What to do in Bern Here are 9 ideas from the Swiss travel blog Yapaslefeuaulac.ch! I recommend the essentials for a first visit to the Swiss capital! Enough for a day to discover its charms…
No, uneducated travelers! When you see Bern, you will never again mistake Zurich or Geneva, the capital of Switzerland. In 1848, the federal government voluntarily settled in Bern, not in one of the largest cities, just like that, no envy. Another advantage? its central location.
Bern is my favorite city to take tourists to Switzerland! I find its medieval old town so charming…it sits on a hill surrounded by turquoise Aare. It was built in 1191 and retains its medieval charm. The UNESCO-listed historic center and its famous arcades are worth exploring while strolling!
That’s why I recommend 9 ways to visit Bern in this blog post!
→ The easiest way to discover Bern is to get there by train, as the station is located in the city center.To sleep you can choose different options like this youth hostel On the banks of the Aare, a Centrally located hotel or the address here more affordable.
Here are 9 things to do on your first visit to Bern!
1. Stroll under the charming arcades
In Bern, the medieval old town revolves around covered arcade streets. A truly picturesque postcard! The arcade is 6 kilometers long! Suffice it to say that even if it rains, Bern is well worth a visit…don’t just stop on the main street with well-known signs, but also through the back alleys…they are a bit quieter and there are other heritage details worth admiring on the façade and more independent stores. Above all, try to pass in front of the magnificent Town Hall (City Hall) as you stroll through the city center.
→ From the station on foot: aim at Spitalgasse, pass Käfigturm, a 17th century tower, then continue along the Marktgasse until you reach the most famous tower, the Zytglogge (see next point). Then go on!
2. Watch Bern’s famous clock Zytglogge, the bell
Zytglogge is a must in Bern! You must stop and admire the clock on this medieval tower. Little characters come out to mark the time: Guaranteed success with your kids! The crowing of bears, kings, clowns and roosters has been going on for 5 centuries. In addition to these automata (Swiss specialty), this astronomical clock is wound by hand every day. Its name, Zytglogge?it just means clock tower in the Bernese dialect (The Bells of the Times in Germany).
→ Stop by the clock a few minutes before the full hour for a spectacular view. In the summer, Tourist guide There is also a behind-the-scenes look at the mechanics from the tower.
3. Climb to the top of the University Church of Bern for a view
The bravest, those with a strong heart and no knee problems, can climb the 222 spiral steps in the tower of the University Church of Bern. Be careful, you really need a good physical condition, it will turn and make you dizzy.
Summit Bonus: Admire the breathtaking views of the Swiss capital Arares and the most famous peaks of the Bernese Alps: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Photo preview is here!
The cathedral, named Berner Münster, dates back to the end of the Middle Ages, although its construction spanned several centuries, from 1421 to 1893 (when the tower was completed). It proudly displays its Gothic and Late Gothic styles. In French, it is called the Collegiate Church of Bern, and is sometimes called Bern Cathedral or the Collegiate Church of St. Vincent. Don’t get lost, it’s always the same one we’re talking about! It has the tallest clock tower in Switzerland at 101 meters.
→ Aim for Münsterplatz on your map, admire the Collegiate Church of Bern from the outside, and have a short warm-up before climbing its tower!
4. Visit the Federal Palace, the heart of Swiss politics
The federal city of Bern is the political capital of the country. It is in this beautiful building, built in 1902, that its political heart beats. The view from the Federal Palace is an iconic sight for the Swiss: its gilded green dome is often featured on television.
Furthermore, federal politics is said to be conducted “under the dome”.I remind you that Switzerland is a federation of 26 cantons with a certain degree of autonomy, it is a direct democracyIn addition, on the Federation Square in front of the Federation Palace, disaffected citizens organized a demonstration: it was a symbol.
→ Take a commemorative photo at Federation Square, and those interested in Swiss politics can also sign up Tourist guide buildings.Chance to discover symbolic paintings illustrating Swiss history
5. Appreciate Aare
can enjoy laterArt in the city’s museum.But let’s start by admiring the turquoise waters Alle! Bern sits on the meanders of this river.
In summer, locals wear swimsuits dip!But be careful, swimming in the river needs to be careful (info here) and follow certain safety rules. Swimming pools along the river Aare are more convenient, such as Freibad Marzili.
The river view is a must when visiting Bern. Beautiful views of the lower town and the River Aare await you on the Münster platform next to the University Church of Bern. You can also take the Matte lift downstairs – with your ticket – to stroll through the old town on the banks of the Aare.
6. Say hello to the bear
Bern’s emblem is a bear, as seen on the city’s coat of arms… everywhere on posters, radio stations or taxi company logos. You’ll soon realize this when you visit it!you may have noticed Bern sounds like the word Bär (Bear) German? Well, only recently have real plants been found in a pit near the old town of Bärengraben!
The famous Bear Pit is located just behind the Niederger Bridge. A bit of medieval practicality, hehe. Normal, its period as usual: Bern has had a bear market since 1513! When I was younger, I liked to throw apple slices at them, and they deftly grabbed the air with their big claws before eating. They were three meters below us. However, these conditions of detention changed to the delight of the Bernese bears, who later moved to a wooded park on the banks of the River Ahr, Barron Park. We can go and say hi to them.
→ Walk along the banks of the Aare along the bear park, Or from the Niederger Bridge
7. Visit Bern: And a museum?
There are several very interesting museums to choose from during a visit to Bern. In art, Museum of Art Has a famous collection.center Paul Klee Introducing the artist who was born near Bern in 1879.
my favorite Communication Museumoften with good exhibitions in original scenes and in multiple languages.
Unusual: You can also visit Einstein’s apartment From 1903 to 1905 he lived while developing the theory of relativity. Genius scientists do work in patent offices.
→ It is up to you to draw according to your interests. If you plan to visit several museums, consider Bern Museum Card To save money.
8. Explore the underground store
As you walk around the center of Bern, you will notice strange colored doors in front of the arcades. If one is open, go down the stairs into that kind of cave! Many independent stores are located in these unusual locations in the basement. As well as restaurants, bars, cinemas or clubs. It is a symbol of a Swiss city!
9. Have a drink at Turnhalle
Savour Bern’s suave lifestyle, rich in cultural life and stop for a drink at Turnhall. This former school has been turned into a cultural center – a small choice because the Bernese know how to do it so well! Visiting Bern and feeling its atmosphere must also involve its art of living.
→ If you like festivals, alternative concerts and other events, check the calendar before visiting because Bern moves. The most famous event is the Gurten festival in summer.
Bern’s specialties
As you know, we love the regional specialties on Yapaslefeuaulac.ch (i even published a book Subject: P ).I also talked about Bourne on the blog!
If there are 3 things to try in Bern, I recommend:
– A plate of röstis: a symbol, because we are not far from the röstis barrier!
– Onion pie tasting zibelmariBern’s famous onion market, in November
– Bernese biscômes bear decorated with icing sugar (Bernerlebkuchen)
Hello Burns!Some useful Swiss German words
The Bernese dialect is a form of Swiss German. most used language domestic.Swiss Germans also speak Standard German, but Their Language is dialect.My charming friend Nicole, purely from Bern, taught us a few words in the text…
Three expressions to remember when visiting Bern to show locals that we are working hard!
- Hello: Grusech (listen here) Morgue Lookout (Good morning)
- thanks: thanks vile (scroll r)
- goodbye: Ade! (from farewell)
As you can see, they borrowed words from French. Don’t worry too much, in my experience Bernese speak French a lot, thanks to the proximity to French-speaking Switzerland (however, that’s not the case). what a shame! ).
I can’t wait for you to tell me if you’re in love with Bern too! Or what are your favorite places in the Swiss capital. Have any of you been to the Federal Palace?
→ Don’t forget to have it on the Yapaslefeuaulac.ch blog many other ideas Travel to Switzerland!