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The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum transports you into the past. Get a first-hand glimpse into the culture and traditions of Switzerland and travel the whole of the country in a day. Stroll through centuries of history.
Would you like to find out more about Switzerland’s customs and traditions? The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum transports you into the past, amidst spectacular natural surroundings. On your tour, you can discover original, centuries-old buildings from all over Switzerland. You can also expect a variety of exhibitions and live demonstrations of old Swiss crafts. Upon entering Ballenberg, you can either look at the schedule for the day and plan your tour around each demo or you can follow one of the park’s wide range of paths and choose to be surprised instead. There are plenty of places to eat, such as picnic tables or restaurants serving up Swiss specialities. The kids can cuddle farm animals at the park’s petting zoo or amuse themselves in the playpark.
Would you like to find out more about Switzerland’s customs and traditions? The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum transports you into the past, amidst spectacular natural surroundings. On your tour, you can discover original, centuries-old buildings from all over Switzerland. You can also expect a variety of exhibitions and live demonstrations of old Swiss crafts. Upon entering Ballenberg, you can either look at the schedule for the day and plan your tour around each demo or you can follow one of the park’s wide range of paths and choose to be surprised instead. There are plenty of places to eat, such as picnic tables or restaurants serving up Swiss specialities. The kids can cuddle farm animals at the park’s petting zoo or amuse themselves in the playpark.
Ballenberg Train
Discover the Open-Air Museum with the new Ballenberg Train. The ride is included in the admission price. It runs between the east and west entrances and stops at three stations en route: "Alter Bären" Restaurant, East Midlands and Central Switzerland. This makes the Open-Air Museum accessible and comfortable to experience for everyone. Further InformationYour highlights at a glance
- Over 100 original, centuries-old buildings from every part of Switzerland
- Daily demonstrations of ancient crafts
- A variety of exhibitions
- New: Ballenberg-Train
To ensure that your trip is perfect in every way, please note
- Open from mid-April to beginning of November
- Good, closed toe shoes (unpaved paths) and a raincoat are recommended
- The western section of the Open-Air Museum is ideal for wheelchair users
- Purchase your tickets at the museum or online via the official website
Good to know
Openings
Mid-April – beginning of November
The tills are open from 9.00 am on, but the houses are only accessible from 10.00 am on.
The tills are open from 9.00 am on, but the houses are only accessible from 10.00 am on.
General information
Bus stop available
Eligibility
Suitable for any weather
for Groups
for Class
Pet allowed
Suitable for the Elderly
for Children of all Ages
Suitable for Pushchair
Other Furnishing/Equipment
Children Entertainment Corner (indoors)
Children's Playground (outdoors)
Toilet
Handicapped accessible WC
Barrier-free access
Payment methods
American Express, Cash, Debit Card, Mastercard, Twint, Visa
Accessibility
Travel for Everyone
Accessibility information can be found on the Ginto platform:
General Information on Accessibility
Directions & Parking facilities
Visitors travelling by train to Brienz (from Interlaken) or Brünig-Hasliberg (from Lucerne). There is a public bus runs between Brienz and Brünig train stations and the Ballenberg West and East entrances.
By car from Lucerne via the A8 / Brünig highway to the Brienzwiler exit to the Ballenberg East entrance (Museumsstrasse 431, 3856 Brienzwiler). From Interlaken via the A8 highway to the Brienz exit, continue in the direction of Hofstetten to the Ballenberg West entrance: (Museumsstrasse 100, 3858 Hofstetten)
By car from Lucerne via the A8 / Brünig highway to the Brienzwiler exit to the Ballenberg East entrance (Museumsstrasse 431, 3856 Brienzwiler). From Interlaken via the A8 highway to the Brienz exit, continue in the direction of Hofstetten to the Ballenberg West entrance: (Museumsstrasse 100, 3858 Hofstetten)
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Reviews
- YajnaseniRSeptember 3, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Beautiful Chalets and Huts as exhibits in a Swiss village settingThis is a must visit for families who are looking to get an immersive taste of the history and culture of Switzerland. This is a huge open air museum. We went to this place on two separate days to fully enjoy all that this place has to offer. But there are shorter circuits also which can be done.More - InstantcalmAugust 5, 2025 at 8:00 PMWell curated but could use varietyBallenberg is a vast open-air museum that brings together traditional buildings from across Switzerland in a forested, walkable landscape. Entire barns and farmhouses have been relocated here, creating a detailed, if sometimes repetitive, portrait of rural life. The grounds are extensive, with two entrances and ample parking. Plan for at least three to four hours to take in the full experience. A toy train runs through the site, though catching it requires some timing and costs extra. Highlights included the industrialist’s villa near the west entrance, a beautifully preserved Heimatstil residence with carved woodwork and period gardens. The beekeeping exhibit was another standout, where children could safely observe live hives. A café and restaurant at the centre provide a welcome break. While the museum is impressive in scale and execution, the focus on agricultural buildings can become monotonous. A broader variety of rural architecture, especially chalets, would enrich the visit. Considering the fairly steep entry price, a more diverse mix would feel more rewarding. Still, for families and anyone interested in Swiss heritage, Ballenberg offers a unique and memorable outing.More
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