Bern

Switzerland

Safety rating
8.8/10
Best time to visit
May to September is mild and pleasant for strolling the arcades and riverside, with summer ideal for swimming in the Aare.
Population
0.1M

Overview

Switzerland's understated capital wraps within a loop of the Aare River, its UNESCO old town famous for six kilometers of covered arcades, medieval clock tower, and resident bears. Where Einstein once lived, Bern blends sandstone elegance with a relaxed, riverside pace.

Top attractions

See the Zytglogge clock tower, the arcades, Bern Cathedral, the BearPark, and the Einstein House.

Getting around

Trams and buses serve the city, and the arcaded old town is highly walkable.

Bern essentials