Bern Travel Guide
Switzerland's capital, a UNESCO medieval old town on a bend of the Aare River, with 6km of arcades, the Zytglogge clock tower, Bear Park, and views of the Bernese Alps on clear days.
🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Bern
- Bern Old Town (UNESCO) — A UNESCO World Heritage medieval old town on a bend of the Aare River, with 6km of arcaded streets, 15th-century houses, and 11 fountains with statues.
- Zytglogge Clock Tower — A 13th-century clock tower with an astronomical clock, mechanical figures (jester, bears, knights) that perform 4 minutes before the hour, and a 1543 mechanism.
- Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) — A 1902 Renaissance Revival parliament building designed by Hans Wilhelm Auer, with a 210-foot dome, free guided tours, and the Swiss parliament chambers.
- Bern Cathedral (Münster) — A 1421 Gothic cathedral with a 328-foot spire, the tallest in Switzerland, with a Last Judgment portal, stained glass, and tower views.
- Kunstmuseum Bern — A 1879 art museum, Switzerland's oldest, with 50,000 works from the 13th century to present, including Paul Klee, Picasso, and the Hodler collection.
- Aare River Gorge — A turquoise river bend around the old town, with swimming at the Marzili lido, river walks, and views of the cathedral and Federal Palace.
- Bear Park (BärenPark) — A 4-acre park on the Aare River banks where Bern's famous bears have lived since 1513, with 3 bears, a pool, and a viewing platform.
- Rose Garden (Rosengarten) — A 1913 rose garden on a hill above the Aare River, with 200 rose varieties, 12,000 plants, a restaurant, and panoramic old town views.
- Einstein House — A 2nd-floor apartment at Kramgasse 49 where Albert Einstein lived 1903-1905, developing his Annus Mirabilis papers including E=mc², now a museum.
- Paul Klee Center — A 2005 Renzo Piano-designed museum of Paul Klee's work, with 4,000 paintings, watercolors, and drawings, in three wave-shaped hills outside the city.
🥾 Trails and Hikes in Bern
- Gurten Trail — A funicular or 1-hour hike to the 2,818-foot Gurten hill, with a viewing tower, restaurant, and panoramic views of Bern and the Bernese Alps.
- Bantiger Trail — A 2-hour hike through the Bantiger forest to a 2,890-foot viewpoint with views of the Bernese Alps and the Jura mountains.
- Eiger Trail (Bernese Oberland) — A 2-hour hike under the north face of the Eiger from the Eigergletscher station, with Alpine views and a close-up of the famous wall.
- Aare River Walk — A walk along the Aare River through Bern, with the Marzili swimming pool, the Bear Park, and views of the old town.
- Bern Panorama Trail — A 3-hour hike from the Gurten to the Bantiger, with panoramic views of Bern, the Aare valley, and the Bernese Alps.
🍽️ Restaurants in Bern
- Meridiano — A 1-Michelin-star restaurant by chef Stefan Steger, with a 6-course tasting menu of seasonal Swiss-Mediterranean cuisine and city views.
- Della Casa — A 1862 Italian restaurant in the old town, the oldest in Bern, with classic pasta, risotto, and veal dishes in a wood-paneled setting.
- Kornhauskeller — A 1711 granary cellar restaurant with Swiss and international cuisine, 300+ wines, and a stunning vaulted ceiling.
- Schwellenmätteli — A riverside restaurant on the Aare with a terrace, seasonal dishes, and views of the old town and the Bernese Alps.
- Restaurant Anker — A 1778 restaurant in the old town serving Bernese classics like Berner Platte, veal Bernese-style, and Rösti with a beer hall atmosphere.
- Beck Gourmet — A modern Swiss restaurant in the old town with seasonal dishes, craft beers, and a cozy atmosphere.
- Tosca — A 1960 Italian restaurant in the old town with classic pasta, pizza, and veal dishes in a romantic candle-lit setting.
- Volver — A modern Spanish tapas bar in the old town with small plates, sangria, and a lively atmosphere.
🍸 Bars and Nightlife in Bern
- Kornhauskeller Bar — A bar in the 1711 Kornhauskeller cellar with cocktails, local beers, and a stunning vaulted ceiling.
- Adrianos Bar — A cocktail bar in the old town with classic and inventive drinks, a speakeasy atmosphere, and a young crowd.
- Bar 107 — A cozy bar in the old town with local beers, cocktails, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Café Langenthal — A 1900 café-bar in the old town with coffee by day and cocktails by night, popular with students and locals.
- Turnhalle Bar — A bar in a former gymnasium with craft cocktails, a spacious interior, and a young crowd.
🎯 Activities and Tours in Bern
- Chocolate tour in Bern with chocolate tasting — After registration, the meeting point is at the Käfigturm. Then you walk through the old town. On the way, you can enjoy Bern's chocolate history. You will be served well-known chocolates. At the shop of a small chocolatier, you will also receive a box with a selection of award-w
- Bern Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour — The Best Way to Discover Bern: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a Swiss chocolate or a museum visit and resume whenever you're ready—e
- Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour) — Bern can sometimes feel inaccessible to foreign visitors. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private walking tour. This is a personalized experience where you will discover the exterior of monuments, including museums. If you’d like to include an ac
- Bern Private Walking Tour with a Local — Skip the standard sightseeing tour and discover Bern through the eyes of a local. With Lokafy, every tour is private, unscripted, and personalized to you. Your Lokafyer is a passionate local who shares stories, hidden gems, and authentic tips you won’t find in a guidebook. They
- Bern Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour With A Guide — Embark on a captivating journey through Bern with our "Bern: Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour." Perfect for first-time visitors, this tour offers a blend of iconic attractions and lesser-known corners, providing a comprehensive overview of the city's rich history and culture
- Bern: Chocolate Tasting and Walking Tour with a Local — Join a Local for a leisurely 2-hour exploration of Bern, discovering the city's charming spots all while sampling delicious Swiss chocolates. Taste a variety of chocolates from different chocolatiers. Immerse yourself in Bern’s everyday charm as you stroll through scenic, quaint
- River Rafting Lütschine in Bernese Oberland — The mighty Lütschine offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the Swiss Alps. Straight from the start below the Eiger north face, continuous class III-IV rapids surge down from the mountains and out into the Interlaken valley and the Lake of Brienz. It is an exhilarating rus
- Best Intro to Bern in 2 hours with a Local — This experience is provided by an independent Local. You will be part of a small, 2 to 8 people group. Enjoy this enchanting and colourful city, with a splendid building of Bern Cathedral and ancient fountains in UNESCO Old Town with a local who will show you all of their favour
- Bern Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt — Arcades for rainy days, a clock that inspired Einstein and bears on the coat of arms — Bern rewards those who look twice. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Bern on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start ti
- Bern Audio guided walking tour 1h50 and 23 audio commentary — Bern, the Swiss capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites you to discover its architectural and cultural treasures in one day. Explore the majestic collegiate church, admire the famous Clock Tower, and meet the bears at the Bear Pit. Stroll among the charming medieval fount
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🏨 Hotels and Stays in Bern
- Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern — Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern. Maintain seamless communication using the complimentary Wi-Fi at hotel.Discovering Bern becomes even more accessible, thanks to the shuttle amenities provided at the hotel. Guests can avail parking facilit...
- Kursaal Bern — A hotel in Train Station / Bahnhof, Bern, offering comfortable accommodation and essential amenities at upscale rates. Well-reviewed by guests for comfort and value.
- Hotel Schweizerhof Bern — At Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests. Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit.Arrange your trips to and from the airport using the hotel's convenient t...
- Sorell Hotel Arabelle — Sorell Hotel Arabelle offers top-notch services and amenities, ensuring guests experience utmost comfort.Share your photos and respond to emails at your convenience, thanks to the free Wi-Fi internet access offered by hotel. Experience the wonders of Bern with ease by utilizing the services provided...
- Hotel National Bern — Hotel National Bern offers top-notch services and amenities, ensuring guests experience utmost comfort. Share your photos and respond to emails at your convenience, thanks to the free Wi-Fi internet access offered by hotel.Visitors can take advantage of the accessible parking options directly at the...
- Best Western Plus Hotel Bern — Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites offers top-notch services and amenities, ensuring guests experience utmost comfort.For visitors traveling by automobile, complimentary parking is available.Reception assistance is offered at the hotel featuring express check-in or check-out. For extended visi...
- Hotel Bristol Bern — At NH Bern The Bristol, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests.Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit. Amenities at taxi offered by NH Bern The Bristol simplify the organization of your excu...
- Hotel Jolimont — A modern budget hotel near the Marzili swimming pool and the Aare River, with 60 rooms, a breakfast buffet, and easy tram access to the center.
- Ibis Budget Bern City — Experience an abundance of unparalleled facilities and features at Ibis Budget Brussels Airport. Maintain seamless communication using the complimentary Wi-Fi at hotel.Discovering Brussels becomes even more accessible, thanks to the taxi amenities provided at the hotel.Guests can avail parking facil...
- Hotel Landhaus — A family-run hotel in the Bremgarten district, with 30 rooms, a restaurant, and easy tram access to the old town.
- +12 more hotels and stays