Bern It is the capital of Swiss. Even if Bern (in German: Bern ) is the seat of most of the Swiss confederation institutions, this is just a small to medium-sized city with a population of around 130,000 in the city proper and about 350,000 in the urban agglomeration. It sits on a peninsula formed by the meanders of the Aare River. The remarkable consistency of the design of Bern's Old Town has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has 6.4 km (4 miles) of arcaded walkways along streets adorned with fountains and clock towers.
There is Tourist Information Centers outside the main train station and at the Old Tram Depot next to the Bear Pit.
Understand
Thanks to its picturesque location next to the Aare river and the beautiful buildings that line the cobbled streets of its medieval quarter, Bern is one of the most beautiful cities in Swiss. Despite hosting the Federal Assembly, being the capital of the country, a university city and the headquarters of several international organizations, it preserves the atmosphere of a provincial city.
Bern stretches across a narrow, elevated spit of land that sits in a tight bend in the River Aare. It was founded by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen, in 1191, and its coat of arms sports a bear. Legend has it that the duke decided to baptize the new settlement with the name of the first animal he killed in his next hunt: it was a bear (bär) and, true to his decision, the duke called the city Bärn. After the demise of the Zähringen dynasty, Bern became a free city. His power and prosperity increased and in 15353 he joined the Swiss Confederation.
A fire destroyed its wooden buildings in 1405 and the city was rebuilt in stone. The beautiful old town of Bern dates from that period.
In 1528, the Bernese declared themselves in favor of the Reformation and supported the Protestant cause. In the 16th century, ruled by a prosperous nobility, it was a powerful city-state that, in the 17th and 18th centuries, expanded its territory. After being invaded by Napoleonic forces in 1798, Bern lost part of its lands, but was elected federal capital in 1848.
In the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st it has continued its expansion. With a mostly German-speaking population, it is the educational center of Swiss, and the headquarters of important industries.
His helmet has been declared Heritage of humanity by unesco.
Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berthold V von Zähringen and was part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was made a free imperial city by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in 1218 after Berthold died without heir.
In 1353 Bern joined the Swiss confederation. After conquering several rivals, Bern became the largest independent city-state north of the Alps. It was occupied by French troops in 1798 during the French Revolutionary Wars and was stripped of much of its territory. The city became the capital of Switzerland in 1848.
Bern was one of the eight host cities of the 2008 European Soccer Championship.
To get
Located in central Switzerland, Bern is easily accessible from all parts of the country.
By plane
- Bern-Belp airport (10 km south of the city, on Highway 8 west of the Aare River). This airport is a small matter. (updated Mar 2019 | edit)
To get to the city, take the 334 or 160 bus to the Belp train station (10 minutes). Frequent local S-bahn trains connect Belp to Bern Main Station, in total 40 minutes. The bus runs every 30 minutes between 05:10 and 23:10, and the first and last buses of the day go directly to the Bern train station. The transfer is free if you have booked accommodation in Bern, just show your confirmation letter; otherwise, P. 7 in each direction.
A taxi to the city costs about 40 Fr and takes 20 minutes.
For a better choice of flights, fly to Geneva (GVAIATA), Zurich (ZRHIATA) or Basel (BSLIATA) and then take the train to Bern.
By train
Bern is the center of the Swiss federal rail network. The trains Express ( InterCity ) connect twice an hour to Geneva, Basel and Zurich, as well as to Zurich and Geneva airports. Hourly express trains connect to most other cities, including Interlaken, Brig, and Lucerne.
2 Bern railway station .In a shopping center surrounded by cafes and other shops. The information kiosk and the main bank of ticket vending machines are located at the back, under the large departure board. (updated July 2018 | edit)
For timetables and connections, see Swiss Federal Railway. For the best travel deals, check out the Swiss Travel Planner - Walk-in full-fare tickets are expensive. And see also Switzerland # Moving # by train.
By bus
Eurolines, Flixbus and RegioJet connect Bern with several European cities by bus.
By car
Bern is easily accessible by the national motorway network from all directions and has several exits from the A1, A12 and A6 motorways.
Travel
Bern has an excellent public transport system, with frequent local city services provided by trams, trolley buses, and buses, along with an S-Bahn rail system for longer trips to the surrounding suburbs. Tickets are valid for all modes of transport within a certain zone and time. The suburbs of Bern, Biel and Solothurn form a common public transport network called "Libero-Tarifverbund". Tickets can be purchased as a single ticket, six-ride savings ticket, day pass, and weekly, monthly, or annual passes.
Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at most stops or with a smartphone using the SBB mobile app. They are valid for all modes of public transport within the areas they cover. A ticket valid in central urban areas (100 and 101) for 60 minutes costs Fr. 4.60 (March 2019).
Since June 2014, all hotel accommodations in Bern include the "Bern-Ticket", which allows free use of public transport within the city (zones 100 and 101) during the stay, including the Gurten funicular and transfer from and towards the airport.
By bus
The bus and tram lines operated by Bernmobil are complemented by yellow bus lines Postauto that connect with the suburbs. Almost all lines are interconnected at the main train station and operate at intervals of between 5 and 30 minutes.
- Bernmobil ,☏ [31 321 88 88]. Operator of local tram and bus services, and provides timetables and other information on its website or over the phone.
In taxi
Several taxi companies operate in Bern, including Nova Taxi (41 31 331 33 13), Bären Taxi (41 31 371 11 11) and Taxi Bern (41 31 333 88 88). Taxis can be booked by phone or at the main train station.
By car
As in most Swiss cities, parking spaces are rare and expensive. There are several paid parking stations, including at the main train station. As the city center is quite small and all the main attractions are within walking distance, it is a good option to park in a "park and ride" and take public transport to the city center. Using the car in the old town is very difficult and not recommended.
Motorcyclists will find free dedicated parking spaces at various locations around the Old Town perimeter, including near Waisenhausplatz and at the main train station.
Watch
clock tower Today it is one of the main tourist attractions in Bern. The artistic astronomical calendar clock and chime date back to 1530. The tower served as the city's main clock and was therefore a landmark for Bern. From there, the walking hours recorded on the hourly stones of the cantonal routes were measured. In the passage of the gate the length measurements for public controls are fixed, before the rod and the breaststroke, now the meter and the double meter.
Bear park The heraldic animal of Bern has been released on the banks of the Aare. In the new and spacious Bear Park, a space has been created for the bears Björk and Finn where they can climb, fish and play freely, as well as rest and be alone. The visit to the Bear Park will be a very special experience for young and old. The guide paths lead the visitor through the entire enclosure to the banks of the Aare and facilitate the observation of bears in their natural environment. Almost touching you can see the bears playing, bathing and climbing.
general information: • the visit to the Bear Park is free • the park is open 365 days a year • same location: the entrance to the park is located in front of the old Bear Pit (bus line 12 “Bärengraben”) • inhabitants: 4 brown bears, Björk, Finn, Berna and Ursina
Experiences in the Bear Park: • guide paths throughout the park • river bath for bears • caves • observation points with binoculars • infrared cameras and webcams in the caves • audio guide and mobile guide • BärenPark iPhone application • museum and shop next to the old Bear Pit • Guided tours on request
BärenparkGrosser Muristalden 63006 Bern031 328 12 12
Federal Palace: Construction of the Federal Palace began in 1852 (the current western palace). In 1884 it was complemented with the east palace, of inverse reflection, and finally in 1902 it was completed with the central building of the parliament, forming the current complex of three buildings. 38 artists from all regions of Switzerland were in charge of the decoration. The Federal Palace is the seat of the Swiss government (Federal Council) and of parliament (National Council and Council of States), whose building was completed in 1902. In the nave of the central dome and the rooms of the two chambers there are numerous representations symbolic of Swiss history. BundeshausBundesgasse 3 3005 Bern 0 31 322 85 22
Federal SquareIn the Federal Square (Bundesplatz) state receptions, political demonstrations, cultural events and various sporting events are held. The vegetable, fruit and flower market, popular with Bernese people, takes place twice a week.
After its renovation, the Federal Square was inaugurated on July 31 and August 1, 2004 (national holiday). Instead of the previous car park, today it is a meeting place frequented by young and old. The traditional weekly market also takes place here.
The water park located in front of the Federal Palace, with 26 water jets representing the Swiss cantons, is particularly attractive. From now on, the Federal Square should be a lively place in the center of Bern. Different events will serve as a magnet for the public and visitors.
The Bern Minster The Bern Minster (Münster) is the largest sacred building in Switzerland. Construction began in 1421 and the work on this masterpiece lasted several generations. It was completed in 1893. A prominent feature is the portal, where you can admire the representation of the Last Judgment.
344 steps above the entrance is the viewpoint of this work of art, in its 100 m high tower.
From the tallest church tower in Switzerland, a magnificent panorama of the city opens before the visitor, reaching far out to the Bernese Mittelland region and the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland.
From the tallest church tower in Switzerland, a magnificent panorama of the city opens up to the visitor, stretching far to the Bernese Mittelland region and the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland.
The Bern Cathedral is the largest and most important late medieval church in Switzerland. As the dominant building in Bern's Old Town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the cathedral has significant urban significance Berner MünsterMünsterplatz 1Postfach 5323000 Bern 8 (41) 031 312 04 62
The Rose Garden The Rose Garden is a large park, with beautiful views of Bern's Old Town and the bend of the Aare. In the park there are 220 varieties of roses, 200 kinds of lilies and swampy beds with 28 varieties of rhododendrons.
From 1765 to 1877, the Rose Garden served as the lower town's cemetery. Since 1913, it has been a public facility of lush floral splendor and a pond. From 1956 to 1962 the park was remodeled and enriched with plantations of rhododendrons, azaleas and the lily garden. A gazebo and a reading garden invite you to relax. The Rosengarten restaurant induces lingering and overlooks the rows of houses in the historic city center.
Einstein House The Einstein House is located in the heart of the old town, on Kramgasse 49, about 200 meters from the Clock Tower (Zytglogge).
Albert Einstein rented the apartment from 1903 to 1905 and lived there with his wife Mileva and their son Hans Albert. Period furniture is displayed in the second floor apartment, as well as images and texts presented with modern display systems.
On the third floor you can see a film about the whole life of Albert Einstein.
To buy
As with most other cities in Switzerland, the opening and closing hours of shops in Bern are strictly regulated. All stores, including grocery stores, close at 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, except on Thursdays when they remain open until 9:00 p.m. Aldi supermarkets are an exception, closing at 8pm during the week. On Saturdays everything must close at 17:00. On Sundays, all shops are closed, except those in the main train station, which are open 7 days a week until approximately 10pm and which include the Migros and Coop supermarkets.
Rathausgasse and the parallel streets have a lot of cute shops with an incredible variety of handicraft and luxury items. This is not the normal range of Swiss souvenirs, but it does have some really cool stuff. There are a couple of valuable examples below, but the real treat is spending a few hours (or days) exploring the arcades and display cases.
- Yamatuti , Aarbergergasse 16-18, ☏ [31 318 26 56]. MW F 10: 00–18: 30, Thu 10: 00–21: 00, Sat 10: 00–17: 00. Unique toys and kitschy collectibles fill the walls of this cramped space. Edit
- Krompholz music , Effingerstrasse 51, 3008 Bern (Visit the website to find out which tram lines to take and the stops.), ☏ [31 311 3489], ✉ [[1]]. Mon-Sat 10: 00-17: 00. What makes this store special is its huge collection of sheet music and music instructional materials at English . Very good CD section with many Swiss artists, both pop and folk. Edit
There are several second-hand bookstores that sell cheap books in German, English and French:
- Bücherbergwerk Monbijou , Monbijoustrasse 16 (on the street where tram line 9 descends from Hirschengraben near the main station, in the basement of the building marked SWICA), ☏ [31381 71 25]. Tue-F 10: 00-17: 00 and Sat 11: 00-15: 00. The used bookstore of the Swiss Workers' Aid Society. Edit
- Bücher-Brockenhaus Bern , Rathausgasse 34 (in the old town between the Zytglogge and the Rathaus), ☏ [31 311 44 59]. Tue-F 14: 00–18: 30, Sat 09: 00–12: 00, 14: 00–16: 00. Edit
To eat
| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one , including soda: | |
| Budget | Under P. 25 |
| Middle range | P. 25 to 50 |
| Waste | About P. 50 |
Eating in Bern (or almost anywhere in Switzerland) can be an expensive proposition for foreign tourists. Be sure to "shop around" before deciding on a restaurant, as many of them cater to foreign tourists (especially those serving traditional Swiss food) and have inflated their prices accordingly. Most Bernese natives prefer Italian, Asian, or other non-local cuisine, so finding a traditional Swiss restaurant with acceptable prices can be a daunting experience. Be patient and you will persevere without breaking the bank.
Budget
- Suan long, Rail City, below the main station, Bern, ☏ [31 311 87 88]. Low-priced Chinese meals, wide variety of dishes, including a good vegetarian selection. Quick and ideal service if you are waiting for a train. Especially recommended if you like spicy food! P. 17-25. Edit
- Beaulieu , Erlachstrasse 3, ☏ [31301 24 59], fax: 41 31 305 86 55. Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 11:30, Friday from 08:00 to 00:30, Saturdays from 10:00 to 22:00. Old-fashioned restaurant serving traditional Swiss and Bernese cuisine at very affordable prices. Popular with students due to its proximity to the university; equally popular with local workers. It is definitely not a restaurant for tourists, go here if you want to meet the Bernese among them. Edit
- Sous le Pont ,☏ [31 306 69 55], ✉ [[2]]. Tue-Fr 11: 30–14: 30 and 18: 00–00: 00, Sat 19: 00–00: 00, Sun 10: 00–16: 00. A good restaurant in the complex Reitschule serving excellent dishes. Edit
- Wäbere , Gerechtigkeitsgasse 68, ☏ [31 311 42 58], fax: 41 31 312 20 67. Mon-Sat 11: 00-23: 00. Excellent soups, a good interpretation of Swiss standards, such as cheese fondue, and a decent amount of vegetarian options. Many items available in half portions. P. 14-24. Edit
Middle range
- Old tram depot (Altes Tramdepot), Grosser Muristalden (across the bridge at the eastern end of the city center, next to the bear pit), ☏ [31 368 14 15]. 11: 00-23: 00. Trams used to end here: today it is a trolleybus route. Good and hearty Swiss food. Variety of dishes, from inexpensive rösti to more expensive meat specialties. On-site brewery with traditional beers available. Bench seats with great atmosphere. P. 20-40. (updated July 2018 | edit)
- Cafe Fédéral , Bärenplatz 31, ☏ [31 311 16 24]. Elegant and modern atmosphere and international cuisine. Located opposite the Bundeshaus, its popularity with politicians during the "Session" is legendary. It specializes in entrecôtes (a kind of steak), but has other dishes, including vegetarian ones. Edit
- Casino Restaurant , Herrengasse 25, ☏ [31 328 03 28], ✉ [[3]] .On the banks of the River Aare, overlooking the river and mountains to the south. Dishes include excellent pasta with mushrooms, fish and meats, served throughout the day. . P. 25-45 a main course. (updated July 2016 | edit)
- Kornhaus , Kornhausplatz 18, ☏ [31 327 72 70], fax: 41 31 327 72 71. The room alone is worth a stop at this fabulously decorated mostly Italian restaurant. As you can guess from the name, the building was built to store grain, but now features fresco paintings of traditional Swiss scenes, events from local history, and related characters. P. 26-45 for the main course. P. 9-14 for appetizers .. (updated January 2017 | edit)
- Schmiedstube , Schmiedenplatz 5, ☏ [31 311 34 61]. Tue-Sat 08: 30-23: 30. German, French, Italian, English and Spanish spoken. This traditional Swiss restaurant is well known for its typical dishes such as Röschti, Cordon Bleu, Älplermakkaronen. It is 90 m (300 ft) from the "Zytglogge" clock tower. Edit
- Schwellenmätteli , Dalmaziquai 11, ☏ [31 350 50 01], ✉ [[4]]. Terrace open from Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 00:00. A very nice restaurant next to the river Aare with a beautiful view of the Cathedral. P. 20-40 for a main dish. Edit
Waste
- Bellevue Palace , Kochergasse 3-5, ☏ [31 320 45 45], fax: 41 31 47 43. Stylish hotel and restaurant; it has its price. Go there when Parliament is in session, and you may well see the President of Switzerland having lunch. Edit
- Rosengarten restaurant , Alter Aargauerstalden 31b, ☏ [31 331 32 06]. Exclusive Swiss restaurant with stunning views of the city (updated January 2017 | edit)
- Kursaal-Bern (Meridian), Kornhausstrasse 3, ☏ [31 339 55 00]. Tue-F 11: 30–14: 00, 18: 00–00: 00. Sat 18: 00-24: 00. Sunday and Monday closed. The Meridian is known beyond the borders of Bern for its welcoming hospitality. And for its innovative cuisine, prepared to perfection by chef de cuisine Markus Arnold and his team. The restaurant has received 16 Gault-millau points and one Michelin star. Guests enjoy beautiful views stretching out over Bern and the picturesque surrounding countryside. P. 20-76. (Updated January 2017 | edit)
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a room double standard : | |
| Budget | Under P. 150 |
| Middle range | P. 150 to 300 |
| Waste | About P. 300 |
The main train station has a tourist office on the west side on the ground floor. They will try to help you find a hotel room, if you arrive without booking. But nevertheless, it is Better to book in advance if you can, as Bern is a capital city; budget hotels tend to get crowded on weekends.
Budget
- Landhaus , Altenbergstrasse 4 (near the bear pit), ☏ [31 331 41 66], fax: 41 31 332 69 04, ✉ [[5]]. Check: The reception is open until 22:00 .. A nice, friendly and well-kept place with a good restaurant and bar on the ground floor. ( If they are completely full, ask to stay in the TV room, Fr. 34 ) P. 90-160. Edit
- Bern Backpackers - Hotel Glocke , Rathausgasse 75, ☏ [31 311 37 71], fax: 41 31 311 10 08, ✉ [[6]] .Member of the Swiss Backpackers Association in the center of the old town, this highly favored backpackers hotel is a 10-15 minute walk from the central train station. They have internet, games and laundry, solid security, and no more than six beds in a room. There are also kitchen facilities, a large common room with a TV, a pool table, games, late-night movies, and a gift shop. Prices from Fr. 31 per person and night. Edit
- Hostel , Weihergasse 4, ☏ [31 311 63 16]. 187 beds in total, consisting of rooms with two, four, five and six beds and two rooms for groups, one with eighteen and the other with 20 beds. Shower and toilet on each floor, however, security is lacking and theft is common in the bedrooms, given the area in which the hostel is located. Edit
Middle range
- Astoria Swiss Quality Hotel , Zieglerstrasse 66. Tastefully renovated 3-star hotel with a friendly and informal atmosphere, close to the city center at the "Eigerplatz" (motorway exit "Berne Forsthaus"). Awarded with the 1st Swiss Tourism Quality Award, the hotel has 62 spacious and comfortable rooms, a restaurant with a bar, conference rooms, w-lan and parking for cars and coaches. Edit
- Bern Swiss Quality Hotel , Zeughausgasse 9, fax: 41 31 329 22 99, ✉ [[7]]. Charming hotel in the city center of Bern, 600 m from the main station and 10 km from Bern Belp airport. Single room of P. 245, double room of P. 280 edit
- Kreuz , Zeughausgasse 41, fax: 41 31 329 95 96, ✉ [[8]]. Member of Swiss Quality Hotels International. 500 m from the train station directly in the city center. Double of P. 225. (updated April 2018 | edit)
- Metropole , Zeughausgasse 26 (600m from the train station), fax: 41 31 329 94 95, ✉ [[9]] .Member of Swiss Quality Hotels International. Double of P. 129. (updated April 2018 | edit)
- 1 Bern City Rentals , Münstergasse 76. Fully furnished apartments in the heart of the old town, close to Münster (main cathedral) and just around the corner from the Zytglogge. The apartments can be rented by email with prior notice. Rates are Fr. 130-175 cleaning and tourist tax depending on the type of apartment and the season. (Updated September 2015 | edit)
Waste
- Hotel Schweizerhof & The Spa , Bahnhofplatz 11, ☏ [31 326 80 80], ✉ [[10]] .In 2016, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern was awarded "Luxury Hotel of the Year" by the Luxury Travel Guide awards . This five-star hotel is located in the heart of the city. Edit
- Bellevue Palace , Kochergasse 3-5, ☏ [31 320 45 45]. This five-star hotel offers exquisite rooms and attentive service. It is located next to the Federal Council building, which is appropriate as it is owned by the state and frequently hosts visiting dignitaries and heads of state. The bathrooms alone make this place worth the price, Yes he can afford it. There is a public bar with a lot of old world charm (and a dress code: no shorts, no slippers) on the ground floor, which is usually nice for a quiet drink. Doubles of P. 350 per night, presidential suite of Fr. 2500 per night .. (updated July 2018 | edit)
- Hotel Bern , Zeughausgasse 9, ☏ [31 329 22 22], fax: 41 31 329 22 99. Good value for money near the top end, Hotel Bern has a great location, near-perfect service, and spotless rooms for less than five-star options. The hotel is primarily aimed at business travelers, which means they are more likely to have reservations during the week and more likely to give you a deal on the weekend. Request the room 508 , Not only because it bears the name of the only Swiss astronaut to date, but also because it has a beautiful window overlooking the cathedral and, of course, the neighboring rooftops, which offers an especially pleasant view when it snows. Doubles start at P. 180. edit
Keep in touch
Embassies
- Finland , Weltpoststrasse 4, 3015 Bern, ☏ [31 350 41 00], fax: 41 31 350 41 07, ✉ [[11]]. Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:00. Edit
- Netherlands , Seftigenstrasse 7, ☏ [31 350 87 00], ✉ [[12]]. Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. M. At 12.30 a. M. / From 1.30 p. M. At 5 p. M .. (updated November 2018 | edit)
- Taiwan , Kirchenfeldstrasse 14, 3005 Bern, ☏ [31 382 2927], fax: 41 31 382 1523, ✉ [[13]]. Monday to Friday 08: 30-12: 30, 13: 30-17: 30. (Updated Sep 2020 | edit)
Surroundings
Bern is an ideal gateway to the Bernese highlands. You can take day trips to beautiful places like Spiez, Thun, Interlaken, Grindelwald and all the way to Jungfrau to Jungfraujoch. Other nice day trips are to Biel, Freiburg, Gstaad, Murten, Neuchatel and Solothurn.
Geneva, Basel and Zurich can easily be done as day trips, but they deserve a longer stay.
