Things to Do in Bern
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Bern, Switzerland, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Bern. Mind the bears, there are bears, a federal capital that lost out to Zurich on size and Geneva on glamour but somehow ended up running the country anyway. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Bern: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the walk. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
BearPark (Barengraben)
Bern's old town keeps live bears, a tradition tied directly to the city's name and coat of arms, the city is literally named after bears, and there's still a park enclosure by the river housing a resident bear family. The modern BearPark, along the Aare river, is considerably more spacious and naturalistic than the old historic bear pit it replaced, worth understanding that evolution as part of the visit.
It's free to view, and one of the more unusual civic symbols any European capital has committed to this literally, a coat of arms you can actually go and watch in person.
Hours Always viewable from the park paths
Address Grosser Muristalden, Bern
Einstein House
Albert Einstein worked as a patent clerk in Bern while developing his theory of special relativity, came up with E=mc² while filing patents on the side, reportedly, a remarkable bit of moonlighting. His preserved apartment, where he lived with his family during this period (1903-1905), is now a small, properly worthwhile museum covering both his personal life here and the science he was developing at the time.
It's a compact visit, half an hour or so, but a good, specific stop for understanding one of the more remarkable 'day job vs actual genius work' stories in scientific history.
Hours Tue–Sat, roughly 10am–5pm, closed Sundays and Mondays
Address Kramgasse 49, Bern
The Federal Palace (Bundeshaus)
Bern serves as the federal capital of Switzerland, despite not being its largest city, Zurich is bigger, Geneva is fancier, but Bern gets the government, someone has to. The Federal Palace, seat of the Swiss parliament, is open for free guided tours on days when parliament isn't in session, worth booking ahead as spaces are limited.
The terrace behind the building offers properly lovely views over the Aare river and the Alps on a clear day, worth the visit even if you don't manage to time a tour.
Bern's Medieval Old Town
Bern's entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remarkably intact medieval architecture, arcaded streets (over six kilometres of covered walkways, genuinely useful in the rain), and the Zytglogge, an astronomical clock tower with a small mechanical show on the hour that draws a crowd each time it performs.
It's a properly compact, walkable old town, easy to cover in a few unhurried hours, sandstone buildings and fountains at seemingly every corner, over a hundred historic fountains scattered through the city.
Best time Any time; the Zytglogge performs on the hour
Swimming the Aare
A local summer tradition, swimming or floating down the Aare river, which loops around the old town, glacial-fresh water and a current strong enough to carry you along without much effort. Bern residents do this constantly through the warmer months, a distinctive way to experience the city.
Marzili, the riverside park and bathing area, is the easiest access point, complete with lockers and a proper local swimming culture worth joining in on if the weather cooperates.
Best time June through August, when the water's warm enough
Address Marzili, along the Aare river
Zentrum Paul Klee
A striking modern museum building, three wave-like structures designed by Renzo Piano, dedicated to the work of artist Paul Klee, who lived much of his life in Bern. It holds the largest collection of his work anywhere, a properly worthwhile stop for art lovers, and considerably less crowded than equivalent major museums elsewhere in Switzerland.
It's a bit outside the old town, worth the short trip if Klee's work interests you, the building itself is a piece of architecture worth seeing regardless.
Hours Tue–Sun, roughly 10am–5pm, closed Mondays
Getting there A short bus ride from central Bern
Best time to visit Bern
May through September gives the most comfortable weather, and it's the only realistic window for the Aare river swimming tradition, worth planning around if that's a priority.
Bern's old town and museums work well year-round, winter brings a proper Christmas market atmosphere to the arcaded streets if your visit lines up with December.
Getting around Bern
Bern's old town is compact and entirely walkable, most of the sights on this list sit within a comfortable stroll of each other, aided by those six kilometres of covered arcades if the weather turns. Trams cover anything further out, including Zentrum Paul Klee.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Bern worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly for its remarkably preserved UNESCO-listed medieval old town, the Einstein connection, and the genuinely unique Aare river swimming tradition in summer.
- How many days do you need in Bern?
- One to two days covers the old town and main sights comfortably; it also works well as a day trip from Zurich or Geneva.
- Is Bern expensive?
- Yes, broadly in line with the rest of Switzerland, one of the pricier countries in Europe, though the old town's free sights help balance museum and dining costs.
- What is Bern famous for?
- Being the federal capital of Switzerland, its bear symbolism and BearPark, Albert Einstein's time here developing special relativity, and its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
