Bern, the capital of the canton, warmly welcomes visitors with its rich culture, variety of monuments, and scenic tourist spots. Located just 120 km from Zurich, the country’s most important city politically and economically, it makes for a popular day trip from Zurich.
Landmarks like the Clock Tower, the old town with its arcades, the Munster Cathedral, Bumpliz Castle, the famous Einstein House, and Rosengarten Park are some of the main tourist attractions in the city.
Bern is an important city thanks to the rapid growth in tourism and development it has seen in recent years. This growth has led to the preservation of the city and its historic center, earning it a place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list.
Here’s a guide to what to see in Bern in one day.
NOTE: One of the most comfortable ways to reach Bern is on a day trip from Zurich. We took this guided tour, but there are many others that are also worth considering.
What to See in Bern in One Day
The city of Bern is strategically located on the Swiss plateau. This offers visitors great views from the lookout points surrounding it, so one of the best things to do upon arrival is to head up to one of these viewpoints.
One of the best for a panoramic view of the city is Rosengarten. This lookout features a beautiful variety of roses and green areas, perfect for taking in your first look at the city.
From Rosengarten, you can admire the lovely architecture of Bern and the red medieval rooftops that add so much history and charm to the city. You’ll also enjoy views of one of the bridges leading into the city, which crosses the Aare River that encircles the old town of Bern.
Spanish-Language Tours
In Bern, you can enjoy two amazing tours with Spanish-speaking guides, which we found to be exceptional experiences.
Helicopter Tour
Seeing the city from the air is an unforgettable experience. The 18-minute flight gives you the best views of the entire area, so take advantage of this time to snap all the photos you can and savor this incredible experience.
Fly over Bern’s most iconic neighborhoods and follow the Aare River. Viewing the cathedral and the Alps from this perspective is absolutely worth it.
You can sign up through this link.
Private Tour in Spanish
A Spanish-speaking guide will take you through the most interesting spots in the city, sharing stories, curiosities, and history about each place you visit. It’s a unique way to learn more about this incredible location.
Check schedules and pricing through this link on Civitatis.
Strolling Through the Old Town
For many, the Old Town of Bern is an enviable area and one of its most treasured heritage sites. Its preservation has kept it intact, well-organized, and compact. You can see centuries of history in the streets. Bern was largely rebuilt in 1405 after a fire destroyed many buildings.
As a result, much of what you’ll see in the historic center dates back over 500 years. Among the highlights, you’ll find the Bern Cathedral or Munster, home to one of the largest bells in Switzerland, as well as the tallest bell tower in the country.
The historic center also includes one of the oldest towers, the famous Clock Tower (Zytglogge). This iconic structure has stood since 1218-1220. You’ll also find many fountains adorned with significant sculptures.
We really enjoyed this 90-minute guided tour of the old town, where a knowledgeable guide shared in-depth history and fun facts about each of the city’s monuments. It’s a highly recommended activity.
The Clock Tower (Zytglogge)
Known as Zytglogge, the Clock Tower is a historical landmark of Bern. It’s one of the most visited icons in the area, attracting both locals and tourists.
In its early days, the clock tower in Bern was the first device to keep time in the city. Every hour, the tower’s clock would strike a bell with a hammer to mark the passing of each hour.
Construction of this tower began in 1218, but in 1405 a massive fire struck Bern, destroying the clock tower and many of the city’s old buildings. Damage to the tower’s structure was eventually repaired in 1983, when it also underwent a major restoration. The clock system included mechanical figures that would perform a small scene featuring a character, three minutes before the hour.
You can also join this guided tour to visit the clock tower, learn in detail about its mechanism, and watch the puppet show inside the tower.
Bern Parliament Building
The Parliament Building stands where the old Kafigturm wall once stood. This impressive structure houses the Swiss Parliament and the country’s Federal Council.
Upon entering this grand building, the first thing you’ll notice is its central green nave. Located right in the center of Bern, the parliament building has additional smaller domes crafted from copper and painted green, just like the main dome.
The palace’s architecture reflects Swiss culture in every corner. The building was erected in 1894 and inaugurated in 1902.
Inside the palace, a significant number of sculptures and paintings were created to honor Swiss democracy. This tribute represents the peaceful coexistence of Switzerland’s 26 cantons and its four official languages.
Einstein House Museum
The museum dedicated to Albert Einstein is set in his former residence on Kramgasse 49 in Bern. Preserving its interior style as it was when Einstein lived there, the museum now offers the public a journey through his life.
Inside, you’ll find various photos, documents, belongings, and other items that give insight into Einstein’s life. The museum provides a biographical exhibit on his life, his works, and other important documents he wrote.
On the museum’s second floor, you’ll see an exhibit on what life was like for Einstein and his family. Without a doubt, this is something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Bern.
Bern Cathedral
Bern Cathedral, one of the tallest religious buildings in Switzerland, is located on the city’s southern side. It features a 100.6-meter tower and contains one of the largest bells in the country.
Weighing 10 tons with a diameter of 247 cm, this bell has been used daily since it was created in 1611. Interestingly, the cathedral was initially funded by wealthy families, rather than the church.
The cathedral’s interior is spacious, as the altars were removed during the Iconoclastic period (the Protestant Reformation). Along with the altars, most artworks were also taken down.
Among the highlights of the stained glass windows are their religious images and especially the Dance of Death, depicting a skeleton claiming individuals of all classes without distinction.
Another unique feature of the cathedral is the choir. The musical area includes intricately carved seating and decorations featuring real animals, adding to the cathedral’s distinct and historical beauty.
Bear Park
The Bear Park is located near the Aare River and serves as a habitat for Bern’s brown bears. It’s also a fantastic tourist spot where visitors can enjoy watching the bears’ various behaviors and activities. The bears can fish, climb, and play with each other as if they were in the wild.
The bear habitat covers an area of 6,000 square meters. The landscape has been thoughtfully adapted to suit their needs, featuring shrubs, small forested areas, and caves for the animals to explore. In 2015, an elevator was installed to improve access to the brown bear park.
Rosengarten Park, the Best Viewpoint in Bern
In Rosengarten, or the Rose Garden Park, you’ll find an impressive variety of roses. There are approximately 223 types of flowers within the park grounds, making it a beautifully landscaped area designed for relaxation and enjoyment.
The park’s stunning view over Bern makes it one of the city’s best viewpoints. It’s filled with pathways that allow you to stroll through rose-filled areas and even make your way back into the city via these scenic routes.
Remember to visit during the rose-blooming season, when the garden is at its most vibrant. The park also features a restaurant, perfect for enjoying a meal with a view.
Sculpture Fountains Throughout the City
A large number of fountains—100 in total, with free access for the public—bring life to the streets of Bern. Meaningful sculptures atop these fountains have replaced the original wooden fountains of old.
The designs of these fountain sculptures hold great significance. They represent elements of Bern’s medieval history. One notable historic site is the collection of 11 fountains that still preserve their original statues.