The Swiss capital is a medieval town in a tight loop of a green river, roofed with six kilometres of arcades. In summer the locals jump in and float through it.
Bern was founded in 1191 on a rocky peninsula in a loop of the Aare. After a fire in 1405 it was rebuilt in grey-green sandstone, and the old town has hardly changed since. It is a World Heritage site.
The main streets are lined with arcades, about six kilometres of them, with cellar shops below and painted fountains down the middle.
The Zytglogge clock tower puts on a show of mechanical figures just before each hour. The Minster has Switzerland's tallest church spire, and you can climb it. Across the river, the bear park keeps the city's mascots on the slope.
In summer, Bernese walk upstream and float back down the fast, clear Aare to the Marzili baths. Give the city a full day, and a good one.
A full day on foot, finishing in the water if it is warm.
Walk east down the main street past the fountains and the Käfigturm.
Watch the jester, bears and rooster perform just before the hour strikes.
The carved Last Judgement portal, then the climb up the tower.
Visit the bear park, then climb to the Rosengarten for the classic view of the old town.
In summer, walk up to Eichholz and float back down to the Marzili baths.
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Direct trains from Interlaken Ost and West take about 50 minutes, via Spiez and Thun.
The old town is walkable; trams and buses cover the rest.
The Einstein House on Kramgasse and the Zentrum Paul Klee on the edge of town.
Bernese Oberland practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
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