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Ballenberg Open-Air Museum: Authentic Swiss Experience with Historic Buildings and Farm Animals
4.6
10 Ratings
Hofstetten bei Brienz
Ballenberg Open-Air Museum stands alone as Switzerland’s only open-air museum. It offers a snapshot of Swiss history, allowing you to observe our artisans at work, take a glimpse inside more than 100 establishments of Ballenberg, appreciate the well-maintained cultural surroundings, and acquaint yourself with our collection of over 200 domestic animals.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum - 110 historical buildings from all parts of Switzerland, over 200 farm animals and old craftsmanship: in the Ballenberg open-air museum you can experience Switzerland with all your senses.
![](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/11/91/3e/59.jpg)
What's Included
- Entry to the museum.
- Access to a digital museum guide.
What's Not Included
- Parking fees
- Carriage rides on the premises
Additional Information
- Rental of an all-terrain wheelchair possible on site
Location
Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum
Museumsstrasse 100,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(10 Ratings)
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738nadjac
Aug 6, 2024
An Experience I Recommendation to All Adults and Children - 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.
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Steph
Aug 3, 2024
Day trip with children, it was all wonderful. - 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.
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Marion
Jul 9, 2024
Need to plan a whole day there - 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
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Mitterich
Jan 26, 2024
Ballenberg Swiss OpenAir Museum: A spectacle of Swiss history and architecture - 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.
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Jean-pierre
Sep 24, 2023
The only true open-air museum in 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!
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Jet38154603192
Sep 21, 2023
A unique experience in nature to repeat - Day trip with adventure world for the whole family. Real houses, animals and beautiful nature with forest. Pharmacy for shopping from the large herb garden and much more. Top recommendation: Bretterhotel nearby.
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Boblackyverdon
Jul 10, 2024
Discover all of Switzerland in an open-air museum - 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.
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Suo_zh
Jul 6, 2024
Long walks through another time - 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 !
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Tombs4351qy
Jun 25, 2024
Ballenberg yes or no? - 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...
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