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Things to do in Bern

With its medieval old town, oriental hammam, and proximity to the Alps, the Swiss capital caters to all.

Our most recommended things to do in Bern

Bern: 90-Minute Stroll Through the Old Town

1. Bern: 90-Minute Stroll Through the Old Town

On this 90-minute stroll through Bern’s Old Town, your local guide will tell you about the city‘s 8 centuries of history. On rainy days, you can still enjoy this atmospheric area, as the arcades provide shelter. Admire the late Gothic Cathedral (Münster) with its stunning portal and rendering of the Last Judgment. See the 13th-century Clock Tower (Zytglogge), where you can watch the fascinating show that happens on the hour. Who knows, you might even meet up with a member of the Federal Council in front of the Parliament building! Come along and discover the charms of the Swiss capital and this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a pleasant and leisurely walk.

Bern: Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower

2. Bern: Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower

Conceived in the 1300s, the clock tower is one of the remainders of Bern's first city walls. For over 600 years, the clock has struck on the hour. Inside, time seems to stand still and cool solitude awaits. The reliable ticks of the Middle Age technology impart a steadiness to visitors. Approximately 130 steps to the top of the spiral staircase lead you to a lookout platform. From here, see the roofs of the old city and maybe even the Alps. Visit the clockwork with your guide and follow the puppet show step by step until the famous rooster crows.

Bern: Gruyères Cheese Factory & Maison Cailler Tasting Tour

3. Bern: Gruyères Cheese Factory & Maison Cailler Tasting Tour

Admire breathtaking landscapes of Gruyères. At the top of the hill, take a deep breath of pure mountain air and listen to the cowbells in the pasturelands. Taste typical Swiss cheese while watching the cheesemakeing process. Smell chocolate and taste one of the most famous swiss delicacies in the chocolate factory Cailler. A memorable day full of tasting and nice feelings.

Bern: Hammam and Spa Admission

4. Bern: Hammam and Spa Admission

The Bernese Hammam has been installed in a former building which was home of one of the first Gas boiler in Switzerland, an octagonal building. The oriental spa represents the latest magnificent manifestation of a tradition spanning two millennia. Enjoy a unique bathing experience across four floors.  The bathing ritual is based on the gradual warming up and cleansing of the body and follows a fixed course. Begin with the so-called "pestemal", a cotton cloth that binds to the body. In the first herbal steam room , Sogukluk, feel your body being warmed to 38 degrees Celcius.  In the second room, Kese, your body is scrubbed with a rough glove to remove dead skin cells.  "Sicaklik" is the central room in the middle of the octagon with the warm relaxation bath.  After the bath, the next step is the steam room. In the "Bingül" your pores open to the hot herbal steam at 48° Celcius. In the fifth room, "Lif", the second exfoliation with soap takes place. On a big warmed umbilical stone let your body relax and dive into the comfort of the hammam.

Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimited Travel on Train, Bus & Boat

5. Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimited Travel on Train, Bus & Boat

The Swiss Travel Pass is a must-have for any traveler to Switzerland. You can enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to over 90 cities and towns and benefit from free entrance to 500+ museums, discounted city tours, and access to private and scenic trains with a pre-requisite seat reservation. There are two broad types of Swiss Travel Pass: Continuous and Flexi, with an option to choose from 3, 4, 8, and 15 days. Apart from it being an ‘all-in-one’ pass which allows a traveler to access all modes of public transportation within the country, it also offers numerous other benefits on the mountain excursions. So be it the adventurous, the avid or the leisure traveler, you will have the chance to make the most of your Switzerland Travel Pass.

Zurich: 6-Day Guided Tour of Switzerland with Accommodation

6. Zurich: 6-Day Guided Tour of Switzerland with Accommodation

Day 1: Arrival at Zurich Airport. Your local driver will greet you at the arrival hall of Zurich Airport, lead you to your comfortable seat in a business-type car or a minivan, and enjoy a smooth ride to the hotel. After having some rest and leisure time, you may consider enjoying one of the many things to do in Zurich supplied to you through a guided brochure. Day 2: Zurich - Lucerne - Interlaken. Explore Zurich city during a 2-hour walking tour while listening to historical facts and admiring the main sights of the Old Town, Grossmunster church, Bahnhofstrasse, Paradeplatz, Fraumuenster church, and the Limmatquai. Explore the beauty of Lucerne reflected through the Chapel Bridge, the Old Town, Lion Monument, Jesuit Church, among other beautiful jewels like the Fresco-painted buildings. Overnight at Interlaken. Day 3: Interlaken - Bern - Gruyères - Interlaken. Ride to Bern city, where the guide will be waiting for you with a 2-hour walking tour, will the main sights as the Holy Ghost Church, a stroll through Spitalgasse street and Barenplatz, and witness the Government Palace and the central masterpiece of Bern - the Clock Tower. Gruyeres - a medieval and picturesque town. The homeland for Swiss cheese and chocolate welcomes you during visits to La Maison du Gruyère & Maison Cailler. Admire the charming town of Gruyères while strolling and visiting its castle, dating back to the 13th century. Day 4: Interlaken - Grindelwald - Lauterbrunnen - Interlaken Following your breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Grindelwald. Grindelwald is among the famous Swiss ski destinations, a charming town at the foot of the Eiger and Wetterhorn mountains. Stroll in this beautiful village while inhaling its fresh air in a very relaxing atmosphere. Get your shuttle to reach Lauterbrunnen - a small Swiss village with the finest scenery one can expect to see. The town offers mountain peaks with 72 breathtaking waterfalls and fresh Alpine meadows. After Lauterbrunnen's exploration, you will get the shuttle back for half an hour to return to your hotel in Interlaken and rest for the next adventurous day. Day 5: Interlaken - Zurich Topping the list is the funicular to the top of Interlaken - Harder Kulm, which transfers you in 8-10 minutes to a quiet Alpine landscape( optional). It is a perspective at 1,321 meters in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland. In addition, you may consider taking a paddleboat on Lake Thun or Brienz (optional). Another nostalgic funicular experience available in the spring and summer seasons is the Heimwehfluh Interlaken which transfers you to the romantic lookout tower while enjoying the exclusive views of Interlaken, Thun, and Brienz lakes as well as the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks (optional) Day 6: Zurich - Zurich Airport At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch your return flight.

From Zürich: Glacier Express Train Round-Trip Private Tour

7. From Zürich: Glacier Express Train Round-Trip Private Tour

Travel on the worldwide known Glacier-Express-Train with a private guide. Enjoy a round trip by train and spend four hours on the panoramic coach from Chur to Brig, crossing 291 bridges, passing 91 tunnels, and climbing up to approximately 7000 feet (2033m) above sea level by train. Experience travel on the Glacier-Express while passing spectacular valleys and mountains. According to your preferences, a short walk around in Chur or Brig can take place (while transfer times to/from Glacier Express). Your guide will show you the changing landscape, answer your questions about the country and its people, and show you a few places away from the tourist flow.

Express Walk of Bern with a Local

8. Express Walk of Bern with a Local

Discover Bern in a nutshell and learn about the history, local lifestyle and modern transformation of the city of Bern during this 1-hour walking experience. This experience is offered by a private local guide. During your walk through Switzerland’s capital, you will learn all about the local lifestyle and politics. You will be able to attain insider tips about cafes, restaurants and bars to visit, plus how to make the most of the city’s nightlife. Walking through the wide, well-organised cobblestone streets, you will discover the city’s many well-known fountains. Discover the famous clock tower and parliament house and stroll on the beautiful paths next to Aare River. Learn about the history and culture of the city from a local who loves the city and wants you to love it too!

Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Audio Tour

9. Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Audio Tour

Get to know Bern at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. After downloading the app onto your phone (instructions received via email after booking), set out on an adventure that will take you to 10 attractions in Bern by using integrated maps. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. As you explore, solve a location-based riddle at each attraction and unlock the next location you need to visit. The app includes facts and information about each location you stop at, so you'll gain local know-how about the city. Put your skills to the text and work as a team and use logic, imagination, observation, and problem solving to make your way around the city. Along the way, you can stop for a coffee, lunch, or a break at any time. Start your tour at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Switzerland's largest Protestant church! Visit the Swiss Parliament House, the home of the Republic in Bern. Photograph the Käfigturm while learning about its history and admire the Stadttheater Bern with its excellent acoustics. Then the Old City of Berne looks like something out of a fairy tale, don't forget to take pictures. The Zähringerbrunnen will leave you speechless with its beauty. Admire the City Hall with its heavy symbolism! The Nydeggkirche is worth your time and phone memory for its beautiful architecture, while the Cathedral of Bern, the impressive Gothic church will be another addition to your indelible memory. The icing on the cake of this unique tour will be the Bernisches Historisches Museum / Einstein Museum with its endless exhibits.

From Zurich/Lucerne: Berne Capital and Countryside Day-Trip

10. From Zurich/Lucerne: Berne Capital and Countryside Day-Trip

Enjoy a small group tour of the Swiss capital of Berne, with round-trip transfers by air-conditioned minibus from either Zurich or Lucerne. Drive along scenic roads through stunning landscapes, and get a flavor of the rural highlights of the Entlebuch Valley (Switzerland's first UNESCO Biosphere) and Emmental Valley. See some of the many farms scattered across the pristine moors and Alpine pastures. Cross the border to the idyllic Emmental Valley to reach Trubschachen. Here, enjoy a biscuit tasting at the Kambly Experience and discover the origins of Switzerland's best-known premium biscuit brand. Learn the fine art of biscuit making and watch master confectioners at work. Indulge in the unique flavors of Kambly's biscuits, tasting as many of the tantalizing varieties as you like. Continue through typical Bernese back country en route to the capital. Upon arrival in Berne, burn off some calories on an informative walking tour of the charming Old Town. Marvel at the late Gothic architecture of the cathedral (Münster). Stroll under characteristic arcades to the Zytglogge (Clock Tower). Pay a visit to the Parliament building overlooking the beautiful River Aare. Then, enjoy some time at leisure for lunch (not included) and some souvenir shopping. Continue in the afternoon through the fascinating rural landscapes of the Emmental Valley. Admire the vast roofs that shelter prosperous Emmental farmhouses. Glory in the red of the geraniums in their windows. See grazing cows on green hills producing the best milk; the principal ingredient for Emmental cheese. Stop at the Emmentaler show dairy for the highlight of the day. Tour the show dairy on the audio-visual "King's Way" and learn more about the history of the world's most famous cheese. Marvel at the gigantic wheels of cheese in the impressive cellar before indulging your senses during a cheese tasting only an arm's length away from the master cheesemaker's workplace. Take a picture stop with amazing views over the gentle green hills of the Emmental to the triple peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. After, drive back with a goodie bag full of Swiss delicacies collected at the visited attractions throughout the day.

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Frequently asked questions about Bern

What top attractions are a must-see in Bern?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Bern?

The best day trips and excursions from Bern are:

Interlaken

Other Sightseeing Options in Bern

Want to discover all there is to do in Bern? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Bern

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 499 reviews

The best investment to get to know Switzerland. The 4-day pass is valid from 00:00 on the first day and ends at 05:00 on the fifth day. So it gives a good margin. You don't have to activate anything, just show the pass to the conductor or at the museum ticket office.

We made use of the Swiss Travel Pass. It was amazing. The ticket arrived right and fast. And great value. I recommend

Lots of fun! It directs the touring trail, gives information about the sites, and adds some fun and games.

Worth a 2-week journey as we used the trains a lot. Also it works as a museum pass as well.

Amazing! Even worth the trip. This clock is more than 500 years old!