Hünegg Castle and Park – A magical place on lake Thun
Hünegg Castle, with its extensive interior preserved in its entirety just as it was in 1900, is a remarkable museum of domestic life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors who come to learn about the domestic culture of Historicism and Jugendstil will feel as if the castle’s former inhabitants could return at any moment and resume living their lives just as they used to.
Hünegg Castle is also home to the Swiss Gastronomy Museum, where visitors can explore the cultural memory of gastronomy and the hotel business as well as Switzerland’s food and drink culture. A painstakingly created treasure, it holds a substantial collection that complements the large, completely fitted-out kitchen and fully equipped pantry as well as the dining room to create a unique record of the past in the historical rooms.
The models for the architecture of Hünegg, which was constructed in 1861–1863, can be found among the Loire châteaux in France. Fittingly, this stately home lies in extensive, enchanting grounds right by Lake Thun. A meticulously laid-out public park with indigenous trees and many exotic varieties dating from when the castle was built surrounds the grand edifice. The castle terrace boasts a magnificent view of the world-famous Alps. Located in the imposing entrance hall, the museum shop offers a selection of souvenirs, while in the stylish café with its wonderful outdoor area visitors can enjoy the castle’s own-blend coffee, espresso and other delicacies.
At Hünegg Castle, history and the lifestyle of the building’s former inhabitants come back to life. There is also a rich and diverse programme of events, with something for all ages.
CURRENTLY CLOSED
Season 2023: Sunday 14 May - Sunday 14 October
The castle cellar and the cultural pavilion can be rented all year round.
Park: free admission
Individual visitors
- Adults: CHF 10.-
- Senior citizens and students: CHF 8.-
- Children and young people up to age 16: CHF 5.-
- Children up to age 6: free
Groups
- Of 10 persons or over: CHF 8.- / visitor
Free entrance
- Swiss Museum Pass
- Raiffeisencard (members)
1 admission for 2 museums: Museum of Jugendstil and Historicist Domestic Culture & Swiss Gastronomy Museum
Dogs are permitted in the park.
The castle café and park are wheelchair-accessible.
Free WiFi throughout the castle
Playroom for very young visitors
During museum opening hours: castle café with its own coffee blends.
To order: home-made finger buffets
Public transport
STI bus no. 21 or 25 from Thun station, alight at the Eichbühl or Hilterfingen Post stop
BLS ferry, alight at the Hilterfingen landing stage
Car
The castle is located in Hilterfingen on Lake Thun between Hünibach and Oberhofen. Two large car parks are available: one at the lower end of the estate by the lake along Staatsstrasse and another at the top end forming part of the park on Alte Thunstrasse.
Exotic small birds, peacocks, kangaroos and rabbits in the park.