Location: Bern
Top Things to do in Bern
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Bern, Canton of Bern
A powerful force since medieval times, the thriving Swiss capital is an appealing city of museums and collections. Bernmobil is the capital's transit service. A BernCard is valid on trams and buses that serve the city. A free bike service is also an option for getting around. The Historical Museum and the Collection of the Bern Museum of Fine Arts house the art and architecture of millennia. The Einstein House and the Paul Klee Center showcase the work of two of Bern's famous former inhabitants.
Restaurants in Bern
1. Freibad Marzili
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By inhale-exhale321 - Switzerland, null
Marzili Pool is a public swimming pool and a well know place to locals. In summer it is the place to be. Luscious lawn, large trees, lockers that also aid as privacy barriers towards the street, a restaurant, showers and change rooms make this pool a very enjoyable spot when it is hot. Simply bring your town, sun lotion and your friends and enjoy the day here. There are volleyball and soccer courts close by and if you are up for a river swim, the pool is located right next to the Aare river. Please check with the locals to hear if it safe at that time. There is no entry fee so don't be shy, come on in. Large olympic pool but also baby pool and kids play area. Perfect for everyone.
2. Aare River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By 674pavelk - Redmond, United States
In august, we could see people swimming in it, and even standing on a high bridge, we could see through it to the very bottom of the river. It's greenish clear waters together with the scenery around it gives you this calm and peaceful feeling. Very relaxing.
3. Bundesplatz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
The social heart of the city, this public square is named for the bear, the animal that serves as Bern's symbol.
Reviewed By Ogi0 - Sofia, Bulgaria
As its name suggests, the square is located in front of the Bundeshaus. The central bank is nearby, and good photos can be taken from the square itself. There is also a large water cascade suitable for children .
4. Cathedral at Munsterplatz / St. Vincent (Munster Kirche)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,083 reviews
Located in the center of the Old Town, this 15th-century cathedral sports a towering 328-foot-tall spire that dominates the city skyline.
Reviewed By yns_10 - Sydney, Australia
The charming Gothic Berner Münster is the country's tallest cathedral. After the plague came to Bern in 1526, many citizens converted to Reformation and by 1528 masses were stopped and icons cast out and the church became a reformation church.
5. Federal Building (Bundeshaus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 817 reviews
The home of the Swiss national government, this building's political significance stands out in an otherwise quiet city.
Reviewed By dinosd123 - Athens, Greece
Beautiful building, nice outside standing and very nice surroundings. A very peaceful area, everything moving just nice and very, very calm, quite a few shops and coffee shops around and an excellent place to walk around and watch.
6. Gurten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 818 reviews
Climb to 858 metres above sea level on the Gurten funicular, by bicycle or on foot, and take in breath-taking views of the capital, the Jura and the Alps. Gurten Park offers a programme of pampering and leisure activities for families, athletes, music fans and gourmets. Montez à 858 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer avec le funiculaire du Gurten, à vélo ou à pied et admirez la vue époustouflante sur la capitale, le Jura et les Alpes. Le Gurten propose tout un programme de bien-être et de loisir pour les familles, les sportifs, les amateurs de musique et les gourmets.
Reviewed By 588jurgenr - London, United Kingdom
Take the funicular up (every 15min) and enjoy the magnificent views of Bern ... and of the mountain range: on days with good visibility you’ll be able to see the famous Bernese Alps with mountains such as the Jungfrau, Eiger and Moench!
7. Bernisches Historisches Museum - Einstein Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 425 reviews
The Bernisches Historisches Museum is one of the most important museums of cultural history in Switzerland. The collections of archaeology, history and ethnography include approximately 500,000 objects dating from the Stone Age to the present and representing cultures from all over the world. The hydria from Graechwil, the Burgundian tapestries, the diptych from Königsfelden and a series of ethnographical objects as well as coins and medals are all internationally renowned. Besides these, other highlights of the permanent exhibitions include the spectacular Bernese sculptures, two Bernese mayoral thrones and much more. The integrated Einstein Museum offers an account of the life and work of the physicist and places it in a fascinating manner in the context of world history. Temporary exhibitions are regularly staged in the generously proportioned exhibition hall.
Reviewed By AP1729 - Chennai (Madras), India
The museum has many floors - the 2nd floor talks about Einstein and his life history. The others included a section about Bern's importance in the 20th century, Bern in medieval times, a section about Native Americans , Egyptians and a section about old statues from the reformation era. The Einstein floor is the main attraction and goes into detail about his life. Being an avid science enthusiast, I was fairly familiar with his life, but there were lots of interesting details which I did not know. Apart from this, the museum felt like a collection of arbitrary topics. Overall can spend a few hours here especially on a rainy day.
8. Museum of Natural History of Bern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Popular in Bern - observed in the whole world. The Natural History Museum Bern was officially founded in 1832. In 1936 it moved into a new building in Bernastrasse deemed an excellent example of the “Neue Sachlichkeit“ style. The building was extended in 1998. The museum has 5100 square metres of exhibition space and an international reputation founded initially on its historical dioramas. Aside from Barry, the NMBE is famous for housing the giant Planggenstock crystals and for outstanding contemporary exhibitions such as «Apocalypse - End without End». The museum's collection contains around 6.5 million objects. The Naturhistorisches Museum Bern is also a place of research conducted by the 22 scientists responsible for the collections, and functions as a venue for cultural events - most recently the “Help, it's alive!“ series and the “Dead animal bar“
Reviewed By thisdrinkinglife - Basel, Switzerland
Went up to Bern with the young toddler for a few hours to see the dinosaur exhibition in the Museum as the lad is obsessed with anything prehistoric. Got a tram from near the train station, was not too long of a trip, 4 stops and dropped off at the main History Museum. The Natural History Museum is around the corner and to the side. Was well chuffed to only pay 10 Swiss Francs, and of course the lad was free entry. Went straight to the dino section and naturally the young fella was immediately captivated. Some very big dinosaur exhibits on display, all moving and all scary looking. Very good effort and we were well impressed. We ventured around and saw the rest of the main collections of animals from different regions, the animal fossils, the minerals and rocks section, and a nice surprise to see the famous Barry, the original "St. Bernard" dog so loved in Switzerland. Even though the place was absolutely packed with young kids, (which was a surprise for an October Thursday!) it was still relatively easy to see all the exhibits and get some good photos as everything is well laid out and there is plenty of room to get and see everything. In fact the dinosaur set up was so impressive we decided to have another look before we headed home. Loved the museum and will be back for sure. A lot to see, and the exhibits are very well presented. I think the Dinosaur exhibition is only temporary so I recommend to anyone to get there before it goes as its very impressive. 10/10
9. Matte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By yns_10 - Sydney, Australia
Matte is the oldest district of Bern and was its harbour. It was formerly home to workers and craftsmen living is simple, half timber houses. Now you stroll by studios, bespoke shops and cafes.
10. Rose Garden (Rosengarten)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,591 reviews
Reviewed By inhale-exhale321 - Switzerland, null
Come here on a summer evening with your sweetheart or a group of friends, bring a picnic or get a take-away coffee at Rosengarten restaurant and simply enjoy the view over Bern, the Aare river and surroundings. This is very popular with locals and tourists alike.
