Berne
Western Europe · Switzerland
Did you know?
- Covered shopping arcades line Marktgasse and its parallel streets.
- The Zytglogge is a medieval clock tower.
- Gurten hill is a local hiking destination reached by funicular.
See also
Solothurn
Switzerland47.22°N 7.53°E · 435 m
Interlaken
Switzerland46.68°N 7.85°E · 571 m
Overview
Berne's UNESCO-listed old town is threaded with arcades and fountains. The medieval Zytglogge clock tower gives a central walk a distinctive landmark.
Languages: French, Swiss German, Italian, Romansh
Why go?
Berne is the seat of most Swiss institutions and its UNESCO-listed old town features 6.4 km of arcaded walkways, fountains, and the medieval Zytglogge clock tower. It offers a compact, walkable city centre with a rich history, excellent museums, and easy access to the Bernese Alps.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Understand
Founded in 1191, Berne became a free imperial city and later joined the Swiss Confederation in 1353. It grew into the largest city-state north of the Alps before becoming the Swiss capital in 1848. The city hosted Euro 2008 matches and the 2023 EuroGames.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tourist information
Tourist Information Centres are located outside the main railway station and in the Old Tram Depot next to the Bear Pit. The official website is bern.com.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Talk
The main language is Swiss-German, but standard German is widely spoken. English is increasingly common, supplanting French as the preferred second language.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Berne is central in Switzerland and well-connected by rail. The main railway station is in the city centre with frequent trains from Zurich, Geneva, and Basel. Bern-Belp Airport, 10 km south, offers limited flights. The SBB website and app provide timetable and ticket information.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
An excellent public transport system includes trams, trolleybuses, buses, and S-Bahn. Tickets are valid across modes within zones; a 60-minute ticket in central zones costs Fr. 4.60. The Bern-Ticket, included with hotel stays, allows free transport within zones 100 and 101, including the Gurten funicular and airport transfer.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
Berne is packed with history and museums. Key sights include the Berne Historical Museum (Fr. 13), the free Bundeshaus (Swiss Parliament), the Zytglogge clock tower, Einsteinhaus (Fr. 6), Kunstmuseum (Fr. 10), Swiss Alpine Museum (Fr. 16), Zentrum Paul Klee (Fr. 20), and the free Bear Pit. The city also has space invader mosaics.
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Do
Activities include hiking the Gurten hill (free, funicular Fr. 9 round-trip), visiting the Rosengarten for views, swimming in the Aare river on hot days, and watching football at BSC Young Boys or ice hockey at SC Bern. Annual festivals include the Gurtenfestival (July), International Jazzfestival Bern, and Buskers Bern street musician festival.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Learn
Berne is home to the prestigious University of Berne (17,431 students) and the Bern University of Applied Sciences. Cultural institutes include Goethe Institute and Alliance Française.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Shopping arcades run for 6 km along Marktgasse and parallel streets. Stores close by 18:30-19:00 weekdays (Thursdays until 21:00) and 17:00 Saturday; Sunday all closed except at the main railway station (open until 22:00). Notable shops include Yamatuti for unique toys and Krompholz Music for sheet music.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Eat and drink
Eating in Berne can be expensive, but budget options exist. Look for Italian and Asian cuisine. Budget meals under Fr. 25 are possible at places like Restaurant Zunft zu Webern (Fr. 14-24) and Beaulieu. Traditional Swiss dishes include cheese fondue and rösti. Many restaurants stop serving food after 21:45. Nightlife centres around the Matte neighbourhood and alternative venues like Reitschule.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sleep
Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The backpacker-friendly Berne backpackers - Hotel Glocke (dorms from Fr. 31) is centrally located. Other budget options include Landhaus (Fr. 90-160) and the Youth Hostel. Mid-range hotels like Hotel Bern (doubles from Fr. 180) offer good value. Booking ahead is recommended, especially on weekends.
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Connect
As of September 2021, the city has 5G coverage from all Swiss carriers. The city centre has WiFi networks with limited speed and access after SMS registration.
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Stay safe
Berne is very safe with nearly no violent crime. Political demonstrations occur occasionally. Drunks and vagrants at the central railway station at night are a nuisance. There has been a slight increase in violence from young people; avoid suspicious groups. Police may check papers, so carry a photocopy of your passport. LGBT+ people feel safe in the city centre.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Berne is an ideal base for day trips to the Bernese Highlands: Spiez, Thun, Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Jungfraujoch. Other nearby destinations include Biel, Fribourg, Gstaad, Murten, Neuchâtel, and Solothurn. Geneva, Basel, and Zurich are also possible as day trips but deserve longer stays.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Beaulieu
Old-fashioned restaurant serving traditional Swiss and Bernese cuisine at very affordable prices. Popular among students due to its situation close to the university; it is equally popular among the local workers. Definitely not a tourist restaurant—go here if you want to meet the Bernese among themselves.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Bellevue Palace
Stylish hotel and restaurant; has its price. Go there when the Parliament is in session, and you may very well see the president of Switzerland having lunch.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Café Fédéral
Stylish, modern atmosphere and international cuisine. Situated in front of the Bundeshaus, its popularity among politicians during the "Session" is legendary. Specializes in entrecôtes (a kind of steak), but has other dishes, including vegetarian ones.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Casino Restaurant
At the shore of Aare river, with a view over the river and mountains on the South. Dishes include excellent pasta with mushrooms, fish, and meats, served throughout the day.
Recorded price: Fr. 25-45 a main dish
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Coop Restaurant Bern Ryfflihof
Very wide variety of dishes, a nice curry station, salad bar and lots of desserts.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Kornhaus
The room alone is worth a stop at this fabulously appointed mostly Italian restaurant. As one might guess from the name, the building was built for grain storage, but now features fresco paintings of traditional Swiss scenes, events from local history, and related characters.
Recorded price: Fr. 26-45 for the main dish. Fr. 9-14 for appetizers.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Kursaal-Bern
The Meridiano is renowned far 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 been awarded 16 Gault-millau points and one Michelin star. Guests are offered fine views extending over Bern and the surrounding scenic countryside.
Recorded price: Fr. 20-76
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Lo stuzzichino da Mohan
A simple Italian restaurant. The menu is mainly pasta. The food, dessert and the service are good.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Hotels and hostels available; book ahead on weekends. Dorms from Fr. 31.
Connectivity
5G coverage from all Swiss carriers. Free WiFi in city centre after registration.
Entry
Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area. Non-EU/EEA citizens need a valid passport and possibly a visa.
Food
Traditional dishes: fondue, rösti. Many Italian and Asian options. Look for budget restaurants away from tourist areas.
Language
Swiss-German spoken, but standard German and English widely understood.
Money
Swiss Franc (CHF) is the currency. Eating out can be expensive; budget meals from Fr. 14. Dorm beds from Fr. 31.
Safety
Very safe; occasional political demonstrations. Police may check papers. Avoid drunk groups at night.
Transport
Excellent public transport; Bern-Ticket included with hotel stay covers city zones and airport transfer. Single ticket Fr. 4.60.
Water
Tap water is safe and of high quality. River Aare swimming is popular in summer.