Experience Switzerland In The Ballenberg Open-air Museum

Ballenberg was a fantastic experience! The museum is huge, with so much to see and explore. I was impressed by its sheer scale and variety—you really need a full day to take it all in without rushing. A great place to wander, discover and enjoy at your own pace. Highly recommended!

The station of brientwiller is not so easy . No bus only as smal mountain path…. Lit better from brientz

This is a great museum of Swiss life, culture and buildings. There is lots of information in German, French, Italian and English. The site is not flat (it is in Switzerland!) but most of the paths are good quality and you can avoid the goat tracks! The layout is good with different zones featuring different areas. The easy they have incorporated modern features (toilets, cafes, shops, etc) into the older buildings is very good. 3 hours was about or mental capacity so you probably need two visits or more to see everything.

Worst experience, first time in August great, i came back and brought my sister absolutely horrible 65.00, 1 hr. Atv was horrible

Im very surprised this place got such great reviews.it was basically just walking in the woods but paying for it.Do not waste your time. The building are far apart and most of them are empty or are under construction. Walked from east to west but hardly anything to see. I saw more animals hiking in the mountains. I wish i could get a refund. The one good thing is the bathrooms were nice and clean.

We visited on opening day April 2025. When we got the map we could immediately tell there was no way we could see everything in a single day, so we prioritized localities. We loved the parts we saw. There were always English translations so we never felt left out. We wish we had a second day.

An amazing place that unfortunately we did not do justice to. We had simply not enough time and the weather was unkind and as it is really an outdoor activity rain is not wonderful. The houses are fabulous to visit and the people inside demonstrating various skills are fantastic highly recommend

It is a unique museum for me here in the Bernese Oberland that brings the rural culture and history of the region to life and where I could spend days. Crafts, living, working, life from hundreds of years ago to today.

We have been coming to the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum every now and then for many years. We like it very much and it is always a nice family outing for us. There is a lot to discover. Visiting the many different old houses is a beautiful and exciting journey into the past. For families with younger children, the new forest playground in the center of the open-air museum is a great highlight. Also recommended with children is the adventure playground with the petting zoo. The beautiful historic drugstore with the medicinal herb garden is also worth a visit. In midsummer, the small Kneipp area with a cold water basin and a small barefoot path behind the drugstore is very refreshing. The entire grounds of the open-air museum are very beautifully designed and very clean and well-maintained. We can recommend a visit to the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum with a very clear conscience.

We (couple in our late 20s) were really positively surprised by the Ballenberg Museum. It is certainly one of the most beautiful museums in all of Switzerland. From small children to the elderly, there is something for everyone to marvel at. Whether architecture, history, botany, wildlife, etc. We recommend planning the whole day. Anyone who wants to admire everything a bit more closely needs even more than one day.

Very interesting - the staff is very knowledgeable and has a lot to share. The various houses are well-maintained. We especially recommend the hair salon and the exhibition "Women in Agriculture." If possible, go on weekdays. There are plenty of restrooms.

Our third visit to this huge open-air museum and always as much fun to take the various trails that take us on a tour of the ancient homes of our country. Do not hesitate to take a picnic!

Superbly made exhibition that justifies the entrance fee. Unfortunately, the kindness of the performances is different. For example, there is traditional soup preparation, but I was totally ignored and newcomers were addressed directly. I find a cheekiness that in the Restairant for tap water Fr. 7.50 is charged !!! I recommend taking provisions yourself and avoiding the restairants.

A busy day but what a treat! If the weather is with you, it’s a must in the region! With children or not, it’s really great! It is a well maintained, lively museum and the environment is beautiful! Free admission with Raiffeisen MemberPlus.

An incredible great experience ! With so much attention to detail and so much to discover for big and small. Highly recommended!!!

The experience is not bad to do, relatively expensive but nice enough for the children. On the other hand the first restaurant was simply not good.. deplorable service... wait of at least 40 minutes, people arrived later than us served before.. but the waiter explains that it is normal..and too expensive for what it is...really quality/price 2/10...

Very interesting, these different houses depending on the canton in Switzerland. The kitchens, bedrooms and facilities are authentic and as anno to time. The walk leads through forest and meadows. Don't forget to put on good shoes!

There are countless museums, I visit the museum of Swiss houses and to do. A fascinating experience to be able to see where and how they lived in past centuries. Applause to those who created a magical place. Cost entry. 32 francs, little for what he's offering.

We loved walking around this open-air museum, discovering all these pretty houses as well as the different trades and techniques of the past. My kids loved it. In one day we couldn’t see everything. There are picnic places in different places and everything is very well indicated. I highly recommend!

A very great, informative museum that deserves its, but quite high, entrance fee. There is a lot to see (including animals) and do. We were there from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the evening and have only half of all the houses from inside and outside "discover". That's why we really need to get back here! We are looking forward to it!

A true open-air museum in a dream setting. A full day in contact with nature and animals. Sun at will and lots of walking on the vast estate of 66 hectares. Restaurants inside where you can taste traditional cuisine. We went to the Alt Bären and had a great time. A wonderful discovery in an efficient, spotless and respectful Switzerland for everyone.

We were there with the children, everything was great. Also great from the weather. There are many great things to see and also to experience for the children. We will definitely come back in the fall. It is very worthwhile as a day trip with the family.

Very interesting park, definitely worth seeing. Friendly staff. Too bad the whole park is defaced by completely inappropriate Helvetas advertising. It is also a pity that Simon Gfeller's stories are defaced in theatres. Despite appealing acting performances boring, punchy and witless. Entrances to the park at 3pm are full price, although everything closes around 5pm.

The last time I was there was over 20 years ago and it is always a great pleasure to go because they do not fall asleep on their success. They expand, renovate and offer workshops, demonstration, personalized visit and we can buy real local products made in front of us. If I had to put one negative thing, it is that once home, the products offered in the online shop, is a lot for gifts and not enough to buy from time to time good local products for his own consumption. In a few years I would go back because I really enjoy going.

Suitable even in bad weather for an extended walk. The park is very natural and beautifully landscaped. We really liked it. In the ticino area we ate well. Great to be able to go into all the houses. Definitely worth a visit !

We were at the Ballenberg as a couple today on the 25th of June from 10:00 a.m....had set us a schedule until 17:00 p.m. In the big top weather...it was all true except for 2 negative experiences...entrance east..Unfortunately there are no people on site at most screenings who should have shown the interesting works according to plan/time...( It turned out in the end that since the corona time there is a lack of staff...) Too bad we found... And at the end we wanted to go down to Ticino (restaurant something to eat and drink..) UPS no one there...closed? Above a blackboard still discovered..on one side you could read ( open ) , but on the other side unfortunately nothing of closed stood..a pity about the way and the time...( Please write it clearly to what is thing..) Otherwise we had a positive day at Ballenberg...

The Ballenberg OpenAir Museum is simply impressive! With incredible effort, some of the huge traditional Swiss farmhouses are dismantled here, painstakingly rebuilt piece by piece true to the original and renovated. With well over 100 Swiss farmhouses from the 17th to 19th centuries, the complex offers a fascinating insight into the diverse architectural styles of Switzerland. In the middle of the picturesque Swiss landscape, the museum not only impresses with its impressive collection of historic farmhouses, but also with a remarkable attention to detail in the interior design. No effort was spared to adhere to the originality of past eras when designing the interiors. From the furniture to the personal belongings of the former residents, every detail reflects the dedication that makes the visit an authentic journey through Swiss history. The paradisiacal location on a mountain, surrounded by forests and green hills, gives the museum a magical atmosphere. The extensive complex cannot be explored in just one day because it is so enormous. So you should plan a route beforehand and think about what you want to see. The walk-in farmhouses, often furnished with the original possessions of their last owners, allow an impressive journey through the history of Switzerland. Before my visit, I was not aware of how diverse the architectural styles in Switzerland were, and the Ballenberg Museum brought this diversity to my attention in a fascinating way. I can recommend a group tour to everyone. Our guide, an extremely competent gentleman, told lively stories about each house and answered questions with a lot of expertise and background knowledge. The tour enabled us to not only understand the architecture, but also learn more about the former locations, the history, the uses of the building styles and even details about the former owners and their lifestyles. The museum offers an insight not only into the architecture, but also into traditional crafts. The lime kiln shows how lime was burned in the old days, and in the smokehouse the Ballenberg sausages are smoked in the traditional way - an experience that is fragrant and spectacular, but leaves a lasting impression on your clothes. The variety of activities and the beautiful restaurant make the visit an all-round successful experience. The entrance fee is definitely justified when you consider the great work that is done here. For me, the Ballenberg Museum is one of the most worth seeing attractions in all of Switzerland.

Exceptional location near Lake Brienz! This museum exhibits around a hundred historic buildings from all regions of Switzerland. They were dismantled in their original location to be rebuilt on the immense Ballenberg site. It is worth staying there for two days or more. It is possible to take guided tours and also to travel by horse-drawn carriage. Dogs on a leash are allowed but cannot enter the buildings. Whatever happens, don’t miss a visit to Ballenberg under any circumstances!