Destination guides > Europe > Switzerland > Berne (Bern) > Berne (Bern)
Berne (Bern)
Switzerland's small capital is one of the country's nicer cities. It has many important museums as well as a pleasant old town with a 15th century cathedral. Bern is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and this distinction has earned it status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With 6km of arcades, the city is also home to some of Europe's longest covered shopping promenades.
Practical information
Bern Tourismus
Hauptbahnhof, Hauptbahnhofplatz, Bern
Tel (031) 328 12 12
Website www.berninfo.com
Open Jan-May Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Jun-Sep 9am-8.30pm daily; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Coming & going
Bern is most easily accessed by train with hourly departures to most destinations within Switzerland. Postbuses also depart from Hauptbahnhof.
Not many backpackers fly into Bern-Belp Airport, which is 9km southeast of the city centre. A bus (SFR 5.80) runs between Hauptbahnhof and the airport.
Local transport
Although the centre of Bern is compact enough to walk around, the city has a reliable bus and tram network run by Bernmobil. Tickets cost SFR 2 for a short hop or SFR 3.80 for a longer journey.
Hostel accommodation
Bern Backpackers / Hotel Glocke
Rathausgasse 75, CH-3000 Berne
Tram 9 (stop: Zytglogge)
Tel (031) 311 37 71
Berne Youth Hostel
Weihergasse 4, 3005 Bern
Tel (031) 311 63 16
Hotel-Pension Marthahaus
Wyttenbachstrasse 22a, 3013 Bern
Bus 20 (stop: Gewerbeschule)
Tel (031) 332 41 35
Landhaus Backpackers Hostel
Altenbergstrasse 4-6, CH-3013 Bern
Bus 12 (stop: Bärengraben)
Tel (031) 331 41 66
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Bärengraben (Bear Pits)
Berne's mascot is the bear, which the city's founder, Duke Berchtold V von Zähringen, named the city after the first animal caught there. Bears appear on Berne's coat of arms and can also be seen at the Bear Pits.
Nydeggbrücke, Bern
Bus 12
Tel (031) 328 12 12
Admission free
Open summer 8am-5.30pm daily; winter 9am-4pm daily
Bernisches Historisches Museum (Bern Historical Museum)
This museum is home to some of the city's most important treasures.
Helvetiaplatz, Bern
Tel (031) 350 77 11
Website www.bhm.ch
Admission SFR 13, students SFR 8
Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Bundeshäuser (Parliament)
When parliament is in session you can watch preceedings from the public gallery. When it isn't in session you can take a free tour of this impressive building.
Bundesplatz, Bern
Tram 3, 5, 9
Tel (031) 322 85 22
Website www.parlament.ch
Admission free
Tours Mon-Fri 9am, 10am, 11am,2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Berne Cathedral
Berne's 15th century cathedral dominates the old town with its 100 metre spire, the tallest in Switzerland.
Münstergasse, Bern
Tram 3, 5, 9
Tel (031) 312 04 62
Website www.bernermuenster.ch
Admission free
Open Jan-Easter Sun Mon-Fri 10am-noon & 2pm-4pm, Sat 10am-noon & 2pm-5pm, Sun 11.30am-2pm; Easter Mon-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11.30am-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 10am-noon & 2pm-4pm, Sat 10am-noon & 2pm-5pm, Sun 11.30am-2pm
Einstein House
Some travellers want to visit the house Albert Einstein lived in from 1903 to 1905 and he where developed his theory of relativity.
Kramgasse 49, Bern
Tram 3, 5, 9 (stop: Zeitglocken) Bus 12 (stop: Zeitglocken)
Tel (031) 312 00 91
Website www.einstein-bern.ch
Admission SFR 6, students SFR 4.50
Open Feb-Mar Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm; Apr-Sep 10am-5pm daily
Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Art)
This art museum has a collection of Swiss and Italian paintings, however its main feature is the large Paul Klee collection.
Hodlerstraße 8-12, Bern
Tel (031) 328 09 44
Website www.kunstmuseumbern.ch
Admission SFR 7, students SFR 5
Open Tue 10am-9pm, Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
Swiss Alpine Museum
This museum has exhibits on mountaineering and it is a good introduction before visiting the Alps.
Helvetiaplatz 4, Bern
Tel (031) 350 04 40
Website www.alpinesmuseum.ch
Admission SFR 12, students SFR 8
Open Mon 2pm-5.30pm, Tue-Sun 10am-5.30pm
