Bern City Guide

Old Town, Minster & Bears

From the Federal Palace with its Alpine view over the Aare, through the Marktgasse to the Zytglogge clock tower with its figure play, along the arcaded Kramgasse with Einstein's apartment to Bern Minster with Switzerland's tallest spire. Over the Münster platform and the Nydegg bridge to the bears on the riverbank and up to the Rose Garden with the finest view of the old town.

1. Federal Palace – The walk begins at the Federal Palace, seat of the Swiss parliament, where in summer 26 fountains dance from the square out front. Behind the domed building opens the Federal Terrace, with a sweeping view across the Aare to the snow-capped Bernese Alps - a grand opening.
2. Zytglogge – The Zytglogge is the medieval clock tower, the old town's heart and once its western gate. Four minutes before each hour, the figure play beneath the astronomical clock springs to life: a cock crows, bears circle, and Chronos strikes the hour - a crowd-pleaser for 500 years.
3. Kramgasse – Right behind the Zytglogge begins the Kramgasse, the grandest of Bern's arcaded lanes: over a kilometre of covered arcades, historic guild houses and splashing Renaissance fountains with painted figures. Even in the rain you stroll dry here - six kilometres of such arcades run through the whole old town.
4. Einstein House – At Kramgasse 49, on the second floor, Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905 - and here, in his "miracle year" of 1905, developed the special theory of relativity while working at the patent office. The small, faithfully furnished apartment shows furniture, documents and photos from his Bern years.
5. Bern Minster – The late-Gothic Bern Minster has, at 100 metres, Switzerland's tallest church spire. Above the main portal, a magnificent Last Judgement with over 200 figures shows the parting of the blessed and the damned. Climb the 344 steps for a grand view over the roofs, the Aare loop and the Alps.
6. Münster Terrace – Right behind the minster lies the Münster platform, a tree-lined terrace high above the Aare. From the parapet you look steeply down to the turquoise river and the Matte quarter, with green slopes opposite. A quiet spot with chestnut trees, benches and a small lift down to the riverside district.
7. Nydegg Bridge – The Nydegg bridge spans the Aare at the lower end of the old town, where Bern was once founded. From the bridge you get the classic postcard view back over the tight Aare loop and the old town, tiered on its peninsula above the turquoise river - the minster tower high above.
8. Bear Pit (BearPark) – On the far bank of the Aare lies the BearPark, where Bern keeps its heraldic animals - there have been bears in the city for over 500 years. Instead of the tight historic pit, they now live in a spacious, terraced hillside enclosure where they climb, bathe and splash in the Aare. Entry is free.
9. Rose Garden – To finish, the Rose Garden on the hill above the Bear Park: a manicured park with over 200 rose varieties, a pond and old trees. From the terrace opens the city's finest view - over the roses to the old town in the Aare loop with the minster tower. The restaurant up here invites a lunch break; the bus takes you back from here.