172 reviews museums
castles
historic buildings
parks / gardens
summer
Stroll through the beautiful castle grounds and enjoy views of Lake Thun. Explore the museum within the romantic castle complex, which brings the history of former residents to life. At the top of the tower is an oriental smoking lounge, which commands stunning views of Lake Thun and the surrounding peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
Oberhofen Castle is situated on the banks of Lake Thun. The picturesque castle complex with a keep dating from circa 1200 has a colourful history. The castle gained its present appearance after it was bought by the Neuchâtel-Prussian aristocratic family de Pourtalès in 1844 and converted into a summer residence. A museum devoted to the stories of former residents was established inside the castle in 1954. The absorbing exhibitions are worth a visit, whatever the weather. Tours of the castle and the grounds can also be booked.
Oberhofen Castle is situated on the banks of Lake Thun. The picturesque castle complex with a keep dating from circa 1200 has a colourful history. The castle gained its present appearance after it was bought by the Neuchâtel-Prussian aristocratic family de Pourtalès in 1844 and converted into a summer residence. A museum devoted to the stories of former residents was established inside the castle in 1954. The absorbing exhibitions are worth a visit, whatever the weather. Tours of the castle and the grounds can also be booked.
Flower-filled grounds
Walk between the vibrant blooms and through the conifers, deciduous trees and exotic redwoods of the park; there is even a unique pergola of hornbeams. Discover the gardener’s lodge and the chalet for children of the aristocracy. Today kids can use a play area in the gravel court near the pergola surrounded by lime trees. The castle grounds are a beautifully landscaped English park with stunning views of the Bernese Alps. The mild climate makes this one of the loveliest gardens in the Bernese Oberland.Historic venue for special occasions
From weddings and family celebrations to seminars and company events, dreams come true at Oberhofen Castle. Imagine holding a seminar over the water in the lake turret, or a wedding in the 15th-century castle chapel with the impressive murals. The historic premises of the garden room and dining hall can be rented together with the castle terrace.Fun for kids
Oberhofen Castle is a family-friendly destination for young and old alike. It offers a variety of activities especially for kids aged between 4 and 10, including dressing up, the "mouse trail", fairy tale listening station and the knights’ trail. In the park, beneath the lime trees, there is also a space with swings and a toy box. At the castle gates is a public playground, which can also be accessed outside of museum opening times. Over at the kids’ chalet, in the book corner, countless stories are waiting to be discovered. At Oberhofen Castle, little princesses and knights can also celebrate their birthday in unique style. A discovery tour of guessing games distributed throughout the castle, followed by eating cake, will have kids jumping for joy.Photo opportunity: Oriental smoking lounge
The oriental smoking lounge in the top of the tower promises spectacular views of Lake Thun and the mountains. Pose in the lounge, or capture the superb view on your camera.Your highlights at a glance
- Magnificent landscaped park and romantic grounds by Lake Thun
- Oriental smoking lounge in the tower
- Destination not dependent on the weather
- Lake turret for individual occasions
To ensure that your trip is perfect in every way, please note
- The castle opens from mid-May to mid-October
- Check the opening times of the museum, restaurant and grounds in advance
- The lakeside path opens from March to mid-December
- Combine your excursion with a boat trip
Good to know
Openings
11 May – 26 October 2025
Tuesday – Sunday | 11.00 – 17.00 h
(Monday closed)
Tuesday – Sunday | 11.00 – 17.00 h
(Monday closed)
Dayoff: Monday
Eligibility
Bad Weather Offer
Suitable for any weather
for Groups
for Class
Suitable for the Elderly
for Children of the age of 3-6
for Children of the age of 6-10
for Children of the age of 10 upwards
Other Furnishing/Equipment
Children's Playground (outdoors)
Toilet
Baby Change
Handicapped accessible WC
Payment methods
Cash, Mastercard, Visa
Social Media
License (master data)
Interlaken Tourism
Reviews
- Voyage767312July 3, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Thun- boat-Oberhofen, lovely!Wonderful!! Take the boat from Thun for sure! Go to the castle regardless of age. Just lovely. Also, if you want to eat in Oberhofen, either reserve at the castle restaurant ahead of time or try the restaurant Kreuz! Best fresh fish - Egli filet- I’ve had in a long time!!More - NicholasT342September 22, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Well preserved CastleThere are many many castles in Europe and this was one of the better ones. It has been preserved well with many good displays and appropriate narrations. The location is quite stunning on the lake.More - NielioanNovember 23, 2023 at 12:26 PMchase this castle...we wanted to explore this castle more but time constraints prevented us from doing so. just to get a glimpse of the castle from afar is already worth the long journey. not to mention the lake that reflects its facade. the effect creates an excitement that sizzles as you approach the place. i will spend more time to create more wonderful moments the next chance i get to visit this enchanting place.More
- Voyage68497312813October 4, 2023 at 12:43 PMLovely interactive exhibitionThe exhibition was amazing for children and adults with so many cute details to explore. Would highly recommend!More
- 109borismJuly 26, 2023 at 10:14 AMCastle from puzzlesA castle whose image can be found on many puzzles. A very beautiful castle, partly on the water, and the surrounding gardens are also very beautiful. It's a shame that they built a glass cafe in the center of the castle, which does not fit the visual identity of the castle at all.More
- BeeLady101October 31, 2022 at 10:55 AMMust seeGreat spot to sit and see the lake and mountains! Love bring friends and family here. The castle is beautiful and very well maintained. Gardens make a beautiful walk with loads of different flowers and trees. Information signs are beside several of the large trees, giving you some facts about the trees in both English and German. Gardens lead to a lovely green area with steps providing access to the lake, great spot to sit and picnic.More
- JrnyJunkieAugust 21, 2022 at 4:30 PMGreat private tour.We had a private tour here, before the castle opened for the day. The guide was very knowledgeable; had been employed there for over 25 years. This is a very lovely castle at a great location. The gardens are lovely as well.More
- dromascaJune 28, 2022 at 7:14 PM
slightly beyond expectationsThe castle at Oberhofen, as viewed from the lake, is one of the most famous and iconic images of Switzerland. The visit a little bit disappointed us. There is still an interesting story to tell, about the castle built in the 12th century, renovated many times, acquired by a noble family by the middle of the 19th century, and becoming state property in the 20th century. The museum now mixes the history of the place and exhibits about decoration and life style in the castle. Not everything is at the same level of interest, and it looks like the place is on some kind of transition from a historical design museum to a 'life in the castle' museum.Also. some of the audio explanations (like the ones about the lives of the servants) are in German only.More - Nomad427644June 9, 2022 at 4:52 AMBeautifulIt was amazing (inside and outside). We walked around the beautiful park with its sequoia trees. Very romantic. Then we visited the castle. We were pleased. Very nice visit and amazing view from the castle on the lac. It's worth a visit.More
- CPaM68October 5, 2021 at 2:29 PMEnjoyed Our VisitWe were staying at a vacation rental in Grindelwald and as a day-trip had planned to take the cruise on Lake Thun that stops at several of the attractions. Even though we missed the boat out of Interlaken, we had a great time driving the beautiful shoreline and were able to stop at multiple sites, including Oberhofen Castle. The castle was originally built in the 13th century and then rebuilt in the Romantic style in the mid-1800s. Ironically one of the owners of the castle was Walter IV von Eschenbach, who was assassinated along with King Albert I (King of Germany) in 1308. Since 1954, the castle has served as a museum. Highlights included the servant quarters (restored bedrooms) with secret doors leading into the dining room, library, and Oriental/Turkish smoking room. The Turkish smoking room was based on similar rooms from wealthy homes in Cairo and added onto the castle in 1855 by Count Albert de Pourtalè (owner at the time) who had spent several years in Istanbul as a Prussian diplomat. The gardens, which are very beautiful, offer spectacular views of Lake Thun and the mountains on the other side of the lake. My nine-year-old granddaughter also enjoyed the small playground just outside the entrance to the castle and an interactive search-game helped keep her attentive and interested in the interior castle exhibits. We toured the castle mid-afternoon on a weekday, and it wasn’t very busy. If it were busy, I could see finding a place to park being a problem. Information about the castle exhibits is posted in English.More
- samuelkG3862IZAugust 5, 2021 at 12:46 PMIncredible castleAbsolutely beautiful place! The castle is stunning, as well as the location. The exhibits in the muesum are well prepared and informative. Go for a drink in the restaurant or on the nearby pier after the visit!More
- r0landbrunnerMay 23, 2020 at 10:42 AMbeautiful castle and great parka very nice setting, just on the waterfront of the lake, and an impressive construction with a beautiful park around. definitely a must when visiting the region.More
- MonicaS4201December 15, 2019 at 3:20 PMWinter Sunday strollWe didn't visit the castle itself, but we did make use of the sunny day to go for a stroll around it. We walked from Oberhofen to Thun. It was lovely, the views are stunning (on a sunny day). :-)More
- Baarman2000October 18, 2019 at 8:16 AMEnjoy the garden and ocationWe walked through Oberhofen as part of a longer walk and really enjoyed the gardens by the lake and strolling round the harbour with the imposing castle nestling right on the lake. One of many little gems around Lake Thun for those willing to explore further than the Jungfrau region.More
- PERRYMERLINOctober 12, 2019 at 4:08 PMVacationAn absolute must see. Beautiful architecture and beautiful views and surroundings. The rooms are partly furnished and fun to explore. Many hidden doors throughout the castle rooms. Our group really enjoyed this place.More
- PERRYMERLINOctober 12, 2019 at 4:05 PMVacationThis is absolutely a beautiful Castle set on a beautiful lake. The castle / home is a nice size with many floors and stairs. The rooms have some furniture and decor which adds a lot to the visit. Everyone in our group loved this Castle because of its charm and architecture. This is a must see and great external pictures. Lots of hidden doors throughout the rooms and great for the entire family.More
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