10 Bern highlights in February

Who knows how the astrolabe in the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) works, or when Bern’s old town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Even many native Bernese would not be able to tell you. Luckily, there’s now a simple and flexible way to find the answers and learn more about our favourite city: the Highlight audio tour “A Digital Journey Into Bern’s Past”. You don’t need anything you wouldn’t already have with you anyways: a smartphone, a set of headphones, and a healthy dose of curiosity. Ready? Interesting stories, fun anecdotes, background information on architectural masterpieces, and historical facts wait to be discovered. The tour lasts around two hours, but you can pause it and stop for a coffee or visit a boutique under the characteristic arcades any time you want.

The Golden Globes have come and gone, and the Oscars are just around the corner. These prestigious awards largely focus on Western films. Anyone wishing to expand their film knowledge and gain insight into a cinematic world far from Hollywood has the opportunity to do so at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. The annual international festival will take place at Cineclub Bern from 9 to 26 February. Film fans can enjoy a colourful selection of exciting films, from Thai fantasy comedies to Korean historical dramas and Australian documentaries about the lives of Aborigines. The film festival is organised on behalf of the embassies from the Asia-Pacific region. And the best part? You can dive into the different cultures and enjoy the cinematic gems for free. Prior registration is recommended, however, and can be done on the cinema’s website.

The best way to train your little grey cells is a quiz. In recent years, pub quizzes have become increasingly popular in Switzerland. This means that quiz enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, with options ranging from the legendary quiz at Bierhübeli to the particularly challenging one at Barbière and the convivial one at Rathausbar. We can also recommend the monthly pub quiz at the restaurant Dock8 in the Holligen neighbourhood. It begins at 7 p.m., with pre-game dinner available from 5:30 p.m. Please note, though: this event is highly popular, so make sure to register for a spot in advance! What’s special about Dock8 is its social commitment: the restaurant is intended as a place for encounters, for people from the neighbourhood, from all over Bern – including those affected by poverty. Since there is no pressure to consume anything at Dock8, there is no stigmatisation and everyone can feel comfortable and welcome.

Do you like surprises? Then you’ll love the concept of the Klangheimlich concert series: on the second Thursday of every month – in February, it will be on the 12^th – you are invited to the Kinemathek Lichtspiel in the Marzili neighbourhood for a musical experience. And that’s all the information you’re getting. Who will be on stage that evening remains a secret until the concert begins. There are surprise musicians from a large variety of genres, from jazz to pop to folk to classical music and more. In the unlikely event that the music doesn’t suit your taste, you can take a look around the venue instead – it is a museum for artifacts from the history of cinema. Lots to hear and see here!

By February at the latest, the butterflies in your stomach will come out of hibernation – after all, Valentine’s Day on the 14^th is all about love. First dates are particularly exciting: there’s the eager anticipation of getting to know someone new and discovering things you have in common. But there’s also a lot of uncertainty: will there be chemistry? Where should you go and what should you do? Fortunately, Bern offers plenty of different date-worthy options, from stargazing in Switzerland’s only “Dark Sky Park” to an afternoon surrounded by animals at Dählhölzli. We’ve put together the most romantic date ideas for you. PS: they’re great every day of the year!

Speaking of spending time with others: a special restaurant is the ideal place for cosy get-togethers with friends, business dinners after a meeting, or lively family celebrations. If you’re looking for a new place to try, book your table at Cima. The restaurant on Rathausgasse in Bern’s old town is reopening on 24 February. Its cuisine is inspired by the Alps, and everything is prepared by hand on site using grains, mountain herbs, cheese and other products from the Alpine regions. The meals are complemented by one of the largest wine selections in Bern: over 500 wines await in the wine cellar.

Colourful costumes, Guggenmusik bands, and confetti galore: the so-called fifth season is here! Traditionally, Bern’s carnival – which, by the way, is the third largest in the country after Basel and Lucerne – begins with the “Bärebefreiig” (liberation of the bear). This year, this will take place on 19 February. The symbolic bear is locked up in the Käfigturm (Prison Tower) for hibernation on 11 November and then loudly awoken and liberated 111 days later, marking the beginning of carnival. Then, Guggenmusik bands, theatre ensembles and costume groups will be parading the streets until Saturday, 21 February, bringing joy to spectators of all ages. If you prefer something slightly less wild but still entertaining, we recommend the Schnitzelbank Soirée on Thursday. By the way: even a traditional event like Carnival always has room for something new. Why not try your hand at sewing or crafting at least part of your costume yourself this year?

If you’re interested in art, be sure to visit one of the many art museums in the Bern region to admire works by both famous and lesser-known artists. This includes the Museum Franz Gertsch in Burgdorf. Until 1 March, it is showing the exhibition “It is not what it is” by Alois Lichtsteiner. The artist from Lucerne, renowned for his paintings, prints, and object art, invites visitors to trace the evolution of his artistic approach and development. On display are monumental works and paintings that illustrate his journey from colour to greys and non-colours and back to colour again. His art often depicts subjects from nature, such as birch trees and mountains, which makes a visit both educational and relaxing.

For many, cooking is just a normal, everyday task, mostly done on the hob in their kitchen. If you enjoy cooking but want to experience something new, Chillfood is the thing for you. Just a 16-minute walk from Bern railway station, under the Lorraine Bridge and right on the banks of the River Aare, you will find the “Füüri”: this extraordinary event venue has fire kitchens where groups – or individuals on certain dates – can prepare a menu over an open fire under expert supervision. Cook dishes from all over the world using regional ingredients and zero electricity. And then there’s plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company and the meal you prepared together.

In February, many people in Switzerland take time off work (and schools close) to go to the mountains and practise winter sports. If you don’t feel like spending your time on the slopes but still want to enjoy the snow, we recommend snowshoeing. Immerse yourself in the tranquil winter landscape with snow-covered pines and beautiful panoramic views on the Obergurnigel trail in the Gantrisch Nature Park: starting from the Gurnigel Berghaus, the route heads towards the pine forest and Alp Gurnigelberg. The highlight of the tour is a bench on the Oberer Gurnigel, where an unbeatable view of the Gantrisch chain, the Bernese Oberland and the Gürbetal valley awaits. If you want to exercise your grey cells in addition to your muscles, you can try to name the different mountain peaks while enjoying a well-deserved picnic.