Day 11 – Walking Through the Charming Streets of Thun, Switzerland (Sep’26)

17 September 2026 | Thun Old Town and Bern, Switzerland

Some days during a long journey are filled with famous attractions, early morning departures, and busy schedules. Other days are simply about slowing down, walking through beautiful streets, enjoying a good meal, and appreciating the atmosphere of a place without rushing.
Our Day 11 in Switzerland was one of those relaxing days.

After spending time exploring different parts of Switzerland, we decided to keep this day relatively light. Our plan was to visit the charming town of Thun, located just a short train journey from Bern, and return to Bern by the evening.

We started before lunchtime, knowing that we didn’t need an entire day of sightseeing. Sometimes, the best travel experiences come from leaving a little space in the schedule rather than trying to visit every possible attraction.

A Short Train Journey from Bern to Thun

One of the things I really appreciated about traveling in Switzerland was how easy it was to move between cities and smaller towns by train.

From Bern, our journey to Thun took around 30 minutes. It was a comfortable and convenient way to explore another beautiful Swiss destination without changing our accommodation or carrying luggage.

Thun is situated in the Bernese Oberland region and is known for its historic Old Town, beautiful river scenery, wooden bridges, and traditional Swiss architecture.

Unlike the bigger cities, Thun has a quieter atmosphere that makes it especially enjoyable for visitors who simply want to walk around and experience the surroundings.

As we arrived at Thun railway station, our first priority was lunch.

Lunch at a Jordanian Restaurant Near Thun Station

Before beginning our walk around Thun, we decided to have lunch at a Jordanian restaurant near the railway station.

Finding food from different cultures is always an interesting part of international travel. Even while exploring Switzerland, there are opportunities to experience cuisines from other parts of the world.

We enjoyed our lunch and took some time to relax before heading toward the historic part of town.

Having lunch near the station also made our afternoon simple. We could finish our meal and then explore Thun on foot without worrying about transportation or complicated plans.

For travelers visiting Thun from Bern, I think this is a practical approach: arrive around lunchtime, enjoy a meal, and spend the afternoon discovering the town at your own pace.

Walking Around Thun’s Beautiful Wooden Bridge

After lunch, we began exploring the area around Thun’s wooden bridge and river.

This was one of the most charming parts of our visit.

Thun is known for its historic covered wooden bridges and the River Aare, which flows through the town. These bridges are not only useful crossings but also part of the town’s traditional character.

The combination of wooden structures, flowing water, old buildings, and pedestrian streets creates a lovely atmosphere.

Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, we simply walked around and enjoyed the views.

What makes places like Thun special is that you don’t always need a long sightseeing checklist. The beauty is often in the ordinary details: the bridges, the buildings, the river, and the peaceful streets.

For anyone who enjoys photography, this area offers plenty of interesting compositions, particularly where the traditional architecture meets the water.

Exploring the Charming Old Town of Thun

After spending time near the wooden bridge, we continued walking through Thun’s Old Town.

The historic streets are one of the main reasons Thun is worth visiting.

Thun has a distinctive Swiss character, with traditional buildings, small shops, pedestrian-friendly areas, and attractive streets that encourage visitors to slow down.

Its Old Town is also known for the unusual raised pavements along parts of Obere Hauptgasse, one of the town’s most recognizable historic streets.

We enjoyed walking through the area, looking at the buildings and experiencing the local atmosphere.

Unlike some popular tourist destinations where every moment feels busy, Thun seemed like the kind of place where a simple afternoon walk could become the main experience of the day.

I personally enjoy this style of travel. Visiting famous landmarks is certainly exciting, but wandering through smaller towns often gives a different perspective on a country.

You notice the architecture, the local surroundings, and the everyday rhythm of the streets.

Thun was a good example of that.

Why Thun Is Worth Visiting from Bern

If you are staying in Bern and have a few hours available, Thun is a very convenient destination for a short trip.

You don’t necessarily need to spend a full day there, especially if your main interest is exploring the Old Town, the bridges, and the riverside area.

Of course, Thun also has other attractions, including Thun Castle and access to Lake Thun. Visitors with more time can include these in a longer itinerary.

For our visit, however, we kept things simple and focused on walking around the historic town.

I felt this was enough to enjoy the atmosphere without making the day unnecessarily tiring.

After several days of traveling around Switzerland, a slower afternoon was exactly what we wanted.

Returning to Bern Around 5 PM

After spending the afternoon in Thun, we took the train back to Bern and arrived around 5 PM.

Although we had already explored Bern during our stay, we decided to spend some more time walking around the city.

Bern is one of those places where even a familiar street can feel enjoyable when you walk through it again.

Its historic architecture, arcaded walkways, shops, and well-preserved Old Town create a wonderful environment for evening strolls.

We didn’t have any major sightseeing plans this time. It was simply another opportunity to enjoy the city before leaving the following morning.

Sometimes returning to a place you’ve already explored is more relaxing than visiting somewhere completely new. There is no pressure to find every attraction or follow a strict route.

You can just walk, observe, and enjoy the surroundings.

Evening Shopping at Coop in Bern

During our evening walk in Bern, we stopped at Coop to do some shopping.

Coop is one of Switzerland’s well-known supermarket chains, and visiting local supermarkets is a practical part of traveling, particularly when staying in an Airbnb.

Shopping at supermarkets also gives you a small glimpse into everyday life in another country.

You see the food products, packaging, local brands, and daily essentials that residents purchase.

For travelers staying several days in Switzerland, supermarkets can be particularly useful for managing food expenses, as restaurant meals can be relatively expensive.

Since we planned to have dinner at our Airbnb, stopping at Coop fitted naturally into our evening.

A Quiet Dinner at Our Airbnb

After shopping, we returned to our Airbnb in Bern and had dinner there.

It was a simple and relaxing way to finish the day.

During a long international journey, eating at the accommodation can sometimes feel just as satisfying as going out to a restaurant.

There is no need to dress up, search for a restaurant, or travel somewhere again after a full day of walking.

You can relax, have your meal, and prepare for the next part of the journey.

That evening was particularly important because we were scheduled to travel back to Zurich the following morning.

We wanted to avoid a late night and keep things comfortable before moving to another city.

Preparing to Leave Bern for Zurich

As the day came to an end, our time in Bern was also coming to a close.

The following morning, we needed to travel back to Zurich, so this was our last evening in Bern during this part of the journey.

Bern had been a convenient base for exploring the surrounding region, and our afternoon trip to Thun showed how easily another charming Swiss town could be included in the itinerary.

Looking back, I was glad that we didn’t try to fill the day with too many activities.

We had enjoyed a train journey, a Jordanian lunch, the wooden bridge, Thun’s Old Town, another walk through Bern, and a quiet dinner at our accommodation.

Nothing complicated, but still a memorable travel day.

My Thoughts on Visiting Thun, Switzerland

Thun may not always be the first destination people think about when planning a Switzerland itinerary. Cities such as Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Bern often receive more attention.

But smaller towns like Thun have their own appeal.

You don’t have to visit every museum, climb every viewpoint, or follow a detailed sightseeing schedule to appreciate the town.

For me, walking around the wooden bridge and historic streets was the highlight.

The town’s architecture and river scenery made the afternoon enjoyable, while its proximity to Bern made the journey easy.

If you enjoy slow travel, historic European streets, and smaller towns, Thun is certainly worth considering.

FAQs for This Travel Story

1. When did you visit Thun, Switzerland?

We visited Thun on 17 September 2026, during Day 11 of our Switzerland journey.

2. How did you travel from Bern to Thun?

We traveled by train from Bern to Thun, which took around 30 minutes.

3. Is Thun worth visiting from Bern?

Yes. Thun is an excellent destination for a short trip from Bern, especially for travelers interested in historic streets, wooden bridges, and a relaxing atmosphere.

4. Where did you have lunch in Thun?

We had lunch at a Jordanian restaurant near Thun railway station before exploring the town.

5. What did you explore in Thun?

We mainly explored the wooden bridge area and the charming streets of Thun’s historic Old Town.

6. How much time do you need to explore Thun?

A few hours can be enough for a relaxed walk around the Old Town and bridges. Visitors planning to explore the castle and lake may prefer a longer visit.

7. Did you visit Thun Castle or Lake Thun?

No. Our visit focused on the wooden bridge and Old Town, as we wanted to keep the day relaxing.

8. What time did you return to Bern?

We returned to Bern around 5 PM and spent some additional time walking around the city.

9. What did you do in Bern during the evening?

We walked around Bern, did some shopping at Coop supermarket, and enjoyed dinner at our Airbnb.

10. Where did you travel after Bern?

We were scheduled to travel back to Zurich the following morning, continuing our Switzerland journey.