As the de facto capital of Switzerland, Bern is a city that can be visited and enjoyed at any time of the year. Summer is generally the busiest tourist season in Bern, so planning a winter trip to the city means you’ll get to skip most of the crowds, while still being able to discover what’s so special about it.
With a historic center so old and special that it’s considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a bear pit practically in the middle of the city, and fabulous parks and gardens, Bern has loads to offer to all visitors. Whether you’re there for a couple of days or weeks, you’ll have plenty to do without getting bored, so keep reading for our list of all the top things to do in Bern in the winter!
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Winter Weather in Bern
Bern is situated in northern Switzerland and it has a rather cold climate. The temperatures often drop below zero degrees Celsius in the winter even during the day, and usually stay in the single digits above zero.
Also, it snows quite a lot in Bern. The city has an average of 31 days of snowfall per year, and it usually snows between November and March. December usually has the highest amount of snowfall. But at least the city is not extremely windy.
Things to Do in Bern in Winter
Explore The Christmas Markets
One of the top attractions in winter in Bern is the Christmas market in December. The city truly comes to life with countless stall that sells food, drinks, and souvenirs, as well as loads of fairy lights and other decorations throughout the city of Bern.
The best thing about the Bern Christmas Market is that there are events in multiple places throughout the city. The Kleine Schanze park is transformed into a Christmas village, Waisenhausplatz becomes home to all the best stalls for food and drinks, and the square in front of the Bern Cathedral becomes home to stalls with the best festive souvenirs in Bern.
Those are just some of the largest Christmas Market events in Bern; you’ll also find stalls and things to do at Kornhausplatz, Øscar Elch, and Berner Generationenhaus.
Enjoy The Old Town
The Old Town of Bern has a history that dates back to the 12th century, with countless buildings from that period still standing. It’s absolutely fascinating to observe the medieval architecture, so a walking tour of Bern’s old town is a must if this is your first time in the Swiss capital.
The entire historic center of Bern is designated a UNESCO World Heritage. The Zytglogge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city; the gorgeous clock tower dates all the way back to the 15th century and features a stunning astronomical clock.
There’s also the Bern bear pit, after which the entire city was named. You can see a few actual bears inside, which makes it a must for any animal lovers in Bern. The Parliament Place is also kind of iconic in Bern; the parliament building is iconic and reminiscent of landmarks you would see in Rome, while the vast square in front of it boasts stunning views and fabulous fountains. Also, the square transforms into a farmer’s market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and it becomes the top shopping destination in the city.
The Bern Cathedral is another gorgeous building worth visiting, as well as all the arcades and shops in the heart of the town.
Take A Bern City Tour
A proper city tour of Bern should mostly focus on the historic center, especially with its countless landmarks and attractions. One of my favorite tours of Bern attempts to uncover all of the city’s iconic statues, from the morbid Kindlifresserbrunnen to the charming Bagpiper fountain.
But the fountains and statues are absolutely not the only landmarks worth seeing in the city. At the very least, you should pass in front of historic buildings like the Bern Munster, the Zytglogge, and the Käfigturm. For me, a proper city tour of Bern must also include a quick walk to the iconic Bear Pit. And since you’ve already crossed the Aare River, you might as well walk for a few more minutes and see the gorgeous Rose Garden.
Ice Skating at Bundesplatz
Every winter an artificial ice rink is set up at Bundesplatz, in front of the Parliament building. Locals and tourists flock here in the evenings, to enjoy an hour or two of open-air ice skating in the old city of Bern. The rink is usually there from mid-December to mid-February, and it’s open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM.
There’s no admission fee, which also makes this one of the best things you can do in Bern entirely for free. It’s possible to rent ice skates at the venue, plus there’s also a restaurant where you can enjoy a nice hot beverage to warm up a little.
Have Fun At Stadttheater Bern
If it gets too cold for comfortable walks throughout the city, you can always spend a couple of hours inside Bern’s famous buildings. Sure, touring the museums is absolutely the top thing to do in this case, but would you consider seeing a show in the Stadttheater Bern? If you usually enjoy performance arts, it might just be the best thing for you!
While most plays are performed in German, it’s perfectly possible to stumble upon a play that’s being performed in English or French. Also, the theater often hosts operas and ballet, which you can easily enjoy even if you don’t speak the language.
Enjoy The Views At Rosengarten
Rosengarten is Bern’s hilltop park on the right bank of the River Aare. Getting to the park will be a little tiring because of the uphill walk, but worth every calorie spent because the views are out of this world.
The park offers some of the best panoramic views of Bern’s rooftops, and it’s honestly one of the top places in the city for a good panoramic photo. There’s also a fabulous restaurant here with delicious local food, so you can easily warm up inside if it gets a bit too chilly at the park. The only downside of a winter visit to the Rosengarten is that you won’t see the park in all its glory when the flowers are in full bloom. But that just gives you an excuse to come back during spring or summer!
Indulge In Some Spa & Wellness
If you prefer spending a winter trip warming up and relaxing in a spa, Bern is as good a destination as any in Switzerland. With fabulous hotels and even more fabulous spa centers, you can easily spend your days sweating in saunas, getting massages, and swimming in warm pools.
The Hammam & Spa Oktogon Bern is a Turkish hamman close to the old city of Bern. It’s a very unique place in this Swiss city, with classic Ottoman furniture and architecture within the spa. Plan to spend a day at this spa for glowing skin and a serene mind.
Then there’s the Solbad & Spa Schönbühl, which is a proper thermal bath complex close to Bern. It’s a 15-minute train ride from the city, and absolutely worth the trip if you want to do some swimming and relax on a cold winter’s day. This is Switzerland’s largest complex of natural salt baths, with various treatment rooms, pools, and an on-site restaurant.
Bernaqua is a large water park on the western edge of Bern. The water park features a huge indoor pool, treatment rooms, therapeutic baths, a fitness center, and much more. It’s a great place to head for the day if you want to escape from the chilly outdoor air.
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Devour Of Bucket Of Cheese Fondue
Nothing says winter in Bern more than a cheese fondue. And there are lots of different options available because any self-respecting Swiss restaurant must have fondue on the menu. Perhaps the best two are the restaurant in the Rosengarten and the Restaurants Terrasse.
The one in the Rose Garden is awesome because the views of the city are amazing. The fondue is pretty much perfect, and the gorgeous views just make it taste even better.
Restaurants Terrasse floats on the Aare River, so it’s an entirely different experience. You’ll still get to eat delicious fondue, but instead of enjoying a panoramic view of the rooftops, you’ll get a scenic view of the river.
Additionally, you’ll find fondue on the menu in the vast majority of Swiss restaurants in the heart of Bern. Many of them are situated in the historic center, and range from modern fusion restaurants to family-owned establishments that have been in business for centuries.
Tour The Museums
Bern is home to some truly amazing museums, whether you’re into history, art, or architecture. The Einstein Museum is probably the most famous in the city; the old apartment once inhabited by the famous physicist has been turned into a museum, and it feels surreal to visit knowing that Albert Einstein once actually lived there.
The Bern Historical Museum is a must for anyone who wants to learn more about the history and tradition of this city, which is abundant and complex. Then there’s the Paul Klee Museum – the museum building alone is a piece of art, plus there are more than 4,000 pieces inside created by the famous artist.
If you happen to travel to Burn between January and March, you’ll be able to experience something unique that only the Swiss and the Germans could invent. Museumsbier is an event series that takes place during the first couple of months of the year, where locals and tourists are encouraged to visit the museum in the afternoons and grab a glass of beer while they’re there.
The eight most popular museums in Bern install a bar during this event series and extend their working hours. Anyone who visits can enjoy a glass of beer from 5 PM to 8 PM, which is really cool. It’s worth noting that this event normally takes place on Thursdays. And if you happen to be in Bern in March, you might just get to experience the Night of the Museums. All the best museums and many other buildings stay open until 2 AM, allowing for unique, nocturnal tours.
Attend The Carnival In Bern
Although the more famous Carnival events are in Basel and Lucerne, Bern also celebrates the coming spring with some flair. The Carnival in Bern traditionally takes place in late February and during the event (on Thursday just after Ash Wednesday), the entire city is transformed with colors, music, and joy.
the carnival takes place in February, but the preparation for it begins months in advance – 111 days earlier, to be precise. The city’s carnival bear gets locked in the Prison Tower so it can properly hibernate, and it gets released after 111 days.
Highlights of this carnival include live music on Munsterplatz, Guggenmusik bands playing in random alleys in the city, food, drinks, and parades. A children’s parade takes place on the second day of the carnival, while a second procession of the day marks the end of the event.
Outdoor Activities & Day Trips
Bern is surrounded by gorgeous nature, so there are always plenty of opportunities for fun outdoor excursions. If winter hiking and skiing are more up your alley than city tours, Bern is still a great destination!
Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking at Gantrisch Nature Park
Nature Park Gantrisch is the best destination for all outdoor lovers in Bern. It can be easily accessed by train and bus from the big city, and visitors are encouraged to use public transport instead of personal vehicles.
Although the park is best visited in the summer when most of its trails are open to the public, plenty are accessible in the winter, there’s something special about hiking with snow-capped peaks right in front of you. You won’t be able to ascend any of those peaks in the winter because of poor trail conditions, but you can still explore some of the easier trails like the loop hike around Schwarzsee or the hike up to the Obere Grunigel.
Skiing & Tobogganing on Gurten
Gurten is Bern’s home mountain, easily accessible from the heart of the city by funicular railway. It’s a great destination for panoramic views of snow-covered rooftops at an elevation of 858 meters above sea level, but also for some fun and easy skiing and tobogganing.
There’s a children’s ski lift on the mountain, so it’s a great place for families who want to have some winter fun. The trails are mostly easy and suitable for total beginners, so I’m afraid the local mountain could be a bit disappointing for any serious skiers.
But don’t fret, you can still enjoy winter tobogganing on the Gurten, which is much more exciting than a children’s ski lift. The area features 1,200 meters of toboggan runs that range from easy and baby-friendly, to adults-only. The speed at which you’re going also depends on the type of sleds you’re using, so if you’re looking for a proper adrenaline rush, make sure to ask for the fastest sleds that are very difficult to steer.
Winter Kayaking on Lake Brienz
Kayaking is so popular in Switzerland that people do it even in the winter. It’s not something I would personally enjoy because I prefer being indoors when the temperatures drop below zero, but I recognize that many others enjoy kayaking regardless of the season. Lake Brienz offers kayaking in the winter months, and it’s easily accessible by a 55-minute train ride from Bern to Interlaken.
You can take a bus from the main train station in Interlaken to Bönigen, the lakefront village from which the kayaking tours depart. This is one of the best winter activities in the area because it’s not really impacted by the weather. The kayaking tour could be canceled or delayed only if it’s extremely windy, but not if it’s raining or snowing.
Schwarzsee Ice Palace
The Schwarzsee Ice Palace is an incredible tourist attraction close to Schwarzsee Lake. It’s easily accessible from Bern by public transport, and probably the top day trip for people who want to see something out of the ordinary.
The Ice Palace is best experienced at night when all the different sculptures are illuminated with colorful lights. And there are loads of sculptures here, made from ice and other materials. There’s an ice sculpture of a castle, but also a replica of the nativity scene! It’s definitely an unusual attraction near Bern and something you won’t quite understand until you’ve actually been there and seen it in person.
Day Trip to Jungfraujoch
Last but not least, if you are in Bern for a few days then a visit to the Jungfraujoch is a must-do. It’s one of the best day trips you can do from Bern, especially if you’re into mountains and natural attractions.
Jungfraujoch is home to Top of Europe, a complex that includes Europe’s highest train station and post office, an observation deck, an ice palace, a great restaurant, and a few other things. Travel to Grindelwald from Bern (approximately an hour and 45 minutes), and from there take the Eiger Express gondola to Jungfraujoch. It’s the fastest way of traveling, so it’s the best time-saving option.
Jungfraujoch offers spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains in the Bernese Alps, and that’s honestly the highlight of the visit. A walk among the sculptures in the Ice Palace is also a fabulous experience, as is a visit to the on-site Lindt shop where you observe a master chocolatier in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bern have snow?
Yes, it snows quite a bit in Bern in the winter. The colder months have an average snowfall of 7-9 days.
Is Bern worth visiting in winter?
Bern is worth visiting in the winter, especially if you want to avoid the crowds of the summer season.
