St. Beatus Caves
St. Beatus Caves things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Good sight to see if your in the area. The cave was very interesting to see, with a stunning view of the surroundings. Upon arriving to site, you must walk up about 150m to the main level, where there is the entrance to the cave, as well as a quick lunch spot, and the sit-down restaurant Stein & Sein. The walk up is strenuous as it is a steep incline. I had lunch at the Stein and Sein that was lovely. I had a steak with potatoes/vegetables. Well worth it, as the quality of the food was up to Swiss standards and the tables all have really great views of the lake. The walk through the cave is about 1.5 km (approx. 1 mile) long, with a slight degree of difficulty due to the steep inclines (not as steep as the initial climb though) and numerous stairways throughout. Total, it takes about an hour. The weather in the cave stays at a constant 8-10 deg C all year round so its quite comfortable to walk around in the summer. If you get cold easily, I recommend a light jacket, however with all the climbing throughout, you tend to warm up a bit. It can get quite damp inside the cave, and the floors tend to be a bit wet, so I would advise flat shoes with a standard grip - normal tennis shoes would be fine. Note, that there is also a museum on the first "level" from the ground up. Entrance is free with the entry ticket to the cave. They have toilets there, and you can purchase drinks and ice cream. There are a couple tables next to the museum to sit and relax.
Ari MartinezAri Martinez
40
St. Beatus-Höhlen caves were a really great addition to our trip to Switzerland. The scenery in the area is fantastic and the cave was one of the largest ones I've ever visited. Really lovely. The walk up to the cave was also pretty, with a great view of a waterfall. At the top there is a playground and restaurant. We didn't eat here, so I can't attest to the food quality or price. The ticket price also includes admittance to a small museum about the cave's history and caving in general. It doesn't take long to go through and was interesting. Additionally, there's a small giftshop for souvenirs. My only issue was with the parking. I couldn't get the app to work and we didn't have any change available...so we walked up to the desk and asked if we'd be able to pay for parking there. They said yes and we did. We then asked if we should take the ticket back down to the car and they said no - we could just keep it with us. Obviously we did the right thing by paying for parking, but the lot must not actually be monitored all the time since there's no way they would have known (or not) if we purchased parking. Overall, though, a really nice experience. I recommend it!
Amanda Vosloh-TedfordAmanda Vosloh-Tedford
00
Prepare yourself for a long tour 😊 Nestled along the shores of Lake Thun, these caves offer a breathtaking journey into the depths of the Swiss Alps. From the moment you approach the entrance, the stunning natural beauty of the area sets the tone for what lies ahead. The caves themselves are a marvel of nature. Walking through the winding passages, you’re surrounded by incredible rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites that have been shaped over thousands of years. The sound of the underground waterfall echoing through the caverns adds a mystical ambiance, making you feel as though you've stepped into another world. The lighting inside the caves is carefully placed to highlight the most impressive features without taking away from the natural beauty. What truly enhances the experience is the well-maintained pathways and informative signage throughout the caves. The history of St. Beatus, the legendary monk who is said to have lived in the caves, adds an intriguing layer of local folklore to your visit. The guided tours are excellent, offering fascinating insights into both the geological and historical significance of the caves.
Tiago OliveiraTiago Oliveira
00
This is a fantastic cave. Be prepared it’s a long cave and you can spend several hours here. The trail is great. I do wish they had some markers saying how much finger to the end. However when you reach the end of the cave there is a Grand Tour award photo spot. Don’t miss the museum like display at the beginning of the cave where you learn the history of Beatus. Oh and the museum at the entrance is a must see as it gives you a better understanding of what you are about to see. Just buy your ticket there to the cave. St. Beatus cave on Beatenberg mountain is just above Lake Thun. According to legend, in 100 AD a monk St. Beatus (baptized by Barnabas and sent by the disciple Peter) lifted his cross, and through the spirit of the Holy Trinity, cast a fire-breathing dragon out of the caves and into Lake Thun where he died. Then Beatus made it his home. Inside the cave there are underground gorges, babbling springs and large waterfalls. It’s a beautiful cave and a relaxing hike. Way more than I expected. Oh in your way out take the meandering trail and check out the flora, so pretty.
Jenny TrumpJenny Trump
00
Pictures honestly don’t do this place justice!! It was such an incredible experience and for the price it is beyond worth it in value in my opinion. Husband and I came here on a whim and we were beyond pleasantly surprised. It’s quite a steep walk (uphill) to get to the actual caves, but the views on the way up are amazing and the walk is paved so not too difficult. Once inside the caves, the walkways/paths are clearly designated and it has sufficient lighting. There are info plaques as you go along. We didn’t get the audio guide but I don’t feel like we needed it. We spend a couple hours here and had an amazing visit. If you have any sort of discount card/pass make sure you present it before they ring up your tickets - they have a tiny sign saying to do so, but we missed it and the lady seemed a little frustrated with us. Nevertheless it was an amazing adventure and experience and we loved it! Tickets are same price online as in person so I don’t think you need to pre-purchase the tickets.
Erika Brinson-AllenErika Brinson-Allen
10
Super cool delve into the caves. It is amazing seeing the sheer amount of water flowing through there. When I went there was no tour guide and me and my wife were unable to find nor download the "St Beatus Caves" app that helps you have a self-guided tour (our app stores both Apple and Android are locked to Canada, likely the issue). We nearly turned around after the 7th info panel on the way through as there was a "guided tour - do not disturb sign" above the path at one point leading us to believe that you had to be on a tour to proceed further. This is not the case, carry on to the end and if you encounter another tour just simply do not bother them. Simple enough. Would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in geology, rocks, ancient caves, or delving nearly a kilometer deep into the side of a mountain! The short hike from the road up to the caves was nice as well. Did not visit the museum nor the restaurant so I cannot comment on them.
Cameron BrowCameron Brow
00
Nearby Attractions Of St. Beatus Caves
Dorint Blüemlisalp
Hotel Zeit & Traum
St. Beatus Waterfall

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Hotel Zeit & Traum
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St. Beatus Waterfall
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Nearby Restaurants Of St. Beatus Caves
Gasthaus Riedboden
Restaurant Stein & Sein
Hotel Gloria Restaurant
Brigitte und Markus Jaun

Gasthaus Riedboden
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Restaurant Stein & Sein
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Hotel Gloria Restaurant
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Brigitte und Markus Jaun
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Basic Info
Address
Staatsstrasse 30, 3800 Sundlauenen, Switzerland
Map
Phone
+41 33 841 16 43
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Website
beatushoehlen.swiss
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(3.5K reviews)
Ratings & Description
adventure
outdoor
attractions: Dorint Blüemlisalp, Hotel Zeit & Traum, St. Beatus Waterfall, restaurants: Gasthaus Riedboden, Restaurant Stein & Sein, Hotel Gloria Restaurant, Brigitte und Markus Jaun

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