Bern

The Bernese Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 — and one of the best-preserved medieval cityscapes in Europe. The secret: After a devastating fire in 1405, the entire city was rebuilt in sandstone, and since then, the layout has hardly changed.

★★★ The Arcades

Bern's trademark: 6 kilometers of covered arcades on both sides of the main streets — the longest shopping promenade in Europe. Under the arcades, boutiques, cafes, antiquarian bookshops, and the famous cellar shops (deep vaults under the houses, once storage, now shops and bars) line up. Stay dry in the rain, enjoy the shade in the sun — a brilliant medieval invention.

★★★ Federal Palace

The Parliament of Switzerland sits at the southern edge of the old town with a breathtaking terrace over the Aare and a view of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau in clear weather. The free tour of the Federal Palace (in German, French, Italian) is fascinating: You learn how direct democracy works and can sit in the council chambers where Swiss history is made.

Bundesplatz 3. Free tours, registration at parlament.ch required. Mon–Sat during sessions limited. Bundesplatz: In summer 26 water fountains (kids love it!), in winter ice rink.

★★ Kramgasse & Einstein's Apartment

The Kramgasse is Bern's grand street: Baroque guild houses, fountains (11 historic figure fountains in the old town!), and the Einstein House at No. 49. Here, Albert Einstein developed his special theory of relativity in 1905 — the year that revolutionized physics. The small apartment on the 2nd floor is now a museum.

Kramgasse 49. 6 CHF. Tue–Fri 10 am–5 pm, Sat 10 am–4 pm. Closed Dec–Jan.

★★ Bern Minster

The largest late Gothic church in Switzerland (construction began in 1421, tower only completed in 1893!). The 100-meter-high tower offers the best panoramic view of the city after 344 steps — over the old town, the Aare, and with foehn winds up to the Bernese Alps. The main portal with 234 figures of the Last Judgment is a masterpiece of late Gothic sculpture.

Münsterplatz. Church free, tower 5 CHF. Tue–Sat 10 am–5 pm (summer until 6 pm), Sun 11:30 am–5 pm.

The Zytglogge (Clock Tower) is Bern's most iconic landmark — and one of the oldest clockworks in the world.

★★★ Zytglogge

The striking tower on Kramgasse dates from the 13th century and has housed an astronomical clock since 1530, which performs a figure parade every hour: A golden rooster crows, bears dance, a jester strikes the bells, and Chronos turns his hourglass. Sounds kitschy? It is — and yet hundreds gather daily in front of the tower to watch the spectacle. The show begins 4 minutes before the hour — be there early!

A tour of the inside of the tower shows the medieval clockwork up close — a masterpiece of mechanics. Particularly exciting: Einstein lived opposite (Kramgasse 49) and is said to have watched the clock while pondering time.

Kramgasse. Exterior view free. Tower tour 20 CHF (registration at Bern Welcome). April–October, several times a week.

★ Käfigturm

The second medieval tower on the main street once served as a prison (hence the name). Today it houses the Polit-Forum Bern — exhibitions on Swiss politics and democracy. Free entry. At the top, a small viewing platform.

The bear is Bern's heraldic animal — the city's name is said to derive from a bear that city founder Berchtold V. of Zähringen killed in 1191. Bern has kept bears for over 500 years — today in a species-appropriate manner in the modern Bear Park.

★★ Bear Park

The Bear Park on the Aare riverbank (opened in 2009) is a modern, 6,000 m² habitat for Bern's bears. The brown bears live in a naturalistic enclosure that stretches from the riverbank up the slope. An elevated walkway offers insight into the enclosure. The bears can decide whether to show themselves — this is species-appropriate, but it means they sometimes hide.

Grosser Muristalden 6. Freely accessible, around the clock. Most active in the morning and evening.

★★★ Rose Garden

The most beautiful viewpoint in Bern: The Rose Garden on the hill above the Bear Park offers a panoramic view over the entire old town, the Aare loop, and the Minster. In summer, 220 rose species, 200 iris varieties, and 28 rhododendrons bloom. The café-restaurant in the park has a dream terrace. Free entry. The perfect spot for sunset.

Alter Aargauerstalden 31b. Park free, daily. Restaurant April–October.

In summer, the Aare becomes the social hub of Bern: Thousands let themselves drift through the city in the turquoise glacier water. Aare swimming is not a sport, but a way of life — and the quintessential Swiss summer experience.

★★★ Aare Swimming

The route: Entry at Marzilibad or above at Schwellenmätteli, exit at Marzili or Lorraine. The current carries you at 5–8 km/h — you drift leisurely past the old town, past the Federal Palace, and under historic bridges. The water temperature reaches 18–22 °C in July/August (Caution: Glacier water, always cold enough for a shock!).

Important Rules

• Only for strong swimmers! The current is strong and can be treacherous. Never swim alone.
• Waterproof bag (Wickelfisch) for clothes and valuables — available at Aare sales points and at Marzilibad (from 15 CHF).
• Never enter from the Federal Palace side — dangerous eddies at the threshold there.
• Don't miss the exit ladder — the current carries you faster than expected.

★★ Marzilibad

Bern's most popular outdoor pool, right on the Aare below the Federal Palace. Free entry! Pools, sunbathing lawn, restaurant, volleyball — and the entry point for Aare swimming. In summer, the social center of the city. Sunny location until evening.

Marzilistrasse 29. Free entry. May–September, 9 am–8 pm (until 9 pm in good weather).

★ Schwellenmätteli

Gastro complex right on the Aare threshold: Restaurant, bar, and lounge on terraces over the water. At sunset, listen to the water rushing with a spritzer in hand — one of the most atmospheric places in Bern.

The Gurten (858 m) is Bern's local recreation area and mountain — a gentle hill south of the city, accessible in 5 minutes by funicular. At the top: a 360° panorama, hiking trails, a play park, and in July the legendary Gurten Festival.

★★ Gurten Panorama

On a clear day, the view from the observation tower extends to Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau — the entire Bernese Alps in one picture. The meadows on the summit invite picnicking, children play on the huge playground, and the restaurant serves Swiss cuisine with a view.

Gurtenbahn: 12 CHF return (adults), 50% discount with Swiss Travel Pass. From Wabern (Tram 9 from Bern station, 12 min.). Train runs every 10 min. At the top: Restaurant, playground, mini-golf.

★ Gurten Festival

In mid-July, the Gurten transforms for four days into Bern's largest open-air festival: International acts, Swiss bands, food stalls, and a unique atmosphere on the hill above the city. Day ticket from 79 CHF. Book early — often sold out.

Half an hour east of Bern begins the Emmental — the valley that gave its name to the world's most famous cheese. Gentle green hills, magnificent farms with characteristic hipped roofs, cows with bells, and the show dairy where you can taste the real Emmentaler.

★★ Emmentaler Show Dairy

In Affoltern im Emmental, you can watch live how the famous Emmentaler AOP is made: 1,200 liters of milk for a single 100-kg wheel, matured in huge cellars. The tasting (various maturation stages from mild to spicy) is a must. In the shop: Cheese directly from production — cheaper than anywhere else.

Schaukäsereistrasse 6, Affoltern i.E. 8 CHF (tour + tasting). Daily 9 am–6 pm (Nov–March until 5 pm). Cheese production: daily 9 am–12 pm.

★ Emmentaler Farms

The large Emmentaler farms with their sweeping roofs are among the most impressive secular buildings in Switzerland. Some offer overnight stays (sleeping in straw from 35 CHF/person with breakfast). The landscape is ideal for leisurely bike tours — hardly any inclines, lots of greenery, cows everywhere.

Getting There

Bern → Affoltern im Emmental: 35 minutes by S-Bahn (S4). A rental car is more comfortable for exploring the entire valley. The roads are quiet and scenic.