Burn Up the Town this Christmas in Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland is a great place to visit for your holiday vacation. As the capital city, Bern is an ideal destination.
Bern has a medieval town center that has been recognized as a UNESCO Cultural World Site. Other sites to check out include the Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower with moving puppets and the Munster, a 15 thcentury Gothic cathedral. It is referred to by the Swiss as their federal city and it is the fifth most populous city in the country.
Bern’s medieval culture make it the perfect place to spend a Christmas vacation. Here are some things you can do when you visit.
Bern hosts several Christmas markets during the holiday season. Here are a few you won’t want to miss.
Bern Minster Christmas Market: The Bern Minster Market takes place in front of the romantic backdrop of the Bern Minster Cathedral and other 15 thto 17 thcentury buildings. The decorated stalls offer unique handcrafted products, and the artists are typically there to provide information on what they are selling. Each year has its own theme with the most recent being glade, an open space in a forest.
Christmas Market on Waisenhausplatz (Orphanage Square): This Christmas market is considered the main market in Bern. It takes place between Christmas and New Years and makes for a great way to spend some of that Christmas money. It includes 50 stalls and is located in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a candle making workshop among other activities.
Artisan Market Munsterplattform (Minster Terrace): This market is open year-round and takes place on the first Saturday of the month. However, during the Advent season, its Christmas edition takes over and it is open on the first and third weekend. As an artisan market, you can expect to find unique, handcrafted gifts.
Kambly Christmas World in Trubschachen: Trubschachen is located forty minutes outside of Bern via train. It offers regional delicacies and lovely handcrafted goods sold out of decorated chalets. In addition to shopping, they also host children’s workshops that include filling molds for chocolate Santas, baking Swiss biscuits, gingerbread decorating and other outdoor programs. The market takes place throughout the month of December and vendors rotate weekly so you can come every week and find something new.
Note: Kambly is a Swiss biscuit manufacturer. Don’t miss out on sampling from their assortment of over 100 biscuits while you are at the market.
Visit PROGR
PROGR is an avant garde artistic and cultural hub located in the heart of Bern. They host a variety of holiday activities for children throughout the Christmas season. These include a visit from St. Nick, live concerts and candle making. There are also storytelling events every Wednesday night. At the end of the day, they light bonfires in the square creating a cozy gathering place.
Check Out the Winter Wonderland Ice Palaces in Schwarzee: Schwarzee is located about 31 miles from Bern and it’s worth the trip. Visit to see artist Karl Neuhaus’s ice castles which resemble a fairy tale land. Walk through the footpath to admire the castles, some of which are as tall as 49 feet high. There is also a small bar in the area where you can get a drink and warm up by the fire.
Go Skiing
True to its reputation as a Swiss city, Bern is a terrific place to hit the slopes. Wengen, Murren, Grindelwald and Adelboden are all great for skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and snowshoeing. Trails are available for beginner to advanced skiers and the resorts provide lovely accommodations.
Sleep at Hotel Kemmeriboden Bad
Kemmeriboden Bad is an igloo hotel that offers a romantic and unique experience. Located around 60 km outside of Bern, it is equipped with a sauna and hot tub. The room itself has thick blankets and furs that will keep you warm as you enjoy your authentic adventure.
Take a Cheese Fondue Tour
Cheese fondue is a signature dish in Switzerland. Enjoy it in style while taking a tour on a tuk-tuck. The motorized three-wheel taxi will take you around town while your tour guide points out the historical sites of the city. All this while you sip wine and enjoy the fondue.
Stroll Around the City
Bern has been called the most Instagrammable winter city. Therefore, you will want to take a day to walk around and take pictures. Stand out sites include the Zytglogge clock tower and the allegorical fountains that are located throughout the town. The ice-skating rink in front of the Parliament building makes for another great photo opp and a fun winter activity.
Eat and Drink
While in Bern, you will want to try the terrific Swiss food and drink items. For instance, the Berner Platte is a traditional dish that hails from the city and features smoked pork and beef, sausage, bacon, pork belly, pork ears and pork tails cooked in a juniper flavored sauerkraut. To get an authentic experience, you’ll want to order it from Kornhauskeller which offers a lovely, frescoed dining room with long wooden tables and a festive ambience.
If you want to relax and grab a drink, Oscar Elich is the place to do it. This pop up is big with the locals during the holiday season and it sits on the promenade overlooking the Aare River. It attracts a youthful crowd and serves up hot, delicious drinks as well as select food items.
Altes Trandepot restaurant is another eatery you won’t want to miss. Located across the river from Old Town, the refurbished warehouse once served as a train depot. It is now a cozy brewery that has a small menu with specials like Rosti, Spatzli and Cordon Bleu.
Bern’s old meets new culture and its astonishing beauty makes it the perfect choice for a holiday vacation. Shop, ski and dine to your heart’s content. What will you be doing first when you visit?
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Originally published at https://schmidtholidays.com on May 30, 2023.