6 Things to Do in Bern — Zytglogge Clock Tower, Bern Minster, and a UNESCO Old City

Bern may not be the first Swiss city travelers think of, but the capital rewards closer attention more than Zurich or Geneva. An 800-year-old Old City certified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, more than 6 kilometres of covered arcaded walkways, an astronomical clock that has been ticking for over 500 years, and real live bears — the symbol of the city — all in one place. Bern is the kind of city that gets better the longer you walk it.

#1

📍 Kramgasse, at the heart of Bern's Old City

Zytglogge

The heart of Bern since the 13th century, this astronomical clock does far more than tell the time — it simultaneously shows the position of the sun and moon, the zodiac sign, and the day of the week. Four minutes before each hour, a mechanical show kicks off: figurines spin, bears march, and a jester rings the bells. The mechanism has run continuously for over 500 years. It is no surprise that Einstein, who lived in Bern, drew inspiration here for his ideas about time and light.

Best time 9–11 a.m. before the crowds build, or early evening when the clock is lit.

How to get there About a 10-minute walk from Bern Hauptbahnhof main station — head straight down Kramgasse.

Travel tips

• Stand in place 4 minutes before the hour to catch the figurine show — the clock strikes every hour, and crowds peak around noon.
• Tower tours take you inside the mechanism and up to a city view; tickets cost CHF 20 and should be reserved in advance via the Bern Tourism website.
• Best photos come from the eastern side in the morning, when sunlight falls directly on the golden clock face.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Zytglogge on Klook →

🏨 Want to wake up near these spots? See top-rated hotels in Bern →

#2

📍 Münsterplatz, Bern Old City

Bern Minster

The tallest Gothic cathedral in Switzerland, begun in 1421 and not fully completed until the 20th century — a construction run of more than 500 years. The spire reaches 100.6 metres and is visible from across the city. The main portal is carved with a detailed Last Judgment scene in stone, and centuries-old stained-glass windows colour the interior. Climb 344 steps to the tower for a 360-degree view of Bern and the Alps.

Best time 10 a.m.–noon for the best light through the stained glass; any clear day for Alpine views.

How to get there About a 5-minute walk from Zytglogge — follow Kramgasse then Junkerngasse.

Travel tips

• The 344-step tower climb is not to be skipped — on a clear day the Alps are sharply visible from the top; the fee is CHF 5.
• Cathedral entry is free, but there are scheduled closures for cleaning and services — check times before you go.
• The Münsterplattform terrace behind the cathedral is a free viewpoint over the Aare river and the Old City rooftops.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Bern Minster on Klook →

#3

📍 Grosser Muristalden, on the Aare riverbank east of the Old City

Bear Park, Bern

Bern takes its name from the bear in the local dialect, and the animal has been the city's symbol since the 12th century. Bärenpark is an open-air riverside enclosure where brown bears roam a large, semi-natural habitat with direct access to the Aare for swimming. Entry is free — very different from a conventional zoo. Bears have been kept in the city since 1513, originally in a stone pit; they moved to this modern park more recently. The open layout means you see real bear behaviour up close.

Best time April to October, 1–4 p.m. — bears are liveliest and often in the water during summer afternoons.

How to get there About a 10-minute walk from the Old City across Nydeggbrücke, or take tram 9 to the Bärengraben stop.

Travel tips

• Free to enter, open all day. Bears are most active in the water during summer afternoons; in winter they may hibernate and not appear.
• Pair the visit with a walk down to the Matte riverside quarter nearby — quieter and very different in feel from the Old City above.
• The Nydeggbrücke bridge above the park gives an elevated view of the bears and the Aare.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Bear Park, Bern on Klook →

#4

📍 Bundesplatz, central Bern

Federal Palace (Switzerland)

One of the most striking government buildings in Europe and the seat of Swiss federal power, completed in 1902. The green dome dominates the city skyline. Out front, Bundesplatz has 26 fountain jets — one for each Swiss canton — and in summer children run through the water while locals sit around the square. Free guided tours run every day the parliament is not in session; they take you into the debating chambers, past mural paintings, and under the ornate dome.

Best time Weekday mornings 9–11 a.m. before large tour groups arrive; the square is best at 5–7 p.m.

How to get there 5-minute walk straight from Bern Hauptbahnhof, or 8 minutes from Zytglogge along Marktgasse.

Travel tips

• Free 45-minute interior tours run daily; book in advance at parlament.ch and bring your passport.
• The square itself is always open and free — the fountains run in summer, and the evening atmosphere with locals is relaxed and pleasant.
• Photography restrictions apply inside during parts of the tour — listen for the guide's instructions before shooting.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Federal Palace (Switzerland) on Klook →

#5

📍 Altstadt district, Bern

Old City of Bern

UNESCO designated Bern's Old City a World Heritage Site in 1983, citing it as one of Europe's most completely preserved medieval towns. The signature feature is the <em>Lauben</em> — over 6 kilometres of covered sandstone arcades running along every main street, keeping the city walkable in rain or snow. Buildings 400–600 years old are still in active use as shops and restaurants. Sixteen-th-century sandstone fountains dot the neighbourhood, each painted in vivid colours.

Best time Early morning 7–9 a.m. before shops open for the quietest atmosphere; 5–7 p.m. when locals are out and the streets feel alive.

How to get there The Old City is directly adjacent to Bern Hauptbahnhof — walk straight out of the station entrance.

Travel tips

• Walk Kramgasse, Gerechtigkeitsgasse, and Marktgasse to cover the Old City properly — about 2 km in total.
• All 11 fountains in the Old City serve clean, cold drinking water straight from the tap — a good way to skip the bottled-water spend.
• Most shops in the Old City are closed on Sundays; come on a weekday if shopping is on your list.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Old City of Bern on Klook →

🛏️ Halfway through the list — pick a great-value hotel in Bern before rooms sell out →

#6

📍 Kramgasse 49, Bern Old City

Einstein House Bern

The modest second-floor apartment at Kramgasse 49 is where Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905 and wrote the Special Theory of Relativity — E=mc² — in these rooms. The flat is preserved with original-period furniture, personal effects, and an exhibition on the most consequential years of his life. The narrow staircase and compact rooms make it easy to picture how simply Einstein lived during the period that changed physics.

Best time 10 a.m.–noon or 2–4 p.m. to avoid the midday peak.

How to get there About a 3-minute walk from Zytglogge along Kramgasse — number 49 is on the right.

Travel tips

• Entry costs CHF 6 per person; open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; allow 45 minutes to an hour.
• The museum is small and fills quickly — avoid weekend and holiday afternoons when school groups tend to arrive.
• Combine the visit with Zytglogge on the same street — the two are about a 3-minute walk apart.

🎟️ Book tickets & tours for Einstein House Bern on Klook →

🏨 That's all 6 spots! Next step — book a top-rated stay in Bern →