2 Days in Bern: The Perfect Bern Itinerary

When travelers plan a trip to Switzerland, they often focus more on the country’s iconic mountains and less on its cities. Visiting Switzerland’s cities, however, can be a great way to dig into the country’s history and culture, both of which Bern has in abundance. Even though Bern is the capital of Switzerland, it’s a far less prominent destination than places like Zurich and Geneva, making it a great pick if you want to go somewhere a little different. 

This Bern itinerary will help you understand what to expect from Bern and how long to spend in the city. You’ll also find all the best places to visit in Bern and have an understanding of why they’re important.

Best Time to Visit Bern

One of the nice things about traveling to Switzerland and destinations like Bern is that the seasons are quite straightforward. Visit in winter and you’ll have cold weather and snow; go in summer and you’ll have warmth and sunshine. As such, sightseeing around Bern is at its most pleasant between May and September.

One thing to watch out for, though, is the months of May and June, when Bern is at its wettest. August and September don’t present this problem, which is why many consider these months to be the best time to visit Bern. It should be no surprise, then, that it is also the busiest time and when hotel rates are at their highest.

If you’d prefer to avoid the high season, look instead at March, April, or October, which are Bern’s low season. Winter is a good time to visit if you will otherwise be in Switzerland skiing or want to visit the Christmas market.

How to Get Around Bern

Since Bern isn’t a very big city, you shouldn’t find it very difficult to get around. While visiting Bern, you could easily get to a lot of places on foot, but there are also public transport options for your 48 hours in Bern.

The city’s trams and buses provide access to the Inner City and Kirchenfeld, and as far out as the mountain of Gurten. The Marzilibahn funicular saves you having to walk up from the riverfront, and the Gurten funicular gets you up the summit. All are part of the same ticketing system. Tickets are sold in machines at stops and at LIBERO shops. However, Bern has a special scheme for overnight visitors, which sees a free public transport ticket provided as part of their tourist accommodation reservation. 

Where to Stay in Bern

Typically, the biggest problem that travelers have when planning a visit is figuring out where to stay in Bern. You don’t want to choose somewhere that’s uncomfortable, bad value, or somewhere impractical. The best places to stay in Bern won’t have any of these issues.

If you’re after one of Bern’s most luxurious options, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern is the way to go. This central five-star hotel boasts elegant and spacious rooms decked out with amenities like Nespresso coffee machines and rain showers. It also features a sky terrace and spa wellness center.

If you’re looking for both comfort and affordability, Habsburg B&B is a great option for your visit. Located in a quiet part of the city a short walk from the city’s museums, this cozy B&B offers spacious rooms and a nice complimentary breakfast.

You can also find apartments on Airbnb. For recommendations, take a look at our list of the best Airbnbs in Bern.

For one of Bern’s few budget options, you can’t look past Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke. Perfectly located right in Old Town, this hostel has a big common room, plus kitchen and laundry facilities.

For more accommodation options in Bern, check out Booking.com. The company continuously offers the best rates, and its customer service is on point.

The Perfect 2-Day Bern Itinerary

Bern may not be one of Switzerland’s most popular destinations, but there’s certainly enough to do in the capital to keep you busy for a day or two. This guide will show you all the best things to do in Bern in 2 days and take you beyond the Inner City to neighborhoods like Kirchenfeld and other spots across the River Aare.

Now that we’ve touched on that important subject, let’s have a look at our Bern travel itinerary, which will take you through what to do in Bern in 2 days to get the most out of your time there.

Day 1 in Bern

Upon arriving in Bern, there’s no better way to start your visit than in the heart of the city. Then continue on to some cultural icons and some of Bern’s best views.

Recommendation: If you want to learn a little bit more about Bern’s 800 years of history, consider booking a walking tour with a local guide. The walking tour covers many of the spots listed below.

Old Town

As with many European cities, the natural place to start is in Bern’s Old Town. Recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional history, the charming Old Town has bits and pieces from different eras. Two features you’ll find quite a lot of are arcades and fountains. The arcades, many of which date to the 15 century, run down the sides of the city streets and house all sorts of shops and restaurants. As for the fountains, over 100 can be found distributed across the historical center, each topped with its own unique statue.

Zytglogge

Within the historical center, a landmark no tourist will want to miss is the lovely Zytglogge clock tower. This was the city’s western gate from the 12th century, but the astronomical clock wasn’t added to it until 1530. The clock provides a little show on the hour to those amassed in Marktgasse, but if you get there several minutes beforehand, you’ll see a little revolving parade of the figurines beside the clock. It’s also possible to take a tour inside the Zytglogge tower, where you’ll see how the clock works and learn about the tower’s history. You can book your Zytglogge tour here.

Bern Cathedral

The other major landmark of Bern from the Middle Ages is the city’s cathedral, the Berner Münster. Although built as a Catholic church, it was converted into a Swiss Reformed church in the 16th century. The cathedral took centuries to complete after construction began in 1421, with its tower being the last part to be completed, in 1893. The wait was worth it, though, as it is now Switzerland’s tallest cathedral and the views from the tower are especially magical. The masterful Gothic architecture and artwork include various sculptures and many stained glass windows.

Parliament Building

As the capital of Switzerland, Bern is home to the Bundeshaus, the Federal Palace of Switzerland. Completed in 1902, this neoclassical building has a powerful presence on Bundesplatz square. It’s possible to take guided tours of the parliament. You’ll see the official chambers and the central domed hall, with its decorations full of national symbolism. On the riverside of the building sits the Bundesterrasse, a large terrace with views of the River Aare.

Bear Pit

For centuries, the bear has been the symbol of Bern and appears on its coat of arms. That relationship eventually led to the city keeping bears and establishing a city bear pit where locals and visitors could see them. In 1857, the Bärengraben, or Bear Pit, was moved to the banks of the Aare, where it remains to this day. That being said, the animal enclosure was expanded and modernized in 2009 to provide a new green space for the three resident bears, as well as access to the river. Nowadays, it’s much more of a bear park.

Bern Historical Museum

Bern is home to a superb collection of museums, and one that can’t be missed is the Bern Historical Museum. It’s the second largest museum in Switzerland and one of the country’s most important. The exhibits found inside cover an immense span of history, from the Stone Age right up to the 20th century. There’s simply too much inside this huge museum to list out in detail, but the breathtaking 15th-century Flemish tapestries are usually a favorite. Besides visiting for the displays inside, you’ll also want to see the splendid architecture of the building itself, which is that of a neo-Renaissance castle.

Einstein Museum

While technically part of the Bern Historical Museum, the Einstein Museum is a fantastic place to learn about one of the city’s most famous residents. The museum was originally meant as a temporary exhibition when it was put up in 2005, but it continues to be on display. The museum’s focus is, of course, on physicist Albert Einstein and, more specifically, his development of the Theory of Relativity while living in Bern. Among its displays are letters, items, photos, and film which document the genius’ life and work. A related attraction in Bern is the Einstein House, where he lived from 1903 to 1905.

Panoramic Viewpoints

To finish your day, head to one of Bern’s best viewpoints to take in the city’s picturesque riverfront. You actually have several good options on the eastern bank of the River Aare, one of which is the Rosengarten. Not only is this one of Bern’s most peaceful places to unwind, it also boasts some nice views across the river to the historical center. The only problem with this viewpoint is that there are trees that can block out parts of the view. For an unobstructed view of the city, head down to Grosser Muristalden near Kollerweg. From there, you’ll get a truly spectacular view of Bern, especially if you stick around for sunset.

Day 2 in Bern

With your second day, you have a few different options. Rather than being a long list of attractions, the following are different types of activities to fill part or all of your day, allowing some flexibility in what you choose to do.

1. Museum Quarter

Bern is home to many museums. Most of these are clustered around the Bern Historical Museum on Helvetiaplatz, making it a great part of the city to visit if you’re into museums.

Some of the main museums in this part of the city are the Kunsthalle Bern, the Museum of Communication, the Alpine Museum of Switzerland, and the Natural History Museum of Bern. The Kunsthalle Bern is an art museum focusing on regional, national, and international art from newcomers to veterans of the art world. The only one of its kind in Switzerland, the Museum of Communication focuses on topics like post, media, and the history of telecommunications. As its name suggests, the Alpine Museum of Switzerland showcases culture and the nature of life in the Swiss Alps. The Natural History Museum of Bern explores the animal world in great depth.

The one major museum that’s not in this part of the city is Bern’s excellent Museum of Fine Arts. Switzerland’s oldest art museum, it holds an enormous collection of celebrated art, dating all the way back to the Middle Ages. The collection is too vast to go into detail about, but it includes works by names such as Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee, and Pollock.

2. Gurten

If you’re itching to escape the city and go exploring somewhere a little higher, the mountain of Gurten is your closest option. Measuring 864 meters tall, it may be small compared to the mighty Alps, but it’s more than enough for a short trip in the outdoors. The mountain is located due south of Bern, just beyond its outskirts, and has both trains and trams that can take you there.

What you get up to on Gurten will highly depend on what time of year you visit. Go in winter and you’ll have the ideal place for snowball fights and toboggan rides. Visit during summer and hiking is the way to go. During both seasons, you can take a ride on the historic funicular, which will take you most of the way up the mountain. If the weather is clear, you should have a perfect view of Bern, especially from the top of the Gurten Observation Tower.

3. Freibad Marzili and River Aare Swimming

If you’re visiting in summer and looking for a place to cool off, do as the locals do and head down to Freibad Marzili. This large outdoor swimming complex is located by the River Aare south of the city center and is a hive of activity come summer. It features three swimming pools: a 50 meter pool, a diving pool, and a kiddie pool. There’s also access to the River Aare, where plenty of people go swimming. Out of the water, visitors have plenty of lawn to lounge on. There are also beach volleyball courts and table tennis tables.

Beginning at Eichholz park even further upstream, you’ll see people jump into the river and let the current bring them back toward Bern. Every summer you’ll see people swimming or taking inflatable pool toys down the river; some even take a leap off the low bridges over the river. Once they reach Marzili, they get out and walk back to Eichholz to go again. Note that with the speed of the river’s current, this activity is only suitable for strong swimmers.

You now have everything you might need to spend 2 days in Bern exploring the city’s sights. Hopefully, this list has given you a better idea of how to plan your visit to Switzerland’s capital.