Staying in a Castle

In the village of Burgdorf in central Switzerland, an eponymous castle is perched on top of a rocky hill. A dragon once used to live there according to legend. In April, the HI Burgdorf Hostel will open its doors to visitors in this very castle that’s been looking over the Emmental Valley for centuries. This means you’ll be able to stay in an over 900-year-old renovated medieval castle, in other words, you’ll be able to travel back through time during your stay. You’ll be able to experience the history of the renowned royal families and the famous Berne Trial first-hand. The castle also has a museum with an enormous amount of educational content. You can even marry in real wedding halls and dance in the royal dance hall. There’s a restaurant as well, offering medieval cuisine which you can enjoy while sitting at the knights table or on the terrace. Of course, you can take in the gorgeous views over the valley, the birthplace of the famous Emmental cheese.

The houses and squares underneath the castle offer plenty of opportunities for a pleasant stroll or some relaxation with excellent food and drinks. There are countless options if you want to explore the neighbouring slopes, plateaus and valleys in the surroundings, all covered in meadows and surrounded by forests. In a really special cycling paradise, the verdant Emmental Valley that is nestled between mountains, electric bikes are of special importance.

Bern is twenty kilometres south. The old town has retained its medieval spirit, which is particularly noticeable by the traditional buildings and numerous traditions. If you don’t want to miss out on anything, you should go on a guided tour. And you’ll most probably run into the city’s symbol somewhere, which is the bear. All mountain lovers will find their piece of paradise in the nearby Bernese Alps, which offer plenty of challenges for all types of hikers, even mountain climbers, as they’re full of popular climbing spots, such as the north face of the Eiger and the Jungfrau. You can also take a cable car up into these majestic mountains.

Head to the land of cheese where adventures await you in old towns and the castle, and spend a night at the museum.