Berne Museums and Art Galleries

(Berne, Switzerland)

Although not the biggest city in Switzerland, Berne is the capital and rightly chock full with important museums and leading Swiss art galleries. All around Berne are many cultural venues and even a fair bit of public art, which is clearly indicated on the tourist office's popular free walking map of the city.

Particularly notable is the Berne Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts), which is home to many exceptional paintings by leading artists such as both Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. Don't miss out on the Bern Historical Museum, easily reached by using either tram line 3 or 5, or by car along the A1, and featuring plenty of metered street parking close by.

Swiss Alpine Museum (Schweizerisches Alpines Museum)

Address: Helvetiaplatz 16, Berne, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 031 351 0434
The history of Swiss Alpine mountaineering is celebrated at this museum, along with cartography, the science behind drawing and creating maps. This attraction is the only one of its kind in existence and concentrates on all aspects related to the Swiss Mountains, with the Mountain World Centre exploring how man has used and lived in the mountains for many years.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00, Monday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, concessions available

Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum)

Address: Hodlerstrasse 8-12, Berne, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 031 328 0944
The Museum of Fine Arts is a particular favourite for many in Berne and is situated along the Hodlerstrasse. A visit to the Kunstmuseum comes highly recommended and anyone with only the slightest interest in art will find the paintings by famous artists a definite thrill. However, it is the 2,000 works of art created by Swiss painter Paul Klee that many people come to see, although obviously not all of these pieces are displayed at any one time, being rotated over the course of the year.
Open hours: Tuesday - 10:00 to 21:00, Wednesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and students

Bern Historical Museum (Bernisches Historisches Museum)

Address: Helvetiaplatz 5, Berne, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 031 350 7711
Constructed in 1894 and originally intended to house the Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum), the architect of the Bern Historical Museum was inspired by classical 15th century architecture and various fortresses. Following a substantial donation by the Abegg Foundation, the museum has been recently extended, with the addition of a spacious exhibition room. Many displays remember the life and contributions made by German physicist Albert Einstein, who spent many years living in Switzerland. Various changing exhibitions mean that there is always something new and fresh to experience.
Open hours: Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00, Wednesday - 10:00 to 20:00
Admission: charge, concessions available

Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum)

Address: Bernastrasse 15, Berne, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 031 350 7111
The city's very own Natural History Museum is perhaps most famous around Berne for being home to the old and stuffed remains of Barry the dog. Barry is best known for being the bravest of all the St. Bernards who have been used to rescue stranded travellers from all over the Alps, from the 11th century onwards. Other highlights include an array of further stuffed animals, along with some fossils, stones and minerals.
Open hours: Monday - 14:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and students

Museum für Kommunikation (Museum of Communication)

Address: Helvetiastrasse 16, Berne, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 031 357 5555
Visitors exploring the Museum of Communication can expect to learn plenty about the development of various means of communication, with a definite emphasis on antique telephones. The history of the postal system is also explored, with literally thousands of historic stamps on display.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, concessions available