The Aare flows around Bern, and the historic Old Town retains its distinctive character: arcades, diverse neighbourhoods and a building fabric that has been renewed without abandoning the original urban design concept. Bern was founded as a Zähringer town in 1191; since 1983, its Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1848, Bern has also been Switzerland’s federal city. History, riverside scenery, museums and markets offer different ways to get to know the city.
Discover the Old Town and its landmarks at your own pace
Bern’s Old Town is divided into the Lower and Upper Old Town. The Lower Old Town stretches from the Matte district to the Zytglogge. Once a city gate, the Zytglogge puts on a procession of bears, a jester, a golden rooster and Chronos on the hour. A digital audio tour takes you to Old Town highlights and lets you set your own pace. Check whether it is available before your visit.
You can also combine the views with a glimpse into the city’s architectural history: a guided city tour takes you up around 130 steps inside the Zytglogge to a view across the UNESCO World Heritage Site and, on a clear day, as far as the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. The approximate step count gives you a concrete idea of this part of the tour; check booking details in advance. Bern Minster offers a different architectural highlight: its church tower is the tallest in Switzerland, and the viewing platform can be reached by climbing 344 steps.
Views of the Aare, gardens and different perspectives
Bern lies on both sides of the Aare in the Swiss Plateau, between the Gurten to the south and the Bantiger to the east. From the Minster Terrace, you can see the Aare, the Alps and the Matte district. The public square also has green spaces and shady chestnut trees, making it a place to picnic, play and relax. High above the UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Rose Garden offers views of the Old Town, the Aare bend and the Gurten, often with the Alps in sight too. More than 250 varieties of roses give the garden its distinctive character. The two viewpoints show different sides of the city: one looks towards the Matte district and the Aare, the other towards the Old Town and the bend in the river.
If you’d like to explore plants in all their diversity, not just as decorative features, the University of Bern’s Botanical Garden is home to more than 6,000 plant species. The garden is on the Aare hillside near Altenberg. In the Alpine Garden, the succession of plant regions stretches from the Pyrenees through the Alps, Balkans and Caucasus to the Himalayas and the Rocky Mountains; more than 1,500 plant species grow along the path. Seven greenhouses open to the public complete the garden with plants from different climate zones.
Museums exploring communication, art and the alpine world
The Bern Museum Quarter is less than a ten-minute walk from the train station. At the Museum of Communication, interactive stations invite you to try things out, including film karaoke, a firewall game and a game about data security. The core exhibition covers almost 2,000 square metres, with content presented in German, French and English. The ALPS Swiss Alpine Museum focuses on changes in the alpine world: it explores climate change, spatial development and tourism, as well as the relationship between urban and alpine life. Its main exhibition spans two floors and includes the participatory “Lost and Found Office for Memories”.
At the Zentrum Paul Klee, art collections and architecture come together. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the wave-shaped steel-and-glass building; the collection includes around 4,000 paintings, watercolours and drawings. The park and paths around the centre, between fields and open green spaces, invite you to take a stroll. The Kunstmuseum Bern offers a different perspective on art history: its collection includes more than 50,000 works and spans eight centuries of artistic production. It includes more than 3,000 paintings and sculptures, as well as around 48,000 drawings, prints, photographs, videos and films.
The collections at the Natural History Museum of Bern have their own distinctive focus. Its historic dioramas of native and African animals are considered unique in Europe; a dedicated exhibition is devoted to Barry, the world-famous rescue dog. Admission to the Swiss Rifle Museum is free; the museum is fully accessible and wheelchair-accessible. The museums range from communication and contemporary art to natural history and collections with a clearly defined subject focus.
Markets and Bernese chocolate
Bern’s weekly markets are held year-round on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Bundesplatz, Bärenplatz and Waisenhausplatz, as well as along Gurten-, Bundes-, Schauplatz- and Münstergasse. Offerings include flowers, baked goods, fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat and honey from Bern and the surrounding region; vendors and products may vary. As schedules can change, it’s worth checking the latest market dates before your visit.
Once a year, the Zibelemärit puts onions centre stage: it is Bern’s largest market and is always held on the fourth Monday in November. Alongside onion braids, wreaths and figures, you’ll find textiles, jewellery, ceramics and toys. Toblerone also originated in Bern. Tastings, praline workshops and chocolate tours offer more ways to experience Bernese chocolate; providers and availability may change, so check the details in advance.
Discover more destinations: Bern, Stettlen, Bern, Lengnau, Muri Bei Bern, Ostermundigen, Gasel, Wohlen Bei Bern, Kirchlindach, Zollikofen, Köniz, Bolligen, Zimmerwald, Le Fuet.
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