The Aare

The Aare

A nature stop on the Berne audio-guided tour, a pleasant shaded promenade runs along the Aare to the great metal bridge of Kirchenfeld. The Aare is the main river of Switzerland: it rises in the Bernese Alps and flows into the Rhine at Koblenz.

A river at the heart of the city

Although it crosses the city, the Aare keeps an excellent water quality. Motorboats are not allowed and nature reigns. It brings a friendly and relaxed touch to Berne, where one often sees swimmers and even surfers in neoprene wetsuits, a board under their arm.

What to see

The Aare is at the heart of Bernese life and affection: bathing in its translucent waters or letting oneself be carried by its current is a local tradition. Follow its banks to enjoy the coolness and the summer atmosphere of the Swiss capital.

Practical information

The Aare flows around Berne's old town. Its banks and promenades are freely accessible and can be walked at any time; bathing is practised depending on the season, with caution against the current.

Where does the Aare rise ?

In the Bernese Alps; it is the main river of Switzerland, flowing into the Rhine at Koblenz.

What do the people of Berne do in the Aare ?

They bathe in it and let themselves be carried by its current, a much-loved summer tradition.