Things to Do at Lake Thun

Lake Thun is one of those Alpine lakes that actually lives up to the hype - a 17-kilometer stretch of turquoise water nestled between the Bernese Oberland mountains, with the dramatic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau providing a backdrop that's genuinely breathtaking. The lake sits at about 558 meters above sea level and connects to Lake Brienz through the Aare River, creating this striking water corridor that flows right through Interlaken (which literally means 'between lakes'). What makes Lake Thun particularly special is how accessible it feels despite being surrounded by some of Switzerland's most imposing mountains. You'll find charming lakeside towns dotted along its shores, each with their own character - from the medieval castle town of Thun to smaller villages like Spiez with its vineyard-covered hillsides. The water tends to be surprisingly warm in summer, making it one of the few Alpine lakes where swimming is actually pleasant rather than just a test of endurance.

Interlaken connects everything. Train connections from major Swiss cities work well-about 2 hours from Zurich, 1.5 hours from Bern. From Interlaken Ost or West stations, you can catch boats directly from the piers, or take local trains to lakeside towns like Thun (20 minutes) or Spiez (15 minutes). Driving works too. The A6 motorway runs along the lake's southern shore, though summer parking gets tough in popular spots. Plan accordingly.