Things to do in Bern

Best Things to do in Bern

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Bern? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 94 activities in Bern, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 287, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Bern in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Things to Do in Bern for a Truly Swiss Escape

About Bern

Standing on a peninsula and framed by the Aare River, with a lovely medieval skyline, Bern is a fairy-tale Swiss capital worthy of being experienced at a slow pace. The best thing about things to do in Bern is the ease with which this city blends the wonderful past with a carefree attitude. The Old City, filled with Renaissance fountains, clock towers, and sandstone arches, is a pleasure to explore and has been included on the UNESCO list.

Bern tourist attractions are a tourist hot spot as you explore the paved streets of Berne with the programmed clock tower, the majestic tower of the Bern Minster with its plunging spire, and the fountain of Kindlifresserbrunnen. Every spot has its own story about Bern and makes the city special.

Besides an ensemble of historic attractions, activities in Bern are complemented by the glossy blue color of the Aare River, which is swimmable in summer or can be walked down all year-round. It is a place where one can walk through centuries of history, and still immerse oneself in an urban nature within half an afternoon.

How to Make the Most of Your Bern Trip

Unique Experiences

Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

Explore the city at the pace of your own choice with a guide who specializes in what you like to see. This stroll won’t leave the Old Town, the arcades, fountains, and some of the hidden treasures you would otherwise not see. It is a personal experience of getting to know life and discovering the truest things to do in Bern.

• Where: Bern Old Town
• Pricing: It starts from INR 10,574 per person
• Timing: From 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (approx. 2 to 6 hours)
• When to Visit: Year-round; spring and summer offer the most vibrant atmosphere

Chocolate Tasting and Walking Tour with a Local

Together with a trip through historic lanes in the city of Bern, indulge your sweet tooth on this two-hour journey. You will taste Swiss-crafted chocolate, visit local entrepreneurs, and get introduced to the traditions of chocolate-making in the city. When culture meets cuisine, it is, without any doubt, one of the fun things to do in Bern.

• Where: Central Bern
• Pricing: It ranges from INR 33,698 to INR 35,000 per person
• Timing: From 11:00 AM or 2:30 PM (approx. 2 hours)
• When to Visit: All year, though winter months feel especially cozy for chocolate lovers

Swiss Alps Day Trip to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Interlaken

Shake the dust and ride out of town into the picture-perfect Bernese Oberland. Waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen, an alpine meadow in Grindelwald, and the beauty of the lakes in Interlaken will keep you satisfied on this day trip with the most amazing scenery in Switzerland.  It’s often rated among the top things to do in Bern for travelers with a day to spare.

• Where: From Bern via Zurich pick-up, traveling to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Interlaken
• Pricing: It starts from INR 24,877 per person
• Timing: From 8:00 AM departure (approx. 10 hours)
• When to Visit: Best from May to September for clear skies, though available most of the year

Top Attractions

Lake Thun (Thunersee)

Lake Thun is one of the most beautiful places around Bern, framed by mountains and glittering alpine lakes. There are boat tours cruising past medieval castles, lakeside villages, and vineyards. You may also swim, kayak, or just walk along the lakeside promenades. Visitors must consider a visit to this place as a mixture of nature and Swiss culture, looking for things to do in Bern in one day.

• Where: Lake Thun, Bernese Oberland (approx. 30 km from Bern)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 6,328 per person
• Timing: From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (approx.)
• When to Visit: May to September for cruises; year-round for lakeside walks

Kleine Scheidegg

Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass in the high Bernese Alps, offering gorgeous views of the Eiger mountains, Mönch mountain, and Jungfrau mountain. It may be seen as a prequel to the Jungfraujoch railway, and even alone, it falls within the top 10 things to do in Bern as a nature-lover. This destination is very popular all year round because of hiking trails, alpine restaurants, and things to do in Bern in winter.

• Where: Bernese Oberland, accessible via train from Bern
• Pricing: It starts from INR 13,570 per person
• Timing: From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (approx.)
• When to Visit: Best in summer (June–September) and for winter sports (December–March)

Einstein House (Einsteinhaus)

Enter the small apartment in which Albert Einstein lived when he came up with his revolutionary theories. The museum displays pictures, furniture, and details of his life in Bern. It also expresses the fact that he received his inspirations in the city as he was embarking on his career path in science, therefore making it one of the most preferable things to do in Bern, should you need culture with a touch of science.

• Where: Kramgasse 49, Bern Old Town
• Pricing: It starts from INR 35,621 per person (tour packages)
• Timing: From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (approx.)
• When to Visit: All year round

Sightseeing Tours

Bern Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour with a Guide

This walking tour suits beginners who have never visited Bern before and would like to see the beauty in the city beyond the familiar buildings. The time spent during the tour will be in the medieval galleries of the Old Town, the Renaissance fountains, and unknown courtyards, since not all tourists visit. You will also get to learn the history of Bern as you go along with it, or the special features within the Swiss culture of Berne, making it one of the best things to do in Bern.

• Where: Central Bern (Old Town and surrounding areas)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 15,861 per person
• Timing: Available daily, with start times from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (approx. 2 hours)
• When to Visit: All year round; spring and summer are especially pleasant for walking.

Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from Bern

The mountain excursion to Zermatt and to the Gornergrat station on the highest railway is a spectacle worth seeing when you feel like visiting the high Alps. You leave Bern and head into the very centre of the mountains, using the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, and looking at the iconic Matterhorn mountain. Those tourists who would just enjoy being in nature as well as in an adventure, and in the city, as well as exploring the city, will have to visit it at least once, and that is why it is also one of the best things to do in Bern among those who want to enjoy nature.

• Where: From Bern to Zermatt and Gornergrat
• Pricing: It starts from INR 86,277 per person
• Timing: Departure at 8:00 AM (approx. 10–11 hours)
• When to Visit: June to September for clear alpine views; also stunning in winter for snow-covered landscapes

Day Trips

Mt. Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip with Lake Cruise

Spend a day in the mountains exploring both mountain tops and lake beaches in the Alps. Starting in Bern, visit Lucerne with its medieval old town, and then take a boat ride around Lake Lucerne. Next, ride the cable car or cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus with panoramic views of central Switzerland. It’s among the most memorable things to do in Bern when one has a spare day and a combination of scenery, history, and clean alpine air.

• Where: From Bern to Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus
• Pricing: It starts from INR 40,824 per person
• Timing: From 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (approx. 10 hours)
• When to Visit: May to October for lake cruises and mountain access

St. Moritz & Swiss Alps Day Trip with Bernina Red Train

This is a spectacular day tour and will reach some of the most stunning Swiss scenery using the train line called the Bernina Express, which is regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Crunching down mountain valleys, meandering through tunnels, and glacier views all make it up to the glitzy St. Moritz, where you could just stroll up and down along the fancy streets or grab a bite at the lake. This is one of the top things to do in Bern that should be included in the list of things to do in the Alps and among lovers of rail and nature in the country.

• Where: From Bern to St. Moritz via the Bernina Express
• Pricing: It starts from INR 27,976 per person
• Timing: From 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (approx. 12 hours)
• When to Visit: Year-round; winter highlights snowy landscapes, summer shows vibrant meadows

Boat Tours

Lake Thun Cruise Experience

Sail away on the blue lake of Thun, the beautiful lake between mountains with snowy tops and the old castles. Cruises allow you the chance to enjoy Spiez Castle, shore-side vineyards, and small Swiss villages. Being on deck is one of the freshest activities to do in Bern during the summertime, as it offers a great alpine experience.

• Where: Lake Thun, Bernese Oberland (approx. 30 km from Bern)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 6,500 per person
• Timing: From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (approx.)
• When to Visit: May to September for the best weather and lake conditions

Lake Brienz Scenic Boat Ride

Lake Brienz is a well-known short trip outside of Bern and boasts its spectacular emerald waters and waterfalls. The Giessbach Falls, falling directly into the lake, and the scenic town of Brienz, which has woodcarving traditions, can be seen on a boat ride here. This is a great juxtaposition to city sightseeing and is regarded as one of the fun events to do in Bern on a sunny day.

• Where: Lake Brienz, near Interlaken (around 75 km from Bern)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 7,200 per person
• Timing: From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (approx.)
• When to Visit: June to September, though available in spring and autumn depending on the weather

Getting Around

Bern, being a small and closely connected city, can be easily traversed by walking and also through the use of public transport. The city has a good infrastructure that allows one to visit major sights and other sites within the city and beyond without much hustle.

• Tram and Buses: Bern has a well-developed and good network of trams and buses that services the connections between the Old town and the places where people live and the places of prime economic interest. Interoperability is the ability of the two systems to flexibly use the ticket.
• Regional Trains: Due to its proximity to many lovely day trips such as Interlaken, Thun, and Grindelwald, Bern is easily accessible by train, and it is no wonder that it is easy to fit a trip to the Alps into your schedule.
• Cycling: Bern is a nice city to ride a bike in because it has bike-friendly lanes with flat paths along the river. Stations can easily offer rental bikes and e-bikes.
• Walking: The Old Town, which you can walk through to see the arcades, fountains, and stores, is part of the UNESCO list of places of interest.

Traveller Tips

• Make a Plan: It can be smart to book tickets beforehand since attractions like the Zytglogge Clock Tower tours and boat trips on Lake Thun often sell out during high season.
• Weather Preparedness: Bern's weather changes easily. Never forget to carry a jacket or umbrella, especially in the spring and autumn seasons, as it will keep one warm when out sightseeing.
• Etiquette Culture: Bern is a diverse multilingual locality where the popular languages are German, French, and English. An inquiry such as grüezi or other Swiss German expressions serves well to forge relationships.
• Currency: The currency used is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Most places do accept credit cards, although it can be handy to keep a little cash around at the bakery, cafes, or markets that are nearby.
• Seasonal Fraternization: One will need to wear warm clothes and non-slippers to pay a visit during winter, as the street might be frozen. Visitors in summer must bring their bathing suits to have a cool float on the Aare River, which is a common local pastime.