The Köniz castle complex and its farmyard still bear witness to the architectural character of a Teutonic Order commandery. At the same time, the castle estate is a recognised cultural and community centre. The building’s history, guided tours and events offer different ways to discover Köniz.

Castle Estate: Building History and Culture

The municipality offers guided tours of the castle estate tailored to visitors’ needs. Regular church services and concerts take place in the church, which is visible from far away. The estate is therefore a place where both historic architecture and a recurring programme of events take centre stage. If you are planning to attend a particular concert or church service, it is best to check the date in advance.

Castle Park and Plant Trail

The castle park is located on the site of a former cemetery and today serves as a green space for recreation and relaxation. The Köniz Plant Trail offers a different perspective on the landscape: it runs from the “Köniz Schloss” bus stop on route 10 through the castle park and the adjacent cemetery into the Köniz Valley, continuing via the Margeltäli to the “Köniz Schliern” bus stop, also on route 10. Check the current timetable before travelling.

The Plant Trail has an online map with information about selected locations. It introduces the habitats and plant species found there, with photos from different stages of vegetation complementing the information. This makes it possible to explore the route not only through its stops, but also through the habitats and plants described. The selection of locations makes the map a useful companion along the way, though not every section offers the same information.

Garden, Food and Swimming Pool

Everyone interested in gardening and good food can get involved in the jointly maintained castle garden. It is cultivated according to organic farming principles, while also incorporating aspects of permaculture. The neighbouring Restaurant zum Schloss serves vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers from the garden. If you are planning to dine there, check its current opening arrangements in advance.

For a seasonal day of swimming, Köniz Weiermatt swimming pool offers a range of pools and facilities, including a 50-metre swimming pool, a toddlers’ pool and water attractions. A separate diving facility has diving towers at heights of 10 and 7.5 metres. As this is a seasonal facility and individual attractions may have their own operating restrictions, it is worth checking current opening hours and conditions before your visit.

Liebefeld Park as Another Green Space

The public Liebefeld Park in Köniz is a place for leisure and relaxation, with lawns, trees, play and sports facilities, and a large pond. The park covers 36,000 square metres; it also features promenades, and the pond is at the northern end of the park. While the castle garden invites visitors to get involved in a community project, Liebefeld Park offers a different focus, with lawns, promenades, and play and sports facilities. Köniz thus offers different kinds of green spaces, from a garden project to a public park.

Discover more destinations: Wohlen bei Bern, Muri bei Bern, Bolligen, Bern, Lengnau, Zollikofen, Ostermundigen, Gasel.

Back to the main travel guide: Bern.