All citiesBern Things to do and walking itinerary
Switzerland Bern travel guide
26 things to do in Bern, where to stay, airport transfers, 3 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Bern
- Bear Park — The city's emblematic bears live on a green riverside slope here, next to the old bear pit. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Zytglogge — medieval clock tower with astronomical clock and carillon in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Bern Minster — church building in the old city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kunstmuseum Bern — museum in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Zentrum Paul Klee — museum collection in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Historical Museum of Bern — building of the historical museum in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kunsthalle Bern — museum in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bern City Theatre — theatre and opera house in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Einsteinhaus — museum and a former residence of Albert Einstein in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Swiss Literary Archives — Literary archive in Bern, which collects and researches literary bequests and estates in the four Swiss national languages. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Church of Saints Peter and Paul — christ catholic church building on Rathausgasse in Bern's Old Town, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fountain of Justice — figure fountain with two side basins in the old town of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- ALPS — Swiss Alpine Museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Protestant Church of the Holy Ghost — church building in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Käfigturm — former city gate and fortified tower from the 17th century in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Bundesplatz — public square in front of the Bundeshaus in city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Natural History Museum of Bern — museum in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Zähringerbrunnen — figure fountain from the 16th century in the Kramgasse in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- St. Paul's Church — evangelical reformed church building on Freiestrasse in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Botanical Garden Bern — botanical garden located in Bern, the capital city of Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Erlacherhof — former city palace and present seat of the Mayor of the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Pfeiferbrunnen — fountain with bagpipe playing musician on fountain stick in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Rose Garden Bern — rose garden in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Tierpark Bern — zoo in Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Felsenburg — historical Castle in Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Universal Post Monument — monumental decorative fountain "Autour du monde " in the city of Bern, Switzerland (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Bern walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town (Altstadt). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 5.7 km · 7,680 steps · 1 h 15 min on the way): Bern Minster → Bear Park → Zentrum Paul Klee → Historical Museum of Bern → Kunsthalle Bern
- Day 2 (≈ 1.8 km · 2,460 steps · 23 min on the way): Zytglogge → Kunstmuseum Bern → Bern City Theatre
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Bern
- Marzili Aare Baths — Free open-air baths below Parliament; in summer locals jump into the Aare upstream and drift down to here. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Where to stay in Bern
- Old Town (Altstadt): UNESCO-listed arcaded streets, clock tower and cathedral.
- Around the Station: All trains and trams here; the Old Town is right next door.
- Länggasse: University quarter; affordable cafés and a local feel.
- Lorraine: Relaxed area with alternative bars.
- Matte: Quiet and picturesque on the Aare river.
- Kirchenfeld: Quiet, elegant district with museums.
Getting from the airport to Bern
- Zurich (ZRH): Direct train ≈ 1 h 15 min
- Bern-Belp (BRN): S-Bahn to Belp + bus 160 ≈ 30 min
Getting around
The Old Town is small and walkable; trams and buses leave from the station. The Bern Ticket from hotels gives free public transport.
Classic places to eat
- Kornhauskeller: Swiss food in a grand vaulted cellar.
- Altes Tramdepot: Brewpub by the Bear Park; house beer and rösti.
- Restaurant Harmonie: Old Bernese restaurant for classic cheese fondue.
- Della Casa: Traditional Bernese dishes in a wood-panelled room.
- Confiserie Tschirren: One of the city's oldest confectioners; handmade chocolate.
- Adrianos Bar & Café: Small, much-loved coffee bar on Theaterplatz.
- Klötzlikeller: The city's oldest wine cellar.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Steinhalle — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative
- Wein & Sein — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
- ZOE — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Rose Garden (Sunset): The hill looks over the old town rooftops and the bend of the Aare.
- Federal Terrace (Early morning): Behind the Federal Palace you see the Aare and, on clear days, the Alps.
- Minster Terrace (Evening): A tree-shaded terrace beside the cathedral above the river.
- Gurten (Sunset): The city's home hill shows Bern and the Alps in one view.
Football stadiums in Bern
- Stadion Wankdorf: Home of BSC Young Boys
Good to know before visiting Bern
- Fine: Buy tickets before boarding; they aren't sold on trains and fare dodgers are fined.
- Fine: A motorway vignette is mandatory.
- Fine: Speeding fines are very high and can be income-based for serious cases.
- Fine: Since 2025 face coverings are banned in public places.
- Warning: Mountain weather changes fast and rescue is costly; check your insurance.
- Quiet is expected on Sundays and at night; recycling rules are strict.
- Emergency: 112 (police 117, ambulance 144, fire 118)
- Plugs: C/J, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water and most street fountains are drinkable.
- Tipping: Service is included; rounding up is enough.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Switzerland, Wikivoyage — Switzerland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Bern travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Bern?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Bern?
- Highlights: Bear Park, Zytglogge, Bern Minster, Kunstmuseum Bern and Zentrum Paul Klee. The map has 26 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Bern?
- Old Town (Altstadt): UNESCO-listed arcaded streets, clock tower and cathedral. Other options: Around the Station, Länggasse, Lorraine, Matte and Kirchenfeld.
- How do you get from the airport to Bern city centre?
- Zurich (ZRH): Direct train ≈ 1 h 15 min · Bern-Belp (BRN): S-Bahn to Belp + bus 160 ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Bern?
- The Old Town is small and walkable; trams and buses leave from the station. The Bern Ticket from hotels gives free public transport.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Bern?
- According to the last known data there are 3 starred restaurants: Steinhalle (1 star), Wein & Sein (1 star), ZOE (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Bern?
- Emergency: 112 (police 117, ambulance 144, fire 118).
- Do you tip in Bern?
- Service is included; rounding up is enough.
Nearby cities
Lucerne · Zurich · Geneva · Vaduz · Strasbourg · Turin · Milan · Lyon
Switzerland travel guide: all cities · All cities