Bern is a year-round destination, but summer (June to August) is the classic season. Days are long, temperatures reach 25–28°C, and the city's outdoor culture — Aare swimming, Bundesplatz fountains, terrace dining — is in full swing. July brings the Gurtenfestival on the hill above the city, one of Switzerland's main open-air music events.
Spring (April–May) is pleasant, with blooming gardens and fewer visitors than midsummer. The Rose Garden comes into its own in late May. Autumn (September–October) has crisp clear days and the wine harvest in the surrounding region.
Winter is cold and often grey, but Bern is a functioning city rather than a tourism machine, so it carries on normally. The Christmas market on Münsterplatz and Waisenhausplatz is genuine and well-attended. Snow occasionally settles in the Old Town, which is striking under the arcades. Budget travellers benefit from lower hotel prices outside summer.