The suburban town of Thun is a perfect example of what brings visitors to Switzerland. Medieval history, comforting food and stunning mountain scenery all come together in this compact city centre.

The 12th century Thun Castle is among the town’s top attractions. Covering everything from rural Swiss life to medieval armour, Thun Castle’s on-site history museum provides a little insight to central Switzerland’s past. Like most Swiss towns, Thun is beloved for its rich natural beauty. Here, the river Aare is centre stage, though the views of the Bernese Alps aren’t too shabby. Foodies will make a beeline for the Schadau Park and Castle, which is home to the Swiss Gastronomy Museum.

Thun is part of the Canton of Bern in west-central Switzerland. As a suburb of the capital Bern, it is served by the city’s S-Bahn rail system. A ride on the S1 line takes just 30 minutes. Once in Thun, visitors can reach most attractions on foot or by bus.

From the early Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution, Thun has a long and storied past. It has been under the rule of the Romans, the Burgundians and the Holy Roman Empire. The Canton of Berne adopted it in the 14th century.