Oberhofen Castle
Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland
A castle whose slender tower stands in Lake Thun, surrounded by a lakeside park. The tower against the Alps is the classic photo.
Oberhofen Castle is a medieval moated castle right on Lake Thun in the canton of Bern. A keep from around 1200 forms the core of the complex. In 1306 the lords of Eschenbach were forced to sell Oberhofen to the Habsburgs. In the 19th century the de Pourtalès family acquired the castle (1844 according to Interlaken Tourism) and remodelled it in Romantic style between 1849 and 1852; the lake tower was given a decorative spire at that time.
The castle has a landscape park of about 2.5 hectares with conifers and broadleaf trees, giant sequoias and a hornbeam avenue. At the top of the tower is an Oriental smoking room with views of the lake and mountains. Since 1952 the castle has belonged to the Bernisches Historisches Museum, which has run a branch here since 1954; a restaurant in the castle courtyard opened in 2013. Children can enjoy activities such as a dressing-up studio and a knights' trail.
In 2026 the castle was open from 10 May to 1 November, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm (another note gives mid-May to mid-October). Please check the 2027 season in advance.
- Nearest town
- Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 46.7311, 7.6694
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- TCS Camping Thunersee - GwattCampsite3 km from Oberhofen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Manor FarmCampsite12 km from Oberhofen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- JungfrauCampCampsite13 km from Oberhofen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- FrutigresortCampsite15 km from Oberhofen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- GrassiCampsite17 km from Oberhofen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping au lac, RinggenbergCampsite19 km from Oberhofen CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Oberhofen Castle?
Oberhofen Castle is in Oberhofen am Thunersee, Switzerland, at GPS 46.7311, 7.6694. It is about 4 km from Thun.
Can you camp near Oberhofen Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is TCS Camping Thunersee - Gwatt, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 52 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Oberhofen Castle?
Oberhofen Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lakes Thun and Brienz to the Grimsel Pass.
What is there to see near Oberhofen Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: St. Beatus Caves (11 km), Iseltwald (23 km), Trümmelbach Falls (23 km) and Lauterbrunnental (24 km).
When is the best time to visit Oberhofen Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)