Switzerland’s capital, Bern, is a city which is frozen in time. You’ll find a small, quiet and sophisticated city, one that retains its medieval charm through cobbled streets and old buildings. To be honest, it looks like a postcard. Bern is a relaxed destination for tourists and it is perfect for wandering or discovering hidden corners. My quick guide on what to see and do in Bern covers all the key things you need to know. Enjoy!
Things to See and Do in Bern | A Complete Travel Guide
Explore Bern’s Old Town
Of course, the main thing to do in Bern is to explore the Altstadt or, in English, the Old Town. It isn’t a UNESCO World Heritage Site for nothing and it is here where the medieval charm is richest.
The Zytglogge – Bern’s iconic clock tower – is perhaps the first place to start. Built in the 13th century, each hour a small mechanical show unfolds where golden figures move in-sync with the chimes of the clock. It does get quite crowded (though nowhere near the same scale as the Munich clock tower), but it is a definite thing to see. Equally, the Käfigturm is worth a stop too; it is a 13th century tower which once served as a prison.
One of my favourite things about Bern’s Old Town are the ornate fountains found throughout. All of these have colourful statues which represent both biblical and allegorical figures. Perhaps the most famous is the Child-Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen), which depicts an Ogre devouring children. Interestingly enough, the fountains were historically the main water supply of Bern and you can drink from them still today.
As well as the fountains, Bern is also filled with courtyards and hidden alleyways. I actually think that this is the highlight of the Old Town for me. When we explored these we found so many different shops and cafés that just weren’t on the tourist trail. I would definitely recommend exploring as many of these as possible.
Visit the Bear Park
One of the highlights of any Bern trip has to be a visit to the Bear Park. As you’ll see from the flags as you explore, the bear is the symbol of the city and have a rich cultural significance to it. The park is really beautifully landscaped and the bears have lots of room to move about and explore, as well as to swim in their own pool enclosure.
Once you have done seeing the bears, there are some nice shops nearby. In particular, check out the ice cream shop Eiswerkstatt – the white Toblerone in particular is incredible.
Discover Bern’s Museums
Bern is filled with different museums to explore. If you have finished exploring the Old Town, this would be the next place to go. One which really stood out to me was the Centrum Paul Klee, which is dedicated to the famous Swiss painter. As well as the treasures within, the building itself is a work of art (designed by Renzo Piano) and is just worth seeing by itself. Entrance costs 20 CHF.
If you are a fan of European history, check out the Bern Historical Museum. It is actually the country’s second largest historical museum and has many exhibits on Bernese culture, archeology and development. In case you didn’t know, Albert Einstein spent a proportion of his life in Bern and the Historical Museum has a specific section dedicated to this. Entrance costs 16 CHF for an adult.
Take a Walk Along the River Aare
In my opinion, one of the most memorable parts of Bern is the River Aare. It winds through the city and is that gorgeous alpine-blue colour. You can walk down the paths of the river and see Bern from a different perspective. This is particularly nice in the summer; the contrast between the green leaves and the water is lovely. There are also several fun bridges to see and cross along the route.
Tip: If you are feeling adventurous, you can also get into the river and swim. The locals treat it as a ‘lazy river’ and just float on the surface as the current takes them around. Definitely consider doing it – it is on the bucket list for me!
Sample Bernese Flavours
Bern has some great traditional flavours which are both tasty and extremely comforting. To be honest, these are perfect all year, but especially good in the cooler months.
As you walk around the Old Town in particular, you cannot escape the small restaurants dotted around. Must-try dishes include the local Rösti and the local cheeses of Emmental and Gruyère. Like with all places, I would always suggest a food tour – it is the perfect way to experience the variety of traditional dishes.
Top Tip: Swiss food is pretty expensive, so make sure that you do some research beforehand on different options.
Climb the Gurten
The Gurten is a mountain just 20 minutes out from Bern city centre. It is home otherwise a park, walking trails and more. What is perhaps most appealing though are the views of the city and surrounding countryside. If you have a spare day in Bern, definitely consider coming here. It is perfect for sunset views over the mountains beyond.
To get to the Gurten, I’d suggest catching the S-Bahn (S3 or S31) to Wabern bei Bern. From here, you’ll need to take the funicular up the mountain. The timetable for the Gurten Funicular is here.
Take a Day Trip
When we stay in Bern, we always take day trips. There are just so many in the nearby area and each one has its own appeal.
My favourite is to Thun which is on the edge of (you guessed it) Lake Thun. It is just a beautiful town with incredible mountain views. Nearby, and another possible day trip, is the town of Interlaken. It is renowned for being a base for exploring the Jungfrau Mountain region, as well as for its views.
If you want to know more about our day Trip to Thun, check out my quick guide. Alternatively, I have also written a guide for day Trips from Bern.
Final Thoughts | Things to See and Do in Bern
Bern is one of those cities which you’ll always be drawn back to. There is a fair amount to see and do in Bern, but I think that the real magic comes from using it as a base for exploring. If you think that a trip to Bern is for you and you want to know more, check out my guide on 24 Hours in Bern. I cover more details on what you can do, along with top tips to get the most out of your stay.
I hope that you found my quick guide useful. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out. I always love hearing from you.
