Extend your stay in Bern: Business meets leisure
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Intro
Bern offers much more than just business. After a congress, meeting or event, the next moment of indulgence is never going to be far away: in a city that is compact, diverse, and makes it easy to extend your stay. Between the UNESCO-listed old town, culinary delights on the River Aare and a programme of atmospheric evening activities, a business trip can easily be turned into a short break away. And for those who want to discover even more, idyllic villages and small towns are within easy reach, thanks to the well-developed public transport network. This is how a business trip can become a memorable stay.
Bern
The Swiss capital is the perfect destination for a few days away. It inspires guests with its historic old town (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and a wide range of leisure activities – ranging from culture to indulgence. Its central location and excellent public transport links also makes it easy to explore the region’s nearby highlights.
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Ideas for the perfect way to extend your stay
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Discover how much Bern has to offer.
After a congress, meeting or business event, Bern reveals its relaxed side: with its short trails, plenty of character and surprisingly diverse opportunities to switch off. The following ideas provide inspiration for the perfect way to extend your stay.
Bern’s weekly market on Parliament Square
The day begins in a particularly enjoyable way, right in front of Parliament House: Bern’s weekly market is held on Parliament Square on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Producers from across the region offer fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, as well as baked goods from a number of different stalls. Allowing for relaxed shopping among all of the colours, scents and lively market hustle and bustle – the perfect way to stock up for a day in the city.
Shopping in the historic old town
Bern’s old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, is a wonderful place for a stroll: Between sandstone facades, cosy squares and historic alleyways, you’ll find boutiques, ateliers and concept stores – including STOOR, a shop specialising in sustainable and fairly produced fashion. The city’s famous arcades is a particularly pleasant place to explore. These arcades, covering a distance of around six kilometres, rank among Europe’s longest covered shopping arcades – making them ideal in any weather for a leisurely wander, a coffee break and taking in the beauty of the city at the same time.
Culinary experiences by the River Aare
Bern offers a wealth of culinary highlights: from classics such as rösti with fried egg, cordon bleu or fondue to international cuisine. One particularly special recommendation is the Restaurant Schwellenmätteli, situated just far enough away from the hustle and bustle and right by the River Aare. With views of the old town as well as the shimmering, turquoise-blue water, this “island of culinary delights” is ideally suited to casual business meetings – or an enjoyable way to end the day.
Experience Bern on two wheels
Fresh air, the wind on your face and seeing the city from a new perspective: discovering Bern is particularly fun on two wheels. PubliBikes are available at many locations, making it possible to explore the old town, the banks of the River Aare and other favourite haunts with ease. Purchasing a subscription is as easy as renting a bike, riding off, leaving it at a station – and simply moving on later. This makes the journey from one sight to the next part of the experience, while also allowing visitors to the city to get around flexibly and easily.
Free public transport for overnight guests
Visitors who prefer to take things a little more leisurely can also make use of local public transport. Spend one or more nights at an establishment in the city to receive the Bern Ticket for the duration of your stay. This allows you free use of public transport in Bern and the surrounding area. This also includes the Gurtenbahn and Marzilibahn funiculars as well as the Munster-Matte platform lift.
Even after sunset, there’s still plenty to see and do
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Experience culture in Bern
When day turns to night, Bern becomes particularly atmospheric. In the heart of the city, the Stadttheater offers top-class evening entertainment. From dance and music to fantastic stories, this stylish establishment offers the perfect setting for a special evening that will continue to have a lasting impact, even after the performance has come to an end. For the perfect way to round off the day – and prompt anticipation for discovering more of Bern the next morning.
Bars and nightlife
For those who would rather not head straight back to their hotel after the theatre or a good meal, Bern has a fine selection of bars, pubs and other spots where visitors can wind down for the evening. The city offers many different locations to suit various tastes, some of these can be found in the impressive atmosphere of the vaulted arcade cellars of the old town. The Bierhübeli is a traditional cultural and event venue in the heart of the city: a meeting point during the day, and a stage for concerts, parties and DJs by night. Making it ideal for evenings that can stand to continue on a little longer.
Spend the night in style
Kursaal Bern is an ideal venue for events combined with a four-star superior hotel in a central location. Swissôtel Kursaal Bern boasts a modern convention centre, two restaurants and the Grand Casino Kursaal Bern, all under one roof. The 163 stylish rooms offer an impressive view over the city that reaches as far as the Bernese Alps. On a clear day, it becomes evident just how close Bern is to the nature of the Swiss Alps.
Nature, close enough to touch
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More experiences in the region
Bern’s central location makes unplanned excursions particularly easy. Thanks to its excellent public transport links, experiences out in nature are just a short train ride away. As soon as the train sets off, the scenery will quickly change from urban views to hills, forests and riverscapes. Whether it’s for a free afternoon or a few extra days: experience-oriented destinations such as the Gantrisch Nature Park or the Emmental can be found not far from the city.
Gantrisch Nature Park
Gantrisch Nature Park features forests, gorges and the striking Gantrisch mountain chain. What’s more, the light pollution here is low – for perfect clear nights with impressive starry skies. This is a place to slow down, recharge and marvel at the sights.
The Emmental
Rolling hills, traditional villages and a vast amount of space for days spent being active: the Emmental region works equally well for a day trip or for a short extended break away. Whether that’s with hiking, cycling, horseback riding, or even creative experiences such as pottery – nature can be combined here in a variety of ways.
Bern as a business destination
Nestled in nature and centrally located in Europe, Bern offers the perfect conditions for planning seminars, meetings, congresses and events. The federal city is easily accessible both internationally and nationally, distances are short, and there is a wide range of venues, accommodation options and team activities.
Kursaal Bern Convention Centre
The Kursaal Bern offers a comprehensive range of conference facilities, with 27 multi-purpose spaces for events of all kinds. All areas come equipped with modern technology and the latest infrastructure. For larger events, it boasts the spacious Forum, spanning an area of around 2,000 m², and the Arena events hall. With room for approximately 1,400 people, the Kursaal is the ideal place for meetings – and for celebrations too.