On the southern shore of Lake Brienz, Bönigen lies between two mountain ranges. The village combines a landscape of meadows and historic wooden houses with culture in the village centre and activities on the water. When choosing your stay, you can focus on village history, a walking tour or time by the lake.

Village history and historic houses

The oldest part of the village, with wooden houses dating from the 16th to the 18th century, is of national importance. More wooden houses from this period stand in the village centre. One notable example is the “Housihuus”: the historic building dates from 1757 and was the first inn in Bönigen. King Frederick of Württemberg stayed there in 1808. “Christi’s Spycher” is older: it dates from 1746 and is still used to store cheese.

For a closer look at local history, visit the “Alte Pinte” village museum. Housed in a traditional building dating from 1772, it features a permanent exhibition on the village’s history. The exhibition rooms include a rural kitchen and a rural room with furniture, furnishings and everyday objects from 1730 to 1920. Three special exhibitions on changing topics are added each year.

You can also encounter historic and architectural details in public spaces. Brunnenplatz is a gently sloping, square plaza; its limestone fountain probably dates from the second half of the 19th century. Bönigen Church is a rendered hall church with a slender pointed-spire tower dating from 1957, and stands slightly above the village. Step-free access to the church and Chapellihus was created in 2010. If this access is important for your visit, check the arrangements in advance.

A walk through the village centre

The Historic Houses Trail winds through narrow lanes past historic buildings with elaborately carved wooden façades. You will also come across houses dating from the 16th to the 18th century. The trail provides a useful route if you would like to see the historic buildings not just individually, but as part of a walk. A digital version of the Historic Houses Trail is also available interactively in a web browser as SmarTrail.

You can also combine a walk with the “Treasure Hunt in Bönigen”: this family adventure takes you through the village as you solve puzzles. If you would rather walk along the lakeshore, you can head from Bönigen towards Iseltwald. The two options offer different highlights: lanes, houses and puzzles on the one hand, and the lakeside path along Lake Brienz on the other.

Lake Brienz: lido and kayak tours

Bönigen Lido is right on Lake Brienz. Facilities include a heated swimming pool, a natural beach, an aquapark, a trampoline, a restaurant and a playground. Pedal boats, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent on site. There are options for everything from relaxing by the shore to getting out on the water.

The lido is just a few minutes’ walk from the boat landing and the Bönigen-See bus stop, and is easy to reach by public transport. Hightide Kayak School offers evening tours and winter kayak tours on Lake Brienz, and rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and surfski boats in Bönigen. It also enables people with disabilities to kayak on the lake. As tours and rentals are specific services, it is advisable to check dates and availability in advance.

A winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz also starts in Bönigen. The contrast with a visit to the village centre is clear: the tour focuses on the experience of being on the water in winter, while the Historic Houses Trail highlights the village’s architecture and history. A public barbecue area in Bönigen has grills, picnic tables and a covered shelter.

Discover more destinations: Wengen, Interlaken, Oberried on Lake Brienz, Isenfluh, Gundlischwand, Wilderswil, Därligen, Brienz.

Back to the main travel overview: Interlaken.