15 fantastic things to do in Bern

Even if you’re a local, a visit to Bern Cathedral is almost always a pleasant diversion as long as you have a good head for heights. 

At 858m, the Gurten sports fabulous views over Bern on a clear day, and makes for a welcome getaway from the city. 

It’s testament to the strength of Zentrum Paul Klee’s collection of works by Bern’s favourite artistic son that it’s not totally upstaged by Renzo Piano’s inspired building-landform hybrid. 

This lovely spot is a popular draw with the Bernese in the summer, who like to take a dip in the green waters of the river, right in the heart of the city. 

Bern’s Kunstmuseum is the oldest art museum in Switzerland, housing a permanent collection that covers eight centuries. There are over 3,000 paintings and sculptures, including works by Picasso, Hodler, Oppenheim and Paul Klee.

Bern’s Rose Gardens date from 1765 and as you might expect, this public park is a thoroughly pleasant spot to while away a sunny day. 

A focus on the new and confrontational is the driving force at this artful institution, with shows by Jasper Johns, Henry Moore and Bruce Nauman having helped secure its place on the world art map. 

Less than half an hour from Bern, Solbad Schönbühl boasts the largest natural brine spa in Switzerland.

Explore human communication, from gestures and body language to media, telecommunications and pop culture, through interactive exhibits and artefacts like horse-drawn mail coaches, early radio sets and retro computers.

Known lovingly by Bern’s fashion crowd as ‘Mapi’, Maria Pia Amabile is a Swiss-Italian fashion designer with an energetic enthusiasm. English mods and punks, old American jazz stars and Italian black-and-white movies all meet in a clash of influences that translate into classic designs with a twist. Alterations are offered free of charge and you can request a design to be made up for you in a colour of your choice.

The Sky Terrace bar perches atop the Schweizerhof Bern with delightful 360-degree views over the city’s Unesco World Heritage Old Town. Unsurprisingly, it’s a swanky affair, with wooden decking, rattan chairs and conical potted shrubs. The menu’s light summer dishes are Orient-inspired – think tabbouleh, hummous and kofta kebab – while soft lounge music creates a relaxing ambience in which to sit back and enjoy creative cocktails. It’s an experience to make you feel like royalty. 

This convivial lunch spot has the authentic atmosphere of a bustling beer hall – without the kitsch. Known for its dedication to the art of beer, this former tram depot-cum-brewery is worth a visit for its beverages, which are brewed on the premises twice a week in full view of customers (guided tours will appeal to beer buffs). Adding to the venue’s character is its location overlooking the Bear Park, so you can watch Bern’s most famous inhabitants frolic in their riverside enclosure while you drink up.

This laid-back eaterie has a lovely location adjacent to Bern’s celebrated Rose Gardens, and it’s no surprise that the outdoor terrace is the principal attraction. The lunch and dinner menus are Mediterranean-led, bargain-conscious diners will appreciate the well-priced set menu. While Restaurant Rosengarten is particularly popular in summer, it also does its best to cater to the seasons, offering fondue on the veranda and log fires as the winter cold draws in.