The medieval streets of the Swiss capital offer a unique backdrop to the annual Christmas market, two in fact. One delights romantics and families in the square in front of the cathedral (Münsterplatz), and the other in Orphanage Square (Waisenhausplatz).
The atmosphere in the square Münsterplatz it is calm, and the stalls that line up almost to the portal of the cathedral with a depiction of the Last Judgment offer typical handicrafts, fragrant pastries, baking and art supplies, jewelry and board games. All products have one thing in common: they are made with love, Swiss precision and imagination. Just a few minutes from Christmas fair in front of the cathedral there is another fair on the square Waisenhausplatz and the surrounding narrow streets. Here, an even larger selection of Christmas and New Year's products awaits us at the beautifully decorated stalls, from which the smell of gingerbread, caramel and mulled wine wafts. We can rest in Märitbeizli restaurant at the market or just warm up with a hot drink so that we can continue wandering around the festively decorated streets or under the arcades that the locals call Lauben.
It represents six kilometers of arcades the longest shopping promenade in Europe, where we can walk without worrying whether the sun is shining or it is raining or snowing. But we must not forget to explore Bern's underground. Although it sounds strange and unattractive, we must also take the time to wander through Bern's classic restaurants and unique shops in the basements of medieval buildings. Even during Advent, every Saturday in the square in front of the Swiss Parliament, farmers from nearby farms sell their products, and since it is almost impossible to imagine a visit to Switzerland without Swiss cheese, visiting the Saturday market is just as interesting as the Christmas markets. The contrast to traditional markets is the ultra-modern Westside shopping center, designed by star architect Daniel Libeskind.
