The city of Bern in Switzerland-12 best activities to do
The city of Bern in Switzerland-12
best activities to do
In this post we will tell you about our adventure in Switzerland, that continues with the city of Bern-we will present you the best of Bern in Switzerland activities, hotels and walking tours. We really liked the views of the city, the lake and the other attractions. It was a nice experience for us to discover such a beautiful city in a sunny day in April…Stay with us to find out what budget you need to plan, where can you stay depending on your budget, where you can eat, shop and how to get here by car, bus or train. We also offer you some valuable advices about how can you save so money as well. We know! Switzerland is expensive but the true travel lovers that like to explore can always find ways to save money, even in Switzerland!
Table of Contents
Our itinerary from Switzerland written in separate articles from this one: Zurich; Lucerne-Lungern;Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen-Grindelwald; Iseltwald-Spiez-Sarnen; Geneva; Lausanne; Bern; Basel. Discover more of Switzerland with us!
Information
The city of Bern Switzerland is a political municipality and capital of the canton of the same name. Bern is called the “Federal City” and functions as the capital of Switzerland. As the seat of the municipal and large parts of the cantonal and federal administration, it is the largest center of public administration in the country. The town, founded in 1191, has been partially preserved in its original form with its characteristic arcades. A free imperial city since 1218, Bern is the largest city-state north of the Alps by the 16th century. In 1983, the old town of Bern was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Quick Tips
When to travel: Peak tourist months are from May to July, but one can take a trip to Switzerland in any season, depending on their interests.
Language: The official languages are German, Italian, French.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) 1$ =0,9 CHF 1€=1,1 CHF
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=23 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=92 EUR
In addition, you can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
The old town of Bern
The old town of Bern is the historic city center of the Swiss federal city of Bern and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town character is best preserved in the area below the Zytglogge. The old town lies on the sandy beach with its laurels, which are located on the other side of the kilometer road and are the main attractions of the Europapromenade.
Zytglogge
The Zytglogge is a medieval clock tower with an astronomical clock and carillon in the city of Bern in Switzerland. Don’t forget to watch small statues moving when the clock bell rings.
Centrum Paul Klee
The Centrum Paul Klee in Bern, built according to plans by Renzo Piano, was opened on June 20, 2005. Since August 2016, it has been managed by the art historian Nina Zimmer, succeeding Peter Fischer. Since then, Zimmer has also been director of the Kunstmuseum Bern.
Bern Minster
The reformed Bern Minster was dedicated to St. Vincent of Zaragoza in the late Middle Ages and is the largest and most important late medieval church in Switzerland. It was built in the Gothic style and is one of those Gothic churches that could only be completed in the 19th century after the advent of historicism.
Federal Palace
The Federal Palace is the seat of government and parliament of the Swiss Confederation in the federal city of Bern.
Is a listed symmetrical building complex of just over 300 meters in length. It is considered one of the most important historicist buildings in the country and is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural assets of national importance.
Einstein Museum
The Bern Historical Museum on Helvetiaplatz in Bern is the second largest cultural history museum in Switzerland.
We started our tour at the top and enjoyed the panoramic view of the city. From there we visited the different floors which are arranged by themes: 20th century, with old memories from our youth and those of our fathers, Einstein exhibition, 15th century.
Zoo Bern & Bear Park
Zoo Bern is the public zoo of the city of Bern. It consists of the animal park called Dählholzli and the bear park, which is spatially separated from the rest of the zoo. The Bern Bear Park is an animal enclosure in Bern that opened in 2009. The bear park replaces the old bear pit used for keeping brown bears, in which species-appropriate keeping was no longer possible. The facility is located on the opposite bank of the Aare from the old town in the Bärenpark district named after it and is part of Bern Zoo.
Einsteinhaus
The Einsteinhaus at Kramgasse 49 in Bern houses a museum on the life and work of Albert Einstein. Einstein rented an apartment on the second floor of the house from 1903 to 1905 when he worked at the Swiss Patent Office, where he lived with his first wife Mileva Marić. To commemorate his stay in Bern from 1902 to 1909, the apartment has been furnished in the style of that time and is open to the public.
Oeschinensee
The Oeschinensee is located above Kandersteg in Switzerland. The average water level is 1578 m. The lake is 56 m deep at normal water level and has an area of 1.1 km², making it one of the larger mountain lakes in Switzerland.
Gurten Park in the countryside
A beautiful park and children’s paradise. The playground is amazing and so is the view over the whole of Bern. The arrival with the Gurtenbahn makes it an experience for the kids.
Bundesplatz
The Bundesplatz is the square directly in front of the Bundeshaus in the federal city of Bern, Switzerland. State receptions, political rallies and various events take place on the square, and there is a weekly market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Dalmazi Bridge
The Dalmazi Bridge is a small bridge over the Aare in the city of Bern. It connects the Kirchenfeld with the Marzili district. The iron bridge built between 1871 and 1872 with the financial participation of the landowners in Marzili and the Bern civic community was replaced by a concrete bridge in 1958.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Bern offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Bern’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com, Trip.com and Vrbo. We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation in Bern.
Luxury Bern Switzerland hotels : Hotel Bellevue Palace, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, THE BRISTOL – Hotel-Bar-Lounge, Hotel Savoy.
Mid-range Bern Switzerland hotels : Novotel Bern Expo, Hotel City am Bahnhof, Boutique Hotel Belle Epoque.
Budget Bern Switzerland hotels : Hostel 77 Bern, Max Aviation Villa & Apartments, prizeotel Bern-City.
Where to eat
Bern is famous for its Berner Platte – a dish containing a variety of meat and sausages such as beef, smoked pork and It is about a single dish consisting of ham, speck, spare ribs, feet with spiced sauerkraut, pickled turnips, green and/or dried beans and boiled potatoes on a large platter.
The traditional Zibelechueche (onion tart) is associated with the Zibelemärit (onion market), which takes place every year in November.
The Bernese Haselnusslebkuchen (hazelnut gingerbread) is in fact not really a gingerbread at all as it doesn’t contain many of the typical gingerbread ingredients. The Bernese speciality only features cinnamon.
The sweet Meitschibei biscuit is also made with hazelnuts.
Meringues, usually with a generous helping of whipped cream are served as a dessert throughout the canton of Bern.
Leberspiessli– They are gods veal liver skewers (or pork) wrapped in bacon and cooked on the grill or in a pan.
Schweineschnitzel– A specialty that comes from the Viennese cuisine, is none other than one veal slice breaded and then fried in lard. It can be served with different side dishes and looks a lot like our cutlet.
Raclette, fondue, swiss chocolate where always the symbols of Switzerland. World-famous Swiss chocolate owes its success to the innovative ideas of Swiss chocolatiers.
Älplermagronen is a dish consisting of pasta, potatoes, cream, cheese and onions.
Rösti – For its preparation the potatoes come grated raw and sautéed in a pan, some recipes include the addition of chopped onions and tasty strips of speck.
Where to eat in Bern:
Being the capital of Switzerland, in Bern you will find many clubs and restaurants offering both international dishes and typical recipes of the Swiss tradition, which they are influenced by the French, German and Italian cuisine, making Swiss cuisine one of a kind.
1 – Beaulieu has several menus, depending on the season, as well as one for lunch and one for dinner.
2 – Kornhauscafé was over time transformed into a restaurant; offers typical dishes and excellent wines, open in the morning also for a good breakfast
3 – Rosengarten restaurant is located inside the Rosengarten, one of the most beautiful and most popular parks in Bern; open from morning until late evening; it is equipped with outdoor tables and an internal room.
4 – Schöngrün offers dishes that combine local tradition with international influences
5 – Thousand Sens has a typical French bistro look oriented towards fusion cuisine; there are several menus, one for lunch, one for dinner and one for special occasions and business meetings.
Saving Tips
Enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to visit more than 41 cities, reach peaks of many mountains, and sail through beautiful lakes in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass. In our opinion, this is the best way to save money on transport, if you do not visit Switzerland by car or decide not to rent a car. Just check the prices for train or bus ticket and you will see that buying them separately for every new destination it would be more expensive then the Swiss Travel Pass.
Overnight visitors don’t need to worry about tickets in Bern. From your first overnight stay in tourist accommodation in the city, you will receive a Bern Ticket for your whole stay. This lets you travel for free in zones 100/101 operated by LIBERO. On the day you arrive in Bern, your reservation confirmation counts as a transfer ticket from the train station or Bern Airport to where you are staying.
Tips for low-cost travel
Visit Einstein’s home-Admission is 5 CHF.
See the Zytglogge- The clock tells time as well as the month, day, zodiac sign, and phase of the moon. Is free to admire it from the streets.
Free Sights
The old town of Bern is the historic city center of the Swiss federal city of Bern and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town character is best preserved in the area below the Zytglogge.
Bern Minster
Oeschinensee – The lake is just amazing, and of course is free to see it! The trip until here is not free, but when you will se the lake you will be very happy that you visited this attraction.
Gurten Park in the countryside
Bundesplatz
Day trips from Bern :
You can also try Hop-on, Hop-off tours or Big Bus tours and spare some money. As we are presenting a lot of good options you just have to pick the perfect one for you!
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Viator and Get Your Guide : the best activities in town!
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Shopping
Shopping in the old town of Bern is a unique experience. Countless shops, boutiques and studios can be found under the historic arcades.Bern offers excellent shopping opportunities for both small and large purses. On the many shopping streets and shopping centers you will find cheap mass-produced goods as well as trendy designer shops. One of the most popular department stores in the city is Globus.
The two main shopping streets, Spitalgasse and Marktgasse, are in the middle of the old town. Six kilometers long arcades (arbors) line the UNESCO World Heritage Site and invite you to a special kind of shopping experience. Bern thus has one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe. And: While other luxury shopping streets have long been dominated by international chains, there are still many local shops under the arcade shops. In the main shopping streets you can find many elite designer pavilions, interesting antique, chocolate shops and souvenir shops.
Clothing – Swiss designer pieces, high-quality fabrics and simple elegance – Mode Boutique PAMB
– Fashion Boutique CPH: Scandinavian fashion
– Mode Boutique Zana : Italian fashion
Interior Accessories : Boutique Yamatuti, Lisa Interieur
Jewelry : Jewelry Boutique Ceha Ceha.
Gifts: Chat Noir
Souvenirs: Holz Art Galerie
Getting Around
Tickets for Bern public transport can be bought at machines and in the LIBERO shop at Bern main station. No tickets are sold on buses and trams. Overnight visitors don’t need to worry about tickets in Bern. From your first overnight stay in tourist accommodation in the city, you will receive a Bern Ticket for your whole stay. This lets you travel for free in zones 100/101 operated by LIBERO. On the day you arrive in Bern, your reservation confirmation counts as a transfer ticket from the train station or Bern Airport to where you are staying. You will receive the Bern Ticket when you check in.
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Getting here
Bern Airport is located only 10 km away from the city center of Bern. The small airport connects Bern with destinations such as Elba, Palma and Menorca.The city can be reached by public transport. The airport bus takes passengers to Belp train station. From there, you can take an S-Bahn to Bern main station. For visitors staying in Bern overnight, the journey by public transport from the airport to the city is included in the Bern Ticket.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) also offers relatively easy access to the city as well. For most passengers arriving at Zürich, taking the train for an hour and 15 min or driving will probably be a faster and cheaper option than catching a connecting flight to Bern Airport. Trains with direct connections from the airport to the capital depart every 30 mins.
You can also fly to Basel or Geneva.
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg. Bern can be reached via Basel SBB train station in around 1 hour. Trains from Basel SBB to Bern depart every 30 mins.
Geneva Airport is also well connected to the Swiss rail network. Geneva Airport train station can be reached directly from the arrivals hall. Direct trains to Bern depart every 30 mins. The journey takes just under two hours.
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Getting to Bern by train
The train is a fast and comfortable means of transportation that will save you precious hours to get to Bern. Indeed, in addition to offering you the possibility to stretch your legs and walk through the cars, some trains can reach 300 km/h and the railway stations, often located in the heart of the city, are therefore easy to find and very accessible.
In addition, travelling by train, you will be able to discover the picturesque landscapes of the regions you pass through to get to Bern.For foreign visitors, who are planning a longer stay in Switzerland and want to discover the country and its sights using public transport, we recommend purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass.
Bern is located at the intersection of major highways allowing for fast traveling times to other parts of Switzerland and nearby France. Autoroute A1 runs from Genève past Geneva Airport, Nyon, Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, and beyond. Bus companies offer bus trips to Zurich. With Busbud you travel cheaply from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Milan, Turin, Rome, Vienna, Paris, Zagreb, Bratislava, Prague and other cities to Bern.
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