Things to do in Bern

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Clock Tower showing landscape views and a city
Bern Natural History Museum which includes interior views
Bundeshaus which includes a square or plaza, an administrative buidling and heritage architecture
Botanical Garden featuring a garden
Bern Rose Garden featuring a city
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Bern must see attractions

1. Bern Rose Garden

Bern Rose Garden is one of the prettiest parks in the city, with 220 types of roses displayed. In this former cemetery, countless rows of colorful flowers, made up of rhododendrons, irises and azaleas now complement the eclectic rose collection. Spend some time reading a book in the peaceful setting before making your way through the Old Town.
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Bern Rose Garden showing wildflowers, a park and flowers

2. Federal Palace

The Bundeshaus is the impressive building housing the Swiss Parliament. It is easy to recognize in the Bern skyline with its remarkable large green dome at its center and two smaller versions on either side. Walk through the grand rooms of this structure, built between 1894 and 1902, and learn about its political and architectural importance.
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Bundeshaus which includes a square or plaza, an administrative buidling and heritage architecture

3. Berner Munster

The late-Gothic Berner Münster is a magnificent medieval cathedral that soars above Bern's Old Town. This vast building dates back to 1421, although the first church to occupy this site is thought to have been a small 12th-century chapel. From the top of the cathedral’s tower are fantastic views of the region.
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Berner Munster

4. Paul Klee Museum

The Paul Klee Museum, opened in 2005, holds a large proportion of the Swiss German painter’s works. Peruse fine examples of cubist, surrealist and expressionist works in the three warehouses, with wave-like shapes, that undulate along a pleasant green field. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the modern buildings to flow with the hills of the natural landscape.
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Paul Klee Museum featuring modern architecture

5. Bern Historical Museum

Educational, informative, but also visually stunning, the Bern Historical Museum will keep you fascinated for hours. Spend a few hours here to discover history, archeology, ethnography and numismatics from all corners of the world.
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Bern Historical Museum featuring a small town or village

What to do in Bern

Discover the most popular places to visit in Bern

Bern Rose Garden which includes a fountain, a pond and a garden

Bern Rose Garden

See and smell beautiful roses at this dreamy park with hundreds of types of flowers. Appreciate the views from the garden’s position on a ridge.

Bern Rose Garden
Bundeshaus which includes a square or plaza, an administrative buidling and heritage architecture

Federal Palace

Browse a market, play in the fountain or go ice-skating beside this iconic political hub, before taking a guided tour through its historic halls.

Federal Palace
Berner Munster

Berner Munster

Peruse centuries-old religious art, climb the tallest church tower in Switzerland and attend sacred music recitals when you visit Bern's Gothic cathedral.

Berner Munster
Paul Klee Museum featuring modern architecture

Paul Klee Museum

Take a trip to futuristic warehouses in a rustic green setting to see the inspiring works of a modernist artist.

Paul Klee Museum
Bern Art Museum

Bern Art Museum

Inside one of the oldest art museums in Switzerland, view a vast treasure trove of art from the last 800 years, including works by renowned masters.

Bern Art Museum
Bern Historical Museum featuring a small town or village

Bern Historical Museum

Browse this prominent Swiss museum to find local treasures from the Stone Age to the present day and get to know the man behind the genius in the Einstein Museum.

Bern Historical Museum
Wandering through Bern. Near the bear pit.

Nydeggbrucke

You can find out about the history of Innere Stadt with a visit to Nydeggbrucke. Experience the museums and festivals in this walkable area.

Nydeggbrucke
Bern

Prison Tower (Kafigturm)

Once used to confine felons and now a venue for exhibitions, this tall structure has served the city of Bern for nearly four centuries.

Prison Tower (Kafigturm)
Botanical Garden which includes street scenes and tropical scenes

Botanical Garden

Wander across continents as you walk between the greenhouses and gardens with a remarkable variety of exotic and local vegetation.

Botanical Garden

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Bern

Old City of Bern featuring landscape views and a city

Old City of Bern

4.5/5(132 area reviews)

Discover a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site with a well-preserved medieval core, featuring Switzerland's tallest minster, Renaissance fountains, and historic bridges. Experience modernity seamlessly integrated into this medieval gem.

Old City of Bern
Bern Natural History Museum which includes interior views

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde

While visiting Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde, you might make a stop by sights like Paul Klee Museum and Bern Rose Garden.

Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde
Bern Art Museum

Rotes Quartier

While visiting Rotes Quartier, you might make a stop by sights like Bern Art Museum and Wege zu Klee.

Rotes Quartier
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Langgasse-Felsenau

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

While Langgasse-Felsenau isn't home to many top sights, Botanical Garden and Bern Art Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

Langgasse-Felsenau
Bundeshaus which includes a square or plaza, an administrative buidling and heritage architecture

Gelbes Quartier

If you're spending some time in Gelbes Quartier, Prison Tower (Kafigturm) and Theater am Zytglogge are top sights worth seeing.

Gelbes Quartier
Botanical Garden featuring a garden

Breitenrain-Lorraine

4.5/5(34 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Breitenrain-Lorraine, Wankdorf Stadium and Botanical Garden are top sights worth seeing.

Breitenrain-Lorraine

Popular day trips from Bern

Photo by Shui Ling Chu

Frauenkappelen

Frequently asked questions

Is Bern worth visiting?
From retail therapy to history and outdoor adventures, there are many great things to do in Bern. Be sure to experience the area's mix of cool attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Bern?
Once you've visited popular attractions like Bern Historical Museum and Einstein-Haus, spend the rest of your day exploring Bern's shopping and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bern?
Berner Munster is one of the top tourist attractions in Bern and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Bern?
Three days will give you time to check out some popular city highlights, including Berner Munster, Bern Historical Museum and Einstein-Haus. The average stay in Bern is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your vacation, Interlaken isn't far away.
Is Bern a walkable city?
That depends on what you plan to see and do in Bern. Several sights, including Berner Munster and Bern Historical Museum, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of Bern's best neighborhoods, Innere Stadt is 0.16 kilometers away from downtown, while Old City of Bern is 0.16 kilometers away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Bern with kids?
Deciding what to do in Bern with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or little ones, there are many family-friendly tours and attractions to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Bern for adults?
Kursaal Bern and Swiss Alpine Museum are just two of the things to do in Bern. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Bern?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in Bern is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on vibrant neighborhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Berner Munster is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.