Things to Do in Bern: What Makes Us Love This City
We’ve really fallen in love with Bern, even though we live in Zurich. Over the years, we’ve visited Bern so many times we’ve lost count. Sometimes we stay overnight, but most of the time we visit Bern on a day trip from Zurich. It’s less than an hour by train from Zurich, making it extremely easy to visit.
Even with just one day in Bern, you can see many of the city’s highlights. The Old Town of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with beautiful old buildings, arcades, water fountains, and cozy cafés. It’s compact, very walkable, and full of charm.
What we love most about Bern is its relaxed vibe. The city feels calm and peaceful, yet full of history and character. Whether you want to see the famous Zytglogge Clock Tower, enjoy the view from the Rose Garden, or take a walk along the Aare River, Bern has something special for everyone.
So whether you’re visiting for a day or adding Bern to a longer Switzerland itinerary, here are our favorite things to do, including popular attractions and a few quieter places we’ve discovered over many visits.
If you’re still deciding how long to stay, when to visit, or how to plan your trip, our complete Bern travel guide covers everything beyond the city’s main attractions.
Our Top Hotel Picks in Bern
- Best Luxury: Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern
- Best Mid-Range: Hotel Kreuz Bern Modern City
- Best Budget: Am Pavillon, Bed&Kitchen
Not sure which area suits your trip? Our guide to where to stay in Bern compares the best neighborhoods and hotels for different budgets.
1. Marvel at the Zytglogge (Clock Tower)
The Zytglogge is one of Bern’s most famous landmarks and, honestly, one of the quirkiest clock towers we’ve ever seen. This medieval clock doesn’t just tell the time; every hour, a little show begins with moving figures, including a jester, a rooster, and a parade of bears. It’s such a fun and unique sight!
We recommend arriving a few minutes before the hour so you don’t miss the performance. You’ll see tourists gathering around, cameras ready, waiting for the clock to strike. It’s definitely worth the short wait.
If you’re interested in history, you can also join a guided tour inside the tower to see the ancient gears and learn how the astronomical clock works. It’s a great way to appreciate how advanced Bern’s engineers were hundreds of years ago.
2. Wander Through Bern’s UNESCO Old Town
The Old Town of Bern is the heart of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It’s one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe, with cobblestone streets, stone arcades, and more than 100 beautiful fountains.
Many of Bern’s fountains provide drinking water, but check the signs first; our guide to drinking water from Switzerland’s public fountains explains what to look for.
Everything here feels straight out of a storybook. You can spend a few hours just wandering through the narrow streets, admiring the old buildings, and discovering cozy cafés and small shops hidden under the arcades.
What we love most about Bern’s Old Town is the basements and cellars tucked underneath the streets. Many of them are now bars, clubs, or wine cellars, and they have this special, cozy atmosphere that makes them perfect for an evening drink.
The only thing that surprised us a little was that cars are still allowed on some of these narrow streets, like the Kramgasse. It’s not heavy traffic, maybe just a car every few minutes, but it’s something to keep in mind when you’re strolling around.
Another important thing to note is the holes in the street in front of the fountains. A small underground stream runs beneath the fountains, covered by a grate. However, this grate is open in places. It’s easy to get distracted by the cute houses around you. So watch where you step to avoid ending up in a hole.
The Old Town is also very compact, so you can see most of the main attractions on foot. From the Zytglogge Clock Tower to the Bern Cathedral, everything is within walking distance.
3. Admire the View from the Rose Garden (Rosengarten)
If you want one of the best views of Bern, head up to the Rose Garden (Rosengarten). From here, you can see the Old Town’s red rooftops, the River Aare curving around the city, and even the Alps on a clear day.
The park is full of colorful roses in summer, and there’s also a small restaurant and café where you can relax with a drink while enjoying the view. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for taking a break from sightseeing.
We went up to the Rose Garden in the late afternoon, and it was the perfect time to visit. The light was soft, the city looked golden, and it was such a calm and beautiful moment.
4. Visit the Bern Cathedral (Berner Münster)
The Bern Cathedral (Berner Münster) is one of the city’s most impressive landmarks. This Gothic-style church dominates the skyline and has the tallest church tower in Switzerland.
You can climb over 300 steps to the top of the tower, and the view is absolutely worth it. From up there, you can see the Old Town, the Aare River, and on a clear day, even the snow-capped Alps in the distance.
We found the climb surprisingly easy, even with all those steps. The staircase is narrow, but it’s totally manageable, and reaching the top felt like a real reward.
Inside, the cathedral is calm and full of beautiful details, stained glass windows, stone carvings, and a grand organ that fills the space with music.
The tower is open daily. The exact opening times can be found on the Bern Minster website depending on the season. Tickets can be purchased on site at the cathedral.
5. Meet the Bears at the Bear Pit (BärenPark)
The Bear Pit (BärenPark) is one of Bern’s most unique and symbolic attractions. Bears have been the official symbol of Bern for centuries, and today you can still see them living right in the city in a spacious, natural park along the Aare River.
The area used to be an old pit, but it’s now been transformed into a modern, animal-friendly enclosure where the bears can roam freely, play, and even swim. There are also viewing platforms where you can watch them from above.
We were really lucky during one of our visits; the bears were out and active, and it felt so special to see them so close. It’s such a fun and unexpected experience to find real bears in the middle of a city!
If you’re visiting with kids, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Bern. The Bear Pit is right next to the Nydegg Bridge and just a short walk from the Old Town.
Right next to it is a small bar/restaurant where we had a drink outside when the weather was nice.
6. Follow Einstein’s Footsteps
Bern was once home to one of the world’s greatest scientists, Albert Einstein. During his time living here, he developed some of his most important theories, including the Theory of Relativity.
We had already seen Einstein’s diploma at the University of Zurich, so visiting the house where he actually lived in Bern felt very special. It’s amazing to think that one of history’s greatest minds once called this simple apartment home.
You can visit the Einstein House (Einsteinhaus), a small apartment where he lived from 1903 to 1905. It’s been turned into a museum showing how he lived and worked during those years. The exhibition includes old photos, furniture, and information about his life in Bern.
If you have extra time, you can also visit the Einstein Museum, located inside the Bern Historical Museum. It’s a larger, more detailed exhibition about his life and discoveries.
7. Relax Along the Aare River
We really enjoy spending time near the Aare, especially in summer. Watching people float along with the current is such a fun and relaxing sight. It’s moments like this that make Bern feel so peaceful and special.
The Aare River is one of the most beautiful parts of Bern and gives the city its calm, refreshing atmosphere. On warm days, locals love to swim or float down the river, and it’s one of the most unique things you can do in Switzerland.
Even if you don’t feel like swimming, it’s worth taking a walk along the Aare River. There are lovely paths that follow the water, with bridges, parks, and amazing views of the Old Town above.
If you want to join the locals, you can jump in at one of the official swimming spots, like the Marzili pool area, and drift with the flow. Just make sure to check safety rules and water conditions before you go in; the current can be strong.
8. Explore the Parliament Building and Bundesplatz
The Parliament Building (Bundeshaus) is one of Bern’s most important landmarks and the center of Swiss politics. It’s located in Bundesplatz, a beautiful open square in the middle of the city.
You can visit the Parliament Building for free on a guided tour, where you’ll learn about Switzerland’s political system and see the inside of this impressive building. Even from the outside, the green domes and grand architecture are worth admiring.
In the evenings during autumn, there’s often a light show called “Rendez-vous Bundesplatz”, where colorful projections light up the building’s façade. It’s free and definitely worth checking out if you’re visiting at that time of year.
Behind the building is one of our favorite spots in Bern to take a break. We love sitting in the sunshine at Bundesterasse, just relaxing and enjoying the view toward the Alps in the distance. It’s such a nice place right in the city centre.
9. Snap a Photo of the Child Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen)
The Child Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen) is one of the most unusual and talked-about landmarks in Bern. It’s a 16th-century fountain showing a colorful statue of a man eating a child. Yes, it’s a bit dark, but also strangely fascinating!
There are many theories about what the fountain means. Some say it was meant to scare children into behaving, while others think it might represent an ancient myth or a political message from the past. Whatever the story, it’s one of those sights you definitely won’t forget.
We found the Child Eater Fountain to be quirky and a little spooky, but it’s also really fun to see in person. And it’s not the only one. Bern is full of beautiful fountains, each with its own unique statue and design.
If you enjoy finding them, take some time to spot different fountains as you walk through the Old Town. There are more than 100 fountains, and many date back hundreds of years.
10. Cross the Nydegg Bridge for Iconic Views
We think the Nydegg Bridge is a bit underrated. It’s not as crowded as other viewpoints, but it gives such a great perspective of the Old Town and the river below. It’s one of our favorite spots to take photos.
The Nydegg Bridge (Nydeggbrücke) is one of the best photo spots in Bern. It connects the Old Town with the area around the Bear Pit (BärenPark) and offers stunning views of the Aare River and the red rooftops of the city.
From the middle of the bridge, you get one of those postcard-perfect views that really capture Bern’s charm. It’s especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset, when the light turns the buildings a warm golden color.
If you walk across the bridge toward the Bear Pit, you’ll also find lovely river paths and quiet places to sit and enjoy the scenery. It’s an easy and relaxing walk from the city center.
11. Visit the Bern Historical Museum
The Bern Historical Museum is the second-largest museum in Switzerland and a must-visit if you want to understand the city’s long and fascinating history. The building itself looks like a fairytale castle, and inside you’ll find over 500,000 objects covering Bern’s cultural heritage and art from around the world.
Even if you’re not usually into museums, this one is really well done. The exhibitions are modern, interactive, and beautifully presented. One of the main highlights is the Einstein Museum, which is located inside the same building and tells the story of Albert Einstein’s life and discoveries.
We’re not the typical museum-goers, but we found the Bern Historical Museum absolutely worth a visit. The exhibits are interesting and easy to follow, and we left feeling like we’d learned a lot more about Bern and Switzerland.
12. Discover Bern’s Hidden Gems
Bern may be small, but if you look beyond the main sights, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems that make the city even more special. These are the quiet corners, local markets, and tucked-away spots that most tourists miss.
We’ve spent quite a bit of time in Bern and have come to appreciate the city beyond its main attractions. The local markets and quieter neighborhoods are charming and often overlooked by short-term visitors. If you have the time, wander a little further; those hidden corners are what make Bern even more special.
If you’re in town on a weekend, check out the Bern Farmers’ Market near the Bundesplatz on Saturdays. It’s full of local produce, cheeses, and flowers, and it’s a great way to see a more local side of the city.
13. Ride the Gurten Funicular for Panoramic Views
For one of the best panoramic views of Bern, take the Gurten Funicular up to Gurten Mountain, the city’s very own local hill. From the top, you can see the entire Old Town, the Aare River, and on a clear day, even the snowy peaks of the Bernese Alps.
At the summit, you’ll find walking trails, picnic areas, a restaurant, and even a mini train for kids. It’s a great place to relax, go for a short hike, or enjoy a sunset view over the city.
You can reach the funicular station easily by tram from the city center, and the funicular ride itself only takes a few minutes.
We actually haven’t done the Gurten Funicular yet, but several of our friends have told us it’s absolutely worth it. It’s definitely on our list for the next time we visit Bern!
14. Take a Day Trip from Bern
We love how close Bern is to the Bernese Oberland. Amazingly, you can go from the city to the mountains so quickly.
Popular choices include Thun, a beautiful lakeside town with a castle; Interlaken, famous for adventure sports; and Lauterbrunnen, known for its stunning valley of waterfalls. You can also visit Emmental, where Switzerland’s famous cheese comes from, or Grindelwald and hike up to the famous Lake Bachalpsee.
For a full day in the mountains, you could also consider visiting Lake Oeschinen near Kandersteg, one of our favorite alpine lakes in Switzerland.
It makes Bern a great starting point for exploring the Swiss Alps and the surrounding area.
15. Experience Bern by Night
When the sun sets, Bern’s Old Town takes on a completely different charm. The streets are beautifully lit, the arcades glow softly, and the atmosphere becomes calm and romantic.
You can enjoy a quiet evening walk along the Aare River, or stop for dinner at one of the city’s many cozy restaurants and wine cellars tucked under the old arcades. If you prefer something livelier, there are plenty of bars and pubs in the city center that stay open late.
We love spending evenings in Bern. It feels safe, peaceful, and full of character. Sitting outside with a glass of wine or just walking through the Old Town at night is the perfect way to end the day.
If you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss the Christmas markets; they make the city feel like a fairy tale, with lights, decorations, and the smell of mulled wine in the air.
Practical Tips for Visiting Bern
Before you start planning your trip, here are a few practical tips that always make our visits to Bern easier and a bit more relaxed.
If Bern is only one stop on your trip, our guide to planning the rest of your Switzerland trip covers the best regions, transport, costs, accommodation, and common mistakes.
Getting Around
Getting around Bern is super easy. The city has an excellent public transport system with trams and buses that connect all major sights. Our guide to using public transport in Switzerland explains tickets, passes, the SBB app, and how the network works.
Most of the main attractions are close together, so you can also walk almost everywhere.
If you’re staying overnight, you’ll get the Bern Ticket for free, which gives you free travel on public transport within the city, including trams, buses, and the Gurten funicular.
We found Bern’s public transport really simple to use. Most of the time, we just walked across town, but when we needed to go further, hopping on a tram was quick and convenient.
Want to explore the Bernese Oberland? Book your Bernese Oberland Pass here (Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card required)
Where to Stay
Bern has a great mix of hotels, from budget hostels to elegant historic stays. If it’s your first time, we recommend staying near the Old Town. It’s central, scenic, and perfect for exploring on foot. If you want to find out more, read our article on where to stay in Bern.
We’ve stayed in a few different neighborhoods and always had a good experience. The city feels safe and welcoming, no matter where you stay.
As mentioned above, we can definitely recommend the following hotels:
- Best Luxury: Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern
- Best Mid-Range: Hotel Kreuz Bern Modern City
- Best Budget: Am Pavillon, Bed&Kitchen
When to Visit
You can visit Bern all year round, but each season has its charm.
We really enjoyed visiting in the summer, but it was quite crowded. For a calmer experience, we’d recommend spring or autumn when the weather is mild and the city feels quieter.
- Spring and fall are perfect for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
- Summer is great for enjoying the Aare River swims, but it can get hot and busy.
- Winter brings a magical Christmas atmosphere with markets and lights.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Bern
After so many trips, we can honestly say that Bern is one of the prettiest cities in Switzerland. It’s small, relaxed, and full of history. The kind of place where you can slow down and really enjoy your surroundings.
Even if you only visit for a day, Bern’s charm stays with you. Between the medieval Old Town, the sparkling Aare River, and the warm, local atmosphere, there’s something truly special about this city.
We always tell our friends and readers: if you’re visiting Switzerland, don’t skip Bern. It might not be as big as Zurich or Geneva, but it has a magic all its own.
So whether you’re coming for a quick day trip or planning to stay longer, Bern will capture your heart, just like it did ours.
FAQ
Is Bern worth visiting?
Yes! Bern is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful and relaxed cities, known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, scenic river views, and laid-back local charm.
What are the best free things to do in Bern?
Top free attractions include the Bear Park, exploring the Old Town, visiting the Rose Garden viewpoint, and walking along the Aare River.
How many days do you need in Bern?
You can see the highlights in one day, but spending two or more days allows you to explore local markets, museums, and enjoy a slower pace.
What is the Bern Ticket?
The Bern Ticket gives visitors staying overnight free access to public transport within the city, including trams, buses, and the Gurten funicular.
Can you swim in the Aare River?
Yes, swimming in the Aare River is a popular summer activity. Just check the current and safety flags before jumping in.
