Thun Things to Do

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The Thun castle is located on a hill above the town. It is overlooking the city, the lake and mountain ranges. So even if you do not want to visit the inside of the castle a stroll up through the old stair cases is worth it for the views.
The castle was built in 1180 to 1190 by the Dukes of Zaheringen. Later it was taken over by the Lords of Kyburg. Up to now it is kept in a great condition. It is specially famous for its knights hall and the historic musem (toys, carpets, kitchen ware and so on). The opening hours are as following:

Februar und März
daily 13.00 - 16.00
April bis Oktober
daily 10.00 - 17.00
November bis Januar
only Sunday 13.00 - 16.00
Entrance fee is currently SFR. 7.-

In Thun there is the Swiss Gastronomy Museum in the nicley located Schadau Castle

Open all year round
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday 2 pm to 5 pm.
The Swiss Gastronomy Museum is the cultural memory of the restaurant-
and hotel-trade as well as gastronomy in general. Literature, documents
and equipment are collected here and presented to the public.

The main aspect of the collection is the unique gastronomic library that contains more than 5'000 titles in several languages and also many rarities.
lt ranges from contemporary literature to original editions from the 16th century.

Titles can be searched by subject in the electronic catalogue and the books can be viewed in a pleasant atmosphere, but they cannot be borrowed.

For research in the historic Harry Schraemli library appointment is necessary

There is nothing much better you can do on a hot summer day in Thun! Float down the Aare River to the capital Berne. Normally this trip will take about 3 hours. Of course it is a bit depending on how rainy it was the days before you do it. The more water the faster. It is a very relaxing thing to do. There is more or less only one area with some rapids. However those are kind of dangerous. The trip is only for good swimmers! On the way you will find a lot of nice spots for a BBQ. So bring along some food and beers (they will stay cool as the water gets never really warm; normally not over 20 deg). Or just stop in one of the public pools or restaurants along the way.
You will see a lot of people practicing river surfing on the way. In Berne (you will see the big govermental building) where the big public pool is you will have to disembark. From there it is a short walk up the hill (or take the cable car) to the train stadion where you can get back to Thun.
You can also book a tour. I listed two phone numbers of some companies below.

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There are several covered bridges in Thun ( similar to those in Luzern), but unfortunately they are not open to the public ! The river Aare is flowing through the centre of the city of Thun and there is an island in the middle, totally surrounded by 2 different arms of that river. Several locks with covered bridges will regulate the speed and the level of the water and walking along the river will take you to the most scenic places of the city of Thun, so I may highly recommend it !

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Stadtkirche may be seen from almost any place of the city, close to the castle of Thun and its tower dates back to the year 1330. Right under the tower there is an open entrance-hall with frescos dating back to the year 1430 - see my 3rd picture !
There used to be an old church as well, that dated back to the 10th century, but it was replaced by a protestant church in 1738 by Paulus Nader.
The baroque interior of the church that you may see nowadays is not very special except a few smaller details like the lovely door-handle, that you may see at my last picture.
You may enter the church freely and without restrictions during the day !

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The medieval townwall of Thun dates back to the year 1200 and it may still be seen at many places in the city of Thun and at many places it was integrated into the private buildings, used as a backwall for a building and some of its towers are used for private appartments nowadays.
Chutziturm - to be seen on my 2nd and 4th picture - is a good excample for such a modernized tower, it is used by the men's-chorus of Thun and you may see the tower from its original , old side on my 2nd picture, on my 4th picture you may see its backside with a modern house built inside the tower-walls.

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Obere Hauptgasse is the main shoppingstreet of Thun and it will take you directely to the Rathausplatz. It is really interesting to see this special architecture of these old swiss houses, like on my 2nd picture. When you enlarge it ayou will see how wide the roof is built forward the building, that is quite unique in Switzerland, mnaybe for the protection against the snow or what-ever.

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Rathaus / The townhall of Thun dates back to the year 1500 and the tower at the right of the building was added in 1585 for the archieves. The facade that you may see today was made in 1685 with 2 lions holding the coat of arms of Thun.
On 1st floor there is a large hall with a wooden ceiling and doors dating back to 1762.
At the street-level you have that covered market-hall that you may see at my 2nd picture.