Things to do in Bern

Activities, attractions and tours

A town with a prominent church tower, a river, and snow-capped mountains in the background.
A coastal town with historic buildings, a prominent church tower, and a bridge over the water.
A river with a bridge, historic buildings, and a church with a spire.
A lake with mountains in the background, a stone wall, and a person holding hands with another.
A river with a bridge, historic buildings, and a church tower.

Things to do

Picture 1 for Activity Lucerne: Guided Walking Tour with an Official Guide

Lucerne: Guided Walking Tour with an Official Guide

€27
per adult
Lucerne: Guided Walking Tour with an Official Guide
Chocolate tour in Bern with chocolate tasting

Chocolate tour in Bern with chocolate tasting

€59
per adult
Chocolate tour in Bern with chocolate tasting
Bern 2-Hour Tour in Spanish and English of the Old Town

Best of Bern: Walking Tour of Old Town with Expert Guide

€36
per adult
Best of Bern: Walking Tour of Old Town with Expert Guide
Wanderway Bern Scavenger Hunt

Bern Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone

€9
per adult
Bern Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone
Picture 1 for Activity Lucerne: Photography Walking Tour

Lucerne: Photography Walking Tour

€128
per adult
Lucerne: Photography Walking Tour
Bern: Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower

Bern: Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower

€27
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bern: Zytglogge - Tour through the Clock Tower
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Top places to visit

1. 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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A park with flower beds, trees, and benches.

2. 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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A grand building with a dome and statues, surrounded by a reflective plaza and other classical architecture.

3. 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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An ornate church interior with a large pipe organ, arched ceilings, and detailed woodwork.

4. 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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A modern architectural structure with a curved design, surrounded by lush greenery.

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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A grand hallway with ornate ceiling, classical columns, and a large painting.

6. Bern Historical Museum

Educational, informative, but also visually stunning, the Bern Historical Museum will keep you fascinated for hours. Spend a few hours here to discover history, archeology, ethnography and numismatics from all corners of the world.
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A historic building with two lion statues at the entrance, surrounded by trees and featuring a large mural on the facade.

What to do in Bern

Stay near popular Bern attractions

A park entrance with lion statues, a fountain, and a building with a red roof in the background.

Bern Expo

8.2/10 (103 reviews)
BERNEXPO hosts over a million visitors annually across its 22 versatile event spaces in Bern. Check the official calendar to align your visit with trade fairs or cultural festivals that match your interests.
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Where to stay in Bern

Find the best Bern areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Bern
Learn more about Bern
A historic town with a prominent church spire, cobblestone streets, and surrounding greenery.

Old City of Bern

Unique features of Old City of Bern include the historical sites and museums. Make a stop by Bern Town Hall or Berner Munster while you're exploring the area.

A cityscape with a prominent church tower and a cathedral, surrounded by mountains in the background.
Photo by Yannik Adrion
Open Photo by Yannik Adrion

Breitenrain-Lorraine

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

A river winding through a town with historic buildings and a prominent church spire.
Photo by Paczeal Zhao
Open Photo by Paczeal Zhao

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde

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

A river with a bridge, a tower, and surrounding greenery.

Langgasse-Felsenau

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

A large historic building with domes, surrounded by trees and a river.

Monbijou

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Monbijou and surrounding area, you can visit Federal Palace and Bern Art Museum.

A historic cityscape with a prominent tower, a river, and lush greenery.

Ostermundigen

A rural landscape with rolling hills, a farmhouse, and snow-capped mountains in the background.

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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.

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