Biel/Bienne combines a medieval old-town center with the character of a modern city. Its highlights range from Lake Biel to watch exhibitions and nature experiences. Biel/Bienne is Switzerland’s largest bilingual city and the second-largest city in the canton of Bern. When choosing a hotel in Biel, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the Old Town and museums, the lakeshore and boat trips, or the landscape of the Taubenloch Gorge. This way, you can start planning with the experiences that interest you, rather than with a preset itinerary.
City History, Local Cuisine and Art
The medieval old-town center lies within the modern city. In Biel’s Old Town, you can discover the city’s history and its main squares. Nourritour is a culinary tour through the Old Town that introduces visitors to regional specialties. As booking conditions may change, check them before making a reservation. The Kunsthaus Pasquart adds a distinct focus on art: the art museum is dedicated to contemporary sculpture, graphic art and photography. The city thus brings together a variety of cultural themes, from historic squares and regional specialties to contemporary art.
Watchmaking Industry and the OMEGA Museum
Biel/Bienne is regarded as an important center of the Swiss watchmaking industry and is home to the headquarters of the Swatch Group as well as a Rolex production facility. The OMEGA Museum in the Cité du Temps building presents highlights from the brand’s history through numerous interactive experiences. The tour begins with a film featuring a 360° journey through key moments in the brand’s history. A wide range of OMEGA watches is also displayed on a 50 m-long steel bracelet. The museum offers a distinct perspective on the world of watches, focusing on OMEGA’s experiences and exhibits, while the industrial companies show another aspect of Biel/Bienne.
Lake Biel: Lakeshore, Boat Trips and History
Strandboden is located right on Lake Biel. The lakeside promenade has several large lawns where you can relax and play. Another way to include the lake in your stay is to take a scheduled boat trip: boats from Biel travel along the north shore to St. Peter’s Island. Check the timetable before planning a trip. The options offer distinct experiences: Strandboden is all about the promenade and lawns, while boat trips follow a set route. Prehistoric settlement remains have also been found on the shores of Lake Biel. The Vingelz/Hafen archaeological site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a glimpse into the lake’s early settlement.
Taubenloch Gorge and Animal Park
The Taubenloch Gorge is considered the only gorge in Europe in the immediate vicinity of a city. A hike through the gorge can be extended as far as Bözingenberg. As trail conditions may change, check the latest information before setting out. Along the hiking trail, the “Riddle in the Taubenloch” experience uses a smartphone to guide visitors to virtual stations and share interesting facts about water. The digital experience may change. Biel Animal Park offers a different focus: around 80 animals have a natural habitat across 9 hectares. Visitors can observe mainly native species in spacious habitats. The animal park also has a playground, picnic areas and restrooms. In Biel, you can choose between a hike through the gorge and a visit to the animal park as distinct nature experiences.
For the broader travel overview: Biel/Bienne.
