Bern Weather in January

Cold days in the old town

January in Bern feels cold, grey and damp. Highs reach about 4°C, while nights can fall to -3°C. Rain comes on many days, and the sun makes only brief appearances. The short daylight window can leave sightseeing feeling compressed.

You can still enjoy the arcades of the Old Town, where you can duck out of the rain between sights. Visit the Zytglogge clock tower or warm up inside the Bern Historical Museum. A riverside walk by the Aare is less appealing when paths are wet or icy, so save it for a brighter spell.

What's on in January

New Year brings a public holiday, and Berchtoldstag is observed in Bern on 2 January. Some shops and services may close, so don't count on a full day of shopping. The month has no major citywide festival to draw big crowds.

If you hate crowds, January is a good time to explore the arcades and museums at a calmer pace. It's winter low season, unlike the busier summer months, so accommodation is often less expensive. The trade-off is fewer lively street scenes and a greater chance of a wet, overcast day.

Make the most of a wet day

Travelling with kids? The Bern Historical Museum's Einstein Museum gives you an indoor outing with a local connection. For a cosy meal, try rösti, a Swiss potato dish, at a restaurant in the Old Town.

A practical tip: use the arcades along Marktgasse and Kramgasse to link the Zytglogge, the cathedral and the Federal Palace while staying sheltered. They're part of Bern's UNESCO-listed Old Town, and they make a rainy sightseeing day much easier. Check the footing on cobbled lanes after freezing nights.