This time we didn’t choose Italy as the destination for our weekend getaway in a camper, but Switzerland. To be precise, we are in the Canton of Bern, not very far from our “neighbor” Canton of Ticino, on the shores of the picturesque Lake Thun, where the water takes on shades that change with the light and the Alps almost seem to close the horizon in a continuous embrace.
The first stop is the homonymous Thun, a tidy and scenic town that opens up at the northern end of the lake. The city is located at the point where the Aare river flows into Lake Thun, about 30 kilometers south of Bern, set in a natural setting dominated by the Bernese Alps. Here the pace is slow, but every corner tells something: the medieval castle dominates from above, while the historic center winds through narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses and low porticoes that seem suspended in time.
Historic center and Rathaus: between the Middle Ages and contemporary life
The heart of the city is the late medieval historic centre, an elegant mix of ancient buildings, modern boutiques and clubs that enliven the streets without breaking the architectural balance. Thun is a lively but never chaotic city, where past and present coexist naturally. Among the symbolic buildings, the Rathaus stands out, the Town Hall built in 1361, which overlooks an orderly and scenic square. Not far away is the Thunerhof, a French neo-Renaissance style palace with a central tower that dominates the urban landscape, testimony to the historical stratification of the city.
Thun Castle and the view of the Bernese Alps
After getting lost in the streets from Marktgasse to Rathausplatz, the climb towards the castle becomes a small journey within the journey through the Kirchetreppe wooden staircase, which connects the upper part with the center in a spectacular way. The symbol of Thun is in fact its Castle, built in the 12th century by the Dukes of Zähringen, a perfectly preserved medieval structure that offers a complete view of the lake and the Aare valley.
From the towers one of the most spectacular views of the entire trip opens up: the historic center, the lake and the mountains merge into a single glance. It is a panorama that has fascinated travelers and artists such as Goethe and Rilke, who found in Thun a rare balance between nature and architecture. Once you get off, you find yourself in a maze of narrow streets with raised sidewalks, a curious and almost theatrical feature of the historic center. The route leads naturally towards the Aare River, where the Aarequai promenade offers wooden bridges, covered passages and glimpses of the water that accompanies the city like a silent second street.
Spiez: the village between vineyards and medieval history
From Thun we move towards Spiez, overlooking the south-western shore of the lake. Its medieval castle, built starting from the 10th century and expanded until the Baroque era, dominates the landscape from the top of a hill surrounded by vineyards on one side and the lake on the other. The tower, up to 39 meters high, is the oldest part still visible. Inside, medieval, Renaissance and baroque rooms alternate, including the baroque banquet hall and finely decorated wooden rooms. It also houses a museum that tells the history of the region through original environments and historical collections.
Next door is a small Romanesque church dating back to the 14th century, among the oldest in Switzerland, the Church of St. Lawrence (Schlosskirche), with medieval frescoes still visible and a panoramic position on the lake. The castle is surrounded by gardens and a park open to visitors, while historic boats such as the Blümlisalp steamship also depart from the pier, connecting the lake’s towns.
Interlaken and the promenade along the Aare river
The last stop of the journey is Interlaken, reachable in about twenty minutes along a breathtaking road. Here the landscape becomes more open and spectacular, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The town is dominated by a unique scenic landscape, with three large mountains that frame the horizon and define its identity. Here nature is not the backdrop, but becomes the absolute protagonist of daily life.
Interlaken doesn’t focus on history, but on action. For those who love adventure, there is something for everyone including paragliding, excursions and water sports. The green heart of Interlaken, Höhematte, is a spacious park with views of the Jungfrau and the surrounding Alps. We found it full of families intent on walking or having a picnic among the flowerbeds and lawns. And, obviously, there was no shortage of those who landed with paragliders. A little further on is the promenade along the Aare River, a relaxing walk between covered bridges and locks that limit access to the water.
The historic centre, elegant and tidy, preserves elements of great interest such as the old town hall, the Tourism Museum, the Japanese garden and the former Augustinian monastery from 1133, still protected by fortified walls. A rare mix of history and Alpine atmosphere that makes the city much more than a simple stopover.
A unique journey between nature and history
Between Thun, Interlaken and Spiez, the route follows a continuous balance between water, mountains and history. Lake Thun becomes the leitmotif of an itinerary that alternates medieval cities, alpine panoramas and castles suspended in time, offering one of the most complete summaries of central Switzerland.
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