Oberhofen Castle

Oberhofen Castle is a Swiss heritage site of national significance in Oberhofen of the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. Oberhofen Castle with its medieval keep and lake tower is located on the shore of Lake Thun. With its striking tree formations, exotic wood plants, covered walkway and colourful flower parterres, this historic landscape garden is an ideal oasis to linger and unwind.

During the High Middle Ages the Freiherr von Oberhofen built Balm Castle on a hill above the village. In 1200, a daughter of the family, Ita, married into the von Eschenbach family and gave this family the castle and village. In the 13th century they began a new, moated castle on the shores of Lake Thun. 

The castle passed into private hands after 1803 and had several owners in the following years. In 1844 the castle was bought and converted to a summer residence by the aristocratic Pourtalès family from Neuchatel and Prussia. In 1952 it became a part of the Historical Museum of Bern and two years later they opened a branch in the castle. The central keep probably dates from around 1200 and is about 11 by 12.5 meters (36 ft × 41 ft) with 2 m (6.6 ft) thick walls.

Note: The castles of Thun, Oberhofen and Spiez on Lake Thun invite families to immerse themselves in the world of the middle ages. On the knight’s trail, pageboys and varlets can learn how to be knights and ladies.

General Information

Free access to the park.

Dogs are not allowed in the castle or the park, but are welcome in the restaurant.

Further information on the castle park

ENTRANCE FEES – CASTLE MUSEUM : –

Adults :- CHF 10

Adult reduced (AHV, IV, students and unemployed with ID, military): CHF 8

Children (6–16 years) :- CHF 2

Groups over 10 people :- CHF 8

Bernese Oberland Regional Pass :- CHF 8

Free entrance with Museums pass, Oberhofner Museums pass, Schlössercard, Raiffeisenkarte, Flexi Pass, Youth Pass, Museen Bern, VMS-Mitgliederkarte

ARRIVING BY CAR : –

Motorway A1 Zurich / Bern, direction A6 Bern / Interlaken, leave the motorway in Thun-Nord and continue towards Thun Zentrum, direction Gunten / Interlaken.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT :

From Thun railway station :

Take bus no. 21 (Interlaken Ost / Oberhofen) or bus no. 25 (Sigriswil), exit Oberhofen Dorf Or take the boat to Oberhofen (landing key by castle)