This calm lakeside town on Lake Thun has a 13th-century hilltop castle with five cone-shaped towers and terraced vineyards producing local Spiezer wine.
Spiez wraps around a curved bay on Lake Thun's south shore in central Switzerland. A medieval castle dominates the townscape from its hilltop position, with its white walls and cone-shaped tower reflecting in the lake below. You'll find yourself walking through working vineyards that cover the hillsides, stepping into 15th-century castle rooms, or sailing across Lake Thun's blue waters toward snow-capped Alpine peaks.
Getting to Spiez
Trains connect at Spiez's junction station on the main north-south Alpine route. You'll reach the town from Zurich in 1.5 hours, Geneva in 2.5 hours, and Bern in 30 minutes. From Bern Airport, the journey takes 35 minutes by train or car. An underground passage links the hilltop station to the main street below.
Exploring the Castle Complex
Walk through Spiez Castle's rooms to see how nobility lived in the 15th century. The 1614 banquet hall contains original wooden furniture and wall paintings from the Baroque period. Outside, paths wind through terraced gardens down toward the lake, with stone benches placed at viewpoints. The castle grounds include a Romanesque church dating back to 1000 CE.
Wine Production
Vintners tend to grapevines on Spiez's slopes, continuing a practice that began in 1338. Current vineyards date from 1927, after disease destroyed the original plants in 1900. Follow the vineyard trail to watch growers at work and see wine production in action. Local cellars welcome visitors for tastings of white wines, particularly those made from Riesling-Sylvaner grapes.
Activities on Lake Thun
Swim at Spiez Lido, where grass areas slope down to the water and diving platforms extend into the lake. The beach looks out to the Alps across clear water. Boats depart regularly from the harbor to Thun (45 minutes) and Interlaken (1 hour). From June through September, you can rent kayaks at the marina or join sailing courses during summer.
Mountain Excursions
Ride the funicular up Niesen Mountain to 2,362 meters, where a restaurant serves Swiss dishes like rösti and raclette. The summit's viewing platform looks out over Lake Thun and the Bernese Alps. In nearby Diemtigtal Nature Park, follow 20 kilometers of marked paths through meadows filled with alpine flowers. During winter, you can cross-country ski on prepared trails through the valley.
