Bern in Switzerland - Peaceful, Pretty and Calm

Located on the northern side of the Bernese Alps, around 95 kilometres from the famous Swiss city of Zurich, Bern is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is the fifth most populated city in Switzerland, after Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, and Basel. Founded in 1191, Berne was built around the Aare River as a medieval city. The city has managed to successfully maintain its old-world charm and Swiss tradition in an old town that has now become a UNESCO World Heritage site. A major attraction of Bern in Switzerland is its several fountains from13th-century, and each of them has an exclusive artwork. With historic towers, narrow streets, and sandstone facades, Bern attracts tourists with its unique charm. Here is more about Bern city in Switzerland.

Places to Visit in Bern

This beautiful city is a historic destination and a major part of the best Switzerland tour package from India. The city offers many scenic attractions like museums, palaces, parks, gardens, and more. Some popular attractions in Bern city include:

Bern Old Town

Situated on a cliff surrounded by the sparkling water of the Aare River, the old town of Bern is a medieval town that got the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With beautiful buildings, fountains, quaint streets, towers, and colourful flags, the Old Town tops the list of the best tourist attractions in Bern.

Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum)

Built in 1879, Kunstmuseum is the oldest art museum in the city, holding an international status. Kunstmuseum covers around 800 years of art history, with above 50,000 masterpieces, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, and films. The Museum of Fine Arts showcases the artworks by many renowned artists like Ferdinand Hodler, Albert Anker, Trecento, and more.

Rose Garden

One of the best places to visit in Bern, Rose Garden Park is a striking park in the city. Located on the hill slopes across the Aare River, the park provides spectacular sights and beautiful flora and fauna of the city. The park is home to around 250 different types of roses that bloom in the summer.

Bear Park

A famous attraction for children and families in Bern city in Switzerland, Bear Park is a place to witness bears in their natural habitat. The park is home to many caves and pools that are created for swimming or cooling down for inhabitants.

Federal Palace

Next on the list of the best tourist attractions in Bern, the Federal Palace is the official building that has the Federal Council (executive) and Swiss Federal Assembly (legislature). Situated on the rocky Bank of the Aare River, the Federal Palace is a symbol of Switzerland's diversity and unity.

Cathedral of Bern

Also famous as the Cathedral of St. Vincent or Berner Munster, the Cathedral of Bern is a must-visit place for visitors. One of the tallest buildings in Bern, this striking Gothic building is made from sandstone and has an ornate façade and meticulous interior, reflecting the cultural heritage of Switzerland. There is a lot to see and explore inside the building.

Zytglogge Clock Tower

One of the most significant landmarks in Bern, Zytglogge, is the oldest clock tower in the city. Built at the end of the 12th century as the western city gate, Zytglogge Clock Tower has served as a guard tower, civic memorial, and center of urban life.

Gurten

Located in the south of Bern city, the Gurten is a prime attraction for those looking for some Swiss mountain experience. It is an 864 meters high mountain, providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding. With an idyllic mountain oasis, legendary open-air festival, and fast-paced tobogganing paradise, Gurten attracts both young and old.

Bachalpsee Lake

Located above the resort town of Grindelwald in Canton of Bern, Bachalpsee Lake is a popular spot for visitors of all ages. This beautiful lake in Bern Switzerland can be reached by hiking from First (a popular starting point for outdoor activities) in less than an hour. Sights of majestic mountains, glaciers, and meadows make the trek worth the effort.

Food in Bern

The Canton of Bern is known as the birthplace of smooth melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. Also, the city provides many possibilities for diverse types of cuisine, ranging from traditional Swiss dishes to French classics, the latest cuisine, and Mediterranean specialties. Some popular food options in Bern city in Switzerland include:

Berner Rösti

A classic Swiss dish, Berner rösti is a traditional variety of rösti made with a mix of diced bacon, boiled potatoes, salt, and butter.

Blue Cake

It is a flaky pastry, a special delicacy from the Frutig valley in the Bernese Oberland. While it is famous as the blue cake, it is neither blue nor a cake. Blue Cake is a simple pastry without topping or fillings, found at many restaurants in Bern.

Berner Alpkäse

A hard Swiss cheese, Berner Alpkäse originates from the Bernese Oberland. This traditional cheese is made during summer using full cream cow's milk that is seasoned with Alpine herbs on which the cows graze. Berner Alpkäse. The taste of Berner Alpkäse can be strong or mild, based on its maturation period.

Meitschibei

These horseshoe-shaped and finger-thick Bernese pastries are also popular dishes in Bern city. Filled with sweetened hazelnuts, cinnamon, orange peel, sugar, lemon, and some water, Meitschibei can be easily found in local bakeries in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.

Berner Platte

A traditional Swiss festive dish originating from Bern, Berner Platte consists of a variety of dishes, including sauerkraut, offal, meat, French beans, and potatoes. The vegetables, meat and side dishes are cooked individually but served on the same plate.

Cordon Bleu

One of the most popular international dishes with Swiss origins, Cordon Bleu, is a meat cutlet filled with a slice of ham and cheese. It can be baked, shallow-fried, or deep-fried in hot oil.

Dining in Bern city in Switzerland is an exclusive experience, with cooking inspired by German-style meat and potatoes and Italian home cooking. Bern is famous for delicious street foods and premium restaurants. In international restaurants, most menus change with the seasons, featuring berries in summer and asparagus in spring. With classy and sophisticated food presentation, the restaurants provide almost universally friendly services. You can also choose to sit at one of the open-air food courts and restaurants featuring a variety of food stalls offering a wide range of local and international cuisine.

Shopping in Bern

The shopping arcades in Bern city are home to everything from chic boutiques and shopping malls to cosy antique stores and traditional markets. Some popular shopping destinations of Bern in Switzerland include:

Globus - The Premium Store

One of the most popular shopping destinations in the city, Globus is known for providing many options for the purchase of high-end fashion clothes and premium quality Swiss products.

Kramgasse, Spitalgasse and Marktgasse

Famous as the most attractive shopping avenue in the old town of Bern, Kramgasse, Spitalgasse, and Marktgasse have high-street stores, boutiques, department stores, and art galleries.

Westside

A classy and stylish marketplace for retail therapy in Bern, Westside has everything from fashion and accessories to souvenirs. Designed by the famous architect Daniel Libeskind, Westside gives the feel of a modern art gallery than a shopping mall.

Crafts Fair (Berner Handwerkerärit)

There is a special gathering near the Münster Cathedral in Bern city, held on the first Saturday of every month. It is an event for those who love shopping for art and artsy things.

Onion Market

It is basically a traditional folk festival held on the fourth Monday in November. During this festival, farmers from the state bring around 50 tons of onions and garlic to the capital city of Switzerland. Onion Market is a place to find the most unique shopping experiences in Bern city.

Bern is a spectacular destination for tourists of all ages and interests. Whether you want to enjoy sightseeing, relish local food, or experience the art and history, there is something for everyone in Bern in Switzerland. However, you should not forget to include the iconic Switzerland train journeys on your itinerary.