Welcome to Bern, the capital of Switzerland ! If you’re looking for a getaway that combines historical heritage, art and culture, Bern is the ideal destination to fulfil your expectations.
With its old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its many museums, monuments and typical cafés, every street corner in Bern has its share of surprises ! In this travel guide, you’ll discover the must-see sights, anecdotes, practical advice on preparing your stay and a selection of good addresses.
Article produced in commercial collaboration with Suisse Tourisme. I am, however, completely free to make my own comments, so the opinions and suggestions for activities mentioned in this article are entirely sincere.
Summary
Bern in short: all the information you need to prepare your stay
How long to stay ? With its many museums and monuments, there’s a lot to see in Bern. So plan to stay for at least two days, ideally three or four to really get to know the city and take your time.
How to get around ? The historic centre is relatively small and can be discovered very easily on foot. It’s even the most pleasant, as there are almost no cars. Buses and bicycles are the most common means of transport. If you are staying in a hotel, you will be given a free travel pass that will allow you to use public transport freely from the day you arrive to the day you leave.
In which language should you communicate? Switzerland has several official languages: French, German, Italian and Romansh. Berne is located in German-speaking Switzerland, so German is the predominant language. It is therefore preferable to communicate in English.
Did you know ? 3 anecdotes about Bern
A ” secret “ capital
Berne has never been officially proclaimed the capital of Switzerland, but it is indeed the location of the country’s federal institutions, notably the Federal Assembly. Berne is therefore recognised as the capital de facto (by the facts).
Einstein’s city
Albert Einstein lived in Bern between 1902 and 1909. It was here that he developed his theory of relativity. You can visit his house and the Einstein Museum.
The bear, symbol of Bern
The bear has been the emblem of Bern since it was founded in 1191. According to legend, Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen named the city after the first animal he captured on the site of the city. The bear appears along with the Bernese flag, and you can visit the famous “Bear Pits” (Bärenpark), where several bears live right in the heart of the city.
What to do in Bern ? The 10 must-do activities
Stroll through the old town
Berne is full of charm, and its cobbled streets are a joy to stroll through, so take the time to wander around. The town is quite small, so it’s hard to get lost! There are 200 fountains in Berne, 11 of which are decorated with statues dating from the 16th century.
An old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Since 1983, the Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ” positive example of a city that has preserved its medieval urban structure while fulfilling, over time, the increasingly complex functions of a capital city of a modern state. “
If it’s raining, don’t panic with 6 km of covered arcades you’ll be able to stroll under cover!
See the Clock Tower (Zytglogge)
The Zytglogge is most certainly Bern’s most emblematic monument. It is the former city gate, when Bern was surrounded by ramparts.
What makes this tower so famous is its astronomical clock accompanied by an automaton that has been telling the time since 1530 ! This little show takes place 3 minutes before each hour and features a rooster crowing, bears dancing around and a madman striking the hour too early before Chronos, the place of time, turns over his hourglass.
To better understand how this clock works, I strongly encourage you to take a guided tour that will take you inside the tower to discover the mechanism. You’ll also get an exceptional view of Bern’s old town. These tours cost CHF 10 and can be booked online.
Bim Zytglogge 1
Book a tour
Enter the Collegiate Church and climb its bell tower
It’s impossible to miss Bern’s Collegiate Church, the city’s most impressive building. Admire its main portal, where 294 figures depicting the Last Judgement have been sculpted.
Its 100-metre bell tower is the highest in Switzerland. Climbing its 344 steps gives you a magnificent panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains, and is a must-do if you’re fit enough and not afraid of heights.
Münsterpl. 1
Free admission to the collegiate church, access to the bell tower: CHF 5, tickets to be purchased on site
Admire the view of Bern from Rosengarten
Opposite the city centre, on the other side of the Aare, head up the side of Rosengarten, a park that offers the most beautiful view of Bern. I recommend that you go there during the day and at night to see the city illuminated, but beware there are no streetlights on the path leading to this park, so at night you’ll have to go there by the light of your phone !
And to regain your strength once you’ve reached the top of this park, stop off at the restaurant of the same name (see the good addresses later in this article).
Go to the Bear Pit (Bärenpark)
Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, on the banks of the River Aare, the Bear Pit is as unusual as it is unmissable. Here, three bears roam in semi-liberty in a 6,000 m2 area. It’s free and children love it.
Grosser Muristalden 4
Accessible 24 hours a day
Visit the Federal Palace
The Federal Palace is the seat of the Federal Council (the Swiss government) and the Federal Assembly (parliament). You can visit it on guided tours, which are organised from Tuesday to Saturday, outside parliamentary sessions.
These tours are free, but you must reserve a place online. Registration opens 3 days before the day of the visit.
Bundesplatz 3
Book a tour
Tracing the footsteps of Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein lived in Bern for 7 years, between 1902 and 1909. It was during these years that he developed his famous theory of relativity. Today, there are several places where you can rediscover this famous physicist.
The Einstein House
Einstein moved to Bern several times. Today, one of his houses is open to visitors, providing an insight into some of the key moments in his life.
Kramgasse 49
Monday to Sunday, 10am-5pm
7 CHF / 5 CHF for students / 4 CHF for 8-15 year olds
The Einstein Museum
The Einstein Museum, part of the Bern History Museum, was originally a temporary exhibition. Following its success, the museum turned it into a permanent exhibition, which is still going strong today.
This museum draws parallels between Einstein’s life and the major events that marked history at the same time, because Einstein’s story is intimately linked to the history of the first half of the 20th century. It’s a fascinating visit that I highly recommend.
Bern History Museum / Einstein Museum
Helvetiapl. 5
Daily, except Mondays, 10am-5pm
CHF 18 / CHF 9 for 6-16 year olds /
The University of Bern
After the publication of his work, Einstein taught at the University of Bern. Please feel free to push open the door of this building to discover its magnificent main staircase.
To get to the university, go to Bern station, platform 13, and take the left-hand lift marked ” Grosse Schanze “.
Hochschulstrasse 4
Free admission
Visit the Zentrum Paul Klee
Just 15 minutes from the city centre, the Zentrum Paul Klee is a modern building dedicated to the artist Paul Klee (1879-1940), who lived in Bern for many years. This cultural centre came into being in 2005 thanks to the donation of 4,000 works by Paul Klee ‘s niece and the financing of the building by Professor Maurice E. Muller.
The architecture of the centre is fascinating the building designed by architect Renzo Piano is shaped like three hills, perfectly integrated into nature.
The Zentrum Paul Klee is home to the world’s largest collection of works by Paul Klee, which can be seen in the permanent exhibition looking back over the artist’s life.
Throughout the year, the Zentrum Paul Klee also presents temporary exhibitions devoted to themes linked to Paul Klee or to artists who lived in his time. During my visit, for example, I was able to discover the exhibition Brasil ! Brasil ! on show until January 2025, which features masterpieces by 10 Brazilian artists who lived in Paul Klee’s time.
As well as its exhibitions, the Zentrum Paul Klee is above all a wonderful place to live: everything is designed to make you want to come and stay: light and airy spaces, a charming cafeteria, an auditorium with a rich programme of concerts and even a creative centre, the ‘creativa’, where you can let your imagination run wild.
Monument im Fruchtland 3
Every day, except Mondays, from 10am to 5pm
CHF 20 / Students CHF 10 / CHF 7 for 6-16 year olds.
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum)
This museum houses works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Cézanne, Sisley, Modigliani, Braque, Monet, Dali and Chagall. It also hosts a number of major exhibitions – until 1er December, there will be an exhibition devoted to Chaïm Soutine.
Hodlerstrasse 8
Every day except Monday, 10am to 5pm, Tuesdays until 8pm
CHF 24 / Students CHF 12 / free under 16s
Swimming
Built on the loop of the River Aare, Bern is surrounded by water and it’s perfectly possible to swim in the river. In fact, on sunny days, you’ll see lots of Bernese jumping into the water! Be careful, though, as the current can be strong depending on the weather, so make sure you get the information you need before taking a dip.
To make sure you don’t take any risks, free municipal swimming pools open their doors as soon as the water rises above 15°C. For example, you can go to Mazili, the pool under the Federal Palace.
Where to eat in Bern ? Good places to eat
Bern is a city renowned for its gastronomy. There are many, many restaurants and even 3 Michelin-starred establishments. Here are 6 restaurants that I was able to try out and that I would particularly recommend:
Röschtigrabe, central and affordable – €€
Located on Bärenplatz just a few steps from the Federal Palace in the heart of the city, this restaurant offers three affordable menus every lunchtime (around CHF 25) including a salad, soup and main course, all in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bärenplatz 11
https://www.roeschtigrabe.ch/
Rosengarten, for dinner with a view – €€
On the heights of the city, the Rosengarten restaurant allows you to enjoy the most beautiful views of Bern without breaking your piggy bank. For lunch, there are three menus a day at around CHF 25, including soup and a main course.
Alter Aargauerstalden 31b
https://www.rosengarten.be/
Booking recommended
Zum Äusseren Stand – €€€
In the heart of the city, this friendly establishment serves refined seasonal cuisine. The dishes are very good and the presentation superb. I can’t recommend their clove risotto enough!
Zeughausgasse 17
https://www.aeussererstand.ch/en
Kornhauskeller, the most beautiful vaulted cellar – €€€€
Almost every house in the centre of Bern has a cellar, which was once used to store raw materials or foodstuffs. Today, many cellars have been converted into shops.
The most beautiful of these houses the Khornhauskeller restaurant. Here you can look as much at the plate as at the painted ceiling! The food is excellent and the wine cellar very well-stocked, but the prices are rather high and the service very slow. So this is an establishment to choose if you want to celebrate an occasion in good company.
Kornhausplatz 18
https://kornhaus-bern.ch/
Booking recommended
Casino Bern, chic and tasty – €€€€
Inside the Bern Casino you’ll find a refined restaurant where you can enjoy top-flight cuisine. There’s a choice of à la carte dishes or 3, 4 or 5-course discovery menus from CHF 65, giving you a taste of new flavours.
Casinoplatz 1
https://www.casinobern.ch/fr/
Entrecôte Fédérale, for a meal or snack – €€€€
Situated opposite the Palais Fédéral, this restaurant attracts a varied population: tourists, politicians, artists, merchants… I only stopped in for a snack, so I wasn’t able to try their savoury menu, but their desserts are to die for! Perfect for a gourmet break.
Bärenplatz 31
https://entrecote.ch/
Interactive map of Berne
This map shows all the addresses mentioned in this article. You’ll also find the best locations for photographing the city.
Tip: use the menu on the right to filter the results according to your centres of interest.
Tips to save money during your trip
Switzerland isn’t the cheapest destination, but it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of your stay with these tips :
Getting low prices on trains
Tickets to Switzerland on the Lyria TGV start at €29. To take advantage of these low prices, book your ticket when sales open, 6 months before the date of travel. You should also favour departures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays, as these days are less popular and therefore less expensive.
For your connection from Basel to Bern or Lausanne to Bern, your ticket can be purchased on the cff.ch website at a fixed fare valid for one day. It is sometimes possible to book a time-stamped ticket at a reduced fare.
If you’re planning to visit several cities in Switzerland, opt for the Swiss Travel Pass, which gives you unlimited travel by train, coach, boat and public transport in over 90 Swiss cities. This pass also offers free entry to over 500 museums.
Free travel in Bern with the Bern Ticket
When you stay at a Bernese hotel, you will be given a free travel pass which allows you to use public transport freely from the day of your arrival to the day of your departure.
Reducing meal costs
To cut food costs, don’t hesitate to visit Coop or Migros-type shops, which often offer sandwiches, salads and hot dishes at low prices. And since nature is never far away in Bern, you can easily find a green spot to eat in peace and quiet!
A card for visiting all the museums
If you’re planning to visit several of Bern’s museums, then take a look at the Museums Pass. At CHF 28 for 24 hours or CHF 35 for 48 hours, it gives you access to all the museums belonging to the Bern Museums Association, including the Zentrum Paul Klee, the Museum of Communication, the Bern History Museum and the Swiss Alpine Museum.
This card also includes admission for two under-16s, making it practical for family visits.
Before you leave : insurance, telephone, bank charges… the precautions to take
- Telephony : To avoid an overage, consider subscribing to an international option with your operator or a prepaid SIM card valid in Switzerland.
- Banking charges : In Switzerland, the currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF) but the Euro is also accepted, bearing in mind that 1 CHF is equivalent to 1 €. Beware, however, that paying in Euros will often cost you a little more because of conversion charges. So be sure to check your bank’s terms and conditions before you leave.
Extend your stay in Switzerland
If you have the time, set off to discover Switzerland’s other cities! Find a selection of city breaks on the Switzerland Tourism website:
You now have all the information you need to plan your stay in Bern ! Enjoy your trip!
Article produced in commercial collaboration with Suisse Tourisme. However, I remain completely free in what I say, so the opinions and suggestions for activities mentioned in this article are entirely sincere.
All photographs illustrating this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be reused without written permission.
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