Top 6 things to do in Bern

Just a few kilometres from the French capital of Paris is another capital known for its delicious cheese and tender chocolate. It’s Bern, in Switzerland. Its tourist heritage, the attractions that make its inhabitants proud and its lively cultural life make it an excellent place for an educational stay. Yes, the city is also known for specialising in science and research. As a result, your outings will be punctuated by a visit to a historic museum, followed by a lively excursion to a park. Bern never ceases to amaze, intrigue and captivate. Below, discover the six must-try activities if you’re planning a stay in Switzerland’s capital par excellence.

What to do in Bern

1. The Old Town

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: Aaahhh the old town and its peaceful setting… Berne is unique in that it is situated on a hill encircled by the River Aar. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a great place to start your visit to the city. What particularly strikes tourists? It’s undoubtedly the sandstone buildings and six kilometres of arcades that make the city so unique and form a whole, where walking through the cobbled streets is a fantastic activity. And old town means merchants and restaurants, dear friends. That’s right! So keep your eyes peeled and let yourself be guided by the delicious smells emanating from the nearby restaurants and cafés… It’s here that your stomach will be able to blossom and all your senses will be stirred. With a waffle in hand, stroll along the fountains, under the arcades dating back to the 15th century, the various historic buildings…

2. The Clock Tower

Category: €/Cultural

Description : Tick-tock, time marches on… The “Zytglogge” (clock tower) is one of the most famous monuments in Switzerland. As well as being able to admire the sublime astronomical clock, you can also enjoy a show where small automata follow one another to give you a real show in time! There’s a representation of Chronos, the god of time, the golden cockerel, the bear and the madman: young and old alike love it. But what about the inside? Will you believe us when we tell you that visitors have the feeling that time has stood still? The stone walls and large medieval beams give you the impression of stepping back in time, while the mechanics are captivating. Many people say that the clock tower is their greatest discovery in Bern, but what about you?

3. Saint Vincent’s Cathedral

Category: €/Cultural

Description: This is undoubtedly the most impressive monument in the entire city of Bern, and one of the main reasons why people decide to opt for a stay in Switzerland today. It is, after all, the highest bell tower in the country, standing at almost 100 metres high and offering a splendid view of the city and its surroundings. It is surrounded by gleaming greenery, the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland, and charming water features. Its construction dates back to the 15th century, to 1421 to be precise, and spans several generations. Yes, because over time, enthusiasts and architects have made a number of changes and constantly embellished the building, which has finally become the one we know today. The only hitch is that it takes at least 340 steps to reach the top, so you’d better bring a few litres of water to avoid getting thirsty afterwards. But believe us, it’s well worth the effort and the reward!

4. The Bear Pit

Category: €€/Insolite

Description: Didn’t you know? The bear is the totem animal of the city of Bern. So if you’re a fan of this robust mammal, a symbol of the power of nature, you’ll be glad you came to the Bear Pit. It’s a park perfectly equipped for these animals, so you can see them up close and learn more about their lifestyle and history. However, we’d like to remind you to avoid disappointment: if you’re visiting Bern in winter, you won’t be able to get to the bear pit, as our bear friends are hibernating! The bear pit is a tourist attraction that attracts large numbers of visitors every year, and you should allow at least two to four hours to visit it, as there is so much to see. It’s typically the kind of unusual but chill activity that families enjoy doing in the afternoon.

5. Bern History Museum and Einstein Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: The two museums are housed in a single building, which is in fact a former neo-Gothic castle dating from the late 1890s. As for the history museum, this is where you’ll find out all there is to know about the city’s history and civilisation: it’s only by going back to the past that you’ll be able to understand what the present is like and why Berne is what it is today. You’ll find some 500,000 items from the Stone Age to the present day. As for the Einstein Museum, did you know that Einstein lived in Bern from 1879 to 1955? More precisely, when he revolutionised the world with his theory of relativity in 1905. It was precisely here that all conceptions of space and time were turned upside down. The museum tells the story of the physicist’s career, focusing on certain key periods in his life.

6. Gurten Hill

Category: Sports

Description: You can’t leave Bern without climbing Gurten Hill. It’s true that you’ll have to climb 858 metres (sports fans will be pleased), but you can also get there by taking the funicular railway. At the top, you’ll find a playground and a railway: you can sit back and admire the view while your little ones play amongst themselves. Often described as “a paradise of green meadows”, the Gurten hill is a perfect destination for those who love nature and need a breath of fresh air. With cows grazing peacefully and barely noticing your presence, you’ll feel part of nature. There’s also a toboggan run, restaurants and an open-air theatre. Up there, the famous expression “feeling like the king of the world” will take on its full meaning…