Best Time to Visit Bern

Summer and early autumn: the easy months

July and August are the warmest months in Bern, and they're the ones to pick if you want to swim. Locals float down the Aare river from the Eichholz area toward the Marzili swimming area. The water is cold and quick, so only try it if you're a confident swimmer. Evenings stay mild enough for a drink on the Rosengarten terrace, with the old town spread out below you.

September is our top pick. It's still warm, with far fewer rainy days than summer, and the light is soft over the sandstone arcades. October is a good second choice. It's cooler, and the days get shorter, but it suits walking the old town and the climb up Gurten hill.

Spring and early summer: green but showery

March and April are fair. They're cool and often grey, but you can wander the Zytglogge clock tower area without a crowd. May and June are the wettest stretch of the year, with rain on most days. It usually comes in showers, not all-day downpours, so keep a plan B like the Zentrum Paul Klee or the Bern Historical Museum.

Hiking? Wait for July. Higher trails around Bern, such as the Gurten and Gantrisch areas, are best once the paths dry out. If you love fresh greenery and fewer visitors, June is still worth it.

Winter: dark, damp and cosy

From November to February, it's cold, humid and often gloomy, with very little sun. Don't expect big views. Do expect warm cafés, fondue and raclette (melted cheese eaten with potatoes). The Christmas markets on Waisenhausplatz and Münsterplatz run from late November into December, and they're the main reason to come. Dress for wet pavements under the old town's long arcades, which keep you dry while you shop.

Bern isn't a ski town, but you can reach Alpine resorts within a couple of hours by train. Winter works best as a short city break with a day trip.

Crowds and events

High season runs from June to August, though Bern never feels packed the way Lucerne can. Hotels can fill when big events are on. Late November brings the Zibelemärit, the onion market, where stalls sell onion braids and onion tarts. It's loud, fun and very local. Summer brings open-air concerts and the Gurtenfestival in July. Book a room early for either one.