Top 6 activities to do in Bern

What to do in Bern?

1. The Old Town

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: Aaahhh the old town and its peaceful setting… Bern has this particularity of being situated on a hill surrounded by the Aar. A true historic center inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, this is a very beautiful activity to do first to visit the city. What particularly strikes tourists? It's undoubtedly the sandstone buildings as well as the six kilometers of arcades that make the city unique and that form a whole, in which walking in the cobbled streets constitutes a fantastic activity. And old town means merchants and restaurants dear friends. And yes! So stay alert and let yourself be guided by the good smells emanating from the surrounding restaurants and cafés... It's here that your stomach can flourish and where all your senses will be stirred. With a waffle in hand, stroll along the fountains, under the arcades dating from the 15th century, the various historic buildings...

2. The Clock Tower

Category: €/Cultural

Description: Tick-tock, time flies... The one called "Zytglogge" (clock tower is easier yes) is one of the most famous monuments in all of Switzerland. In addition to being able to admire the sublime astronomical clock, you can also enjoy a show where small automata follow each other one after the other to offer you a real show on time and on schedule! You can see a representation of Chronos, the god of time, the golden rooster, the bear, the fool: young and old appreciate it. But what about the inside? Will you believe us when we tell you that visitors have the feeling that time has stopped? The stone walls and large medieval beams give you the impression of going back in time, while the mechanics are captivating. Many certify that the clock tower constitutes their most beautiful discovery in Bern, what about you?

3. Saint Vincent Cathedral

Category: €/Cultural

Description: Here is undoubtedly the most impressive monument in the entire city of Bern, and which today is one of the main reasons why people decide to opt for a stay in Switzerland. After all, this is the highest bell tower in the country, with nearly 100 meters high, which offers you a splendid view of the city and its surroundings. It is surrounded by shining greenery, the snowy mountains of Bernese Oberland, and charming water points. Its construction dates from the 15th century, more precisely in 1421, and spans several generations. Yes, because over time, enthusiasts as well as architects have made some modifications and have continued to beautify this edifice, which ended up becoming the one we know today. Only small snag, you still have to count at least 340 steps to reach the top, so it's better to plan a few liters of water to avoid being thirsty afterwards. But believe us, the game is clearly worth the candle, the reward will be beautiful!

4. The Bear Pit

Category: €€/Unusual

Description: You didn't know? The bear is the totem animal of the city of Bern. Thus, if you are fans of this robust mammal, symbol of nature's strength, you will be happy to go to the bear pit. It is a park perfectly fitted out for these animals, you can see them up close, while learning more things about their way of life and their history. On the other hand, we prefer to remind you to avoid being disappointed: if you go to Bern during winter, you can hardly visit the bear pit, because our bear friends hibernate! The bear pit constitutes a tourist attraction that attracts a large number of visitors every year, and you have to count at least two to four hours of visit time because the circuit is so long, as there are things to see. This is typically the kind of unusual, but chill activity, that families appreciate doing during the afternoon.

5. The Bern History Museum and the Einstein Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: The two museums are actually gathered in one and the same building, which is actually an old castle (yes) of neo-Gothic style dating from the end of the 1890s. Regarding the history museum, you will discover everything there is to know about the history as well as the civilization of the city: it is only by going back into the past that you can understand what the present is about and why Bern is what it is today. You will find there not far from 500,000 elements belonging to the Stone Age up to our current era. As for the Einstein Museum, did you know that he lived in Bern from 1879 to 1955? More precisely when he revolutionized the world with his theory of relativity in 1905. It is precisely there that all conceptions of space and time were turned upside down. The museum relates the physicist's journey while also emphasizing certain marking periods of his life.

6. The Gurten Hill

Category: Sporty

Description: Impossible to leave Bern without having been able to climb the Gurten hill. Certainly you will need to climb 858 meters (sports enthusiasts will be happy) but know that you can also get there by taking the funicular. At the top, you will find a playground as well as a railway: you can relax while admiring the view while your little ones have fun among themselves. Often described as "a paradise of green meadows", the Gurten hill is a perfect destination for those who love nature, and who need a big breath of fresh air. With the cows that graze quietly and hardly notice your presence, you will have the impression of being an integral part of nature. You will also find a toboggan run as well as restaurants and an open-air theater. Up there, the famous expression "feel like the king of the world", will take on its full meaning...