When is Thun Castle open?

February to March daily 1–4pm, April to June daily 10am–5pm, July to August daily 9.30am–5.30pm, September to October daily 10am–5pm, November to January Sundays only 1–4pm; 25 December to 10 January daily 1–4pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Hours may vary on some public holidays — current details at Opening hours, prices & tickets.

How much is admission and where do I get tickets?

Adults pay CHF 10.– for the museum castle, CHF 5.– for the temporary exhibition, CHF 15.– for the combined ticket. Reduced CHF 8.– (seniors/disability, students, apprentices, military), children aged 6 to 16 CHF 3.–, children under 6 free, family ticket CHF 20.–, groups of 10+ CHF 8.– per person, with KulturLegi CHF 6.– (children free). Admission is free with a membership card of the Support Association, the Swiss Museum Pass, the MuseumsPassMusées, the Raiffeisen Membercard and the Swiss Travel Pass. Tickets are available online at shop.schlossthun.ch or directly at the castle ticket office.

Is the temporary exhibition included in the admission?

The temporary exhibition costs CHF 5.– in addition; the combined ticket at CHF 15.– covers both. Currently on show: «Awarded! The Golden Star of Thun» in the Knights’ Hall, until 22 March 2027. More: Temporary exhibition.

What does the castle look like inside?

Inside, the castle presents itself as the town’s historical museum — not a furnished castle interior with armour and living quarters. The rooms and walls are deliberately kept plain so that the building itself takes centre stage: the Knights’ Hall with its dimensions from around 1200, the tapestries and heraldic panels, the four towers and the medieval roof truss with its timber joints. Knowing this, you arrive with the right expectations — and discover a house that tells its history through its architecture. Our virtual 3D tour gives you a first impression online.

How long does a visit take?

Allow at least 30 to 40 minutes. An hour is ideal — that leaves time for the towers and the view over the town and Lake Thun. If you explore the exhibitions in depth, two hours pass easily.

How do I get to Thun Castle?

On foot from Thun station in around ten minutes: through the Obere Hauptgasse and up the stairs to the Schlossberg. Arriving by boat is also appealing — from the BLS boat landing you stroll through the old town up to the castle. We recommend arriving by public transport. Maps and details: Directions & location.

Where can I park?

There is no parking at the castle itself, and please do not drive up to the Schlossberg. The nearest option is the Schlossberg car park, City Ost (Burgstrasse 17) — with a lift and a short walk into the old town and to the castle. More information: Directions & location.

Is there a lift inside the castle?

There is no lift inside the museum itself; the rooms and towers are reached by stairs. A lift does, however, take you from the old town up to the Schlossberg — from there the castle courtyard is wheelchair accessible, and so is the temporary exhibition in the Knights’ Hall. The City Ost Schlossberg car park is also connected to the old town by a lift.

Is the castle wheelchair accessible?

Partially — and more than you might expect of a 12th-century building. A lift takes you from the old town up to the Schlossberg; the castle courtyard is wheelchair accessible, and the temporary exhibition in the Knights’ Hall can be visited at any time. The permanent exhibition and the towers, however, can only be reached by stairs — there is no lift inside the building. An accessible toilet is available. We are happy to prepare visits for groups of blind visitors and guests with other impairments in advance: a short message to info@schlossthun.ch is all it takes. Verified details are in our OK:GO profile; our virtual 3D tour also lets you experience the castle online. More: Accessible visit.

Can I bring a stroller/pram?

Unfortunately, the historic castle is not suitable for strollers due to the many stairs. We recommend a baby carrier; you can leave your stroller at the museum ticket office or in the castle courtyard during your visit.

Are dogs allowed?

Dogs on a lead are welcome in the castle courtyard. Inside the museum building dogs are not permitted, to protect the historic rooms and the collection. Assistance dogs — that is, dogs accompanying people with an illness or disability — are of course welcome inside the museum as well.

Are there guided tours?

Yes. For groups we offer classic guided tours (60 minutes, up to 20 people, from CHF 160.– plus admission), themed tours and tours with an apéro — in German, French, English or Italian. School classes visit guided or self-guided; the tour itself costs from CHF 170.–, though the Education and Culture Directorate of the canton of Bern offers Bernese schools culture vouchers for travel costs (kulturgesuche.be.ch). For children there are also discovery tours. All offers: Education. Please send enquiries through our enquiry form — that way we receive all the details straight away. If you prefer to write directly: info@schlossthun.ch or +41 33 223 20 01.

Can I get married at the castle or hire rooms?

The Knights’ Hall, the castle courtyard and the Venner Zyro Tower can be hired for events and celebrations — separately or combined. Enquiries through our enquiry form, alternatively at info@schlossthun.ch. All details about the rooms: Venue hire.

The civil ceremony itself is not run by the museum: civil weddings on the Schlossberg take place in the ceremony room of Schlossberg Thun AG and are booked through the Civil Register Office of the Canton of Bern. Details: Civil weddings, Schlossberg Thun and Wedding venue Schlossberg Thun, Canton of Bern (both in German). The celebration afterwards combines well with our rooms at the castle.

Is there a restaurant or hotel by the castle?

Right next to the castle is the Schlosshotel Thun (Schlossberg 2), an independently run business — reservations on +41 33 227 75 00. For group events and celebrations at the castle we also work with culinary partners. More: Restaurant & hotel.

Can I support Thun Castle?

Yes, gladly. The Support Association helps to preserve the museum castle and expand the collection. Members enjoy free admission to the museum castle and its own events, receive the annual report and are invited to a yearly excursion. Individual membership CHF 50.–, family CHF 70.–, company CHF 100.– per year — all details: Support association. One-off donations are possible via Support Thun Castle.