Experience the best of Bern
Bern, the Swiss federal city, is a medieval old town on a bend of the Aare River, with arcaded streets, a clock tower and a park of bears.
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Bern's old town sits on a narrow peninsula in a tight loop of the Aare River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of sandstone houses with long covered arcades that shelter shops and cafés along the main streets. The Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower with an astronomical clock, puts on a show of moving figures before the hour. The Gothic Minster has the tallest spire of any church in Switzerland, and the city is the seat of the federal government.
Along the river, the Bear Park keeps bears in a riverside enclosure, in honour of the city's emblem. Fountains with painted figures stand along the main streets, and the Rose Garden on the hill gives the classic view of the old town. Einstein lived in a flat on Kramgasse while working out his early theories, and it is now a museum. The Paul Klee Centre, an undulating building east of the centre, holds the painter's work.
Berner Platte, a dish of sausages, pork and sauerkraut, is the local feast. Rösti began as a farmers' breakfast in the canton of Bern, and Emmental cheese comes from the valleys nearby. Swimmers float down the Aare in summer, and the Zibelemärit onion market fills the streets in November. The lakes and peaks of the Bernese Oberland lie to the south.
- Free cancellation on 90% of experiences
- 4.6 across the top 3
Top 10 attractions in Bern
Number 1Kleine Scheidegg
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Number 2Bern Clock Tower (Zytglogge)
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Number 3Bern Cathedral (Bern Minster)
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Number 4Prison Tower (Kafigturm)
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Number 5Bundeshaus
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Number 6Bundesplatz
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Number 7Zahringerbrunnen
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Number 8Child Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen)
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Number 9Thun Castle (Schloss Thun)
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Number 10Einstein House (Einsteinhaus)
Special offers in Bern
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
Go beyond Bern
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Interlaken · 43 kmJungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory (Sphinx-Observatorium)
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Interlaken · 43 kmLake Brienz (Brienzersee)
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Lauterbrunnen · 53 kmJungfrau
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Lauterbrunnen · 53 kmSchilthorn
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Grindelwald · 58 kmGlacier Canyon
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Lucerne · 66 kmLake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee)
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Lucerne · 66 kmLucerne Old Town
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Basel · 69 kmBasel Minster (Basler Münster)
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Montreux · 70 kmChillon Castle (Château de Chillon)
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Montreux · 70 kmGlacier 3000
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Vevey · 71 kmChaplin’s World by Grévin
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Vevey · 71 kmAlimentarium - Food Museum
Questions about Bern
- What is there to do in Bern?
- We list 130 experiences in Bern. The largest groups are day trips (32), city tours (23).
- What are the top attractions in Bern?
- Ranked by the experiences that visit them, the top attractions in Bern are Kleine Scheidegg, Bern Clock Tower (Zytglogge), Bern Cathedral (Bern Minster), Prison Tower (Kafigturm).
- What is the most popular experience in Bern?
- By number of traveller reviews it is "Bern Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems", rated 4.7 out of 5 from 153 reviews.
- How long do tours and tickets in Bern take?
- The typical experience in Bern lasts about 2.5 hours; the middle half run between 2 hours and 8 hours.
- Can I cancel a booking in Bern?
- The operator lists free cancellation on 90% of the 130 experiences we hold for Bern. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.
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Free cancellation on most experiences
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