Bern (Switzerland) is a typical medieval city with a bear as its symbol. This strong animal is a universal favorite, a park and a street are named after it, and the city clock is decorated with the image of a forest dweller. Even gingerbread cakes in Bern are baked with the image of a brown predator. The city zoo is home to bears, which all tourists come to visit. To feel sympathy for this small town in Switzerland, just walk along its ancient streets, which seem to have frozen in the 13th century, inhale the fragrance of roses and feel the grandeur of castles. If you are going on a trip, be sure to read our article and find out what to see in Bern.
General information
Switzerland’s fifth-largest city, overlooking the Alps, has been the Bundesstadt and de facto capital for almost 170 years. Bern has a charming old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in a long bend of the Aare River.
The city of Bern in Switzerland – the administrative center of the canton of the same name and the main city of the Bern-Mittelland district – is located in the center of the country. Bern’s origins and character are German, but its culture has been shaped by many European cultures for centuries. Today, Bern is an ancient museum city and at the same time a modern city that has become a symbol of active political life.
Bern is a federal locality that covers an area of 51.6 km2 and is home to just over 131.5 thousand people. The capital of the canton is located on the banks of the Aare River. Officially, the country does not have a capital, but the city is home to the parliament, government, and national bank, so it is generally assumed that the capital of Switzerland is Bern.
Useful to know! The main office of the Universal Postal Union and the headquarters of the national Railway are located in Bern.
The official date of its foundation is considered to be 1191, its walls were built on the instructions of Duke Berthold V of Zehringen. For two centuries Bern was considered an imperial city, only in the 14th century it joined the Swiss Union.
Bern was also the hometown of Albert Einstein during the first decade of the 20th century. The Historical Museum has a fascinating exhibition dedicated to his work at the city’s patent office, and you can visit the apartment he lived in with his wife and son. Another Bernese native was the contemporary artist Paul Klee, a luminary of expressionism and surrealism.
Getting your bearings in the city
The old town of Bern is built in a bend of the Aare and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest number of interesting architectural and historical sites is concentrated here.
Useful to know! At the beginning of the 15th century, the city was almost destroyed by fire, most of the wooden buildings burned down completely. The new settlement was built of stone.
In the ancient part of the capital, numerous attractions have been preserved – ancient fountains and arcades, a temple of late Gothic architecture, a clock tower. Visually, the historical center resembles the shape of a horseshoe formed by the Aare River. The capital is located on two levels. The lower level can be reached by elevator or stairs. Locals like to walk along the river here. Most of the attractions that are worth seeing are on the Upper Level.
Interesting fact! In the UNESCO catalog, the Swiss city of Bern is included in the list of the world’s largest treasures.
Bern City Tour
Bern in Switzerland is made romantic by fountains, luxury by palaces, grandeur by temples, harmony by gardens and parks. In addition, there are many museums and galleries in the city, and the arcades that cover the old streets form the longest shopping zone in the world. The unique atmosphere of Bern is complemented by numerous restaurants, cafes and cellars.
Old Town
Alterbern or Old Town-the buildings and streets of this part of Bern are untouched by time. Walking here, it is not difficult to imagine yourself in an ancient town, at a jousting tournament or at a court ball.
The most interesting sights of the capital are located in the ancient center – the Cathedral, fountains, Clock Tower. Here you can enjoy a leisurely holiday, strolling through the medieval streets, along the way you can enjoy sweets prepared in pastry shops.
An excursion into history! Bern is the first settlement in Switzerland, it was built first and from here the country began to develop. At the end of the 12th century, Duke Berthold V decided to name the settlement in honor of the predator that first meets on the hunt. By a happy coincidence, the Duke met a bear, this particular predator became the symbol of Bern. By the way, from a geographical point of view, the capital of the canton is located in an invulnerable place – on top of a hill that is surrounded by a river. Already 200 years later, a castle stood on the hill, surrounded by a fortress wall, and a bridge was erected.
What to see in Bern in its old part:
- the cathedral, decorated in the Gothic style, whose statues accurately depict the scenes of the Last Judgment;
- Clock tower-traditional and astronomical clocks are installed on it. By looking at the tower, you can find out the exact time, day of the week, moon phase, and even the zodiac sign;
- Nidegg Temple, dating from the 14th century, and built on the site of the first building of the capital – Nidegg Castle;
- Neidegbrücke-the bridge near the Lower Gate – is the oldest in Switzerland, built in the 13th century and until the 19th century connected the old part of the city with the coast, the modern version of the bridge consists of three arches 15 meters long each.
Useful to know! The romantic “highlight” of the old part of Bern – numerous fountains – in honor of the symbol of the city, “Moses”, “Standard-bearer”, “Justice”.
Zitglogge Clock Tower
The business card of the capital is the oldest tower, built in the 13th century. The design on the tower does not just show the time, it is a real performance – under the ringing cry of the rooster, the jester begins to beat the bells, bears pass, and the god Kronos solemnly turns the hourglass.
Interesting fact! From the chapel tower, the distance from the city is measured – this is a kind of zero kilometer for Bern.
- The attraction is located at: Bim Zytglogge 1, Bern.
- It works around the clock, at any time of the year, regardless of the weather. It is better to come here 5-6 minutes before the end of each hour to see a theatrical performance.
Mount Gurten
Locals jokingly refer to the attraction as Bern’s “personal” mountain. It rises in a southerly direction from Bern. From a height of almost 865 meters, you can enjoy a view of the entire city, you can see and admire the Jura Mountains and even the Alpine ridges. On the slopes of the mountain there is everything you need for an exciting family holiday-a hotel, restaurants and cafes, an observation deck and even a kindergarten. For locals, Gurten is a green oasis where families come to relax and spend a day off. The park has more than 20 attractions, a rock climbing area and many fountains.
Important! In the middle of summer, a noisy festival is held here, and in winter the slopes turn into a comfortable ski resort.
- You can climb to the top of the mountain by funicular, built in 1899.
- Round trip fare is 10,5 CHF for adults and 5,5 for children.
- The first station is reached by tram No. 9 or electric train S3.
Please note! A photo description of the Jungfrau Mountain in the Bernese Alps can be found on this page.
Rose Garden
The many historical and architectural sights of Bern in Switzerland can be a little tiring. In this case, give yourself an aesthetic pleasure-visit the rose garden, where you can breathe clean air and eat in the most famous Bernese restaurant “Rosengarten”.
Interesting fact! Previously, there was a city cemetery on the site of the garden, and the park appeared only in 1913.
On the territory of the garden, 220 varieties of roses, more than 200 varieties of irises and almost three dozen varieties of rhododendrons are grown.
- The attraction is located at Alter Aargauerstalden 31b.
- You can get here from the station by bus number 10, the stop is called “Rosengarten”.
The Cathedral
The main city cathedral rises above the old part of Bern and is a building of the late Gothic period. The spire of the temple is the longest in Switzerland – 100 meters. It is noteworthy that the construction of the temple began in the 20s of the XV century around the old church. And only in the middle of the same century, the nave of the previous church was dismantled, and the construction of the new cathedral continued in its place. over the next hundred years, the Bern Cathedral was supplemented with new architectural details. After a break in the 3rd century, the construction was completed.
The most famous feature of Bern Cathedral is the exclusive main portal. Erhart Kung, a sculptor and craftsman from Westphalia, created a sandstone masterpiece depicting the Last Judgment. There are 294 sculptures: prophets, angels with trumpets, Jesus Christ as Judge of the nations, Lady Justice (added after the Reformation), martyrs and damned souls showed the faithful what the day of the Last Judgment will look like.
The Minster terrace next to the landmark with large chestnut trees is ideal for picnics, games and relaxation. Spectacular views of the Aare River, the Alps and the surrounding area of Matteo make the old cemetery a popular meeting point.
Interesting elements of the temple:
- bas-reliefs depicting scenes of the Last Judgment;
- choirs decorated with elaborate carvings;
- seven ograns;
- stained glass windows;
- The 10 – ton bell is the largest in Switzerland and offers panoramic views of Bern.
Opening hours of the church and bell tower
| Weekdays | The cathedral | Tower | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In winter | From 23.10 to 30.03 | 12-00-16-00 | 12-00-15-30 |
| In the summer | From 02.04 to 19.10 | 10-00-17-00 | 10-00-16-30 |
| Saturday | The cathedral | Tower | |
| In winter | From 28.10 to 24.03 | 10-00-17-00 | 10-00-16-30 |
| In the summer | From 31.03 to 20.10 | 10-00-17-00 | 10-00-16-30 |
| Sunday | The cathedral | Tower | |
| In winter | From 30.10 to 24.03 | 11-30-16-00 | 11-30-15-30 |
| In the summer | From 01.04 to 21.10 | 11-30-17-00 | 11-30-16-30 |
- Entrance to the temple is free.
- The bell tower entrance costs 5 CHF.
Lugano — for more information about the Swiss city
Federal Palace and Main Square
The Bundesplatz is the busiest place in Bern, and it is bustling with life day and night. The square hosts numerous cultural events and social events.
The main attraction of the square is the Federal Palace, built in the style of the Florentine Renaissance. The palace is located on the border of two levels of Bern – Upper and Lower. In front of the entrance in summer, they include playing fountains – 26 pieces by the number of cantons in the country.
Other main square attractions:
- The Cantonal Bank is a 19th-century building decorated with statues of prominent people;
- The open-air market offers everything from groceries to souvenirs twice a week.;
- onion Festival-held every year in the second half of November.
You can get to the square by bus numbers 10 and 19, the stop is called “Bundesplatz”.
Interesting places of the Federal Palace:
- the lobby is decorated with a massive staircase, a sculpture of the three founders of the country and, of course, a sculpture of bears holding the coat of arms;
- the central hall is covered with a domed roof with a diameter of 33 meters, which is decorated with stained glass windows, there are statues of national heroes.;
- the hall of the Federal Council is decorated with carvings, marble inserts and a huge panel;
- The National Assembly Hall is bright and decorated with wrought iron and paintings;
- the reception hall is decorated with a large painting that symbolizes the 6 virtues.
Useful to know! Tourists can visit the Federal Palace as part of guided tour groups. Those who wish are allowed to attend meetings of the Parliament.
Guided tours are available in four languages every day except Sundays. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the official website of the Federal Palace.
Einstein Museum
The famous scientist Einstein-the founder of physics and the author of the theory of relativity-is perhaps the most extraordinary person. Few people know that for two years he lived in Bern, on Kramgasse Street, where today the Einstein House Museum is organized.
Interesting fact! It was in his apartment on Kramgasse that the 26-year-old scientist developed the theory of relativity.
Einstein lived with his wife on one of the busiest streets in Bern, where his first – born son Hans Albert was born, who also became a famous scientist in the future. His works were published in the scientific journal “Annals of Physics”. It is believed that it was the son of the legendary physicist who provoked a revolution in the world of science, demonstrating an unconventional view of time, space, mass and energy.
The attraction is located on two floors, at the entrance there is an impressive image of the Galaxy, and after climbing the stairs, guests find themselves in a residential area – the scientist’s office. The setting hasn’t changed since Einstein lived here. On the third floor, the works of the physicist are presented and a documentary about Einstein’s life is shown.
- The house museum is located at Kramgasse 49, Bern, Switzerland.
- Opening hours: daily except Sundays from 10-00 to 17-00. The museum is closed from December 19 to the end of January.
- Ticket price: adult – 5 CHF; children’s student, for seniors – 3 CHF.
- Website: www.einstein-bern.ch.
Fountain “Devourer of children”
Another name for Bern is the city of fountains. This is not just a tribute to romanticism, but a reality. In a small town there are more than a hundred fountains and each has its own plot, unique design. The most visited fountain is considered to be the “Eater of Children”. The landmark was built in the 16th century, and since then it has graced Cornhouse Square.
Useful to know! Earlier, local residents collected drinking water at the fountain site.
The fountain is a huge statue of a giant who eats a child, and other children sit in his bag and wait for a terrible fate. The foot of the fountain is decorated with bears dressed in armor. Interestingly, drinking water still flows in the fountain.
Bear pit in Bern
A tourist attraction that is well known outside the country. The authorities have spared no expense to accommodate the predators. In 2009, instead of the usual pit, a comfortable park with an area of 6 thousand square meters was equipped for them.
An area has been prepared for the bears, where they can fish, play, and climb trees. The modern bear property stretches from the old pit to the Aare River and is located opposite the old town of Bern. The old pit is connected to the city park by a tunnel.
Interesting to know! The first bear pit appeared in the city in 1441, but the attraction, on the site of which the park was opened, was organized in 1857.
You can take a walk in the park on your own or as part of an excursion group and accompanied by a bear keeper.
Prices for accommodation and meals
Housing
There are six districts in Bern, each with a different price range. Most hostels and hotels are located in the Innere Stadt district.
In the Langgasse-Felsenau area, you can choose private housing, which is very convenient for families who are vacationing with children. Accommodation per night will cost approximately 200 CHF.
If you prefer walking in parks and enjoy visiting museums, check out the Kirchenfeld-Schaushalde area. There are many attractions in the Mattenhof-Weissenbuhl area, so you can choose a comfortable hotel or a relatively inexpensive hostel for Switzerland.
The price of a single room starts from 80 CHF, and a double room starts from 100 CHF per night.
Food
Switzerland is an interesting country in terms of culinary traditions. While relaxing in Bern, try a Bernese plate of cold cuts, onion pie, and traditional Bernese hazelnut gingerbread for dessert. The Swiss capital has many restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes.
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around CHF 25 per person.
- A check for two people in a medium-priced restaurant will come out at about 100 CHF.
- It is relatively inexpensive to eat in fast food chain restaurants — the cost of a complex lunch at McDonalds is on average 15 CHF.
- A glass of local beer (0.5 liters) will cost 6 CHF.
- A cup of cappuccino — 4,5 CHF.
Products can be purchased in shops and at the market in the center of the unofficial Swiss capital.
How to get to Bern from Geneva and Zurich
From the point of view of transport links, Bern is very conveniently located, you can get here from the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich, and the second largest Geneva.
By plane
The fastest way is to take a plane from Zurich or Geneva airport to an airport near Bern. Among the localities in other countries, Bern has established connections with Paris, Munich, Palma de Mallorca, Nice, some cities in the UK, etc.
A shuttle bus departs from the terminal building to the station in Belp. From here, the city center of Bern can be reached by tram.
By train
The main train station is located in the center of the capital, in the old part of the city. Tourists get off the train and find themselves in the historic square and can visit the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
- From Geneva, trains run every 30 minutes, the ticket price without a discount starts from 35 CHF.
- From Zurich – every quarter of an hour, the ticket price varies from 35 CHF to 75 CHF.
Travel time is from 1 to 1.5 hours (depending on the selected flight – direct or with a transfer).
Trains depart from Zurich:
- every hour-at 02 and 32 minutes-direct flight without direct connection (about an hour on the way);
- every hour – at 06 and 55 minutes (about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the way);
- at 08 minutes every hour, it is planned to transfer to Aarau (the journey length is 1 hour and 15 minutes);
- at 38 minutes every hour, there are two transfers – to Aarau and Olten (the road takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes).
The current timetable between any localities in Switzerland and the cost of tickets is available on the official website of the Swiss railway — www.sbb.ch. Here you can also purchase travel documents online.
On a note! To save on travel expenses in Switzerland, use the Swiss Pass. Read how it works and how much it costs here.
By bus
This method is not very convenient, since the bus service is established only between small localities within the same region. To get from Zurich or Geneva to Bern, you will have to change more than 15 buses. If you want to enjoy the Swiss scenery, check out the schedule in advance on the official bus passenger service website.
It is important! It is convenient to take a bus to Zurich or Geneva from neighboring countries. And in Switzerland, it is better to travel by train.
By car
Switzerland has an extensive road network, so getting from Geneva or Zurich to Bern is not difficult. The trip will take about 1.5-2 hours. The cost of 10 liters of gasoline is about 20 CHF.
Weather and climate — when is the best time to go
Bern is a city where you can relax at any time of the year. The maximum influx of tourists in the capital happens in the summer and on the eve of New Year and Christmas holidays. At this time, prices for accommodation and meals increase by 10-15%. The climate in Bern is quite pleasant – the summers are cool, and the winters are dry and mild.
Interesting to know! It is best to go to the Swiss capital in the spring, when the greenery is juicy and bright. The city is also attractive in October, when it is shrouded in a kaleidoscope of colorful colors. Autumn is notable for the fact that there are few tourists on the city streets and it is relatively quiet.
- Summer Bern is warm (the temperature is not higher than +19 degrees). You can swim in the Ar River.
- Autumn Bern is especially cozy and beautiful. The temperature in September is comfortable for walking, and in the second half of autumn it drops to +10 degrees.
- Spring Bern is different. In March, it is cool here, the weather is rainy, and from the second half of April, the city blooms and transforms, the temperature rises to +16 degrees.
- Winter Bern is beautiful in its own way, especially on snowy and sunny days. The temperature almost never drops below -2 degrees. If you’re vacationing in a Swiss ski resort, make sure to check out Bern.
Informative facts
- Bern is one of the oldest European cities in the world.
- In terms of quality of accommodation, it ranks 14th in the Mercer rating, and second in the world in terms of safety.
- Most of the buildings have preserved the unique architecture of the Middle Ages – 15-16 centuries.
- The number of foreigners in Bern does not exceed 23%, most of them are Germans and Italians. Among foreign residents, diplomats and their family members are singled out separately – the total number is about 2.2 thousand people.
- Many people are interested in the question-the capital of Switzerland-Bern or Geneva? Officially, the country does not have a capital, but the main state structures are concentrated in Bern, so it is considered to be the main city of the country.
- Multi-colored address signs. This tradition has been preserved since the time of Napoleon’s war of conquest. The French soldiers were mostly uneducated, so they were guided around the city by signs painted in different colors.
- Bern gave the world two sweet souvenirs-chocolate Toblerone and Ovomaltine. The first chocolate with a recognizable triangular shape was invented in Bern by the pastry chef Theodor Tobler. Until now, sweet treats are produced only in Bern. Another treat created by Dr. Albert Vandler, it includes malt in addition to traditional ingredients.
- The Bernese dialect is slow, and this fact is a source of ridicule. The main language is German, but residents also speak French and Italian.
- The main source of income in Bern is tourism. Most of the tourists are Swiss, they like to relax here and enjoy the historical and architectural beauty.
- The city is built at an altitude of 542 meters – according to this indicator, Bern ranks third in Europe.
Bern, Switzerland – a small old town, where every house, temple, museum, fountain is imbued with the spirit of the Middle Ages. The city authorities managed to preserve the color of the 15th and 16th centuries and harmoniously combine it with modern architecture and the rapid pace of life.
