Abbie's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Free to enter when parliament is not in session. Take proof of I.D. A grand building from both inside and out. The outside can be explored by walking through the arches.
82 recommandé par les habitants
Le bâtiment du Parlement
3 BundesplatzFree to enter when parliament is not in session. Take proof of I.D. A grand building from both inside and out. The outside can be explored by walking through the arches.
A medieval clock tower of which the mechanism turns on the hour.
104 recommandé par les habitants
Zytglogge
1 Bim ZytgloggeA medieval clock tower of which the mechanism turns on the hour.
‘Child Eater Fountain’ - A creepy statue. There is no real consensus about its meaning, only theories.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Kindlifresserbrunnen
18 Kornhauspl.‘Child Eater Fountain’ - A creepy statue. There is no real consensus about its meaning, only theories.
Wander through the Old Town (everywhere from Zytglogge onwards).
61 recommandé par les habitants
UNESCO- Von Bern
40 KramgasseWander through the Old Town (everywhere from Zytglogge onwards).
Gothic-style cathedral. Lovely views from the ‘Münsterplatform’ which is the garden behind. We highly recommend paying 5CH pp. to climb the tower. The view is wonderful!
44 recommandé par les habitants
Berner Münster
1 Münsterpl.Gothic-style cathedral. Lovely views from the ‘Münsterplatform’ which is the garden behind. We highly recommend paying 5CH pp. to climb the tower. The view is wonderful!
Bear park. See real bears for free. Please note that they hibernate during some of the winter months. Considering this, it is still worth visiting this pretty part of town.
51 recommandé par les habitants
Bärenpark
Bear park. See real bears for free. Please note that they hibernate during some of the winter months. Considering this, it is still worth visiting this pretty part of town.
Rose garden. Walk up the steep footpath opposite the roundabout and enjoy more great views over the Old Town. A nice place to have a drink/lunch with tables inside and out.
174 recommandé par les habitants
Rosengarten
31b Alter AargauerstaldenRose garden. Walk up the steep footpath opposite the roundabout and enjoy more great views over the Old Town. A nice place to have a drink/lunch with tables inside and out.
The Botanical Garden – Free entry. Sits along the river, halfway between the Rosengarten and home.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Jardin botanique
21 AltenbergrainThe Botanical Garden – Free entry. Sits along the river, halfway between the Rosengarten and home.
Museum of Fine Arts. Often has good exhibitions. Check website for prices.
22 recommandé par les habitants
Musée des beaux-arts de Berne
8 HodlerstrasseMuseum of Fine Arts. Often has good exhibitions. Check website for prices.
Zoo. Approximately 30 minutes pleasant walk down the river. Free petting zoo nearby.
75 recommandé par les habitants
Dählhölzli
1 TierparkwegZoo. Approximately 30 minutes pleasant walk down the river. Free petting zoo nearby.
History/Einstein Museum.
48 recommandé par les habitants
Bernisches Historisches Museum - Einstein Museum
5 Helvetiapl.History/Einstein Museum.
Natural History Museum well suited for families.
39 recommandé par les habitants
Musée d'histoire naturelle de Berne
15 BernastrasseNatural History Museum well suited for families.
Interactive museum well suited for families.
43 recommandé par les habitants
Musée de la Communication
16 HelvetiastrasseInteractive museum well suited for families.
A place to visit if you appreciate the art of Paul Klee. Check the website for rainy day craft activities for children.
90 recommandé par les habitants
Zentrum Paul Klee (Centre Paul Klee)
3 Monument im FruchtlandA place to visit if you appreciate the art of Paul Klee. Check the website for rainy day craft activities for children.
A family friendly park with views over the whole of Bern. Accessible via a funicular. There are play areas for various ages, a restaurant, bbq areas, and a tower/viewing platform. In the summer they also have a metal toboggan run which is very fun!
28 recommandé par les habitants
Parc du Gurten dans le vert
GurtenwegA family friendly park with views over the whole of Bern. Accessible via a funicular. There are play areas for various ages, a restaurant, bbq areas, and a tower/viewing platform. In the summer they also have a metal toboggan run which is very fun!
Casual Restaurants
Fantastic vegetarian buffet. Great any time of day. Find a seat, fill your plate according to your level of hunger, then pay by weight at the bar.
18 recommandé par les habitants
tibits Bern Gurtengasse
3 GurtengasseFantastic vegetarian buffet. Great any time of day. Find a seat, fill your plate according to your level of hunger, then pay by weight at the bar.
Middle Eastern/Mediterranean. Delicious falafels (ask for extra halloumi and try the hot sauce that sits on each table).
12 recommandé par les habitants
Pittaria
1 Falkenpl.Middle Eastern/Mediterranean. Delicious falafels (ask for extra halloumi and try the hot sauce that sits on each table).
A nice place to have a drink/lunch with tables inside and out.
174 recommandé par les habitants
Rosengarten
31b Alter AargauerstaldenA nice place to have a drink/lunch with tables inside and out.
Azzurro
2 MurtenstrasseAuthentic Italian with excellent pizza, homemade pasta, and seafood.
Typical Swiss restaurant. Rösti, schnitzel, fondue etc. The smell of Gruyere cheese will hit you as you walk through the door.
Le Mazot
5 Bärenpl.Typical Swiss restaurant. Rösti, schnitzel, fondue etc. The smell of Gruyere cheese will hit you as you walk through the door.
Cafés/Bars
5 mins walk. Great cakes (vanilla and cherry if they have it!), fresh bagels, and drinks. Check opening times.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Tingel Kringel
12 Mittelstrasse5 mins walk. Great cakes (vanilla and cherry if they have it!), fresh bagels, and drinks. Check opening times.
Also 5 mins walk with super cakes, tea, and coffee. Check opening times.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Apple Gold - desserts et livres
2 BonstettenstrasseAlso 5 mins walk with super cakes, tea, and coffee. Check opening times.
Very close by. Open into the evening. Mainly drinks. Nice for a beer.
46 recommandé par les habitants
Caffè Bar Sattler
15 MittelstrasseVery close by. Open into the evening. Mainly drinks. Nice for a beer.
Relaxed local charm. Also serve lovely evening meals that are organic and seasonal. Inclusive work environment for people with and without disabilities.
Provisorium46
46 MuesmattstrasseRelaxed local charm. Also serve lovely evening meals that are organic and seasonal. Inclusive work environment for people with and without disabilities.
Cool and cosy. Near the Münster. The apartment on the second floor is where Albert Einstein was living when he developed his theory of relativity.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Einstein Café & bel étage
49 KramgasseCool and cosy. Near the Münster. The apartment on the second floor is where Albert Einstein was living when he developed his theory of relativity.
Recommended for its lovely position directly over the river. Suitable for a coffee or light snack.
31 recommandé par les habitants
Restaurant Terrasse
11 DalmaziquaiRecommended for its lovely position directly over the river. Suitable for a coffee or light snack.
'Feeling Fancy' Restaurants
Wein & Sein
50 MünstergasseCosy cellar restaurant and wine bar.
Gourmet Swiss/European dining situated slightly out of the centre. Reachable from the train station with the number 19 bus, direction Elfenau.
Restaurant Essort
97 JubiläumsstrasseGourmet Swiss/European dining situated slightly out of the centre. Reachable from the train station with the number 19 bus, direction Elfenau.
Conseils aux voyageurs
Se déplacer dans les environs
Getting Around
A 17-minute walk will bring you to the centre of Bern. If you wish to take the bus, the number 20 leaves from Mittelstrasse and makes a stop at the front of the train station. To help with orientation, the majority of the city centre lies within the ‘U’ bend of the river. Here is where you will find the old town and many of Bern’s attractions.
Se déplacer dans les environs
Public Transport
Before getting on any bus, tram, or train you will need to have a valid ticket, such as the Bern Ticket or one purchased at the station or the ticket machines located at the stops. However, you only need to present your ticket if someone asks. There is also no need to hail the bus as the bus will stop for you.
More about the Bern Ticket: This is included for the duration of your stay and is valid upon arriving in Bern to the day of departure. It includes travel within zones 100-101.
Bike hire apps (suitable for single rides only):
-Publibike
-Smide
Coutumes et culture
Local languages
The first language in Bern is Swiss German, followed shortly by High German. However, most speak French and English as their second and third languages.
Manières d'économiser
Supermarkets
You will find ‘Coop’ and ‘Migros’ dotted around everywhere in case you need any essentials. Their canteens/buffets are also decent for a reasonably priced lunch/snack.