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Bucket List: Top 15 Best Things to See and Do in Bern, Switzerland
Ah, the iconic City of Fountains. As the capital city of Switzerland, Bern has become the center of the entire country’s culture, education, history, and tourism. The city’s filled with perfectly-preserved medieval buildings and museums that contain the country’s spectacularly rich history. Moreover, Bern is also one of those destinations where you’ll always have a scenic background wherever you go, thanks to the unrivaled aesthetic vibe of the city.
Bern is also known worldwide as the home of iconic theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. Some of the establishments and buildings around the city are actually named after him! Aside from Bern’s huge historical significance, the city is also beautifully blessed with several natural wonders built around the Aare River.
So if you want to become closer than ever to nature and at the same time enjoy a flashback to the old, medieval period world, then Bern is absolutely the perfect place for you! Here are the 15 Best Things to do in Bern, Switzerland.
Visit the Iconic Einstein Museum
One of the most important discoveries in the history of mankind is Albert Einstein’s discovery of the Theory of Relativity which ultimately changed our perception of the world. Einstein made that iconic discovery when he was living in Bern, Switzerland. All the more reasons for a grand museum in his name to be established in this very city!
The Einstein Museum of Bern, covering an area of 1000 square meters, features an extensive collection of Albert Einstein’s authentic memorabilia, such as objects, replicas, and films depicting the famous physicist’s life.
Relax at the Rosengarten
Bern is an extraordinary place to explore especially when you can stroll freely around a mesmerizing flower park called the Rose Garden. This fantastic attraction features thousands of flower species, including roses, irises, tulips, and more. Needless to say, that Rose Garden is truly an Instagrammable and romantic place to relax!
Once you’re done exploring the enchanting beauty of this flower garden, having a delightful brunch at Rosengarten Restaurant will surely make your day. Indulging yourself in a Swiss gastronomic feast while enjoying the panoramic view of Bern will truly be one of the most magical experiences of your life.
Marvel at the famous Clock Tower
The Zytglogge, the most famous clock tower in Bern, is undoubtedly one of the city’s must-visit attractions. The medieval and old-school beauty of the clock tower is genuinely mesmerizing. Well, wait ’til you get the chance to peek through the inside of the clock tower and witness the panoramic view of the city of Bern from the Zytglogge, which existed for more than hundreds of years.
Hike Atop the Breathtaking Gurten
Bern isn’t only about medieval structures and historical museums, no. This city is also blessed with countless natural wonders, which will make you appreciate nature’s beauty even more. One of the best things to do in Bern is to hike atop the famous mountain, the Gurten.
Perfect for family getaways, sightseeing, and outdoor adventures, this green-meadowed paradise indeed captured the hearts of many visitors. Aside from the mountain’s exceptional scenery, there are countless fun and exciting activities to look forward to in the Gurten, such as stargazing, gourmet cook-offs, yoga classes, and even iconic music festivals!
Explore the Natural History Museum of Bern
The Naturhistorisches Museum Bern or the Natural History Museum of Bern is one of Switzerland’s most significant and oldest nature museums. This museum features an exhibit of more than 220 sets of life-sized dioramas depicting Switzerland’s insanely rich natural wonders such as the country’s animals, minerals, flora, fauna, and many more. Over 131,000 people visit this beautiful museum annually, and you should absolutely be one of them!
Score Great Deals at the Night Markets
Bern is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and relaxing cities to walk around during the day. Guess what, it’s even better at Night! The aesthetic view of the medieval buildings, the romantic setup of the cafés, and the overall ambiance of the city really make it a heavenly place to explore.
And it gets even better! Exploring and wandering around Bern’s famous Night Markets should definitely be on your bucket list. Feel free to let yourself loose and score great deals you’ll never forget!
Meet the Lovely Bears of Bear Park
Bears have been living in the beautiful city of Bern since the 1500s. That is why they are more than welcome to the town and are carefully protected by the government as they are part of the country’s natural treasures.
This is why the famous Bear Park, a 6,000 square meter sanctuary for bears, has been created. Aside from serving as a safe haven for the lovely bears, tourists can also book a guided tour where they can meet, interact, and admire the beautiful bears of Bear Park Bern.
Cruise Along the Beautiful Aare River
One of Bern’s most beautiful natural assets is no other than the majestic Aare River. Not only is it huge, but also undeniably gorgeous. Its blue and turquoise waters are truly mesmerizing and shouldn’t be missed by anyone visiting Bern, Switzerland. These magical colors are due to the tiny glacier particles slowly melting into the riverbed.
Trust me, booking a cruise across the mesmerizing Aare River will be one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll have in life.
Wander Around the Nostalgic Old City of Bern
Ah, there it is! It would be an enormous mistake for anyone who’s visiting the city to miss the chance of exploring one of Switzerland’s most prized attractions, the Old City of Bern. Hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the enchanting beauty of Bern’s medieval structures truly capture the hearts of people from all over the world. Witnessing it with your own eyes is something you will always treasure.
Offer Prayers at the Bern Cathedral
The iconic Bern Cathedral is one of Switzerland’s most important religious structures. Built more than 6 centuries ago, this 100-meter structure still stands as the largest cathedral in the whole country.
Admiring the breathtaking architecture of Bern Cathedral is one thing, but realizing its magical combination with the snow-covered Bernese Overland mountains and the medieval buildings of the Old City Bern is truly next level!
Visit Bern Communication Museum
One of Bern’s most unique tourist attractions is the Communication Museum. With the exhibit covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters, visitors are in for an exciting adventure towards the world’s past, present, and future.
The museum features exciting communication artifacts, including giant video screens, interactive stations, photographs, and more!
Discover Paul Klee Centre
Other than the city’s notable dedication to science, education, and nature, Bern is also known to outstandingly take care of its rich art culture. The Zentrum Paul Klee or Paul Klee Centre is a museum that contains almost all of the greatest works of the famous artist, Paul Klee.
There are over 4,000 beautiful masterpieces on display here at the Zentrum, where everyone is invited to visit and explore.
Drop by the Kunstmuseum
Kunstmuseum or the Museum of Fine Arts Bern is truly a haven for artists and art-lovers because the museum features some of the greatest works of gigantic names in the art industry, such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Méret Oppenheim.
Over 48,000 drawings and 3,000 paintings are displayed that visitors can freely admire and appreciate.
Visit the Federal Palace of Switzerland
Another one of Bern’s most significant attractions is the famous Federal Palace of Switzerland. Known for its mesmerizing beauty, starting from the facade going into the inside of the structure, the Federal Palace remains one of Switzerland’s biggest construction projects in history, where 173 Swiss firms collaborated for eight (8) long years just to finish it.
Check Out the Town’s Ancient Fountains
Finally! Now that we’re in the City of Fountains, we might as well explore the city’s most beautiful fountains, right? In the famous Old City alone, there are already 100 public fountains that everyone can freely admire and appreciate. Some fountains are decorated with colorful figures and beautifully crafted pillars that serve as each fountain’s identity.
These majestic fountains already served as the center of everyday life in the city, all the more reason for you to try and visit them all!
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