I fell in love with this castle the moment I first laid eyes on it. It is stunning, in its architecture and surroundings. While most castles are located in militarily strategic locations, this one is nestled on sparkling blue Lake Thun in the scenic Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The castle is a local landmark, dating back to the 13th century, and sits against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. Today the meticulously preserved castle is open to the public as a museum.
A brief history of Schloss Oberhofen on Lake Thun
The castle has seen a lot over the years. It began as a medieval fortress in the 13th century and has undergone many makeovers since then. Many inhabitants have called this castle home, from noble families to military leaders. The most dramatic change happened in the 19th century when the castle was renovated to its current Gothic revival style and a fairytale spire was added, making it the postcard perfect castle it is today. While the castle did not witness too many dramatic battles like other castles have, it did bear witness to many European social and political changes.
Visiting Schloss Oberhofen museum
Schloss Oberhofen is absolutely beautiful to look at, before you even step a foot inside. Its silhouette has that fairytale element that only the most beautiful castles invoke.
Enjoying the colorful and aromatic gardens
The castle is surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens, which you can explore by walking along perfectly formed paths, against the backdrop of scenic Lake Thun and the Swiss Alps. The gardens include Castle Park with exotic trees offering a calm and serene place to relax.
Photo Above: The gardens are filled with colorful floral artwork. Many flowers are carefully selected and maintained within beds of perfectly shaped shrubs.
Viewing the costume and dress exhibits
Exhibitions at Schloss Oberhofen take visitors through 800 years of its inhabitants’ history. For those who like to imagine what the inhabitants were like, or what it was like to live here, this museum fills in these details nicely. Visitors can see and experience items once belonging to those who lived here.
Dressing up at Schloss Oberhofen and being a princess inside a castle
The experience doesn’t stop with just looking. There are opportunities to imagine yourself living here. The children’s dress up area was very popular with our kids, each time we visited. My daughter and her cousin selected their favorite accessories and had fun twirling and posing for photos, just like real princesses (in a real castle).
Photo Above: Princess Ava dressed up for a day at Schloss Oberhofen. Photo Below (or right): Princess Kayden, equally stunning and ready for the ball.
Photo Above: The girls were having so much fun, that my sister had to get in on the action too. Here she is looking noble in her Lady Anna hat.
Learning about Schloss Oberhofen's past
It’s a tough order for a museum to entertain everyone in the family. But this castle does just that. This is one of the few castles where you visit rooms that look like someone could actually, realistically, live there. The rooms cater to the needs of a family and everyone in my family could find one they related to.
Exploring the rooms of Schloss Oberhofen
There are many rooms to explore. They depict what the castle looked like over the ages.
It’s medieval charm is well maintained, despite the Castle being inhabited and renovated over the centuries.
Feeling fortunate to see the jail from outside
While it is hard to imagine not enjoying your visit to Schloss Oberhofen, we might have found one reason to wish you weren’t here. The jail cell or holding room was not someplace we wanted to visit in any official capacity!
Finding our zen in the Oriental Smoking Room
The highlight of Schloss Oberhofen is the Oriental Smoking Room. I recently visited southern Spain and its Moorish castles and palaces (like the Alhambra’s Nasrid palaces), and it reminded me of this castle. Well, more specifically this room. This space is located at the top of the former keep and was the smoking room of Count Albert de Pourtales. He commissioned this room while serving as an ambassador in Istanbul. Until recently, this was the only time I had seen this style in a castle and I think it is both mesmerizing and beautiful.
Appreciating the colorful and intricate furnishings
I loved the colors and texture, everywhere, in this room. There is so much detail to appreciate. And this room makes me happy, and relaxed. My kids must’ve felt it too because I caught them doing some meditation on one of the divans.
Photo Above: The room has restored divans where you can relax and enjoy the moment.
Photo Above: Close up of the color and tile-like wooden paneling.
Discovering, and following, the mouse trail
My kids will never forget the mouse trail. They had so much fun searching and finding the mice. This activity was truly engaging, and rather genius. The kids played detective searching high and low for where the mice could be hiding. They still talk about this from time to time when we are visiting other castles.
Eating at Restaurant Schloss Oberhofen
At the end of our visit to the Schloss Oberhofen’s museum, we relaxed in Schloss Oberhofen’s restaurant overlooking Lake Thun. The view here is magnificent and it is the perfect way to wrap up such a peaceful day. You are almost on the water and get to experience the views the inhabitants of the castle must have enjoyed every day. The restaurant is open 11 to 11 Wednesday through Sunday.
Take a boat here, as the boat dock is right near the castle, for the most romantic visit possible.
Plan your visit to Schloss Oberhofen
The castle is not open year-round. The castle museum is also closed on Mondays.
The castle opens around mid-May through sometime in October, Tuesday to Sunday from 11am-5pm. You can confirm the hours here. The Lakeside Path is open 9am-5pm all of March. And Castle Park is open most of the year, except for the winter break.
If you really want to visit during the winter break, the castle does offer a “Tour of the Cold Winter Castle” in German only, for 300 CHF (up to 20 people) or 400 CHF (up to 30 people).
The entrance fee is 14 CHF for adults and 6 CHF for children ages 6-16. A family ticket is also available: 20 CHF (1 adults and up to 4 children under age 16) or 30 CHF for 2 adults and up to 4 children under age 16). See the full price list including discounts.
Guided group tours are available for 160 CHF plus admission fee. The castle offers several tour options for this rate. See the full list here.
Yes, you can take photos! We took all the photos in this post ourselves over a couple of visits.
You can arrive by car and park onsite. Take A1 Zurich/Bern, direction A6 Bern/Interlaken, getting off at the exit for Thun-Nord (north) continuing toward the center of Thun (Thun Zentrum).
You can also arrive via the train, getting off in Thun and then taking Bus number 21 (toward Interlaken Ost/Oberhofen) or Bus number 25 (toward Sigriswil). Get off at the Oberhofen Dorf stop.
If you have the time, I recommend taking the boat to Oberhofen. The landing is right there at the castle!
Yes, Restaurant Schloss Oberhofen on Lake Thun offers a wonderful dining experience on the lake. Check their hours and menu here.
There are plenty of things to do and see nearby. If you haven’t already, definitely visit Schloss Thun, castle and museum. And while you in that area, check out Thun old town.
You can also take a boat ride on Lake Thun. In fact, the boat can transport you between Thun (and Schloss Thun) and Schloss Oberhofen.
If you still have energy, there are hiking trails at Niederhorn offering stunning views of Lake Thun. Or there is a suspension bridge with views of the lake at Sigriswil.
