What to do in Bern

Activities, attractions and tours

Bern
Bern
Bern skyline panorama, Switzerland
Panoramic view of Bern in a beautiful summer day, Switzerland, Shutterstock ID 728506528, Purchase Order: -
Switzerland, Old City of Bern, Buildings and bridge along Aare River
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Top places to visit

1. Federal Palace

The Bundeshaus is the impressive building housing the Swiss Parliament. It is easy to recognize in the Bern skyline with its remarkable large green dome at its center and two smaller versions on either side. Walk through the grand rooms of this structure, built between 1894 and 1902, and learn about its political and architectural importance.
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Bundeshaus showing a square or plaza, heritage architecture and an administrative building

2. Berner Munster

The late-Gothic Berner Münster is a magnificent medieval cathedral that soars above Bern's Old Town. This vast building dates back to 1421, although the first church to occupy this site is thought to have been a small 12th-century chapel. From the top of the cathedral’s tower are fantastic views of the region.
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Berner Munster

3. Paul Klee Museum

The Paul Klee Museum, opened in 2005, holds a large proportion of the Swiss German painter’s works. Peruse fine examples of cubist, surrealist and expressionist works in the three warehouses, with wave-like shapes, that undulate along a pleasant green field. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the modern buildings to flow with the hills of the natural landscape.
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Paul Klee Museum showing modern architecture

4. Bern Rose Garden

Bern Rose Garden is one of the prettiest parks in the city, with 220 types of roses displayed. In this former cemetery, countless rows of colorful flowers, made up of rhododendrons, irises and azaleas now complement the eclectic rose collection. Spend some time reading a book in the peaceful setting before making your way through the Old Town.
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Bern Rose Garden which includes a park, flowers and wild flowers

5. Bern Art Museum

More than 50,000 objects fill the Bern Art Museum, covering eight centuries of artistic endeavors. Among the showcased items are sculptures, paintings, videos, drawings, prints and photographs. The focus is on art produced in Bern, Swiss art, 19th-century French art and international modern art.
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Bern Art Museum

What to do in Bern

Popular places to visit

Bundeshaus showing a square or plaza, heritage architecture and an administrative building

Federal Palace

4.5/5(9 reviews)

Browse a market, play in the fountain or go ice-skating beside this iconic political hub, before taking a guided tour through its historic halls.

Federal Palace
Bern Historical Einstein Museum, Switzerland

Bern Expo

3/5(1 review)

After visiting Bern Expo, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Bern. Experience the museums and festivals in this walkable area.

Bern Expo
Berner Munster

Berner Munster

4/5(13 reviews)

Peruse centuries-old religious art, climb the tallest church tower in Switzerland and attend sacred music recitals when you visit Bern's Gothic cathedral.

Berner Munster
Paul Klee Museum showing modern architecture

Paul Klee Museum

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Take a trip to futuristic warehouses in a rustic green setting to see the inspiring works of a modernist artist.

Paul Klee Museum
Bern Rose Garden showing a garden, a pond and a fountain

Bern Rose Garden

4.5/5(14 reviews)

See and smell beautiful roses at this dreamy park with hundreds of types of flowers. Appreciate the views from the garden’s position on a ridge.

Bern Rose Garden
Bern Art Museum

Bern Art Museum

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Inside one of the oldest art museums in Switzerland, view a vast treasure trove of art from the last 800 years, including works by renowned masters.

Bern Art Museum
Bern Natural History Museum showing interior views

Bern Natural History Museum

3/5(2 reviews)

Marvel at the shimmering quartz crystals and life-sized dioramas of animals in this large nature museum that traces the history of our planet.

Bern Natural History Museum
Bern is full of these fountain statues. This one is in the street where Einstein wrote his light quantum hypothesis. My hypothesis is that this statue made him wonder what this is about as well.

Einstein-Haus

4.5/5(2 reviews)

You can study the exhibits at Einstein-Haus, a museum with a story of its own, during your trip to Innere Stadt. Experience the museums and festivals in this walkable area.

Einstein-Haus
Bern Historical Museum featuring a small town or village

Bern Historical Museum

4.5/5(6 reviews)

Browse this prominent Swiss museum to find local treasures from the Stone Age to the present day and get to know the man behind the genius in the Einstein Museum.

Bern Historical Museum

Explore areas of Bern

Old City of Bern featuring landscape views and a city

Old City of Bern

5/5(31 area reviews)

Unique features of Old City of Bern include the historical sites and museums. Make a stop by Bern Clock Tower or Einstein-Haus while you're exploring the area.

Old City of Bern
Bern, Oct 12, 2019

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde

If you're spending some time in Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde, Paul Klee Museum and Bern Rose Garden are top sights worth seeing.

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde
View of the river Aare from the Kirchenfeldbrucke bridge in Bern Switzerland..

Langgasse-Felsenau

4/5(2 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Langgasse-Felsenau and surrounding area, you can visit Botanical Garden and Bern Art Museum.

Langgasse-Felsenau
View from the Lorrainebrücke over the city into the Alps #roadtrip #architecture #blue

Breitenrain-Lorraine

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

While visiting Breitenrain-Lorraine, you might make a stop by sights like Wankdorf Stadium and Botanical Garden.

Breitenrain-Lorraine
village of Trub in Emmental

Rotes Quartier

If you're spending some time in Rotes Quartier, Bern Art Museum and Wege zu Klee are top sights worth seeing.

Rotes Quartier
Altstadt Bern

Gelbes Quartier

While visiting Gelbes Quartier, you might make a stop by sights like Prison Tower (Kafigturm) and Jackpot Spielcasino Bern.

Gelbes Quartier

Day trip destinations from Bern

Sunset over Bern Switzerland - aerial view by drone

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Frequently asked questions

Is Bern worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor adventures, there are many great things to do in Bern. Be sure to experience the area's mix of cool attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Bern?
Once you've visited popular attractions like Bern Historical Museum and Einstein-Haus, spend the rest of your day exploring Bern's shopping and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bern?
Berner Munster is one of the top tourist attractions in Bern and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Bern?
Three days will give you time to check out some popular city highlights, including Berner Munster, Bern Historical Museum and Einstein-Haus. The average stay in Bern is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your holiday, Interlaken isn't far away.
Is Bern a walkable city?
That depends on what you plan to see and do in Bern. Several sights, including Berner Munster and Bern Historical Museum, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Bern's best neighbourhoods, Innere Stadt is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Old City of Bern is 0.16 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Bern with kids?
Deciding what to do in Bern with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or little ones, there are many family-friendly tours and attractions to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Bern for adults?
Kursaal Bern and Swiss Alpine Museum are just two of the things to do in Bern. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Bern?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in Bern is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Berner Munster is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.