Canton of Bern, Switzerland

Bern

Bern, the Swiss capital, is a medieval old town of sandstone arcades, fountains and a famous clock tower, on a loop of the Aare river.

Bern: Bern Private Walking Tour with a Local
Featured walk: Bern Private Walking Tour with a Local · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Bern's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Einstein developed his theory of special relativity while living here.

The old town runs along a narrow peninsula with arcades almost six kilometres long.

What makes Bern distinctive

  • The Zytglogge clock tower
  • Covered arcades
  • Painted fountains
  • The Aare river

Walking tours in Bern

Hand-picked guided walks in Bern, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Compare with other cities: History walks

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Old town

    Arcades and fountains.

  • Matte

    A riverside quarter below.

  • Kirchenfeld

    Museums.

Free self-guided walk

Old town arcades

A free self-guided walk in Bern, from the Federal Palace along the arcaded streets past the Zytglogge to the Bear Park and the Rose Garden.

2.2 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Kramgasse

    Arcades.

  2. Aare riverbank

    Paths along the river.

  3. Rose Garden

    Viewpoint.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat old town; steep to the river.

  • Swimming

    Locals swim in the Aare in summer.

  • Arcades

    Keep you dry in rain.

When to visit

  • Summer

    Swimming in the Aare.

  • December

    Christmas markets.

  • November

    Onion market.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach Zurich in about an hour.

Local transport

  • Trams and buses

    Cover the city.

  • On foot

    The old town is compact.

Questions travellers ask about Bern

How many days do I need?

One or two days.

When does the clock perform?

A few minutes before each hour.

Is Bern the capital?

Yes, the federal city.

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Country overview

Switzerland

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Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.