Bern Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget mealCHF 20.00≈ $24.75
- Mid-range mealCHF 45.00≈ $55.70
- CappuccinoCHF 4.50≈ $5.57
- Domestic beerCHF 7.00≈ $8.66
- Taxi (per km)CHF 4.00≈ $4.95
- Public transport ticketCHF 4.60≈ $5.69
- Museum entryCHF 20.00≈ $24.75
- Mid-range hotel (night)CHF 220.00≈ $272.30
Food & Drink
- KornhauskellerSwiss · $$$
A grand vaulted cellar restaurant in the former granary building, serving Swiss and international dishes under an ornate painted ceiling.
- Zunft zu WebernSwiss · $$$
A historic guild-hall restaurant known for classic Bernese dishes like Berner Platte, a hearty meat-and-sauerkraut platter.
- Restaurant LorenziniItalian · $$$
A well-regarded Italian restaurant and cafe in the Old Town, popular for aperitivo and pasta.
- Altes TramdepotSwiss/Brewery · $$
A brewery-restaurant in a converted tram depot near the Bear Park, known for its own beers and Swiss pub fare.
- Della CasaSwiss · $$
A traditional, unpretentious restaurant near the train station serving classic Bernese comfort food since the 1930s.
- Bar Aarbergerhof
A popular Old Town bar known for its extensive gin selection and lively evening crowd.
- ISC Club Bern
One of Bern's main nightclubs, hosting DJs and dance nights near the train station.
- Turnhalle
A converted gymnasium turned bar and restaurant, popular for evening drinks and a relaxed crowd.
Culture & History
- Zentrum Paul Klee
A striking Renzo Piano-designed museum on Bern's outskirts holding the world's largest collection of Paul Klee's work.
- Kunstmuseum Bern
Switzerland's oldest art museum, with collections ranging from medieval works to Picasso and the controversial Gurlitt trove.
- Einstein Museum (Historical Museum of Bern)
Housed alongside the Bern Historical Museum, documenting Albert Einstein's years living and working in Bern.
- Bern Historical Museum
A large museum covering Bernese and world history and cultures, in a castle-like building near the Parliament.
- Kino Rex Bern
A well-known cinema near the train station showing both mainstream and original-language international films.
- Cinématte
An arthouse cinema and cultural venue by the Aare river, known for independent and classic film screenings.
- Gurtenfestival
A major open-air music festival held on the Gurten hill overlooking Bern.
- Zibelemärit (Onion Market)
A traditional autumn market where vendors sell decorative onion braids and produce throughout the Old Town.
Nature & Outdoors
- Aare River banks at Marzili
Locals swim and float down the fast-flowing Aare River here in summer, then relax on the grassy riverside lawns.
- Gurten
Bern's local hill, reached by funicular, with walking trails and views over the city and the distant Alps.
Active & Fun
- Migros Fitnesscenter Bern
A widely available Swiss fitness chain with a centrally located branch.
- Marzili Freibad
An outdoor riverside swimming pool complex fed by the Aare, a Bern summer institution since 1930.