🇨🇭 Bern, Switzerland

Bern

Bern is the de facto capital of Switzerland. After Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne, Bern is Switzerland’s fifth largest city. In our opinion, the four most famous sights are the Zytglogge, Bern Minster, Spotting fountains and the Bärengraben. Planning to visit Bern? Check out all our recommendations below!

Our top 6 recommendations:

🇨🇭 Zytglogge

The Zytglogge (clock tower) is one of Bern’s main attractions and is located in the old city centre. The 23-metre-high tower itself used to be part of the western defence wall and was once Bern’s western city gate. Because the city has grown a lot over the years…

🇨🇭 Bern Minster

Bern Minster, also known as Bern Cathedral or St Vincent Cathedral, is the largest and most important ecclesiastical building in Switzerland. You can see Bern Minster standing from a great distance and it adds character to the old town. Construction…

🇨🇭 Spotting fountains

If you are in Bern, you are sure to come across them, the many extraordinary fountains that dot the old town. In the old town you will find 11, but the city of Bern has 102 fountains in total. The fountains all look different, consisting of the most striking and sometimes…

🇨🇭 Bärengraben

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks are the former Bärengraben or bear pits. According to a legend, the town of Bern owes its name to Duke Berthold V of Zähringen, said to have been founded in 1191 when the duke had killed a bear in this area. The new…

🇨🇭 Bundeshaus

A visit to Switzerland’s capital calls for a visit to the Swiss parliament building. On Bundesplatz, you will find the Bundeshaus where the Swiss parliament is located. The square in front of the Bundeshaus has many fountains that you will see many children playing…

🇨🇭 Old city and the Aare

Old Town in Bern is well worth its place on the Unesco World Heritage List. The old town has preserved much of its medieval character and is perched on a kind of cliff surrounded on three sides by the azure waters of the Aare. Fun activities are often…