Exciting Easter in Bern

A long weekend with lots of sunshine: the perfect setting for a bike ride. Whether you prefer a relaxed e-bike tour over the lush rolling hills or working up a sweat while cycling the trails near the city – there’s something for everyone. And the different routes offer more than just a cycling path: beautiful sceneries, cultural highlights, rich history, and culinary delights await. And who knows, maybe you’ll even see some bunnies or other animals along the way (can’t guarantee THE bunny will be among them, though!)

Who’s hard on the outside but soft on the inside? Who’s easy to crack? We’ll find out on Easter Sunday, when the famous “Eiertütsche” takes place in the heart of Bern’s old town. This traditional Bernese Easter custom is popular throughout Switzerland and said to having been practised for over a hundred years. The event's cult status was confirmed by its entry in the cantonal list of “Living Traditions”. It is a great experience – not just for the “fighters”, but also for the enthusiastic spectators. If you want to participate, bring some colourful hard-boiled eggs to Kornhausplatz and find some opponents to challenge. It begins at 10 a.m., no registration necessary.

Have you always dreamt of making your own chocolate Easter Bunny? Bread à Porter on Kornhausplatz can make those dreams come true. On different dates at 01:00 and 03:00 p.m., you have the opportunity to mould your very own creations. For 30 francs, you can choose from a variety of shapes and three different types of chocolate. Our tip: Chocolate Easter bunnies are a beloved Swiss tradition and make for wonderful gifts.

You’re running out of new ideas on where to hide the Easter eggs? Time to change locations! We recommend the famous Rosengarten in Bern, one of the most beautiful parks in the country with a panoramic view over the rooftops of the UNESCO-listed old town and the Gurten. You’re guaranteed to find some great hiding spots among the 400 rose and iris variations and 28 different rhododendrons. Tip: Bring a picnic blanket, get a fresh “Loubebrot” loaf in the old-town bakery Bread à Porter, and enjoy a tasty breakfast al fresco after the successful Easter egg hunt.

The days are getting longer, the birds are singing, and flowers are popping out of the ground everywhere – time to go outside! Easter is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your loved ones. How about a nice long walk? There are beautiful routes along the River Aare, in the extensive Elfenau park, on the Gurten, and in the Gantrisch Nature Park. If it happens to rain, we recommend strolling underneath the six kilometres of arcades in Bern’s old town, combined with some window shopping.

The only thing that can make a long weekend even sweeter: lots of Easter chocolate! The Easter treats are popular with kids and parents alike. At the traditional Ostereier Märit (Easter egg market) in Huttwil on 12 and 13 April, children can mould their own chocolate bunny. And since spring belongs to the curious, there's also an activity available throughout the event that lets you live out – or discover – your creativity by creating glass artworks. Give it a try and make Easter even more vibrant with unique, colourful, handmade decorations.

On Easter Sunday, a special guest will be making an appearance in Bern’s popular animal park. Equipped with lots of colourfully painted Easter eggs to distribute among visitors old and young, it's none other than the Easter Bunny itself. It will be hopping through Dählhölzli all afternoon, with kids trying to spot it among the other animals and curious to see the surprises it has in store for them. It also knows lots of fun and exciting stories about the different inhabitants of the animal park.

The Gurten offers a diverse range of Easter activities. From Good Friday through Easter Monday, you can enjoy a delicious Easter brunch. On Friday and Saturday, it is served only at “Huusbüffe”, on Sunday, Gurtners and the Schüür open their doors to visitors as well. If you’re in the mood for an indulgent brunch with a view, we recommend a Sunday visit to the Pavilion. After the treat, you’ll be ready for the afternoon’s activities in the Gurtengärtli, which include dyeing eggs and creating Easter decorations. For the littlest ones, there’s an Easter gift hunt in the park on Sunday, where numerous little surprises are spread across the entire park, waiting to be found.

When the Easter bunny is done for the day and the kids are in bed, it’s time to party! There are numerous places in and around Bern with Easter events. Party people aged 40 plus are invited to bust a move at a legendary Tanznacht40 in Münsingen. For friends of jazz music, we recommend the 50th International Jazzfestival in Bern. If you prefer something a bit more relaxed, check out the concert at the Gaskessel on Easter Sunday, where Scottish singer-songwriter Argyle will delight his audience with poetic lyrics and remarkable tunes. By the way: A night at the club is especially great if you feel you’ve had a few too many Easter chocolates – an hour on the dancefloor burns up to 650 calories!

If you’ve always wanted to feel treated like a queen or king, we recommend a visit to Hünigen Castle in Konolfingen for Easter. On Easter Sunday, you can enjoy an exclusive, lavish brunch buffet within the walls of the beautiful castle. Little guests have the chance to win an “Osternestli” (Easter nest) oder yummy treats from the castle. And if you can't get enough of the royal atmosphere, head to the next impressive building: Oberdiessbach Castle, a gem of baroque architecture, which invites you to linger in its magnificent gardens. If you’re interested in history, join a guided tour for fascinating insights into the history and traditions of the estate.

Looking to treat yourself and your loved ones over Easter? We recommend a mini getaway to the Schweizerhof Hotel in Bern. The hotel is offering a special deal on the Easter weekend, which includes two nights in one of its exquisite rooms, a three-course Easter lunch in the GaultMillau-awarded Jack's Brasserie, e-bikes for the duration of your stay, and other personal Easter surprises and highlights. It’s also perfect for sightseeing: Located by Bern railway station and in the UNESCO-listed old town, the hotel is the ideal starting point for exploring and discovering Bern’s many activities, restaurants and sights on foot.