Knowledge & culture

Burgdorf Castle

A place to feast, sleep, celebrate and be amazed

Burgdorf Castle offers you an exploration of Swiss history, delicious food and drink, and accommodation. Its combined role as a museum, restaurant and youth hostel makes this 800-year-old castle erected by the dukes of Zähringen a unique cultural and educational venue.

In the museum, exciting cabinets of curiosities reveal the castle’s history and allow you to travel to different eras and continents. In the castle restaurant, you can enjoy delicious regional cuisine in a courtly ambience, while the hostel offers comfortable rooms with historic flair.

Burgdorf is easily accessible by train. From the station, it's a 15-minute walk through the beautiful old town up to the castle. Or you can take the bus to "Burgdorf, Kronenplatz".

Museum

The exhibitions at Burgdorf Castle offer scope for exploration on the following topics:

Life at the castle

Who were the Zähringers and what was life like at the castle in medieval times?

Freedom

Who fought for which freedoms and when? A search for clues with songs from the region.

Pestalozzi and education

How has teaching and learning changed over the past 100 years?

Living and working in Burgdorf

How has the town developed over the centuries and what is typical of Burgdorf?

Coming and going

Who brought new ideas to Burgdorf and who left here to spread their ideas to the rest of the world?

Panning for gold

Where is gold found in the Emmental and what is so fascinating about the shiny metal?

Offers and events

Dining and accommodation

Dining at Burgdorf Castle

The restaurant with around 60 indoor spaces and a wonderful garden dining area is a place for locals and the castle’s visitors to come together. The Assizes Hall also offers a wonderful location for lively parties, banquets and events.

Accommodation at Burgdorf Castle

At Burgdorf Youth Hostel, you literally spend a night at the museum. Each room is individually decorated and dedicated to a theme relating to the castle’s history. Exhibits teach you more about life in the Middle Ages and the history of Burgdorf. How did people wash in medieval times, what happened during the town fire, and what did children used to learn at school back then?

Opening hours Today (Thursday) open

Opening hours museum

April–October: Mon–Sun 10.00–18.00 hours
November–March: Wed–Sun 10.00–18.00 hours

Final entry to the museum: 17.30 hours

Company vacation: 27.01.–14.02.2025

Opening hours restaurant

April–October: Mon–Sun 10.00–22.00 hours
November–March: Wed–Sun 10.00–22.00 hours

Company vacation: 27.01.–14.02.2025

Opening hours youth hostel

Daily: 07.30–10.00 / 15.00–20.00 hours

Company vacation: 27.01.–14.02.2025

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

CHF 14.00 Adults
CHF 10.00 Apprentices/students
CHF 10.00 IV (invalidity insurance)
CHF 6.00 Children (6–15.99 years)

Families

Free entry for the third child and every additional child.

Free entry

Swiss Museum Pass or Raiffeisen card Member Plus Donors and association members Collectors’ associations Kulturlegi or VMS/ICOM pass Guests of the Burgdorf Castle Youth Hostel (included in the accommodation price).

Prices in CHF incl. VAT / Prices and products subject to alteration

How to get there

Take the train to Burgdorf, then walk for approx. 15 mins or ride the bus no. 461 to “Burgdorf, Kronenplatz” – from here, you will reach the castle in around 5 minutes.