Winter in Bern

Broadening your horizons, finally tackling things you’ve wanted to do for a long time and opening your senses: the desire for new things is palpable around the turn of the year. Fortunately, the destination of Bern wears many winter coats, and we can show you its variety.

Overnight stays

A glamorous suite in the heart of Bern’s old town, stylish accommodation in its trendy district or a romantic igloo in the snowy Emmental: it’s time to take a break after the hectic Advent season and treat yourself to a time-out in cosy Bern.

Activities

If learning how to cross-country ski or do pirouettes on the ice has been on your bucket list for a long time, this is the place for you: in the snow-covered forests of the Nature Park Gantrisch, the narrow slats will start to glide as if by magic, and against the spectacular backdrop of the Federal Palace it doesn’t matter if your Axel is not really up to par. Does that seem like too much hustle and bustle for you? Just click your way through our more leisurely experience ideas.

Ice Skating

Doing pirouettes on the Bundesplatz (Federal Square): ice princesses and princes – and those who want to become one – can go ice skating in front of the imposing backdrop of the Swiss Parliament building. Should you get the shivers while doing laps, you can warm up your cold feet while enjoying a hot chocolate, a steaming cup of mulled wine or a creamy cheese fondue in the ice rink restaurant. Admission is free and skates can be rented on site. This is a wonderful idea for an outing with the whole family or a romantic date with your (future?) sweetheart.

Let’s go

Trail Obergurnigel

The snowshoe hike from the mountain lodge Berghaus Gurnigel to Obergurnigel will astound you with its views of the Bernese Alps and Lake Thun. Unlike the well-travelled paths around Selibühl, the new snowshoe trail leads to lesser-known vantage points. The trail heads east at the Berghaus Gurnigel and over the ridge towards the Zigerhubel. If you look through the fir trees on the right on a good weather day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-covered Gantrisch mountain chain. Northwest of the Zigerhubel you will cross the wild mountain forest on a path going slightly downhill. This section is often characterised by large snowbanks piled up by strong west winds. After that, you will quickly reach the saddle where the buildings of the private mountain hut Berghütte Gurnigel stand, and where the view opens up towards Lake Thun and the Bernese Oberland. Snowshoes can be hired at the Berghütte Gurnigel or the Berghütte Selital for CHF 30.

To the route information

Ice Rink Langnau

For people from Langnau, the ice rink is the winter highlight par excellence and a cosy place to meet up with family or friends. The ice rink Langnau is prepared several times a day so that ice skaters can make their laps until after sunset. Insecure skaters can use the cute seal-like learning aids, so that nothing stands in the way of some winter fun for young and old. And the best part? Admission is free and cold hands can be warmed up with a hot chocolate or mulled wine at the market stalls next to the ice rink. In addition, the enchanting magic of the huts and the fondue parties they offer take care of the guest’s culinary well-being. Our tip: Be sure to make a reservation, tables are often already fully booked. The 2G rule applies on the ice rink and the restaurant.

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Strolling along the Aare

As we know, the clocks tick a little slower in Bern than elsewhere. You can celebrate the typical relaxed Bernese attitude with a walk along the river Aare. Our favourite route? The five-kilometre-long path along the banks of the Aare to the Elfenau, leading from the BearPark through the district Matte, the oldest part of town, to the Marzili outdoor swimming facility. From there the path leads you over the Schönausteg to the Bern Animal Park Dählhölzli. If you feel like it, treat yourself to a warm snack in the restaurant and wave to the ibexes. The path continues upstream to the Elfenau park, a protected floodplain landscape. Between small ponds, extensive reed beds and gnarly old trees, you can enjoy the view of the Gurten and the Aare (just don’t forget warm clothes). If you don’t feel like walking back, take bus No. 19 towards Bern main station and you’ll be back in the city centre in 15 minutes.

Food and beverage

The Christmas season is usually packed with appointments, so moments for two often come up short. Whether it’s with your sweetheart, your best friend or your brother – in Bern, the city of pleasure, you can catch up over an open-air raclette, an extensive brunch or a cosy fondue party.

Raclette stroll

We have exactly the right tip for everybody who’s always wanted to enjoy an open-air raclette but finds all the packing too inconvenient. At the restaurant Lötschberg, you can pick up an already packed Raclette-Rucksack (raclette backpack) that contains everything you need, as well as lots of tasty treats. Here’s how it works: round up a few friends or take your favourite person by the hand, put on warm clothes, pick up your reserved raclette backpack at the restaurant Lötschberg at the Zeughausgasse 16 and off you go: through parks, along the banks of the Aare or through the forest Dählhölzli. Unpack your backpack at your new, personal favourite spot, light the candles and your raclette fun can begin. A little tip: it tastes twice as delicious with a glass of white wine from the Valais.

Open-air Raclette

Brunch

There’s nothing better than getting comfortable over brunch when it’s cold and wet outside. If you want to enjoy a full breakfast in the Federal City, you’re spoilt for choice: Do you want a spot under the arcades? Do you want to visit one of Bern’s characteristic vaulted cellars? For example, we like to get comfortable at the farmer’s breakfast, the so-called "Burezmorge", in the small but exquisite Burgunderbar (note: reservations are essential). Or maybe you prefer the vegetarian and partly vegan options at the Kulturschür on the Gurten? If you decide to have breakfast on our local mountain, we recommend taking an after-brunch walk and enjoying the view of the snow-covered mountains in the Bernese Oberland.

To our brunch tips

Art and culture

Do you want to finally take a look behind the walls of the Zytglogge (time bell tower)? Or do you prefer going for an after-work beer at the museum? That’s how versatile Bern’s cultural scene is in winter.

City Tours

How does the sophisticated mechanism of the Zytglogge’s clockwork work? Who is ensures that the rooster in the famous Bernese landmark crows on time every day? What kind of stories are hidden behind the thick walls? A visit to the Zytglogge will delight fans of technical masterpieces as well as history buffs and panorama lovers: the inside of the tower provides a wonderful and surprising view over the alleys and rooftops of Bern’s old town. All our other city tours also have some surprises in store for you.

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Beer at the museum

From 20 January to 10 March 2022, six Bernese museums will be extending their opening hours on Thursdays and inviting visitors to enjoy an after-work beer in their exhibitions from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. "Museumsbier" (beer at the museum) is not only the name of the series of events, but also the beer brewed especially for this occasion by the Bernese "BrauKunst" (art of brewery) boys Alex Chevalley and Gian-Andrea Brunner. This is a great event, and we recommend leaving your Thursdays open – the participating institutions will surprise you with entertaining short tours and creative handicraft workshops.

To the Bernese cultural scene

  • Fact

    Speaking of evenings at the museum: from 16 March to 27 April 2022, the Bernese historic museum will open its doors every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to take you on a journey to the origins of money with "An Evening at the Museum - The Money Series".

Shopping

Fed up with run-of-the-mill shopping in hectic big cities? Off to Bern’s old town! In the studios, boutiques and stores under the Bernese arcades and inside the typical vaulted cellars, unique little shops are waiting to make your shopping trip in Bern a very special experience.

Spa days

According to statistics from the Zürcher Kantonalbank (cantonal bank), Bern is the quietest of the larger cities in Switzerland. We celebrate Bern’s cosiness and will start the new year in a relaxed way. How about slowing down while enjoying a spa day?

Looking for adventures during snowstorms or rain?

13 bad weather activities for families

To our tips