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Bern
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Bern, Switzerland, combines medieval arcades, federal history, river views and world-class museums with easy access to the Alps and local culture.

A Federal Capital with a Medieval Core

Bern occupies a dramatic bend in the Aare, where wooded hills and clear river water frame a remarkably coherent historic centre. Founded in the late twelfth century, the city is recognised by its sandstone arcades, clock tower, fountains and gently curving streets. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, remains the centre of everyday life rather than a preserved museum quarter: cafés, bookshops, market stalls and civic buildings fill spaces beneath the long covered walkways known locally as Lauben.
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Culture, River and Contemporary Life

The Zytglogge, or Clock Tower, marks the Old Town's western entrance, while the Bundeshaus reflects Bern's role as Switzerland's political centre. Nearby, the Bernisches Historisches Museum and Einstein Museum explore the city's past and its association with Albert Einstein, who lived here while developing his special theory of relativity. The Zentrum Paul Klee, set amid open countryside on the eastern edge, offers a contrasting modern architectural and artistic experience. In summer, residents swim or float along sections of the Aare, while the Rosengarten provides broad views over the tiled roofs. Bern's compact centre is easy to explore on foot, yet the city also works as a base for excursions towards the Bernese Oberland, with the Alps visible beyond the urban landscape.

When is the best time to visit Bern?

Best: June–August · 23–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January350
February440
March745
April1355
May1965
June (best)2375
July (best)2485
August (best)2480
September2070
October1560
November855
December450

Getting to and around Bern

How to get there

Bern is best reached by rail, with direct or straightforward connections from Zürich, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne and other Swiss cities arriving at Bern railway station in the centre. Zürich Airport and Geneva Airport are the principal international gateways for many overseas visitors, both connected to Bern by Swiss Federal Railways services; Basel Airport is another regional option, though it requires a bus and rail journey. Bern Airport lies outside the city near Belp and has limited scheduled connectivity compared with the major international airports. Long-distance coaches and road connections also serve the region, but rail is generally the simplest way to arrive in the city centre.

Transportation

Bern's historic centre is compact and particularly rewarding on foot, with covered arcades, pedestrian-priority areas and short distances between major sights. Bernmobil operates the city's tram and bus network, while local and regional trains connect the main station with surrounding districts and towns. The Marzilibahn funicular links the lower Aare area with the federal district, and a lift connects the station area with the higher Old Town. Taxis and bicycles are available, but driving in the centre can be inconvenient because of restricted streets and limited parking. Regional public transport is useful for excursions beyond the city.

Best attractions in Bern

Bern's principal sightseeing area is the Old Town, where the Zytglogge clock tower, covered arcades and sculpted fountains lead towards the Federal Palace and Münster. The Bern Minster rewards attention to its elaborate portal and city views from the tower, while the Einstein Museum places the scientist's Bern years within the social context of the early twentieth century. At the river, the Bear Park provides a contemporary enclosure for the animal associated with the city, and the Rosengarten offers a sweeping view across the Aare bend and tiled historic roofs. The Bernisches Historisches Museum brings together archaeology, regional history and cultural collections, including an extensive Einstein presentation. For modern art and architecture, the Zentrum Paul Klee presents exhibitions in Renzo Piano's distinctive wave-shaped building on the city's eastern edge. Riverside paths, the Matte quarter and the Gurten viewpoint broaden the experience beyond the central monuments.

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Best landmarks in Bern

Bern's identity is anchored by the Zytglogge, a former city gate whose astronomical clock and moving figures have marked the western approach to the Old Town for centuries. The Münster, Switzerland's largest Gothic church, dominates the skyline with its finely carved Last Judgment portal and tall tower, while the Federal Palace represents the country's federal political system and occupies the centre of modern civic life. The Nydegg Church and bridge signal the eastern end of the medieval peninsula, connecting the Old Town with the lower Aare landscape. More than one hundred fountains, including the Kindlifresserbrunnen and Zähringerbrunnen, enrich the streets with Renaissance sculpture and political symbolism. The Käfigturm and the medieval arcades reveal how the city expanded and adapted without losing its characteristic urban plan, the principal reason the Old Town has such strong heritage value.

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Neighbourhoods in Bern

Best restaurants in Bern

Bern's dining culture reflects German-speaking Swiss traditions, with menus often featuring rösti, cheese-based dishes, seasonal vegetables and hearty regional cooking, alongside international food shaped by the city's administrative and university communities. The covered arcades shelter cafés, bakeries and restaurants, while the Matte quarter and neighbourhoods around Lorraine and Breitenrain offer a more local, informal atmosphere. Bernese specialities include Berner Platte, an assortment of meats and sausages with accompaniments, and Zibelechueche, a savoury onion tart associated with the city's autumn onion market, the Zibelemärit. Swiss chocolate, pastries and locally produced cheeses are widely available, and market stalls around Bundesplatz can provide seasonal ingredients and quick meals when markets are operating. Contemporary restaurants increasingly interpret Swiss produce with lighter, modern techniques, while traditional inns preserve familiar dishes and convivial dining rooms.

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Best bars in Bern

Bern's evening life is varied but measured, centred on intimate bars, live music, theatres and small cultural venues rather than a large club scene. The Old Town's arcades contain wine bars, pubs and cocktail spots, while the Matte quarter and districts such as Lorraine and Breitenrain attract a more neighbourhood-oriented crowd. The Reitschule, a major independent cultural centre beside the railway station, hosts concerts, club nights, cinema and other events, though its programme and atmosphere change regularly. The Kursaal area and larger venues provide additional concerts and entertainment, while the Bern Casino offers formal evening gaming within the city centre. During warmer months, riverside terraces and open-air cultural events add to the social life around the Aare. Local regulations and venue policies vary, so evening plans are best checked close to the date.

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Best nightclubs in Bern

Bern's evening life is varied but measured, centred on intimate bars, live music, theatres and small cultural venues rather than a large club scene. The Old Town's arcades contain wine bars, pubs and cocktail spots, while the Matte quarter and districts such as Lorraine and Breitenrain attract a more neighbourhood-oriented crowd. The Reitschule, a major independent cultural centre beside the railway station, hosts concerts, club nights, cinema and other events, though its programme and atmosphere change regularly. The Kursaal area and larger venues provide additional concerts and entertainment, while the Bern Casino offers formal evening gaming within the city centre. During warmer months, riverside terraces and open-air cultural events add to the social life around the Aare. Local regulations and venue policies vary, so evening plans are best checked close to the date.

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Best shops in Bern

Shopping in Bern is closely tied to the Old Town's six kilometres of covered arcades, where independent bookshops, fashion retailers, galleries, jewellers and specialist stores occupy historic frontages beneath the Lauben. Marktgasse and Spitalgasse provide the busiest central retail route, while Kramgasse and Münstergasse combine shopping with historic architecture and cafés. Seasonal markets around Bundesplatz and the cathedral area sell flowers, produce, regional foods and handmade goods, with the Zibelemärit particularly associated with onions and autumn tradition. Visitors will find Swiss chocolate, cheese, biscuits, watches and practical regional products, though authentic purchases are not limited to souvenir shops. Neighbourhoods such as Lorraine and Breitenrain offer smaller independent businesses and a less formal retail atmosphere, while the station area is convenient for everyday shopping and travel essentials.

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Bern essentials

Currency and Payment
Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, written CHF or Fr, rather than the euro. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, museums, larger shops, restaurants and transport-related businesses, and contactless payment is common, although smaller cafés, market stalls and independent retailers may prefer or require cash. ATMs are readily available in central Bern and generally dispense Swiss francs; international cards may apply exchange or withdrawal fees. Euros may occasionally be accepted in tourist-facing businesses, but change is normally given in francs, so paying in Swiss francs usually offers clearer value.
Safety
Bern is generally straightforward to explore, but ordinary urban precautions remain sensible. Keep wallets and phones secure in crowded areas, particularly around the railway station, busy trams and market gatherings, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked vehicles. The Old Town is easy to walk around, though cobbles, tram tracks and uneven surfaces require attention. Take care beside the Aare: currents can be powerful, water levels change, and swimming or floating should be limited to locally recognised areas and conditions. At night, use well-lit routes and licensed transport if walking beyond the central districts.
Emergency Situations
For an immediate emergency in Switzerland, call 112, the European emergency number. The main national numbers are 117 for police, 118 for the fire service and 144 for ambulance and medical emergencies. Give the exact location, explain what has happened and follow the operator's instructions; multilingual assistance may be possible, but clear basic information is important. Pharmacies can advise on minor health problems, while visitors requiring urgent medical attention should use 144 or attend an emergency department. Travel insurance details, identification and information about regular medication are useful to keep accessible.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to the right on pavements and escalators, stand clear of tram doors and allow passengers to leave before boarding. Punctuality and quiet consideration are valued, particularly on public transport and in residential areas. Tipping is not compulsory because service is included, though rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is customary. Ask before photographing people closely, and observe signs in churches, museums and government buildings. Do not climb on historic structures or feed wildlife without permission. Swim in the Aare only where local guidance indicates suitable conditions, and never treat strong river currents casually.
Local Tips
The Old Town is most legible when explored along its main west-to-east axis, but the parallel arcades and small side streets reveal quieter courtyards, galleries and independent shops. Bundesplatz is a useful orientation point for the federal district, while the riverside Matte quarter offers a lower-level perspective on the city. The weekly markets around Bundesplatz and nearby streets add local colour when in operation, with seasonal produce and regional goods. For broad views, walk or take public transport towards the Rosengarten; for a cultural contrast, continue east to the Zentrum Paul Klee and its surrounding landscape.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloGueten Tag[güe-ten tahg]
GoodbyeUf Widerluege[oof vee-der-lee-geh]
YesJa[yah]
NoNei[ni]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[bi-teh]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie goht's?[vee gohts]
Fine. And you?Guet. Und dir?[güet. oont deer]
Do you speak English?Sprichsch Englisch?[shpree-sh eng-leesh]
I don't understandIch verstah nöd[eech fer-shtah nud]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseChasch mer bitte d'Menükarte zeige?[khash mehr bi-teh deh-men-oo-kar-teh zy-geh]
I don't eat meatIch ässe kei Fleisch[eech eh-seh kigh flysh]
Cheers!Zum Wohl![tzoom voohl]
I would like to pay, pleaseChasch mer bitte zahle?[khash mehr bi-teh tsah-luh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilf![hilf]
Go away!Gang wäg![gahng vehg]
Call the Police!Ruf d'Polizei![roof deh-poh-lee-tsai]
Call a doctor!Ruf en Arzt![roof en ahr-tsht]
I'm lostIch han mi verlore[eech hahn mee fehr-loreh]
I'm illIch bin chrank[eech been khrahnk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möcht ... koufe[eech muh-kt ... kow-fuh]
I'm just lookingIch luege nur[eech loo-geh noor]
How much is it?Wieviel koscht es?[vee-vee-el kohsht es]
That's too expensiveDas isch z' teuer[dahs ish tsoh toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Chasch du de Priis reduziere?[khash doo deh prees reh-doo-tsee-uh-ruh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wieviel Uhr isch es?[vee-vee-el oor ish es]
It's one o'clockEs isch eis Uhr[es ish eyes oor]
Half past (10)Halbi (zähni)[halb-ee tsay-nee]
MorningMorge[mohr-geh]
AfternoonNamittag[nah-mee-tahg]
EveningAbig[ah-beeg]
YesterdayGestere[geh-shteh-ruh]
TodayHüt[hoote]
TomorrowMorn[mohrn]
1Eis[eyes]
2Zwei[tsvy]
3Drei[dry]
4Vieri[vee-ree]
5Füfi[foo-fee]
6Sächsi[sahk-see]
7Sibi[see-bee]
8Achti[ahk-tee]
9Nüni[noo-nee]
10Zähni[tsay-nee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo isch ...?[voh ish]
What's the address?Was isch d'Adresse?[vahs ish dah-dreh-suh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Chasch mir (ufem Plan) zeige?[khash meer oof-uhm plahn zy-geh]
When's the next (bus)?Wänn fahrt de nächschte (Bus)?[vann fahrt deh naykshteh boos]
A ticket (to ....)E Billett (nach ...)[eh bee-leht nahkh]

History of Bern

The Zähringer Foundation

Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen on a defensible peninsula formed by the Aare. The settlement's name is traditionally associated with a bear encountered during the founding hunt, a symbol that remains central to the city's identity. Its earliest development centred on the western end of the peninsula, with expansion following the ridge eastwards as the population grew. The location offered natural protection while allowing control of routes through the Swiss plateau. Although the first town was modest, its planned streets and strategic position established the physical framework of the Old Town still visible today.

Imperial Privileges and Urban Growth

After the Zähringer dynasty became extinct in 1218, Bern came under the authority of the Holy Roman Empire and received privileges that strengthened its political independence. The city expanded beyond its original settlement, and successive gates and walls marked its growth along the peninsula. Bern's prosperity rested on trade, regional authority and the political influence of its citizens, who formed a powerful urban governing class. Fires, including the major fire of 1405, led to rebuilding in sandstone and helped create the arcaded streets and solid civic architecture that define the historic centre. The medieval layout survived despite later alterations.

Joining the Swiss Confederation

Bern entered the Swiss Confederation in 1353, becoming one of its most powerful members. During the late medieval and early modern periods, the city expanded its influence across surrounding territories and governed a large rural domain. Its political strength was supported by commerce, military campaigns and administrative institutions, while religious change reshaped public life during the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Bern adopted the Reformation in 1528 under the influence of Huldrych Zwingli's movement and Heinrich Bullinger's theological circle. The city's churches, guilds and government continued to shape the region long after the confessional upheavals had subsided.

From Ancien Régime to Revolution

By the eighteenth century, Bern was governed by a patrician elite whose authority extended over the city and its territories. Enlightenment ideas circulated among educated residents, even as political power remained concentrated. French forces invaded in 1798, ending the old Bernese political order and incorporating the region into the French-backed Helvetic Republic. The following decades brought instability, territorial changes and debate over the balance between cantonal and national authority. The restoration of the Swiss Confederation in 1815 returned greater autonomy to the cantons, but liberal movements continued to press for constitutional reform and broader political participation.

The Federal City

In 1848, following the Sonderbund conflict and the adoption of Switzerland's first federal constitution, Bern was chosen as the country's federal city, a role broadly equivalent to a capital. The decision brought national government institutions, administrative employment and new infrastructure to the city. The Federal Palace, or Bundeshaus, developed into the architectural centre of Swiss federal politics, while rail connections encouraged urban growth beyond the medieval peninsula. Bern also became associated with international diplomacy and intellectual life. In 1903, Albert Einstein took a post at the Swiss Patent Office here, and his years in Bern coincided with some of his most important scientific work.

A Modern City with Historic Continuity

The twentieth century brought industrialisation, expanded suburbs, modern transport and the growth of national administration, yet Bern retained an unusually intact historic core. The Old Town's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 formalised recognition of its medieval urban structure and architecture. Contemporary Bern combines federal institutions with universities, museums, technology and cultural organisations, while districts beyond the centre provide a more residential character. The Aare remains a defining geographical and social presence, linking historic identity with everyday activities such as riverside walking, swimming and seasonal outdoor life.

Bern in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Bern, Switzerland

Discover Bern with Evendo, the 100% free travel guide app. Covering attractions, landmarks, shops, restaurants, and more to make your trip unforgettable.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and activities
  • High-quality images and descriptions
  • Local tips and maps for easy navigation
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More about the Evendo app

Unlock the best of Bern with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. Free to use, it offers detailed insights into attractions, landmarks, and local experiences.

  • Contact details for seamless planning
  • Booking options for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
  • History of Bern and travel essentials
  • ‘Near Me’ feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Planning a trip to Bern, Switzerland? Let Evendo be your ultimate travel companion. This comprehensive app-based travel guide will help you explore the city’s iconic landmarks, famed restaurants, and hidden gems with ease. Whether you're eager to take a stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, marvel at the Zytglogge clock tower, or visit the Bear Park, Evendo has you covered. The app provides detailed information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, making it easy to plan your itinerary.

Looking for a dining experience? Discover top-rated restaurants like Kornhauskeller or Rosengarten, where you can indulge in Swiss cuisine while enjoying panoramic views of the city. For those interested in nightlife, Evendo points you to the best bars and nightclubs to make your evenings memorable. And if you’re keen on shopping, the app highlights popular shops and boutiques where you can find unique souvenirs.

With Evendo, you can effortlessly book hotels, tours, tickets, and various experiences directly through the app. No more endless searching for what to see, do, or how to get there. Everything you need is in one place, making your travel experience seamless and enjoyable. From exploring the Bern Historical Museum to taking a scenic tour of the Aare River, Evendo ensures you won’t miss a thing.

The app’s user-friendly interface includes features like 'Near Me,' which shows attractions and amenities close to your current location, and curated local tips to help you experience Bern like a true local. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free, with no in-app purchases or additional costs.

Not only does Evendo cover Bern, but it also offers travel guides for over 7,000 destinations worldwide. Download Evendo now and have the world in your pocket!

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