Gift guide: Bernese Christmas gifts

The serene, oriental atmosphere of Bern’s Hammam is perfect for relaxing after the hectic holidays. Forget about everything else during the indulgent hammam ritual and let your mind, body and soul unwind. Massages and spa treatments can also be booked. Time for some pampering!

This goldsmith's workshop on Marktgasse shines, shimmers and glitters like the most beautiful Christmas tree, making it easy to find a suitable gift for your loved one. Discover the numerous gems (literally and figuratively) and one-of-a-kind pieces or have jewellery made to order, creating a unique, custom piece yourself.

How about a romantic getaway complete with a snowshoe tour, relaxing in the hot tub, and a traditional cheese fondue? Then off to the Emmental you go, where you can get all of that as a package deal with everything organised for you. Just book some sunshine, grab your sweetheart and you’re good to go.

We all know that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. So why not gift a voucher for a romantic candlelight dinner? The restaurants Casa Novo, Wein und Sein, Marzer, Blauer Engel, Brasserie Obstberg and Landhaus Liebefeld are at the very top of the romance scale. During the winter months, the latter offers a multi-course meal in “le caveau”, the restaurant's elegant cellar. And the menu is equally as special as the location: under the motto “gourmet goes vegan”, the restaurant serves six vegan dishes cooked to the highest standards.

If you’re already on cloud nine but want to go even higher, we recommend visiting the Space Eye in the Gantrisch Nature Park. The observatory is impressive both inside and out, having been designed by star architect Mario Botta. See stars, the moon and distant galaxies from what feels like up close and enjoy a multimedia experience together.

The Bernaqua at the Westside shopping mall isn’t only a water park, there is also a large spa with all kinds of treatments and services. How about a Thai massage or a Roman-Irish bathing ritual, for example? The sauna landscape with its Kneipp basins is both relaxing and energizing and gives your immune system the boost it needs for the upcoming season. Quality time and pampering, a perfect combination.

Inviting your parents to a play or taking your grandparents to a concert of the Bern Symphony Orchestra – what a wonderful idea for a Christmas gift. Or, if they also enjoy the ballet and opera, there is the option of gifting a subscription. Bühnen Bern also puts on many modern performances centred around contemporary themes that are also suitable for a younger audience. In any case, it’s not just the splendid lighting in the magnificent large hall of the Stadttheater that impresses the audiences – the ingenious performance art is world-class.

Light, airy, fresh, and feels like home: The scent “Aarewasser”, created by Bernese perfume maker Brigitte Witschi, is evocative of the freshness of the Aare River. Its special ingredient Hedione is known for having a positive, mood-boosting effect on the wearer. Now if that isn’t the perfect gift for the cold and dark season!

Decorative objects, vases, candlesticks – the ceramics from Linck are the perfect treat for design enthusiasts. The pieces, produced in Worblaufen near Bern, are not only available for purchase in various boutiques and shops in Bern's old town, they are also exhibited in designer shops in Milan, Tokyo and Dublin, among others.

Is there anything better than spending time with a loved one? If you love fun, active relaxation, we recommend a voucher for a trip to the Gantrisch Nature Park. In winter, it's a wonderful place for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. On warm days, hop on the saddle and explore the “Tales of the Gantrisch” E-bike Route with its welcoming country inns and charming farm shops.

The perfect gift for connoisseurs, coffee lovers and caffeine junkies: Rösterei’s Bernese blends “Elfenau”, “Lorraine” and “Marzili”, named after some of Bern's neighbourhoods and made in the in-house coffee roastery. We recommend taking the recipient out for a fresh brew at Rösterei – on Gurtengasse, Schanzenstrasse or Güterstrasse – and letting them choose their favourite themselves, turning the gift into a shared experience.

Did you know that “Langatun” is the Celtic name of the town of Langenthal? The brewery of the Baumberger family does not date back quite as far, but it has been around for some time, cultivating the traditions of brewing and distilling since 1857. They make the legendary Langatun whisky, along with other quality spirits made in Bern.

How does the intricate clock mechanism of Bern's famous landmark work? Who makes sure the Zytglogge rooster crows on time? A visit to the centuries-old Zytglogge (Clock Tower) is the perfect gift for fans of technical masterpieces, history buffs, and panorama lovers alike. Added bonus: from inside the tower, visitors have a beautiful and surprising view over Bern's UNESCO-listed old town.

For anyone interested in art, history, communication, hunting, or Albert Einstein, Bern’s museums have a lot to offer. Thanks to their varied temporary exhibitions, the focus is always on something new. And don’t underestimate the somewhat lesser-known institutions. How about a visit to the Psychiatry Museum or the Swiss Alpine Museum, for example? With the Museum Card, there are no dull days.

Go on the Bernese Beer Tour and stroll through Switzerland's beer capital listening to fun and interesting facts and anecdotes from experienced beer connoisseurs and discover Bernese breweries and iconic pubs known for their selection of craft beers. Or head to the countryside for the Emmentaler Bierpfad (Emmental Beer Trail), a long walk through the hilly landscape with good company and regional beers. A beer experience is guaranteed to be a hit with beer buffs.

Summer may not be around the corner, but it never hurts to be prepared! Whether you’re gifting the set “Marzilian”, which includes an Aare bag and a microfibre towel, or separate items: the online shop at bern.com and the Tourist Information in the main station have the perfect equipment for all Aare adventures.

Do you want to play a game? In Mastermind Bern's escape rooms, visitors have 60 minutes to get out of a locked room. The popular game is available in various different scenarios: in one version, the group is transported to the Middle Ages and has to escape from the dungeons of a castle; in another, it has to solve the mysteries of the famous Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series. Adrenaline rush guaranteed!

The perfect gift for train fans and technology enthusiasts: the depot of the BLS (Bern and Central Switzerland regional trains) Foundation in Burgdorf has a simulator inside a detached driver's cab that allows you to try your hand at driving a train on a BLS RegioExpress route. Certified train drivers offer insights into their profession and assist visitors as they attempt to drive the train through the landscape captured in real-life images. To round off the experience, you have the opportunity to visit the depot.

A “scent-sual” experience: from sandstone to liquorice to cocoa – fragrance samples created especially for the tour bring the history of the federal city to life. Discover the scents of Bern and enjoy the emotions and memories that they spark. Smells like a great and unique Christmas present!

Spending time with each other, “käfele” (drinking coffee), “plöiderle” (chatting), “schnouse” (nibbling) – and enjoying. Is there anything better than an extensive, relaxed brunch with your best friend? Luckily, there are countless cosy and unique brunch places in Bern. We are happy to share our favourites. And once you've found the one, all that’s left to do is to make a voucher or go ahead and book a table straight away.

As granny used to say: Make sure you always have ginger at home in the wintertime. Does the liquid version count? The aromatic, sharp “Ingwerer” liquor was invented in Bern and has become a staple on the drinks menus of the local bars. Not only is it healthy (remember granny’s words) and warms you up from the inside, it also tastes delicious – medicine with a spoonful of sugar, if you will, that your friend will love.

The Bernese chocolate manufactory Casa Nobile offers several sweet gift ideas, including a one-year subscription for delicious tartufi, caramelli and more and vouchers for different chocolate workshops. Melted chocolate, a table full of ingredients and an “artista del cioccolato” await, all you need to bring are creative ideas. The people at Casa Nobile are passionately dedicated to their craft, and there is a strong focus on sustainability throughout the entire production chain. For example, they know all of their producers overseas personally.

The Emmental is where probably the most famous cheese in the world, Emmentaler AOP, is made. On 365 days a year, the Emmental Show Dairy gives visitors insight into the world of cheese. In addition to learning interesting facts and figures and the history of this traditional Swiss product, you also have the opportunity to help making the cheese. An especially popular activity for children and adults alike is visiting the Show Dairy’s incredibly well-made and lovingly designed Königsweg (“king’s trail”), where cute puppets and figurines as well as stage sets depict how around 8,000 litres of milk are turned into cheese every day.

Is there anything more fun for kids than spending an afternoon equipped with paintbrushes and all the colours of the rainbow? Creaviva provides the perfect space for them to express their creativity and try different techniques. The workshops are centred around a different topic each month. Added bonus for the parents: they don’t have to clean up their home afterwards.

We’ve found the perfect gift for all animal lovers: a kids sleepover at the Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli. The children spend the evening at the park before venturing into the jungle at the Vivarium for the night. A real adventure! They can watch the day gradually end and the night begin, until only the sounds of the nocturnal animals can be heard. For once, the entire animal park belongs only to the participants and the animals.

If you want to explore the city of Bern together, we recommend the children’s tour, designed specifically to cater to their interests. Along with the classics of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll also stop at ornate fountains with interesting figurines and at Bern's haunted house. Seeing the federal city through the eyes of children lets you learn and discover surprising things!