Bern is a beautiful Swiss city, the capital to be sure. The weather in Bern has its ups and downs but makes for a mighty vacation, that is for sure! Bern is one of the most popular tourist cities in Switzerland and it offers many interesting things to do and places to see. The winters can get freezing cold and the city is covered in a white sheet, while summers are warm and pleasant attracting most visitors. The best time to visit Bern is during its warmer months between May and September. However, people do visit the city all year round and we have highlighted some of the top things to do in each of the seasons.

Spring is a slow tourist season – especially March & April since it is still a bit cold in March but it gets warmer by May. The average day temperature in this weather is 15°C and the average night temperature is 4°C. You can expect 6 to 10 days of rain during these months. However, it doesn’t rule out tourism completely as there are still plenty of things to enjoy, including the Cherry Blossoms in the rose gardens, the awakening of the bears after their hibernation, the chic display of Bern’s top fashion designers in an open-air fashion show and Easter celebrations!

Some interesting events & festivals held during these months are the Bern Grand Prix, held in May, The ‘Let It Beer’ brewery festival held in March and the Museum Night (where the museums are open till 2 am) also held in March. The Bern International Jazz Festival also takes place from March to May.

The most popular season with tourists, summer vibes start by mid-May and go on until mid-September. The weather is cool with the sun shining some days, while 8 to 10 days of light showers may also be expected. You can expect a lot of colourful boats out on the river Aare, along with tourists and locals also swimming in the river. Ice Creams, Barbecues, Festivals & Dancing are the flavours of the season. The average temperature is 25° C with lows of 14° C.

The top festivals in the summer are the Gurtenfestival, Bern Buskers’ Street Music Festival and many other pop-up shows & parties across the city. The 1st of August is celebrated as the National Holiday of Switzerland.

It is a beautiful time to visit Bern when the colours of autumn reflect on the crystal-clear lakes and make for a splendid picture. The average temperature is 14° C with lows of 6° C, so yes, there is quite a nip in the air. In November, the nights can go as low as 1° C. It can also start snowing late October onwards. You can enjoy activities like strolling through farmer markets (and there are quite a few this season), go hiking and biking or witness a spectacular light and sound show at the Parliament Square.

Some fun events & festivals that take place during these months are the Short Film Festival and the Bern Onion Market.

Bern is almost a whole different city during the winters. It can snow or rain about 7 to 9 times a month and it is too cold to enjoy many of the outdoor activities that the rest of the season offers. However, winter sports are in full swing like skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. The parliament square turns into an ice playground during these months and you can go ice skating. Other things to do include having interesting gourmet experiences and visit museums. You can also stay in an igloo hotel! The average temperature during these months is 3° C with lows of -3° C.

The Bern Christmas markets are something to look forward to in December. The Bern Carnival takes place in February and March every year. St. Berthold day (also known as the Foundation Day of Bern) is celebrated on January 2nd.