Altstadt
First-timersThe arcaded old town: the clock tower, the cathedral, the Federal Palace and most of the beds.
Bern city guide
Bern Travel Guide
The capital: a UNESCO old town in a loop of the river, six kilometres of stone arcades, a clock tower with a puppet show, bears, and locals floating downstream in the Aare every summer lunchtime.
4
Hostels in the city
9.2
Average, from 9,145 reviews
6 km
Of covered arcades in the old town
1905
Einstein's miracle year, spent in Bern
1983
UNESCO World Heritage listing
A capital that feels like a very well-kept town
Bern is the federal city of Switzerland — the country deliberately avoids calling it a capital — and it does not feel like one. It is small, calm and almost entirely medieval in its centre.
The old town sits in a tight loop of the fast, green Aare river and is lined with around six kilometres of stone arcades, so you can walk much of it in the rain. It is UNESCO-listed and largely unchanged since the eighteenth century.
The Zytglogge, the medieval clock tower, runs a small show of mechanical figures a few minutes before each hour.
Albert Einstein lived here while working at the patent office, and in 1905 produced the papers on special relativity that changed physics. His apartment is a small museum.
Bears have been the city's symbol for centuries, and they live in a riverside park below the old town.
In summer, Bern's great ritual is the Aare swim: locals walk upstream, jump in, and let the current carry them back to town. Two days.
Where to stay
A medieval old town in a river loop, with quieter districts on the hillsides.
Lorraine
Local and relaxedAcross the river to the north: a relaxed, slightly alternative district with bars and cafés.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Bern
Walk the arcades. The old town's six kilometres of covered stone walkways are lined with shops, and cellars open onto the street below.
Watch the Zytglogge show a few minutes before the hour, when the clock tower's figures perform. Guided tours inside the mechanism run in season.
The Einstein House, about CHF 7 (about €7.50), is the apartment where Einstein lived in 1905, the year he published special relativity.
The Bear Park, on the riverbank below the old town, is free and gives the city's symbolic bears a wooded slope rather than a pit.
The cathedral's tower, the tallest in Switzerland, is a few francs to climb, with a view over the rooftops and the river loop.
The Federal Palace, where parliament sits, offers free guided tours — book ahead.
The Zentrum Paul Klee, in a wave-shaped building by Renzo Piano, holds the largest collection of the painter's work.
Free things
Free things to do in Bern
The old town and its arcades are free.
The Bear Park is free.
The Federal Palace guided tours are free, booked in advance.
The Rose Garden above the old town is free and gives the best view over the rooftops and the river loop.
The Aare's banks and the Marzili riverside baths are free, and in summer you can join the locals floating downstream — if you are a strong swimmer.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Bern
Expensive, as all of Switzerland is. A main is CHF 28 to 42 (about €30–45).
The Berner Platte is the local feast — a huge plate of meats and sausages over sauerkraut and beans — historically served to celebrate victory.
Rösti, fondue and raclette are everywhere.
Coop and Migros restaurants and counters are the budget answer.
A beer is CHF 7 to 9 (about €7.50–9.50).
Nightlife
Going out in Bern
Small and relaxed. The old town has cellar bars opening off the arcades, and Lorraine across the river has a slightly alternative scene.
The Reitschule, a former riding school turned cultural centre, is the city's alternative venue.
A beer is CHF 7 to 9. Bern is quieter than Zurich; the evening is a drink in a cellar bar and bed.
Getting around
Getting around Bern
The old town is compact and walkable, and trams and buses cover the rest.
Bern sits at the centre of the Swiss rail network: Zurich is about an hour, Geneva about an hour and three quarters, Interlaken under an hour, and Lucerne about an hour.
A Swiss Travel Pass makes a lot of sense from here, since so many routes run through the city.
Costs
What Bern costs
Expensive, a little below Zurich. Dorms are CHF 40 to 65 (about €42–69), a main CHF 28 to 42, and a beer CHF 7 to 9.
A day is €90 to €150.
Pay in francs; euros are taken at poor rates.
The old town, the Bear Park, the Rose Garden and the Federal Palace tours are free.
Safety
Staying safe in Bern
Bern is extremely safe.
The Aare is the real hazard and should be taken seriously. It is fast, cold and strong, and the Bernese float in it because they know exactly where to get in and out. People drown in it most summers, including visitors. Only strong swimmers should try it, only at the known entry and exit points by the Marzili baths, never after drinking, and watch where locals get out — there are handrails at the exits for a reason.
The cobbles are slippery in rain and ice.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Bern
A cheese town, the Alps and two lakes within an hour.
Interlaken
Between two lakes under the Jungfrau.
Gruyères
A hilltop medieval town and the home of Gruyère cheese.
Emmental
The valley that makes the cheese with holes, with a show dairy.
Thun
A castle town at the head of Lake Thun.
Fribourg
A bilingual medieval town on a gorge.
What's on
What is on while you are there
An onion market in November, and a river swim every summer day.
1 Nov – 31 Dec
Christmas Markets
As the festive season approaches, the Bern Region lights up with a variety of Christmas markets offering seasonal treats and crafts. You can explore…
29 Aug – 10 Jan
Florence Henri
Florence Henri was a modernist artist who traveled widely and studied under notable figures like Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky. The exhibition showcases over…
18 Oct – 13 Dec
Man, Earth! Climate Change
Explore a journey through Earth's history with guides in the new permanent exhibition. The tour highlights dramatic scenes from prehistoric times to future visions,…
19–20 November
Roma! 4th Symphony Concert
The Bern Symphony Orchestra presents the 4th Symphony Concert titled Roma!, featuring Respighi's evocative works inspired by Rome. Experience a program that includes Respighi's…
19–22 November
Full Of Lava
Full Of Lava is a music festival in Bern that highlights niche and experimental sub-genres of popular music. The festival showcases artists who challenge…
23 November
Simon & Garfunkel: Through the Years in Concert
Simon & Garfunkel: Through the Years in Concert 2026 brings the iconic folk-rock duo's music to life with remarkable authenticity. The Bookends, Dan Haynes…
2–4 December
Scheherazade: 5th Symphony Concert
The 5th Symphony Concert by the Berner Symphonieorchester brings the mythical tales of Scheherazade to life through Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's richly oriental symphonic suite. You'll…
19 December
Sir András Schiff
Sir András Schiff is recognized worldwide as a leading classical pianist, known especially for his interpretations of Bach. At this concert, you will hear…
Hostels
Where to stay in Bern
A small scene in and near the old town. Live from Hostelworld.
When to go
June to September for the Aare swim. December for markets.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Cold
Mar
Improving
Apr
Spring
May
Good
Jun
The Aare warms up
Jul
Best month for the river
Aug
Warm
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Onion market, fourth Monday
Dec
Christmas markets
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. The Aare is only warm enough for most swimmers in July and August, and even then it is cold.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros — you will pay in Swiss francs, at roughly 1.06 euros to the franc.
Shown in euros for comparison; you pay in Swiss francs.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Bern travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Bern the capital of Switzerland?
In practice, yes — the government and parliament sit here — but Switzerland officially calls it the federal city rather than the capital.
Can I swim in the Aare?
If you are a strong swimmer. Locals walk upstream, jump in and float back to town, getting out at handrails by the Marzili baths. The river is fast and cold and people drown in it most summers. Never swim after drinking, and watch where the locals get out.
What is the Zytglogge?
The medieval clock tower in the old town, which runs a show of mechanical figures a few minutes before each hour.
Did Einstein really live here?
Yes. He worked at the Swiss patent office and in 1905, while living in Bern, published the papers including special relativity. His apartment is now a small museum.
Where are the bears?
In the Bear Park on the riverbank below the old town, free to visit. Bears have been the city's symbol for centuries.
How expensive is it?
A little cheaper than Zurich. Dorms CHF 40 to 65 (about €42–69), and a day around €90 to €150.
How long do I need?
Two days. The old town, the bears and the Rose Garden take a day, and Einstein House, the Paul Klee centre and the river the next.
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