Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum – Experience true Swissness. Our homes, stables and barns are in hibernation. We will once again be open every day from 9 April 2026.
The Swiss Open-Air Museum is getting a schoolhouse – Construction diary schoolhouse Unterheid
In December 2025, the stove-fitter rebuilt the historic tiled stove from 1916 in the classroom and installed a fireproof wall behind it. The construction site then went into hibernation for the winter. So instead of reporting on construction progress in this blog post, we’re taking another short journey back in time to around 1830.
Ballenberg Train
Accessible, convenient and user-friendly – the new Ballenberg train makes the museum more accessible than ever before. It connects the museum grounds from east to west and back and stops at three stations along the way.
Discover a piece of Switzerland and its traditions in a unique way with our new Ballenberg Train or book an exclusive group tour.
Locking up alone won’t do the trick
Many tasks must be performed before a Ballenberg building is ready for the winter break. These activities are grouped together under the term “winterisation”. These wide-ranging tasks primarily facilitate the protection of cultural heritage and are an important part of a museum’s work.
Experience, celebrate, enjoy together
Shopping at the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg
At the Brienzwiler and Hofstetten Entrances and in the grounds of the museum itself, you can purchase a wide range of products from the Swiss Open-Air Museum, including food and handicrafts.
Support the Open-Air Museum
Hands-on interaction, play and fun are all encouraged at our museum
All you need for planning your visit
Ballenberg
Swiss Open-Air Museum
Museumsstrasse 100
CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz
Opening hours Administration
3 November 2025 to 8 April 2026
From Monday to Friday
8.30 am to 11.30 am
1.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Opening hours
9 April to 1 November 2026
10 am to 5 pm daily
