Location: Bern
Top Things to do in Bern
The 10 Best Things to do in Bern, Canton of Bern
A powerful force since medieval times, the thriving Swiss capital is an appealing city of museums and collections. Bernmobil is the capital's transit service. A BernCard is valid on trams and buses that serve the city. A free bike service is also an option for getting around. The Historical Museum and the Collection of the Bern Museum of Fine Arts house the art and architecture of millennia. The Einstein House and the Paul Klee Center showcase the work of two of Bern's famous former inhabitants.
Restaurants in Bern
1. Aare River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By 674pavelk - Redmond, United States
In august, we could see people swimming in it, and even standing on a high bridge, we could see through it to the very bottom of the river. It's greenish clear waters together with the scenery around it gives you this calm and peaceful feeling. Very relaxing.
2. Cathedral at Munsterplatz / St. Vincent (Munster Kirche)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,083 reviews
Located in the center of the Old Town, this 15th-century cathedral sports a towering 328-foot-tall spire that dominates the city skyline.
Reviewed By yns_10 - Sydney, Australia
The charming Gothic Berner Münster is the country's tallest cathedral. After the plague came to Bern in 1526, many citizens converted to Reformation and by 1528 masses were stopped and icons cast out and the church became a reformation church.
3. Federal Building (Bundeshaus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 817 reviews
The home of the Swiss national government, this building's political significance stands out in an otherwise quiet city.
Reviewed By dinosd123 - Athens, Greece
Beautiful building, nice outside standing and very nice surroundings. A very peaceful area, everything moving just nice and very, very calm, quite a few shops and coffee shops around and an excellent place to walk around and watch.
4. Bernisches Historisches Museum - Einstein Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 425 reviews
The Bernisches Historisches Museum is one of the most important museums of cultural history in Switzerland. The collections of archaeology, history and ethnography include approximately 500,000 objects dating from the Stone Age to the present and representing cultures from all over the world. The hydria from Graechwil, the Burgundian tapestries, the diptych from Königsfelden and a series of ethnographical objects as well as coins and medals are all internationally renowned. Besides these, other highlights of the permanent exhibitions include the spectacular Bernese sculptures, two Bernese mayoral thrones and much more. The integrated Einstein Museum offers an account of the life and work of the physicist and places it in a fascinating manner in the context of world history. Temporary exhibitions are regularly staged in the generously proportioned exhibition hall.
Reviewed By AP1729 - Chennai (Madras), India
The museum has many floors - the 2nd floor talks about Einstein and his life history. The others included a section about Bern's importance in the 20th century, Bern in medieval times, a section about Native Americans , Egyptians and a section about old statues from the reformation era. The Einstein floor is the main attraction and goes into detail about his life. Being an avid science enthusiast, I was fairly familiar with his life, but there were lots of interesting details which I did not know. Apart from this, the museum felt like a collection of arbitrary topics. Overall can spend a few hours here especially on a rainy day.
5. Gurten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 818 reviews
Climb to 858 metres above sea level on the Gurten funicular, by bicycle or on foot, and take in breath-taking views of the capital, the Jura and the Alps. Gurten Park offers a programme of pampering and leisure activities for families, athletes, music fans and gourmets. Montez à 858 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer avec le funiculaire du Gurten, à vélo ou à pied et admirez la vue époustouflante sur la capitale, le Jura et les Alpes. Le Gurten propose tout un programme de bien-être et de loisir pour les familles, les sportifs, les amateurs de musique et les gourmets.
Reviewed By 588jurgenr - London, United Kingdom
Take the funicular up (every 15min) and enjoy the magnificent views of Bern ... and of the mountain range: on days with good visibility you’ll be able to see the famous Bernese Alps with mountains such as the Jungfrau, Eiger and Moench!
6. Rose Garden (Rosengarten)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,591 reviews
Reviewed By inhale-exhale321 - Switzerland, null
Come here on a summer evening with your sweetheart or a group of friends, bring a picnic or get a take-away coffee at Rosengarten restaurant and simply enjoy the view over Bern, the Aare river and surroundings. This is very popular with locals and tourists alike.
7. Old City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,651 reviews
Reviewed By hajshere - Mumbai, India
Bern is so underrated as a place to visit when it comes to Switzerland, even though it's the capital. I cannot comprehend why, maybe more people need to visit. You definitely need to visit Bern, it's a mesmerising mix of both old world drop dead gorgeous charm and the very well behaved new.The medieval architecture is preserved beautiful in the Altstadt (Old Town). I loved walking the cobblestone streets, learning how the old has been adopted to new eg: underground hideouts like basements of olden days are now boutiques and salons. The city, the houses around the beautiful River Aare make a breathtaking sight. The natural scene is beyond post card picture perfect. It's pure Magic. The Swiss are my kinda people and Bern has my heart, If I ever move somewhere this would be it.
8. Clock Tower - Zytglogge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,746 reviews
This prominent landmark has for centuries kept time for Bern's residents and puts on an elaborate show each hour.
Reviewed By parsa2016 - Champigny-sur-Marne, France
Clock tower is beautiful more than you can imagine Each second of bing there could take you to it's history and wonderful people who lived there and spend their time in the Bern during time
9. Barenpark
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,516 reviews
Reviewed By davidwZ8821XE - Thornton, Australia
Wife and I visited Bern recently, wow what a beautiful place, located at the lower end of old town, in the river was Barenpark, this park was beautifully set out with 3 grizzly bears located in fenced area. Was awesome to see these bears up close and personal, well worth the visit.
10. Zentrum Paul Klee (Paul Klee Center)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 693 reviews
Reviewed By breggie
Warm and helpful staff; great pamphlets in English. Klee was prolific so there is a ton of art to view. Building itself Is worth the visit. Then exchange your Museum Lot parking ticket inside for an all Day 7F one good until midnight; then take the convenient #12 bus to old Town for your visit there, easy to then get it right back to the lot!
