Beatenberg – holidays with a view from the sun terrace of the Bernese Oberland

Beatenberg is situated high above Lake Thun at an altitude of 1’200 m above sea level and offers its guests a ring-side view of the Bernese Alps. The snow-covered peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau rise majestically into the steel-blue skies. The blue-green waters of Lake Thun glisten in the sunlight. Untouched mountain valleys, breathtaking views, luscious alpine meadows and bubbling mountain streams provide the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday close to nature.

How to get there

This impressive holiday resort with its dark wooden sun-drenched chalets and its unspoilt character can be reached by a good road from the tourist metropolis of Interlaken in just twenty minutes. There is an hourly postbus service from Interlaken, and to Interlaken West railway station it is just under an hour’s train ride from Bern. For guests wishing to make the journey part of the holiday we would recommend travelling by lake steamer (from Thun or Interlaken) to Beatenbucht where you change to the Lake Thun – Beatenberg – Niederhorn railway and cableway and enjoy a relaxing funicular ride which takes you up a further 600 m to Beatenberg station.

Special Features

Beatenberg’s distinctive beauty was already appreciated by princes and emperors at the turn of the century, during the so-called ‚Belle Epoque’ era. Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia, the later German Emperor Frederick III, was a welcome guest in Beatenberg. Beatenberg enjoys a mild, pleasant climate thanks to its south-facing position well-protected from the wind. The long hours of sunshine – seven and a half hours on the shortest day – make this attractive village with its 1’250 inhabitants a popular holiday resort. Beatenberg is rightly known as the sun terrace of the Bernese Oberland. The village of Beatenberg is seven kilometres long and thus one of the longest villages in Europe, not counting Sundlauenen, down by Lake Thun, which also belongs to Beatenberg.

Tourist Attractions

Not too big and not too small, Beatenberg has over 1’600 beds in 10 hotels and about 100 holiday flats as well as 6 holiday chalets for group accommodation. Accommodation can be found to suit every taste. There are several restaurants waiting to offer you a warm welcome.

In summer Beatenberg’s main attraction are its wonderful hiking paths. In the hiking paradise Niederhorn-Beatenberg, accessible by cable car to an altitude of 1’950m, ibex, chamois and marmots are at home. The good thermals and the easy starting and landing places make Beatenberg an eldorado for paragliders.

In winter a cable car and three ski-lifts transport skiers and snowboarders to two clearly laid out skiing areas offering excellent value for money. In addition to this Beatenberg has a Swiss Snowsport School, 16 km of cross-country ski runs, 38 km of marvellous winter hiking-paths, a 7 km sledge run, a natural ice-rink and an indoor swimming-pool with sauna and solarium.