Bern City
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and was considered one of the top 10 cities in the world for having the best quality of life in 2010. The 4th most populous city in the country, Bern has a distinct charm of being a major hub for business and politics while also offering a large wealth of culture and leisure.
Geography
Bern lies on a peninsula in the Swiss plateau in the canton of Bern, located west of the center of the country. It boasts of the rich countryside all around its surroundings, which were formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age.
How to Reach (Transport)
Bern’s significant location in the center of Switzerland makes it a good starting point to get to the country’s other places of destination.
- By Plane – The Bern-Belp Airport offers direct flights to Barcelona, Paris, London, Cologne Munich, and to other European cities.
- By Train – Bern is situated between the cities Basel, Geneva, and Zurich, where the Swiss Federal Railway passes through – making traveling by train very accessible and easy in the capital city. Commuters can come and go as they please with 2 trips per hour to each of these cities. For local transport, the S-Bahn railway system provides public transport to the suburbs and nearby areas.
- By Bike- There are plenty of bike paths in the city, where visitors can rent for several hours throughout the day. Free bike rentals are offered at the Bern Rollt, where you get to use the bikes for free for 4 hours by securing an id and a small deposit.
- By Taxi – Several taxi companies abound in the city center.
When to Visit
The summer months of July and August are the best times to visit Bern as temperatures are perfect for wandering around the city’s attractions. However, these are also the months with the most crowds and tourists must book their accommodation in advance since hotels and budget hostels are mostly filled on the weekends. For fewer crowds, the months of April, May, September, and October are ideal since the weather is also very conducive for sightseeing.
Culture (fairs and festivals) and Traditions
- Bern Carnival – For 3 days in February each year, 6km of the city’s arcaded promenade are filled with wild and extravagantly dressed performers providing rhythms and music to the city streets. Masked residents and tourists brave the cold weather as they parade to the streets of Old Town.
- SHNIT International Short Film Festival – one of the largest short film festivals in the world, the festival brings in over 25,000 participants and attendees from all over the world each year.
- Zibelemarit (Onion Market) – Every 4th Monday of November, farmers, and artisans bring in 50 tons of onions that are woven into braids and decorated on the many colorful stalls in the market. Every kind of produce and craft can be found in the stalls, such as ceramic pots, souvenirs, handicrafts, and plenty of local products. Restaurants are also filled with onion offerings such as onion tarts and onion soup.
- Gurtenfestival – Every July, the popular Gurten Hill is transformed from a local park to an open-air festival of national and international musical acts. For 4 days, over 25,000 attend the event day in and day out.
Points of Interest (Places to Visit)
- The Old Town – one of the most well-preserved medieval townscapes in the world, Bern’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts of cobbled streets and medieval infrastructures. Four miles of walkways with plenty of fountains and spectacular architecture are found within this cultural district.
- The Munster – a 15th-century Gothic style cathedral, it is the largest ecclesiastical building in the country and is the most dominant structure found in the Old Town. Visitors can climb the highest tower with spectacular views of the city and of the snow-capped mountains.
- The Zytglogge – the most popular attraction in Bern, is a medieval clock tower found in the Old Town, representing the perfect example of the earliest forms of animatronic technology in civilization.
- Einsteinhaus – From March to October every year, visitors get to tour Albert Einstein’s flat which he rented with his wife from 1903 – 1905. These were the famous years when he worked for the Swiss patent office and where the Theory of Relativity was born. Original documents, photos, and his desk overlooking the window are part of the exhibit.
Accommodation
There are plenty of choices for accommodation in and around Bern. About 39 hotels are available, as well as youth hostels and furnished private apartments for rent. Budget hotels fill up really quickly on the weekends and advanced booking is highly encouraged.