Bern Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Bern tours and things to do in Switzerland’s charming medieval capital: stroll the UNESCO old town with its arcades and the Zytglogge clock tower, watch the bears by the emerald Aare river, and day-trip to the Alps at Interlaken, the castle village of Gruyères and the rolling Emmental. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Bern by interest
Whatever brings you to Bern — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Bern
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Old Town
UNESCO arcades.
Zytglogge
Clock tower.
Aare River
Emerald loop.
Bear Park
Bern’s bears.
Gruyères
Cheese & castle.
Interlaken
Alpine gateway.
Emmental
Dairy country.
Cathedral
Old town spire.
1 hr awayInterlaken
Alpine gateway.
1 hr awayGruyères
Cheese & castle.
Nearby awayEmmental
Dairy country.
City awayAare River
Emerald loop.
City awayBear Park
Bern’s bears.
City awayOld Town
UNESCO arcades.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Bern visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and green — a lovely time to visit.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm, with locals swimming the Aare.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Crisp, clear days ideal for the Alps.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and festive, with nearby ski slopes.
For the Alps
Summer for hiking, winter for snow.
Best overall
May to September for city and mountains.
One day
The old town, Zytglogge and bear park.
Two days
Add a Gruyères or Emmental day trip.
Three days
Add an Interlaken and Alps day trip.
For the city
The old town and the Aare.
For the Alps
Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland.
For food
Gruyères cheese and chocolate tours.
On foot
The old town is small and walkable.
By tram
Trams and buses cover the wider city.
By train
Fast trains reach Interlaken and Gruyères.
Day-trip tours
Tours run to the Alps and cheese country.
Where to stay
Stay in or near the old town.
Swiss franc
Switzerland uses the franc; cards widely accepted.
Zytglogge
Arrive before the hour to see the clock figures.
Bear park
It is free — combine it with the rose garden.
Aare
In summer, watch or join locals floating the river.
Alps
Book a full day for Interlaken and the peaks.
Gruyères
Pair the cheese dairy with the chocolate factory.
Rail passes
A Swiss rail pass can save on day trips.
Alps day trips
Interlaken tours fill up — book ahead.
Gruyères trips
Cheese tours fill up — reserve early.
Old-town walks
Guided walks fill up — book ahead.
Emmental tours
Countryside tours fill up — reserve early.
Chocolate tours
Tastings fill up — book ahead.
Summer season
May to September is busy — book ahead.
Old town tour
Around €28–60 for an old-town walking tour.
Alps day trip
About €179–320 for an Interlaken Alps day trip.
Gruyères trip
Roughly €139–200 for a Gruyères day trip.
Emmental tour
Around €52–90 for an Emmental countryside tour.
Chocolate tour
About €55–90 for a chocolate and food tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Bern through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Green & mild.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Aare swims.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
- Best for
- Clear Alps.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Crisp.
- Best for
- Snow & festive.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.