Things to do in Bern

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Swiss Plateau

Bern’s Old City

Bern’s Old City is the historic heart of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The entire district sits on a high plateau surrounded on three sides by the Aare River. Most of the early wooden houses here were destroyed by fire, after which they were rebuilt with sandstone. The continuous red-tiled roofs and sandstone buildings remain in use today, and the medieval street layout has largely remained unchanged. The main street is paved with cobblestones. Heading east along Justice Street, the ground floors of the old houses on both sides are connected by arcades that stretch for several km, housing watch shops, antique stores, bookstores, cafes, and restaurants. Scattered along the center of the street are over 100 fountains, including the Fountain of Justice, the Zähringen Fountain featuring an armored knight with a bear, and the Child Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen), each with its own story. The Zytglogge astronomical clock mechanism at the western end is still in operation today. On the hour, the jester rings the bell, the bears parade in a circle, and the gilded figures strike the time—a scene that has been playing out for centuries as crowds look up from below the tower. You can climb the narrow stairs inside the Gothic cathedral near the river to reach the platform, where you can overlook the layers of red tiles and the bend of the Aare River. The Rose Garden on the high ground across the river is also a great spot to look back at the panoramic view.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Swiss Plateau

BearPark

BearPark is located right next to the Nydegg Bridge, spreading along the slopes on the east bank of the Aare River, and is the iconic destination of this City of Bears. The park extends to the banks of the Aare River, separated from the riverside walkway by only a thin line. Brown bears can forage on the slopes, climb large trees, retreat into caves to rest, or go down to the water to splash and play. They can also return to the historic Old Bear Pit via a tunnel to rest. The brown bears living in the park, Björk, Finn, and Ursina, are frequent subjects in visitors' photos, with Ursina having been born right here. The viewing experience here is multi-layered. The upper platform offers an overlook of the entire activity area, while the lower riverside walkway is perfect for viewing the bears at eye level. A funicular, nicknamed the Bear Train, connects the two levels, passing almost right next to the bears' activity area during the ride. Looking up, you can see the layered red-tiled roofs and church spires of the UNESCO - Bern Old Town on the opposite bank.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Swiss Plateau

Zytglogge (Clock Tower)

Zytglogge (Clock Tower) stands at the western end of Kramgasse in the Old City of Bern and is one of the city's symbols. It was built in the early 13th century, initially serving as a gate tower for the Old City's western fortifications, and later as a guard tower and prison. A fire once destroyed it, and after being rebuilt, it was equipped with a clock and bronze bells for timekeeping. The astronomical clock movement that drives the hands was completed in the first half of the 16th century and is still in operation today. The astronomical clock on the face is presented in the style of an ancient astrolabe. In addition to the time, it can also display the zodiac signs, moon phases, as well as the date and day of the week. Every hour on the hour, a puppet show that has continued for hundreds of years is performed: a jester rings a bell, bear figures parade by, a golden rooster flaps its wings and crows, and the golden god of time, Chronos, at the top of the tower swings his arm to strike the large bell, announcing the arrival of the hour. The interior preserves medieval mechanical devices along with thick stone walls and wooden beams. You can climb the more than 100 steps to the top of the tower to overlook the layered roofs and streets of the Old City, and on clear days, you can even see the peaks of the Bernese Highlands in the distance.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Swiss Plateau

Rose Garden

Rose Garden is situated on the high slope opposite the Bern Old Town, right next to BearPark. It was formerly the old cemetery of the Old Town and was converted into a park in the early 20th century. Hundreds of varieties of roses and irises are planted here, along with rhododendrons and other flowering trees and shrubs. In summer, roses bloom in succession, and in spring, Japanese cherry blossoms are in full bloom, offering different floral scenery depending on the season. In addition to flowers, it also features a water lily pond with a fountain, open lawns, and a pavilion with a reading garden. It is famous for its view overlooking the Old Town and the bend of the Aare River. The spire of the Cathedral of Bern and the layered red-tiled roofs are all in full view, and on clear days, you can even see the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The Einstein Bench is a favorite photo spot for many visitors. There is a restaurant inside, where you can dine on the terrace while enjoying the panoramic view of the Old Town.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Swiss Plateau

Cathedral of Bern

Bern Cathedral, built in 1421, is a Christian church with three narrow passages and a model of late Gothic architecture in Switzerland. Its tower is 100 meters high, which is the tallest building in Switzerland, and you can enjoy the medieval street view of Bern from the tower. The main attraction of the church is the magnificent relief created by Erhart Küng on the front of the church. In addition, the stained glass skylights and the beautifully carved choir seats in the church are all worth seeing. There is also a pipe organ composed of 5404 brass pipes built in 1726. It is the largest pipe organ in Switzerland and can be heard during regular concerts or Christmas. From the top of the tower, you can reach the top of the tower through 344 steps spiraling up from the church door, overlooking and overlooking the snow-capped Bernese Oberland peaks in the distance.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Swiss Plateau

Einstein House

Einstein House is located at Kramgasse 49 in the Old Town of Bern, just 200 m from the famous Bern Clock Tower. Einstein and his family rented this small apartment from 1903–1905, and today you can get a glimpse into the life of this great physicist here. The first floor of the apartment has been converted into a café and restaurant, and after going up the stairs and turning the corner, you will find Einstein's former residence. The apartment is actually quite small, with the room divided into two halves by a door. In the smaller back room, there is a desk that is the original one used by Einstein. On the wall in front of the desk is the famous mass-energy equivalence formula: E=mc². It was in 1905 that Einstein published four papers, including those on special relativity, which were of groundbreaking significance in the field of physics; therefore, 1905 is also known as "Einstein's Miracle Year".

Parliament Building

The Federal Parliament Building, built in 1848, is the seat of the Swiss government and stands on the banks of the River Aare. Ordinary tourists can sign up for a guided tour of the Parliament Building and gain insight into the more than 100-year history of the federal capital. The Federal Parliament Building has high beams and green dome exterior, exuding Italian Renaissance style. The interior is also richly decorated, with statues of the Swiss founding fathers, and a large chandelier composed of 214 light bulbs against the stained glass dome is very eye-catching. The square in front of the building is a place for locals to meet and relax, with beautiful fountains and wonderful light shows in summer, and a huge ice rink in winter. In addition, a variety of events are held here, as well as the classic Bern market (onion market) and the Christmas market.

Bernisches Historisches Museum - Einstein Museum

The Bern History Museum exhibits the most important historical collections and relics in Berne and even Switzerland from prehistoric times to the present, with nearly 500,000 collections. There is also a special Einstein Museum exhibition area in the museum, which is a better place to learn about this great man. The permanent exhibition displays important items of various historical periods and various fields through multimedia in the permanent exhibition hall. These objects come from different cultures on all continents, spanning from the Stone Age to modern times, including Burgundy, Königsfeld paintings, Grächwil bronze jugs, and a series of precious ancient coins, all of which are world-famous . Einstein Museum The Einstein Museum exhibition area showcases the amazing achievements of Einstein's life and work in detail, and vividly demonstrates Einstein's groundbreaking theories through animated films and some experiments. Temporary Exhibition In addition, the 1,000-square-meter space in the temporary exhibition hall of the museum is used to hold innovation and change exhibitions, displaying themes such as culture, history, prehistory, and national history in a circular manner.

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BERNEXPO

BERNEXPOis a modern exhibition center with large exhibition halls and conference facilities. The center hosts various types of exhibitions covering multiple industries and themes, such as business, technology, art, and culture. Many domestic and international companies and organizations choose to showcase their products and services here. In addition to exhibitions, BernBERNEXPOalso hosts various conferences, seminars, and events. The center provides advanced facilities and services, offering a platform for participants to communicate, learn, and collaborate. There are also many hotels, restaurants, and shops around BernBERNEXPO, making it convenient for visitors to rest and dine during events. In addition, other attractions and cultural sites in downtown Bern are nearby, allowing visitors to further explore this beautiful city after visiting the exhibition. BERNEXPOis an important exhibition and conference center in Bern, Switzerland, providing a platform for companies, organizations, and visitors to foster communication and cooperation. It plays an important role in driving economic development and cultural exchange.