Thun City Guide

Try local dishes like Rösti and Cheese Fondue. The city has international restaurants and growing vegan/vegetarian options. Late-night food is limited.

Nightlife is relaxed with bars and pubs mainly in the old town and by the river. No big clubs, more quiet evenings.

Good mix of traditional and specialty cafés. Quality coffee is common but not a major hub.

Tipping is not required since service charges are included. Rounding up or 5-10% for good service is appreciated.

SIM cards are available at Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt shops or electronics stores. ID/passport needed to register. eSIMs are becoming common.

Very clean city with good waste management and maintained public spaces.

Limited 24/7 services. Few late-night pharmacies or shops. After-hours food limited to some fast-food and hotels.

Supermarkets like Coop, Migros, and Aldi are common. Open weekdays 8 AM–7 PM, Saturdays until 5 PM. Most shops close Sundays and public holidays.

Most shops, restaurants, and hotels accept cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro). Cash is accepted but less common.

You can find ATMs from UBS, Credit Suisse, and Raiffeisen. Swiss banks usually don't charge withdrawal fees, but check with your home bank for possible charges.

Local schools available; international schools are in Bern, like the International School of Berne offering English instruction.

Small digital nomad scene. Close to Bern's larger community. Co-working spaces exist but limited meetups.

Excellent parks and lake promenades for walking and running.

Safe and scenic running paths along the lake, river, and parks.

Several gyms and sports clubs offer various fitness options.

Several tennis clubs with courts and coaching services.

Padel is less common but growing in popularity locally.

Multiple yoga studios and wellness centers offer classes, often in English.

Judo, Karate, Taekwondo available locally. BJJ and Muay Thai found mainly in bigger nearby cities.

Close to resorts like Grindelwald and Wengen with good snow from December to April.

Lake Thun is good for kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing with rentals available.

No ocean surfing. River surfing is possible in Bern but not in Thun.

Lake Thun offers diving with good visibility and sites including shipwrecks.

Thun Hospital and various clinics offer high-quality care. Many staff speak English. Pharmacies are common and well stocked.

Tap water is safe and excellent quality; drink straight from the tap.

Good for families with playgrounds, kid-friendly cafés, and attractions like Thun Castle and boat trips on Lake Thun.

Safe and generally inclusive with low discrimination risks even if no specific venues.

Pet friendly with many public areas allowing dogs and vets available.