Bern

Switzerland's federal city, small enough to see the old town in a day, with the Aare for summer afternoons.

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Bern is the federal city of Switzerland, set on a loop of the Aare River on the Swiss Plateau. Its old town is built of sandstone and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arcades called Lauben line many of the main streets, so you can walk and shop out of the rain. The Zytglogge clock tower stands in the old town, and the Bern Minster, a Gothic cathedral, is a short walk away.

Bern suits travelers who want a walkable city with museums, easy rail links and a river to swim in. A day covers the old town, the clock tower, the Minster and BearPark, which is free. On warm summer afternoons, locals swim and float down the Aare, so a stay of two nights leaves room for the old town, the river and a day trip by train.

Bern in five

Watch the Zytglogge figures just before the hourThe clock tower stages a short puppet show before each hour, with a rooster, dancing bears, a jester and Cronos. The tower can be climbed, about 130 steps, for a view of the old town and, on a clear day, Oberland peaks.
Visit the BearPark, free around the clockThe BearPark on the Aare bank is free of charge and open day and night all year, with a panorama lift that is also free. The neighboring Dählhölzli zoo is a separate paid visit.Bern in one day
Swim the Aare only if you are a strong swimmerBern Welcome calls the current strong and often underestimated, and says to stay out after heavy rain or at high water. The city's outdoor pools, including Marzili and Lorraine, are free.
Book the free Parliament tour before you goGuided tours of the Federal Palace are free, last up to 60 minutes and run Tuesday to Saturday, but not while Parliament is in session. Visitors aged 16 and over deposit an ID document with security.
Use Bern as a rail hub, and activate the Bern-TicketBern Welcome says Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Interlaken are each within an hour by direct train. Overnight guests also get a free Bern-Ticket for local transit, activated with a code from the hotel.Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

Things to do in Bern

See all attractions in Bern

woman in white and red floral dress standing in front of store

Historic site · BernZytglogge

Museum · BernNaturhistorisches Museum Bern

Reichstag building, Germany during daytime

Landmark · BernParliament Building

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BernPut the places you like in Bern on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Direct trains from Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Interlaken, each within an hour
Getting around: Walk the old town; overnight guests get a free Bern-Ticket for transit
Best base: Old town or near the station
Time needed: 1 day; 2 for the Aare, museums and a day trip
Free sights: BearPark, old-town arcades, city outdoor pools, Parliament tours

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low-1°Cold, clear
MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low0°Spring
AprilRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low3°Mild
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Mild, green
JuneRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low12°Aare season
JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low13°Warm, Aare swims
AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Warm, busy
SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Clear, calmer
OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Autumn color
NovemberRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low1°Fog, early dusk
DecemberRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Christmas markets

Average daily high and low in Bern, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Feb Carnival in Bern · Mar Carnival in Bern · Jul Gurtenfestival

Right now in Bern

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 2°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Bern

09:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today6°2°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue7°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed7°2°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu7°2°0%Thursday: Fog. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri7°2°6%Friday: Fog. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.
Sat10°3°12%Saturday: Rain. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sun9°2°37%Sunday: Rain. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 06:01 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF

Amount

Converted to

CHF · Swiss Franc

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Bern

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarCarnival of BaselBasel, a day trip
Feb–MarLucerne carnivalLucerne, a day trip
Feb–MarCarnival in BernBern
Feb–MarChienbäseBasel, a day trip
Mar–AprFumettoLucerne, a day trip
AprSechseläutenZurich, a day trip
JunGreenfield FestivalInterlaken, a day trip
Jul–AugVerbier FestivalValais, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Bern

Swiss rail optionsWeigh a pass against point-to-pointRead the guide

Hotels in the old townWalkable base, arcades in rainCheck availability

eSIM for BernTimetables and Aare water dataRead the guide

Insurance for BernMedical cover if you swim or hikeRead the guide

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Rules for Bern, checked

Einstein House, Kramgasse 49: open daily 10:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:45, from 4 February to 18 December 2026; closed from 19 December.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Parliament Building tours are free, last up to 60 minutes, run Tuesday to Saturday outside sessions; visitors aged 16 and over leave an ID with security.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Overnight guests in the municipality of Bern receive a Bern-Ticket: free trams, buses and trains in Libero zones 100/101, valid up to 30 days, with ID.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

All Bern guides

A narrow street lined with old buildings

Where to stayWhere to stay in Bern: four bases, from the old town to LorraineChecked Oct 3, 2026

ItineraryBern in one day: clock tower, BearPark, Aare and a museumChecked Oct 3, 2026

Head to headBern or Zurich: which Swiss city fits your trip?Checked Oct 3, 2026

Plan around Bern

Fribourg and the Three Lakes

Medieval Fribourg and Murten near Bern

Read the guide Swiss Travel Pass

When a pass beats point-to-point tickets

Read the guide All of Switzerland

Cities, mountains, rail passes and entry rules

Read the guide Neuchâtel

Lake town and Jura gateway, west of Bern

Read the guide

Bern FAQ

How many days do you need in Bern?

One full day covers the Zytglogge, the Minster, the arcades, the BearPark and a river stroll. Take a second day for a museum such as the Zentrum Paul Klee, an Aare swim in summer or a day trip to Fribourg or Interlaken.

Is Bern worth visiting?

Yes, for a compact UNESCO old town with arcaded streets, free sights and a river that doubles as a summer swimming lane. It is calmer and cheaper on time than Zurich or Lucerne, so it works as one stop on a longer route.

Can you swim in the Aare in Bern?

Strong swimmers can, using the marked entry points such as the Lorraine and Marzili pools, and leaving the water before weirs. Bern Welcome says beginners should use the pools, and nobody should swim after heavy rain or at high water.

What is free to do in Bern?

The BearPark is free and open around the clock, the old-town arcades cost nothing to walk, and the city's outdoor pools are free. Parliament Building tours are also free, though you must book ahead and carry ID.

Is Bern a good base for day trips?

Yes. Bern Welcome lists Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Interlaken as each within an hour by direct train, so one hotel can serve several days. Stay in the old town or near the station to keep rail days simple.