Thun Castle (Schloss Thun)

Inside the fortress, you’ll find cobbled courtyards, winding staircases, and five floors of interactive exhibitions featuring hundreds of artifacts from the museum’s 15,000-strong collection. Explore the knights’ hall, and if you’re feeling energetic, climb the stairs to the four towers.

To save time at the entrance, purchase admission online in advance. Some day tours visit Thun Castle along with other lakeside landmarks, such as the St. Beatus Caves and Interlaken—a good way to make the most of a quick stop in the region.

• Thun Castle is a must for history lovers, with plenty to keep kids entertained, too.

• Only the castle’s ground-floor exhibition is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly; there’s also a wheelchair-accessible bathroom on this level.

• Be prepared to walk up several staircases to the towers.

• There are gift and refreshment shops on-site.

A popular stop on boat tours, Thun Castle overlooks the Aare, just under a mile (1.6 kilometers) from where the river meets Lake Thun. The castle is about a 10-minute walk from Thun Station, which is accessible from most major Swiss cities. The country’s transit system is efficient yet expensive—to save some cash, look out for deals and passes that include unlimited travel.

Thun is charming year-round, though the clear days of spring and summer ensure the best Alpine views. Public and private events are regularly scheduled in the knights’ hall, so check the schedule before you go.

Under a light dusting of snow, Thun Castle can seem straight from a story—but the medieval fortress isn’t the only fairy-tale landmark on Lake Thun. In fact, there are four other fanciful castles well worth a visit: the 10th-century Spiez Castle, the laketop Oberhofen Castle, the French-style Hünegg Castle, and Thun’s second stronghold, Schadau Castle. Take your pick, or rent a boat to see them all in a day.