Bern Day Trip: Best Things to Do in Bern in One Day

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Planning a Bern day trip? Check out all the best things to do in Bern in one day to help you put together the perfect itinerary.

Switzerland does not lack natural wonders or beautiful cities. But its capital is certainly one of the most interesting Swiss cities and, personally, one of my favorites.

I visited the capital of Switzerland several times now, usually on day trips from Zurich, and absolutely love it!

From the unique medieval old town to the stunning views of the Aare River, Bern is one of the most (if not the most!) beautiful cities in Switzerland.

Although not the biggest Swiss city (it’s actually only the fourth most populous), Bern is the de facto capital of the country as the house of the federal government and parliament.

Along with Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, it’s also one of the top cities in the world for the best quality of life.

All good reasons to include Bern in your Switzerland itinerary.

So without further ado, here are the best things to do in Bern in one day for first-time visitors.

Read more:

• Best Things to Do in Zurich in 1 or 3 Days: A Local’s Guide
• Lucerne Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Lucerne in One Day
• 10 Best Christmas Markets In & Around Switzerland

 

Best things to do in Bern in one day:

#1 Explore Bern old town

Start your day in Bern wandering through the picturesque streets of the historical center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bern old town’s most distinctive feature is the 6 kilometers of arcades that make it one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe.

Strolling along the old medieval streets you’ll find all kinds of 21st-century shops, contemporary art galleries, and picturesque restaurants and cafes.

Another interesting detail: Many stores, bars, and cultural venues are located below the street level in converted basements that preserve the original medieval architecture of the buildings and add another level of uniqueness to the city.

If you’d like to learn more about Bern’s rich history, I suggest joining a walking tour with a local guide.

 

#2 Visit the Federal Palace of Switzerland

The Federal Palace of Switzerland houses both the federal parliament and government.

The Bundeshaus was built from 1857 to 1902 using almost only swiss materials (95 percent of all the materials used were sourced from within Switzerland).

Its rich interior can be visited when the parliament is not in session.

Free of charge, the guided tour of the parliament building is one of the most interesting things to do in Bern, even if you’re not that into politics.

Make sure to book in advance though.

 

#3 Admire the Zytglogge Clock Tower

Located in the old town, the famous Zytglogge is Bern’s top attraction and most iconic landmark.

This impressive clock tower with moving puppets is also considered one of the most beautiful clocks in the whole world.

Built in the 13^th century, this tower has had many uses over the centuries, from guard tower and city gate to prison and fire observation tower.

The astronomical clock was installed in the 16^th century. Since then, it has been sticking the hour punctually, along with a musical and puppet show that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Visits to the tower’s interior are only possible with a tour guide. Besides learning about the history of the tower and the inner workings of the clock, you can climb 130 steps to the top of the building for fantastic views of Bern all the way to the Alps on clear days.

You can book your tour of the Clock Tower here.

 

#4 Visit Einstein House and Museum

Albert Einstein lived in Bern between 1903 and 1905, the year he published the Annus Mirabilis papers, which laid the foundation of modern physics.

The apartment on the first floor of the Kramgasse 49 where he lived and worked remains unchanged and is now a museum where you can take a peek at his world.

It was here that Einstein wrote the important work that won him a Nobel Prize in 1921.

His work desk is still here, as well as some other pieces of furniture and personal objects.

On the top floor, a chronological exhibition of photographs, writings, and video recollects his life and legacy.

 

#5 Climb Bern’s Cathedral tower

Bern’s 15th century Gothic Cathedral is Switzerland’s largest ecclesiastical building.

Its church tower is also the highest in the country, offering a magnificent view across the city.

Be prepared to lose your breath while climbing the hundreds of steps of this narrow tower, and especially before the spectacular sights.

The church itself is also worthy of a visit.

Dominating Bern’s skyline, this impressive cathedral is a significant example of Late Gothic architecture.

One of its most spectacular features is a detailed portal representing the Last Judgement.

 

#6 Visit the Town Hall

Bern’s Town Hall is the seat of the cantonal and city parliaments, as well as the seat of the cantonal government.

Hidden in a small square of the old town, this medieval building with a neo-gothic façade is well worthy of a closer look.

You can also visit it during the public sessions of the cantonal and city councils or on a free guided tour.

Public tours are held once a month in German.

 

#7 Admire Bern’s fountains

Walking around the old town you’re bound to stumble upon Bern’s fountains – there are more than 100 in the historical center alone.

Some of these medieval fountains are authentic works of art representing allegorical figures, biblical heroes, historical events, or social values.

They also provide free drinking water for visitors and locals alike and in the past played an important role in water supply and as a social meeting point.

 

#8 Have a peek at the Bear Park

I don’t usually promote zoos or any kind of animal attraction as I strongly believe all animals should live free in their natural habitats and not in captivity.

But I feel that in this particular case it would be worthless to ignore this popular attraction or pretend that it does not exist.

Bern’s Bear Park is located right on the edge of the old town and all the fuss about it makes it almost impossible to escape anyway, so I might as well give you the facts and let you make your own mind about it.

The bear is the symbol of the city and the canton of Bern and it’s depicted on its flag and most souvenirs. Apparently, the city’s relation with bears goes back to its foundation, hence its name Bern.

The Bear Park is a subsidiary of the city’s zoo and replaced the older, smaller, and controversial bear pit in 2009.

These days the 3 bears of Bern live in an area of 5,000 square meters with trees, bushes and caves, and a small access to the river.

You can see the Bear Park from the street above or the banks of the Aare River free of charge.

 

#9 Enjoy the view from the Rose Garden

Just a short walk from the old town, the Rose Garden offers the most stunning panoramic view of Bern.

It is my absolute favorite spot in the Swiss capital. I could spend hours here contemplating the gorgeous view of the Aare River and the city below!

A former cemetery, this hill was converted into a park in 1913. Today, more than 400 species of roses and irises can be admired here, as well as beautiful cherry blossoms in spring.

There’s also a library with a reading garden, a playground area for kids, and a restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious cheese fondue during the winter months.

 

#10 Have a drink over the Aare River

End your day in Bern with a drink or dinner over the Aare River at Restaurant Terrasse.

With a unique setting right on the river, this is a great place to relax listening to the river after a day of sightseeing.

I didn’t try the food but loved the scenery and highly recommend stopping here if only for a drink.

 

How to get to and around Bern

You can easily reach Bern by train or rental car from all the main Swiss cities.

Alternatively, you can join an organized day tour from Zurich, Basel or Lucerne.

Bern city center is relatively small and easy to explore on foot in one day.

All attractions on this list are within walking distance from each other and possible to explore at a leisurely pace.

I recommend following the order in which they are presented here to optimize your time, but you can, of course, also adapt this Bern itinerary to your own travel style and interests.

 

If you’re spending one day in Bern, this list of what to do and see has got you covered for all the top attractions and landmarks of the Swiss capital.

 

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More travel tips

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Cheap flights

Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.

 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the majority of my stays through them.

 

Yoga Retreats

Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.

 

Tours

GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.

Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.

 

Car Rentals

Rentalcars.com is a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.

 

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Have you been to Bern? What would you add to this list of things to do in Bern, Switzerland? Share in the comments section below.

 

Read more:

• 10 day trips from Zurich, Switzerland
• 8 Unique Things to Do in Basel, Switzerland
• How to travel Switzerland on a budget

 

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