Your ultimate resource for visiting Bern - from medieval fountains to Einstein's house. Get local insights, must-see landmarks, and practical travel tips for Switzerland's picturesque capital.
City of Bern (Switzerland)
Bern (German: Bern, French: Berne, Italian: Berna) is the capital of Switzerland and the center of the eponymous German-speaking canton. Located in the central part of the country on hills in the picturesque Aare River valley. Bern’s Old Town has preserved its unique historical atmosphere and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medieval core of the city features charming narrow streets, ancient sandstone buildings, beautiful fountains, historic towers, and age-old churches. Bern is also famous for its arcades, boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
The Swiss government (Bundeshaus) convenes in Bern. Weekly street markets are held in the squares of the Old Town.
Geography and Climate
Bern is situated in the southern part of the Swiss Plateau in the Aare River valley north of the Alps. The Old Town is built on a high hill. The climate is temperate continental. Summers are warm and quite rainy. Winters are cool with light frosts and frequent thaws.
Practical Information
- Population – over 130,000 people.
- Area – 51.6 km².
- Language – German.
- Currency – Swiss franc.
- Time – Central European Time UTC +1, summer time +2.
- Visa – Schengen.
- The Onion Market (Zibelemärit) takes place every fourth Monday in November.
- In summer, you can swim in the Aare River. The best swimming spots are located between Kornhausbridge and Lorraine, as well as Eichholz and Marzili.
- Bern’s famous arcades (Lauben) include numerous shops. Traditional goods can be purchased in charming little stores in the Rathausgasse district.
- Shop opening hours in Switzerland are strictly regulated. Almost all shops are closed on Sundays. From Monday to Friday, shops close between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM. On Thursdays, some stay open until 9:00 PM.
- Food in Bern is quite expensive. Finding an affordable restaurant with traditional Swiss cuisine is very challenging. Most locals prefer cheaper Italian and Asian food.
- Bern is a very safe city. Just be cautious around groups of intoxicated people.
- Bern has an excellent public transport system consisting of trams, trolleybuses, and buses.
- The Swiss capital hosts a jazz festival, considered one of the most important jazz events in the world.
History
Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen. Thanks to its advantageous position, the new city quickly developed and grew. After Berthold’s death, Bern became part of the Holy Roman Empire and received the status of an imperial city.
There are several versions of the origin of the city’s name. The first version claims that Berthold V decided to name the city after the first animal killed in the surrounding forests during a hunt. This animal, as you might guess, was a bear. The second version suggests the city’s name is a modified version of the Italian Verona, as the local nobility had family ties with Veronese aristocracy. The third version states that the city’s name comes from the Celtic word “bren” (mountain).
Bern joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1353 and became one of its eight cantons. It remained in this capacity until 1481. After a major fire in 1405, wooden houses were gradually replaced by half-timbered buildings and later by sandstone structures that now dominate the Old Town.
Interestingly, in the mid-13th century, Bernese monks forged a document in the name of Emperor Frederick II that granted the city broad autonomous rights. This charter was later presented to Rudolf II, who recognized it as valid.
In 1798, Bern was briefly occupied by French troops. During this period, the canton lost some of its territories. Bern became the capital of Switzerland in 1848 when the city was declared the seat of the Federal Assembly (parliament).
How to Get There
Bern has a small international airport connecting the Swiss capital with Munich, London, Barcelona, and Paris. Switzerland’s largest airport in Zurich is just 75 minutes away.
Bern is conveniently located at the intersection of railway routes and has regular connections with Zurich, Geneva, and Basel. It’s also quite easy to reach the Swiss capital by bus. The city has access to the A1, A12, and A6 highways.
Attractions
The main attraction of Bern is its breathtaking Old Town, located on a hill and surrounded by the emerald waters of the Aare. The historical center of Switzerland’s capital has preserved its unique historical atmosphere and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Old Town has preserved much of its medieval character: narrow cobblestone streets and ancient buildings. Here you’ll find Bern’s most famous landmarks: old churches, bridges, fountains, and historic towers.
Münster (Cathedral of St. Vincent) – the cathedral and one of Bern’s most famous historical buildings. It’s the largest religious structure in Switzerland from the late Middle Ages, built in Gothic style. Construction began in 1421. Interestingly, the tower was only completed in 1893. Features of the Münster include: the western portal with sculptures (copies), vaults with 16th-century coats of arms, Gothic font (1524), beautiful stained-glass (1441-50) in the apse, a monument to the city’s founder (1601) in the southern part, a Baroque organ, and beautiful chapels.
French Church – Bern’s oldest religious building with beautiful frescoes. The church was built in the 13th century on the foundation of a much older structure that was part of a Dominican monastery. During the Reformation, French-speaking Protestants sought refuge within its walls.
Clock Tower (Zytglogge) – one of Bern’s symbols. Built 800 years ago and standing 23 meters tall, it originally served as the western gate tower. The enormous astronomical clock was added in 1530.
Three minutes before each hour, you can watch a small show here.
Bern’s historic center is famous for its arcades, now housing shops and restaurants. Their total length exceeds 5 km. Locals say this is Europe’s largest covered shopping promenade.
Prison Tower – this historic tower was once part of the city gates. The first structure was built in 1256 and served as a prison in the 15th century. The old tower was demolished and replaced with a new structure in 1644.
The Old Town of Bern features numerous ancient fountains. Built in the late Middle Ages, they replaced older wooden ones. The fountains are decorated with various sculptures depicting biblical scenes and urban legends. Eleven of them have original statues.
Bern has over 100 fountains. At one time, they played an important role in the city’s water supply. The fountain water is still drinkable.
Parliament – a historic building in late Renaissance style, constructed in the 19th century. It houses the Swiss parliament. The building is located on the edge of a hill overlooking the Aare River. Adjacent to the parliament is Bundesplatz, where a wonderful farmers’ market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday.
The Town Hall is a historic public building constructed between 1406 and 1416. It houses the city council and cantonal parliament.
Other Attractions and Interesting Places in Bern:
- Zentrum Paul Klee – permanent exhibition of works by the outstanding avant-garde artist. The exhibition halls are located in unusual modern buildings.
- Historical Museum – one of Switzerland’s largest museums with exhibits from antiquity to modern times.
- Kornhaus (Granary) – one of the main examples of Bernese Baroque architecture.
- Einstein House – the building where the great physicist lived from 1903 to 1905. It’s believed he began developing the theory of relativity here.
- Botanical Garden in central Bern. Covers 2 hectares and includes about 6,000 plants from around the world.
- Bear Park – approximately 6,000 square meters of territory along the Aare River that’s home to a family of bears.
- Rose Garden – a beautiful spot with stunning views of Bern.
- Art Museum – Switzerland’s oldest art museum, containing over 50,000 exhibits.
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Bern Map
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