Bleisure Summer in Bern

How about a brainstorming session surrounded by serene nature? Or an after-work “Fübi” (sundowner) with the locals in Bern’s trendiest bars? We’ve gathered the best tips for a successful and refreshing summer in the federal city.

Week(end) Programme

Business + Leisure = Bleisure. If you want to extend your stay in Bern after a seminar weekend or just want a well-deserved coffee between meetings in one of the pubs popular with Bernese people – here are our tips:

Bern’s Shops

Shopping in Bern’s old town is a unique experience: you will find countless shops, boutiques and ateliers under the historic arcades. Here are some of our favourites.

For shopaholics

Bern’s Cafés

Under the arcades, in the alleys or hidden away in a vaulted cellar: if you love grabbing a coffee, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Bern’s old town.

For caffeine junkies

Bern’s Guided City Tours

From the city’s landmarks to is secret corners: our city tours are as diverse as Bern itself – packed with interesting facts and figures, witty and astonishing, historical and topical, educational and sometimes scary, but alwas entertaining.

For urban explorers

Bern’s Museums

You are spoilt for choice if you want to go to a museum in Bern: Here is an overview of internationally renowned special exhibitions, private collections and interactive events.

For culture aficionados

Bern’s Bars

Looking for a Negroni, a mocktail or a home-brewed beer? Bern’s bars offer a huge variety of classic, creative and refreshing drinks. Here are our favourite bars.

For pub crawlers

Bern’s Natural Bathing Spots

The ACs are running at full blast, there’s no ice cream left in the freezer – time for a refreshing dip in Bern’s cool waters. We’ve compiled a list of the best and prettiest natural bathing spots in the region.

For refreshment seekers

Team experiences

Sharing an experience, creating memories and strengthening the team spirit – team events are more than just having a meal together once a year. These are our tips for an unforgettable summer experience:

Team Outing on the River

Peacefully floating down the Aare river in a dinghy is the favourite summer pastime of the locals, who are known for their laid-back attitude. Why not join them with your team? Let go of everyday worries as you sail along and perfect your team’s communication skills when determining “port” and “starboard”. A guide from Aarebötle.ch will accompany your crew to ensure that everyone arrives back to land safely.

All aboard

“FRUCHTLAND” at the Zentrum Paul Klee

“FRUCHTLAND” is the field, the communal garden, and the many small biotopes around the Zentrum Paul Klee. A rich diversity of plants, such as roses and shrubs, thrives here and, in combination with piles of stones and bee pastures, provides a home for insects such as the rare European dark bee. Teams have the opportunity to attend guided tours and workshops in this vibrant garden Eden with a view of the Bernese Alps. As soon as the dates for 2024 are defined, they will be published here.

Grow together

Gurten (Games)

Whether outdoor escape games, graffiti experience, movie shoot or “Isebahn” (train) drinks reception: Bern’s local mountain is not just great for fresh air and beautiful views, it also has adventurous activities in store for teams. And the restaurants ensure that you’re culinarily taken care of before, after, or even during the event.

Aim high

  • Tipp

    The Gurten, at 858 metres above sea level, is also an ideal place for conferences, brainstorming sessions, and celebrations.

Go Back in Time at Thun Castle

This picturesque castle of the Zähringen dynasty sits enthroned atop a hill. When you walk through its gates, you are taken back in time to the 12th century. There are five grand halls inside, including the Great Hall, the best-preserved representational hall of the High Middle Ages in all of Switzerland. Another highlight is the glorious views of the town and Lake Thun and the breathtaking alpine panorama.

Go time travelling

Cycling Tours in Bern

Take on the adventurous Cycling Tour 888 Grünes Band Bern (Bern’s Green Belt) and visit a farm or pick up your picnic box (pre-reserved the day before) at the «Möösli Märit» in Herrenschwanden on the way and enjoy it during your time on the Friensiberg Scenic Route.

EXPERIENCE MORE

Culinary Experience with Chillfood

Doesn’t matter if you’re already a seasoned pro in the kitchen or just starting to learn how to peel potatoes: Chillfood in Bern offers a surprising culinary adventure for everyone – that’s a promise. Together with the Chillfood crew, your team prepares delicious dishes from all over the world without the help of electricity and in unusual places: on the banks of the turquoise Aare river or between disused railway tracks, for example. Cooking enthusiasts are welcome to get involved, or you can leave the cooking to the professionals, relax next to the fire pit, and enjoy your aperitif, dinner, or snack with your team.

Get the fire started

Stockhorn

In summer, the “Culinary Trail” takes foodies on a short hike from the Stockhorn summit to the middle station and spoils them with a three-course meal on the way. The trail passes by three restaurants, each of which will serve one course of the menu. We also recommend the “Cave Raclette” to all the adventurous gourmets among you. After a cave tour into the inner workings of the Stockhorn massif, you can enjoy a raclette dinner in an unforgettable ambience on the Cheibenhorn.

Up and about

Locations

Idyllic places hidden from sight, wonderful terraces on the water, peaceful urban nature: here are Bern’s best summer venues.

Schloss Hünigen (Hünigen Castle)

In the beautiful castle gardens, innovative ideas will spring up like mushrooms. For an outdoor conference or a brainstorming session outside, the airy pavilion at Hünigen Castle is the perfect setting. If the weather doesn’t allow for that, elegant rooms on the castle grounds are available for the planned event.

Inspiring gardens

Botanical Garden

Enjoy drinks and snacks surrounded by succulents and ferns, toasting to everything you’ve achieves together. If you want an event with an exotic flair, the Botanical Garden is the perfect setting. The spaces can be rented from Monday to Friday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Off to the jungle

Zehndermätteli

Get out of your familiar surroundings and routine and create space for creativity and visions. Not only does the Zehndermätteli offer a barbecue buffet and unique multi-course creations in their event greenhouse, but on request you can even take a quick trip through the hotel’s very own ecosystem on the terrace or under the umbrella maple trees.

More than a company event

Berner Generationenhaus (House of Generations)

Are you looking for an event space with a great ambiance, just a few steps away from Bern’s main station? The Berner Generationenhaus can be a tranquil oasis in the middle of your hectic business day. It can serve as a meeting room but is also a public space for meetings and social dialog betwen different generations, making it the ideal source of inspiration. The cool inner courtyard is a great place to end a day full of heated meetings.

Off to an urban oasis

Cinématte

The Cinématte is situated on the emerald-green Aare, in Bern’s authentic Matte neighbourhood. It’s not only a cinema but also a cultural association and an unique location for conferences, seminars and workshops with a subsequent evening programme. The secluded terrace on the banks of the Aare has enjoyed many parties and seen many ideas come to life.

Small cinema but in a big way

Casa Novo

Located in a sandstone building directly on the turquoise Aare river is the pretty vinoteca Casa Novo. “Ambiente, tapas y vino” is their concept – in addition to its great location, Casa Novo also offers culinary delights. All that Mediterranean flair is sure to get your creative juices flowing!

Summer vibes

Kulinarium Event Location by Gourmet Box

The Kulinarium can host weddings, company parties, barbecue classes, receptions and can even give food a shape thanks to a 3D printer. This event location for creative and inspiring celebrations offers a high-quality interior and a spirit that is casually cool and contemporary. Gourmetbox provides excellent catering with wonderful food in a beautiful ambiance, made by inspired people that are passionate about their job.

GET TO TASTE CULINARY HEIGHTS

Conference hotels

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head to the countryside: these seven conference hotels in the region of Bern are especially well-suited for conventions, seminars and the like. This serene and idyllic setting in nature will inspire and animate you as well as create the perfect environment for a successful meeting.

ENJOY NATURE’S SERENITY

Insider tipps from bernese locals?

Bern Convention Bureau

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