Bern is Switzerland’s capital and the seat of the federal government. It lies on the Central Plateau, was founded in 1191 and the historic Old Town is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Today, Bern has a population of around 140,000. Find more information about your Host City Bern at Bern Welcome.
Would you like to get to know Bern and the surrounding countryside during the climbing world championships? Climb up to find more information on travel and our excursion tips. If you cannot get enough, visit Made in Bern and discover incredible travel destinations and a wealth of activities in Bern, Switzerland’s most varied tourism region.
We’ve compiled the best excursion tips for you here. Whether you have two hours or a whole day to spare, we’ve got you covered.
Self-guided tour of the Old Town
Bern’s historic Old Town is perfect for exploring on foot. We recommend the 4.6 km route (blue route), the orange route is wheelchair accessible.
Duration: approx. 1.5h from the Zytglogge clock tower.
The Aare River winds its way scenically through the city of Bern, and a stroll along its lush banks is a highlight of any Bern visit. We recommend a walk along the 6.3-kilometre stretch from the Botanical Garden to the English Park.
Duration: approx. 2h.
Bern’s local mountain, the Gurten, is an idyllic oasis with stunning views and a fast-paced summer tobogganing paradise. Get to the top either on foot or by funicular railway.
Duration: catch the tram from Bern main railway station to the bottom station of the Gurtenbahn funicular (around 15 mins). Get to the top on foot in around 1h or on the red funicular railway in around 10 mins (runs at 15-minute intervals).
Do you enjoy scaling lofty heights? Not far from the Animal Park and in the midst of the Dählhölzli Forest – just ten minutes from Bern railway station – you will find one of the largest climbing adventure parks in Switzerland with around 3,000 metres of active routes.
Duration: as much time as you can spare.
Switzerland’s capital Bern has a wide variety of fauna flying, hopping, crawling and swimming around. Numerous domestic and exotic animals have found a home in Bern’s Dählhölzli Animal Park, while the Bear Park is inhabited by the three brown bears Finn, Björk and Ursina.
Duration: as much time as you can spare.
Bern is famous for its open-air swimming, with a plethora of outdoor facilities to choose from – visit the Marzili or the Lorraine pool on the banks of the Aare, “Weyerli” with one of Europe’s largest outdoor pools or the family-friendly Wyler pool. Be aware that swimming in the Aare is for proficient swimmers only and you enter the water at your own risk. Admission is free.
In the Botanical Garden near the station, you will find a wide variety of plants from all over the world, including medicinal plants, numerous native species, but also a variety of exotic flowers, shrubs and trees.
Duration: perfect for a short excursion.
Weather not playing ball? No problem! Bern has an abundance of museums and art galleries – from special exhibitions of international renown to private collections and interactive events. There’s truly something for everyone.
Duration: approx. 2h.
Climbing and mountains: in Switzerland you can hardly avoid the Alps, which comprise almost two thirds of the country’s total territory. The Swiss Alpine Museum in the heart of Bern is all about these mountains – and the people who fill them with life. That’s very much the case with the “Women on the Mountain” exhibition, which presents intrepid skilled alpinists who overcome great heights.
During the entire duration of the World Championships, visitors with a World Championship ticket will be admitted to the Alpine Museum free of charge.
On the west side of the city, the Westside Shopping and Leisure Centre is a unique adventure destination. Shop in the shopping centre with its many boutiques, enjoy a unique cinema experience with the largest selection of films in the city or discover Switzerland’s longest indoor water slides at the Bernaqua water park.
Duration: allow plenty of time, ideally half a day.
Every year in mid-August, around 150 artists from all over the world put the lower part of Bern’s old town in an exceptional state. The professionalism and diversity of the invited groups combined with the fantastic backdrop of Bern’s old town make Buskers Bern unique. Let yourself be carried away by music from all over the world, performance artists, theater, dance and much more.
Got a little more time to explore? We recommend getting to know the area surrounding Bern. Find an overview here and scroll up for more tips on whole-day excursions.
Would you like to combine hiking and cycling? We recommend the following bicycle trekking routes:
Frienisberg Scenic Route (43km).
Grünes Band Bern (59 km).
Tales of the Gantrisch Route (64 km).
Zeitschlaufe Laupen (opens in spring 2023).
Even from a distance, the boardwalk trail at the foot of the Gägger in Rüschegg stands out against the backdrop of the green forest. Opened in June 2020, the Gäggerstäg boardwalk not only affords dreamy views of the Gantrisch mountain range but also offers interesting facts about biodiversity in the forest conservation area and fun puzzles for younger hikers.
Switzerland and cheese – these two belong together. At the Emmentaler Show Dairy, traditional craft meets the latest technology to showcase the “King of Cheeses”.
In the midst of the green hilly landscape of the Emmental and only 35 minutes from Bern lies the village of Trubschachen. Visitors are immediately struck by a seductive aroma – an unmistakable sign that this is where Kambly bakes its world-famous biscuits.
A museum full of life! Discover Switzerland in a day on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. At the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, you can visit over 100 original, centuries-old Swiss houses and farms as well as more than 200 farm animals. The excursion can be combined well with a boat trip on Lake Brienz.
On the Stockhorn, 2190 metres above sea level, the wonderful
the wonderful mountain world is revealed in all its glory. The Stockhorn cable car takes visitors to the summit in just 20 minutes, where a hiker’s paradise opens up to them.
Follow in the footsteps of James Bond on the 2,970 metre high Schilthorn and enjoy a wonderful 360° panoramic view of the snow-covered mountains. See the imposing Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio at close quarters and visit the world-famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant.
3,454 metres above sea level: icy air sweeps over your face, snow crunches underfoot, and the panorama almost takes your breath away. On one side the view of the Swiss Mittelland, on the other the Aletsch Glacier, lined with four thousand metre peaks. Welcome to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe. Already the arrival with the new “Eiger Express” is a real experience.