Top places to visit in Bern

• Bern Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage)

  Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h

  Switzerland's finest medieval city centre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Six kilometres of arcaded walkways (Lauben) allow you to shop and stroll in all weathers, while the sandstone towers, fountains, and the…

• Zytglogge Clock Tower

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · entry CHF 22

  Bern's iconic 13th-century clock tower — one of the oldest mechanised clocks in the world still in regular use. The animated figure procession begins 4 minutes before each hour, mesmerising onlookers since 1530. Einstein lived in the…

• Bear Park (Bärenpark)

  Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 1 h

  Bern's famous Bear Park on the Aare riverbank, home to European brown bears — Bern's heraldic animal since the 12th century. The 6,000 m² semi-wild habitat with a stream and forest directly connects to the Rosen Garden viewpoint above.

• Rosengarten (Rose Garden & Viewpoint)

  Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1 h

  Bern's most spectacular free viewpoint, a hilltop rose garden overlooking the UNESCO Old Town, the Zytglogge, the Aare river loop, and the Alps. 220 rose varieties bloom May–October. The restaurant terrace is famous for its panoramic views.

• Federal Palace (Bundeshaus)

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h

  Switzerland's Federal Parliament building, the nerve centre of Swiss democracy since 1902. Free guided tours take visitors through the grand central hall, the two chambers of parliament, and the Bundesplatz — a water fountain plaza with a…

• Bern Lauterbrunnen Day

  Waterfall · 4.9 rating · about 8 h

  A day trip from Bern to Lauterbrunnen — the spectacular Bernese Oberland valley with 72 waterfalls cascading down the dramatic cliffs, the famous Staubbach Falls, and the iconic Swiss alpine landscape.

• Bern Christmas Market

  Market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h

  The Bern Christmas Markets — the magical festive markets at Münsterplatz and Waisenhausplatz, with the historic wooden chalets, the famous Berner Lebkuchen, and the spectacular UNESCO Old Town setting.

• Bern Münster Platform

  Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h

  The Münster Platform — the spectacular terrace next to Bern Cathedral, with the panoramic views over the Aare River bend, the Bear Park, and the most photographed Bern viewpoint.

• Bern Federal Square

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h

  Bundesplatz (Federal Square) — Bern's spectacular main square with the famous 26 fountains (one for each Swiss canton), the historic Saturday market, and the iconic Bundeshaus parliament.

• Bern Aare River Swimming

  Activity · 4.9 rating · about 2 h

  The Aare River swimming experience — Bern's iconic summer tradition of swimming in the turquoise Aare River, with the famous current ride downstream, and the unique alpine river experience in a capital city.

• Bern Zentrum Paul Klee

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry CHF 20

  The Zentrum Paul Klee — the spectacular Renzo Piano-designed museum with the world's largest Paul Klee collection (4,000 works), the iconic three undulating hill-shaped buildings, and the rich Swiss art heritage.

• Bern Gurten Mountain

  Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 3 h

  The Gurten Mountain — Bern's spectacular 858m local mountain accessible by funicular, with the panoramic views over Bern, the Aare River bend, the Alps, and the famous Gurtenfestival music festival in July.

Things to do

• Aare River Swimming at Marzili Outdoor · 1.5 h
• Zytglogge Clock Tower Guided Tour City Tour · 1 h · from CHF 24 per person
• Bern Old Town Guided Walking Tour Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from CHF 30 per person
• Bundeshaus Parliament Building Guided Tour City Tour · 1 h
• Bern Cathedral (Münster) Tower Climb Attraction Ticket · 0.8 h · from CHF 5 per person
• Einstein House Guided Visit Museum · 0.8 h · from CHF 8 per person
• Bern Hidden Chocolate Tradition Tasting Tour Food Tour · 2 h · from CHF 55 per person
• Gruyères Cheese and Cailler Chocolate Day Trip from Bern Day Trip · 7.5 h · from CHF 165 per person

Where to stay in Bern

• Altstadt (Bern Old City) about CHF 450 per night

  Bern's UNESCO-listed medieval old city — the only place to stay for a full Bern experience. The arcades, clock tower, bear park, and Bundeshaus are all within a 10-minute walk. Bellevue Palace and Hotel Schweizerhof are…

• Matte & Aare Quarter about CHF 240 per night

  The charming riverside lower town below the old city — accessed by a free public lift from the Altstadt. Traditional neighbourhood with excellent local restaurants, jazz hotel (Innere Enge), and the finest Aare river…

Hotels

• Bellevue Palace Bern 5-star · CHF 550 to CHF 1,600 per night
• Hotel Schweizerhof Bern 5-star · CHF 450 to CHF 1,200 per night
• Hotel Innere Enge Bern 4-star · CHF 220 to CHF 420 per night
• Hotel Savoy Bern 4.6-star · CHF 200 to CHF 380 per night
• Hotel City am Bahnhof 3-star · CHF 100 to CHF 190 per night
• National Bern AG 3.5-star · CHF 130 to CHF 240 per night

Where to eat

• Kornhauskeller Bern Mediterranean, Swiss, Italian · about CHF 70 per person
• Restaurant Rosengarten Bern Swiss, Café · about CHF 45 per person
• Tibits Bern Vegetarian, Vegan, International · about CHF 35 per person
• Altes Tramdepot Brauerei und Restaurant Swiss, Brewery · about CHF 55 per person
• Jack's Brasserie French · about CHF 150 per person
• Restaurant Essort Swiss, French, Italian · about CHF 150 per person
• Della Casa Swiss · about CHF 150 per person
• Casa Novo Italian, Mediterranean · about CHF 150 per person

Getting around

• Tram main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Transit Pass main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Distraction Team in Arcades

  Kramgasse and arcaded walkways, Bern

  In the crowded arcades of Bern's old town, a team operates: one distracts you (asking directions, spilling something) while an accomplice pickpockets your bag or jacket. Rare but documented.

  How to avoid it: Keep valuables in a front-zippered bag or money belt under clothes when in crowded market areas. Be alert to anyone who suddenly requires your full attention on the street.

More in Switzerland

• Zurich
• Geneva
• Lucerne
• Interlaken
• Basel
• Lausanne