Berne Tourist Information and Tourism

(Berne, Switzerland)

Although Berne (Bern) is Switzerland's well-placed capital city, it gained this status due to its convenient location close to the very heart of the country, in Mittelland, rather than its actual size. Berne is in fact only the fourth-largest city in Switzerland, after Zurich, Geneva and Basel, although it does contain some extremely important Swiss landmarks.

Berne is extremely proud of its enticing medieval city, which is so beautiful and important that is became listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites many years ago. Many cobblestone streets and 15th-century terraced houses reside in this part of Berne, edged by a sharp curve of the River Aar, and surrounded by distant hills.





Head to the main tourism office (Bern Tourismus) at the railway station for the very latest in the way of tourist information, where guided tours and a free accommodation booking service is also offered.

Berne Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

Berne is famous for so many of its sights and important Swiss buildings. Of particular historical interest is the Zytglogge Clock Tower, which presides over the Old Town and features animated characters when the clock chimes, which always draws a crowd. Also known for its bear pits (bärengraben), bears have been an important attraction in Berne since the 1600s and reside within Dählhölzli Zoo. Other important landmarks include the 15th-century Münster Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament (Bundeshaus) and the Einstein-Haus, once the rather humble home of Nobel prize-winning scientist Albert Einstein. More information about Berne Tourist Attractions and Landmarks.

With Berne being the proud capital of Switzerland, tourists generally expect it to contain some of the country's leading museums, and they will be far from disappointed. The Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts) is a good place to begin a day out and contains works by Dali, Klee and Picasso, amongst many others, while for information about the city's rich past, pay a visit to the Bern Historical Museum on the Helvetiaplatz, before moving on to the neighbouring Swiss Alpine Museum, where you will learn all about the Swiss Mountains. More information about Berne Museums and Art Galleries.

Enjoying the perfect location to explore many of Switzerland's biggest and most important cities, Berne is within easy striking distance of Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne and also Zurich. Each of the cities has a huge amount to offer and are well connected to Berne by a range of transport options, so it is sensible to plan your excursions ahead, so that you make the very most of your time. In particular, tourists should look out for the Jet d'Eau fountain in Lake Geneva, the historical Old Town (Vieille Ville) in Lausanne, Lucerne's medieval city walls (Museggmauer) and the 13th-century cathedral (Fraumünster) in Zurich. More information about Berne Attractions Nearby.

More Berne Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Switzerland
• Location: Canton of Berne / Berner Mittelland / Le Plateau Bernois
• Status: capital city
• Area: approximately 20 square miles / 52 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 140,000
• Language: Swiss German
• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
• Time zone: UTC / GMT +1
• Country dialing code: +41
• Telephone area code: 031
• Average daily Berne January temperature: 3°C / 37°F
• Average daily Berne July temperature: 22°C / 72°F