun heading towards Interlaken. It is about a 48 minute ride to the Beatushoelen-Sundlauenen dock.

Right at the dock will be a sign directing you to the caves. It is about a 20 minute hike walking steeply upwards. If you do this as a rainy day activity, the trail will be full of slippery wet leaves and rocks. Careful!

You can use your Swiss Pass to ride the ships or purchase tickets at a ticket center located right at the end of the pier where the ships dock. Funny thing is, we were never asked to show our passes any of the several times we rode. (Very trusting folks)

From the train station you can reach the ship station by walking to and by the lake. Follow the yellow signs, "see". They will lead you down narrow streets and park pathways. It will take about ten minutes to reach the lakeside. There is a small, but beautiful flower garden with benches overlooking the sailboat laden lake. Walk through the park and a boardwalk begins. The boardwalk is lined mostly with restaurants and cafes. In another 10 minutes you are at the end of the walk and at the ship station.

The pool was a loud, crowded area. The snack bar is also on the pool level.

We chose to hang out by the lake. It is a part of the complex but separate from the pool area. It was much quieter there and the view of the castle, sailboats, lake, and rolling mountains was heavenly. Also shade can be found under the trees. Plenty of the lawn is in the sun for the sunworshipers, or the club has umbrellas they'll cram into the grass for you.

From the train station, it is a 10 minute downhill walk to the Spiez swim club.

The club has a large pool, with slides and various level diving boards. You can also lounge by and swim in the ice cold lake. There is a large snack bar with plenty of seating. Changing rooms are large open rooms-can't be modest here!

Prices were very reasonable- 6CHF for the whole day per adult. Children 15 and under were even less.

My absolute favourite in Spiez is the small church St. Columban. It is a gem of Romanesque architecture.

The church was built in the early 10th century, founded by King Rudolf II of Burgundy.

Unfortunately the crypt is not accessible. However, you can see some excellent Romanesque and Gothic frescos in the choir. A specialty is the pietra-rasa plasters in upper Italian style of 10th/11th century.

The medieval castle with a huge donjon is located on a hill right by the lake. Together with the old church it builds a pictuesque ensemble.

The oldest parts of the donjon date from the 10th century, but what you see today was added from 14th to 18th centuries.

Nowadays it houses a wonderful museum, presenting magnificent interior from medieval through to Baroque times. It is open from Easter to end of October daily.

Don't miss the beautifully decorated banquetting hall with excellent stucco works by artists from Ticino in 1614 and a climb up the tower (donjon) from where you can enjoy stunning views.

Well worth a break is the nice garden.