Switzerland with kids: Visiting St. Beatus Caves on Lake Thun

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Switzerland is such a magical place and my kids absolutely adored visiting St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls on Lake Thun – so here’s my full guide and review with photos and everything that you need to know before you visit. Switzerland is full of captivating natural wonders, but St Beatus Caves near Lake Thun offers a unique and budget-friendly family adventure that’s both magical and educational. With mystical caves, the most incredible views, waterfalls and family-friendly amenities, it’s the perfect day out for families wanting to explore Switzerland’s hidden treasures without overspending.

How do I get to St Beatus Caves from Interlaken?

St Beatus Caves was an easy five minute drive from where we stayed at Manor Farm Campsite in Bernese Oberland, Interlaken. We also found the local public transport really easy to use (and included free with the tourist pass we were given from the campsite), so it would be a free, simple and short bus journey from there too if you’re travelling without a car. If you’re not staying locally, you can reach St Beatus Caves by taking the train to Interlaken West, which connects to many Swiss cities.

From Interlaken West, simply hop on the bus and it’ll take you right to the entrance of St Beatus Caves (Beatushöhlen stop) in less than 20 minutes. The bus route itself is lovely, offering glimpses of Lake Thun and the mountains. If you’re travelling with children under 16, remember they ride free when accompanied by a parent with a Swiss Travel Pass. If you’re driving, there’s a small parking area at the bottom of the caves.

Is it worth visiting St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls?

Well, for a start, if you don’t visit St Beatus Caves then you’ll be missing out on this incredible (and unexpected!) view over Lake Thun – which we discovered from the entrance of the caves. It’s a steep climb up to get into the caves, but the views were absolutely stunning – yet another place that looked more like a postcard than a reality! We actually hadn’t planned to visit St Beatus Caves originally, but found it after a quick google of the area, and I’m glad we did! We’d queued to visit Harder Kulm that morning, as you can visit for free with a Jungfraujoch ticket, but it was so slow moving as the transport up the mountain doesn’t hold many people. So, we gave up and ended up at the caves and just look at these views!

We were so lucky with the weather too – such glorious sunshine for our whole trip! There was something really magical about seeing the waterfall areas whilst inside the caves, as well as on the climb up to them. And, there’s a playground on the way up too for the kids to let off some steam. (You might also want to rest your legs on the way up – it’s quite steep – and definitely don’t bring a pushchair!) Afterwards, we enjoyed a drink (and ice-cream for the kids) in the restaurant, and it was really magical overlooking such natural beauty. If you don’t fancy the caves, trek the paths up to them anyway – it’s worth the walk, and it was such an unexpected bonus of our visit! But, without a doubt, St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls is definitely worth visiting.

What’s St Beatus Caves like inside?

Inside the caves, you can explore the winding walkways and take in the ancient rock formations. The paths are well-maintained, making it safe for most ages, though pushchairs are not allowed inside so bring a lightweight baby carrier if you have younger children. The path is generally flat and easy to walk with handrails to keep the journey safe for kids. We learned about stalactites and stalagmites, and the rate at which they’re formed.

The caves were beautifully lit to make the pools and other interesting areas look amazing. There’s also a museum area which talks you through the history, and past adventures of the cavers who had previously discovered and explored the caves. You can grab an audio guide, to have everything explained in the language you require. It’s a really interesting way to spend a few hours if you’re in the Interlaken area. The caves are well-lit and relatively easy to explore, making them ideal for families with kids eager to embark on an adventure.

How long does it take to visit St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls?

To explore St Beatus Caves properly, allow about half a day for your trip. The main trail outside the caves follows a series of waterfalls, creating a picturesque approach to the cave entrance. The walk up to the entrance might be a bit steep for little legs, but there are benches along the way if you need a breather. The initial walk is quite a trek, and you might want to allow time for the kids to play in the playground too. The caves themselves are 1km long, so you’ll want a decent amount of time exploring inside to take it all in. As I mentioned above, at the entrance, there’s also a small museum dedicated to cave geology and local history – you’ll learn more about how the caves were formed, the story of St. Beatus Caves and the ecosystem within the caves – so allow some time to visit that too.

You’ll also want to enjoy the insane views over Lake Thun! As photo spots go, this one was just incredible so it’s the perfect point to pause for some family photos. Though you can admire the views on the way up to the caves, I’d also recommend allowing some time to rest afterwards in the restaurant – grab a cold drink and soak up the views! After visiting the caves, consider spending some time by Lake Thun as well – there are walking paths, picnic areas and spots where the kids can paddle in the water nearby. In fact, you might want to allow a whole day for your visit to St Beatus Caves, take your time and explore the local area too. Nearby Interlaken also offers various family-friendly attractions, including the Harder Kulm viewpoint, and boat tours on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

How much does it cost to visit St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls?

We paid around £43 for a family pass to visit St Beatus Caves, which we felt was good value for money as it turned out to be one of the kids’ favourite places that we visited in Switzerland, with the views over Lake Thun being the icing on the cake. The caves were amazing to explore, and go quite a depth, Finn and Lola were totally fascinated by it, and it was educational too. St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls is open daily from April through to October – the caves are a constant 8-10 degrees inside, so dress appropriately and wear non-slip shoes.

St. Beatus Caves is a brilliant and affordable day trip for families, with enough beauty and intrigue to keep everyone entertained. Between the natural wonders of the caves and the breathtaking lake views, this attraction offers an excellent balance of adventure and education. If you’re heading to Switzerland on a budget with the kids then you’ll absolutely want to check out my full guide for our trip – with affordable family accommodation, things to do in Interlaken and tips for keeping costs down: Our Eurocamp Interlaken Family Holiday Guide: How to visit Switzerland on a budget with kids.

And, for even more ideas on things to do with kids in and around the Interlaken area, head to my family itinerary guide: Interlaken family holiday itinerary – the best things to see and do with kids.