10 Bernese highlights in April

Nature is awakening and flowers are popping up everywhere – spring is here! Immerse yourself in the season’s blooms on Bundesplatz on 23 April, the day of the annual Bärner Wildpflanzen Märit (wildflower market). Visitors can choose their favourite and most suitable plants for their garden or balcony from around 400 different wild plant species. This year’s motto is “Nachtschwärmer” (creatures of the night), focusing on plants that are good for nocturnal insects. Interested visitors have the opportunity to talk to experts about the exciting world of nocturnal insects and learn how their lives in our gardens can be made easier.

In Bern, we have the privilege to be surrounded by mountains. April is a wonderful time for hiking, and we love to head out and up equipped with our rucksack, functional jacket and hiking boots. The right gear can be quite expensive – but it doesn’t have to be! The Alpin-Flohmi (alpine flea market) on 24 April in the Alps museum is here to help: on sale are second-hand outdoor clothing and equipment for hikers on a budget. And the best thing about buying second-hand? Every item has a story. Which peaks have your new hiking boots climbed? How many picnics has the rucksack carried up the mountain? Now it’s your turn to take them on an adventure!

Strolling among the market stands and “schnöigge” (browsing) will bring up great memories for many Bernese. Like every year, the iconic fair on the Bern Expo site becomes a meeting place for old and young. From 25 to 4 May, some 800 exhibitors will delight visitors with a wide variety of products and attractions. Make sure to stop by the “Stage” event hall where, this year, the focus lies on the many different regional products that Bern has to offer. Freshly baked bread, aromatic cheese, homemade jam and other lovingly prepared delicacies wait to be sampled. We hope you’re hungry! As always, various animals provide the cuteness factor. And if you still have some energy left, you can jump on a few rides at the funfair.

On 26 April, Bern’s old town is turned into one big flea market: the locals have done their spring cleaning, and the gems that have turned up are sold at the Vide Grenier in Kramgasse and Gerechtigkeitsgasse from 10 a.m. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say! For the best steals, make sure you go early. That way, you’ll also have enough time for a relaxed, extensive brunch afterwards in one of Bern’s many pretty cafés. Fresh “Gipfeli” (croissants), hot coffee and great finds are just such a perfect combination!

Ready to race? Bern’s traditional soapbox race will be taking place on Klösterlistutz hill on 27 April. This means that during spring break, you’ll hear hammering and drilling in Bern’s neighbourhoods – it’s dauntless teams trying to build the fastest soapbox for the city’s annual soapbox race. If you’ve never built a soapbox before, you can get expert support and advice as well as the right materials and tools during the building phase. Now nothing will stand in the way of your victory! Except maybe the tricky racecourse... If you’re not a huge adrenaline junkie, you’re still very welcome on Klösterlistutz – after all, racers need an enthusiastic audience to cheer them on! Please note: if you want to participate in the race, you must register in advance.

The gems sold at the Vide Grenier are not the only things being brought out of the garage and back into shape – it’s time to get your e-bikes ready again! We’re opting for an easy, relaxed start to the season with one of our ten highlight routes: the Laupen Historical Loop. On the 31-kilometre circular tour, you’re invited to reflect on time and the past and immerse yourself in the eventful history of the region. And there are plenty of little moments of pleasure along the way, with charming restaurants and cafés inviting you to take a break and enjoy. Please note that there’s a detour between Laupen and Neuenegg due to construction.

Enjoy a sophisticated afternoon tea in the official guest house of the Swiss Confederation, which has hosted personalities such as Winston Churchill and Rainer Maria Rilke. The impressive lobby will have you feel like you’re in Buckingham Palace! At the Bellevue, British tea tradition meets a hotel steeped in history in the centre of the federal city. Petit fours, friandises, savoury and sweet delicacies are served together with organic tea from Chanoyu tea house in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere. And why not order a glass of Prosecco or champagne to celebrate an afternoon well spent?

Let’s talk some more about historic buildings in the centre of the city – Bern has quite a few of them. And the best thing about them? They are not just for looking at; many of them can also be hired for banquets, seminars and parties. A good example is the restaurant Zum Äusseren Stand, probably one of the most decisive places for modern-day Switzerland. It was there, more precisely in its Empire Hall, that the Federal Constitution was adopted in 1848. Today, the historic hall hosts banquets for up to 160 people. An extraordinary venue for extraordinary celebrations.

Most Swiss people have heard of Le Corbusier – and even seen him: his face was depicted on the 10-franc note of the previous Swiss banknote series. But what Le Corbusier, born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, was primarily known for throughout his life was his influence in modern architecture and urban planning. To mark the 20^th anniversary of the Zentrum Paul Klee, its current exhibition focuses on the working process, thinking, design and work of the artist. His architectural achievements are not the focus, even if they are a further link to the UNESCO-listed federal city. 17 of the buildings he designed around the world are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you want to experience history, you’ve come to the right place. In the past, the city and canton of Bern were the scenes of several important battles and wars. In 1289, for example, the Battle of Schosshalde took place near the Zentrum Paul Klee, and in 1802, federalists and supporters of the Helvetic Republic clashed at Aargauerstalden in the “Stäcklikrieg” (“War of Sticks”). For more exciting stories about the federal city, go on the UNESCO Stroll through Bern’s old town. A must for history buffs!