Bear Park & Rose Garden★★
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.
💡 Tipp
The Rose Garden is Bern's number one photo spot — but don't just go during the day. At sunset, the light bathes the old town in warm gold, and the reflection in the Aare water is magical. Bring bread and cheese and picnic on the lawn.
