What to see in Bern - the most interesting places, photos, attractions
The city of Bern was founded in the late 12th century, which gives many of its attractions historical value. Most of them are listed as UNESCO sites. When planning your visit, consider the unique two-tiered layout of the city. The upper part contains the main landmarks, while the lower part is ideal for leisurely strolls along the river.
Attractions what to see in Bern first of all for every tourist
With its truly German heritage and cultural preferences, Bern still surprisingly retains a visible imprint of European culture. Looking through the photos of Bern's landmarks with their names and descriptions, you will invariably notice the influence of Europe on this Swiss capital.
Federal Palace
We will start listing the main landmarks of Bern with this majestic palace, which is famous for its unique architecture in the Florentine Baroque style. This place is the home of the Swiss Parliament and the federal government of the country. An indicator of the scale of the structure is its dome, which reaches an impressive height of 62 meters. Under the dome, in the vestibule, crowned with statues of national historical figures, visitors can study the coats of arms of the cantons of Switzerland. With the help of special galleries, tourists have the opportunity to observe the sessions of the parliament.
Old Town
The heart of Bern beats in its old town, where amazing places await you at every step. Despite its compact size, the Old Town of Bern is decorated with many beautiful ancient buildings that amaze with their unique architecture. A walk here is a real pleasure: you can enjoy the view of the tower with an astronomical clock, fountains and arcades located along the medieval streets. This historic quarter is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bern Fountains
Any tour of Bern will include a visit to at least a few of the more than 100 fountains. Many of them offer drinking water, which is especially valuable in the hot summer months. It is amazing to see how the creators of the fountains have moved away from traditional concepts, creating unique and original structures. Most of them have a thematic style, individual for each, but they are all united by a common element. The central point of many fountains is a colorful figure rising on a column and decorated with stucco. Initially, all the fountains were made of wood, but over time they were replaced by stone structures.
Bern Town Hall
This building, which was erected at the end of the 14th century as a trading center, has earned high tourist popularity due to its unique architecture, including a roof with four slopes, as well as due to the astronomical clock installed in its tower and two dials under the roof, attracting the attention of all passing tourists. The upper floors of the building are exhibition and concert halls, where you can enjoy classical music in the summer.
Prison Tower
Until the end of the 19th century, this tower was used as a prison, and then it was converted into a city archive. Later, it was converted into a library and a place for exhibitions. When planning a trip, be sure to set aside time to visit this ancient structure. On the site of the fire guardhouse, adjacent to the tower during its construction, today there is an observation deck.
Zytglogge Tower
"Time Bell" - this is the name of this tower. Initially, in the 13th century, it was built as a fire tower, then turned into a prison, but its true highlight was the majestic astronomical clock, making it an unrivaled symbol of Bern and the main indicator of time for five centuries. The tower is decorated with Baroque elements and is topped with images of planets, figurines of angels and mythical creatures, and its bell tower offers a breathtaking view of the Old Town.
Church of the Holy Spirit
In the 13th century, a small chapel stood on this site, which after its destruction retained only its bell. Visitors note the grandeur of this Baroque structure. The calm and at the same time elegant atmosphere of the interior is emphasized by a circular gallery with arches and massive sandstone columns, which are decorated with exquisite stucco elements.
Bern Cathedral
If you have limited time in Bern and want to see as much as possible in one day, do not miss the cathedral in the Old Town, an example of late Gothic architecture. It is the tallest temple in the country, rising 100 meters above the ground, with a bell tower where a huge bell hangs, about 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing 10 tons. The interior of the cathedral may seem simple, but it still attracts attention with its stained glass windows, antique furniture and bas-relief composition. Tourists are also allowed to climb the tower for a unique panoramic view of the city.
Paul Klee Center
We suggest you visit the museum dedicated to the outstanding artist of the last century, Paul Klee, if you are interested in landscape design. This museum is a unique example of how to organize an exhibition space in an unconventional way, avoiding the standard limitations of walls. The alternative center is created in the form of waves, invented by the author himself as a kind of landscape sculptures. The green island, surrounded by glass and steel hills, houses exhibition pavilions, venues for theatre performances and concerts, a children's museum, and conference and seminar halls.
Nidegkirche
If you come across an ancient church with a green spire during your travels in Bern, it will most likely be the Niedegkirche, which rises on the site of the ruins of a fortress. Its graceful outlines blend perfectly with the surrounding nature, and its entrance, decorated with exquisite bronze bas-reliefs, greets parishioners and guests. In front of the church there is a monument to the Duke of Zähringen, who is considered the founder of this historic city.
Albert Einstein House Museum
Wanting to make your visit to Bern unforgettable? We recommend visiting the Einstein Museum, even if you are not an expert on the theory of relativity. Here you will immerse yourself in the era of the great physicist, get acquainted with his theories and learn about his family life. Of particular interest to visitors is the exhibition of the scientist's personal belongings and the screening of a film about his life, which can be viewed in one of the museum's halls.
Church of St. Peter and Paul
This active Catholic church has become one of the most recommended attractions for tourists, primarily due to its original architecture, combining elements of the Gothic and Romanesque styles. The plan of the church was chosen based on the results of an international competition for the best project. At the end of the last century, the interior of the church was supplemented with modernist paintings. Today, the church houses an organ that is used during various events.
Museum of Fine Arts
Local guides from Bern will be ideal guides to this place, who will complement your acquaintance with the place with real facts and interesting details. A large exhibition of works by great artists will be appreciated not only by art connoisseurs, but also by amateurs. The austere two-story gray building may not attract attention with its appearance, but the interior atmosphere is filled with color, which attracts tourists. Photo exhibitions and documentary film screenings are constantly held here, adding new bright accents to this place.
Bern Historical Museum
When reviewing the sights of Bern, it is impossible to ignore this museum, where artifacts from various historical periods are exhibited. Here you can spend a lot of time studying collections of old coins, works of art by Venetian masters, folk art items, silverware and Burgundian tapestries. The exhibitions are equipped with modern multimedia, which makes them more attractive and accessible to visitors. The museum building also houses the Albert Einstein House Museum, which is worth visiting for an additional insight into the history and culture of the region.
Communication Museum
An ordinary and inconspicuous building has been transformed into a unique exhibition space dedicated to the topic of human communication and the transfer of information. The exhibitions cover various aspects such as transport, post, philately, television, radio broadcasting and digital culture. Of particular interest (especially for children) are the interactive exhibits, which help to quickly assimilate and remember the information presented.
Sights of Bern: what else to visit in Bern?
This article contains the most attractive attractions in Bern, selected based on the ratings of tourist publications. From exploring architectural masterpieces and artificial temples to enjoying the atmosphere of lively restaurants, cozy street cafes and traditional cellars - Bern has something to suit every taste. A variety of entertainment and an authentic atmosphere guarantee that the city's hotels always leave their guests satisfied.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden, located on a hillside, is one of the significant attractions not only of Bern, but of all of Switzerland. Despite its modest size, this cozy garden, located in a quiet corner of the city, attracts attention with its variety of plants brought from all over the world. Here you will find collections of medicinal plants, cacti and alpine plants. After a walk among more than 6,000 plants, you can relax on the shore of the pond or admire the panoramic view of the city from a hill.
Rose Garden
What sights in Bern are worth visiting to forever imprint the magnificent Swiss nature in your memory? One of the places worth visiting is the top of the hill on the banks of the Aare River, where the Rose Garden is located. Previously, this place was an old cemetery, but today there is an entire oasis of pink beauty. As you climb to the top, you can enjoy a beautiful bird's eye view of the city. At the peak, a spacious garden with 220 varieties of rose bushes awaits you, filling the air with a magical scent. This beauty is complemented by the rhododendrons and irises growing nearby.
Gurten Park
Despite the fact that the park is located in the city, it creates a feeling of suburban recreation. There is a playground and a miniature railway, which delights children. From the top of the hill, there is a beautiful view of Bern on one side and the Alps on the other. During the warmer months, visitors are allowed to swim in the fountain, and in the summer, you can ride a mini-train around the park.
Natural History Museum
One of the most impressive attractions of the museum is the huge diorama, which immerses visitors in the lives of wild animals in their natural habitat. One of the most famous exhibits is a stuffed St. Bernard named Barry, who served for 20 years on the northern pass, rescuing frozen travelers. Also attractive is a collection of 50 minerals, including smoky quartz, displayed in a meter-long line. Visitors enjoy watching the interactive process of diamond mining.
Bear Pit Park
Local authorities generously pay attention to their heraldic symbol - the bear, allocating huge funds for the development of a special park. A real paradise for these animals has been created here: they can play, climb trees, hunt fish and swim in ponds, fully enjoying life. One of the attractive aspects of the park is its location: it is like an oasis of nature in the very center of the city. A transparent plastic fence allows visitors to take beautiful photos without interference.
The atmosphere of the medieval streets of the Swiss capital fills the heart with romance and invites you to an unforgettable holiday. Searching for tours to this wonderful city from the Turpoisk travel agency will allow you to enjoy all the most interesting places in the city of Bern. Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the country, where, according to UNESCO, some of the greatest cultural heritage of the world are located. And it is also worth learning more about the sights to get inspired for further adventures in Switzerland.
