Two Days in Bern, Switzerland
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During our summer long trip to Europe, we decided to go to Bern, Switzerland for 3 nights, giving us 2 full days to explore Bern (not including arrival and departure days). We weren’t quite sure what to expect since it’s not a well-known destination. Well… not as well-known as Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, or Basel. But this little Swiss escape turned out to have a charming old medieval town, breathtaking landscapes, and like all cities in Switzerland, it’s close to the Alps. So if you’re asking yourself, is Bern worth visiting? We say, a resounding yes!
We took the train to Bern and the train journey itself will offer you glimpses of the Swiss countryside, and its stunning beauty. We used Omio to plan our journey to here. Omio is a leading platform in Europe and the UK that allows travelers to compare and book trains, buses, and flights, all in one place - and it really offers a very economical and competitive pricing (I just recently booked a flight to London from Barcelona for €32 using Omio) .
DAY 1 - ARRIVING IN BERN (WHERE TO STAY)
On-site restaurant at Landhaus
We stayed at Landhaus Liebefeld Hotel – a fabulous relaxing place. We arrived on a Monday and their on-site restaurant was closed. But the warm Swiss hospitality was amazing as the proprietor of the restaurant made us a fabulous food and recommended wine for me and a local beer for my husband.
Our room with unmade bed. 😊
The rooms were very comfortable with updated bathrooms, a must(!) for me. We rented two rooms because we’re a family of 5. My kids had 2 beds in their rooms. The hardwood floors exuded a sense of cleanliness and the white beddings felt calm against the rest of the room. The rooms were spacious with many cozy and homy touches, yet elevated in its presentation.
DAY 2 - THINGS TO DO IN OLD-TOWN BERN IN A DAY
Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage site, combines natural beauty, rich history, and charming architecture, making it a captivating visit, even if it’s just for one day. This section will guide you through our highlights.
Aare River view from Kirchenfeld Bridge.
We started our day by taking the bus that was just outside of our hotel to downtown, about a 10 minute ride or so. We headed toward the Parliament building to go through the archway to see the magnificent view of the area, including the Aare River. We discovered, much to our delight, that the parliament parking lot is transformed into a bustling farmers market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so lucky us, we got to witness this vibrant area teeming with many local vendors showcasing their fresh produce. Here, you can sample some delectable local fruits and get a sense of the local scene. We bought fresh raspberries to snack on. We also discovered that one of the notable features of Old Town Bern is its numerous fountains. These beautifully crafted structures not only add charm to the streetscape but also provide usable water for locals and visitors alike. So, you can use these to wash your fruit and refill your water bottles. Amazing, right? I’ve never been to a city where I felt safe to take water from a public fountain.
The archway to the Parliament building.
After we passed under the archway of the Parliament Building, we were greeted with a commanding view of the exquisite, picturesque landscapes of Bern proper, including the Aare River. The Aare River, flowing gracefully through the heart of Bern, is an emerald-green, meandering majestically amidst breathtaking landscapes. After winding through dramatic valleys and lush meadows across Switzerland, it eventually meets the Rhine River in Koblenz, Germany. Truly amazing view.
From there, we made our way toward the Kirchenfeld Bridge via Kochergasse, home to some of the most significant government buildings in the country. This historic street is lined with an array of striking elegant buildings that serve as enduring symbols of Switzerland's rich political heritage.
From the bridge is yet another spectacular view. On the other side of the bridge, you can take in the following sights, if you have time: Museum of Fine Arts, Paul Klee Center, and Einstein Museum.
Bern Cathedral
On our way back, we stopped at the Bern Cathedral, situated in the heart of Mulsterplatz. This magnificent masterpiece dates back to the 15th century. Construction began in the traditional Catholic Gothic style, but by the time it was finished in 1893, the interiors had been scaled back and simplified in accordance with the sensibilities of the Protestant Reformation. You can visit the Bern Cathedral and climb the tower for a magnificent view of the city.
We then forged ahead to Kramgasse, a street lined with quaint shops, cozy cafes, and a delightful mix of local restaurants. Both sides of the Kramgasse are covered by stone arcades to shield pedestrians from harsh elements. It is absolutely charming with several of those picturesque fountains on the street (with drinkable water!) – the Obelisk (Kreuzgassbrunnen) fountain, Sampson (Simsonbrunnen), and the Historic Fountain with a Bear statue (Zähringerbrunnen). We also passed the Einstein Haus (though we didn’t go in) on this street. We ended our walk on that street at the iconic clock tower known as Zytglogge, before heading back on the opposite side of the street. The Zytglogge clock tower is another must-see attraction with its intricate medieval architecture and fascinating astronomical clock.
Zytglogge Clock Tower
We walked on the other side of Kramgasse towards Bear Park crossing the Nydeggbrucke (bridge). A visit to Old Town would not be complete without stopping by Bear Park, located just outside its borders. This sanctuary offers a glimpse into Bern's symbolic connection with bears, dating back to 1400’s. You can observe the resident bears playfully roaming the spacious enclosures. Frankly, it has to be one of the oddest things to see in the middle of this amazing town.
Bear Park
We can only imagine that exploring Old Town Bern would be made even more enjoyable by its bike-friendly infrastructure. With well-maintained paths and designated cycling routes, renting a bike is probably an excellent way to navigate through this pedestrian-friendly city at your own pace. However, we chose to walk because of our limited time.
THINGS TO SEE IN BERN, SUMMARY
Parliament terrace through an archway for a vista view of Bern
Parliament Buildings along Kochergasse
Cross the Kirchenfeld Bridge
The Bern Cathedral
Kramgrasse Street
The Clock Tower
Note the 3 Fountains on Kramgrasse
Bear Park
Nydeggbrucke – get another picturesque view of the Aare River and its surroundings.
Rosengarten
On the other side of the Kirchenfeld Bridge
Consider a walking tour of Bern to gain a greater appreciation of this wonderful city.
Walking Tour of Old Town Bern.
If you are a person who wants one on one conversation with a tour guide to ask all your questions, consider a Private Walking Tour.
DAY 3 – THE ALPS, LAUTERBRUNNEN AND MURREN
On day 3 of our adventure, we explored the majestic Alps and discovered the beauty of Lauterbrunnen and Murren. We rented a car, an Opel, from an Auto Stop next door to our hotel, and then it was about an hour drive to Lauterbrunnen.
Staubbach Falls
The drive to Lauterbrunnen, known as the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls,” is a scenic ride along the Lutschine River valley. Lauterbrunnen is a picturesque destination surrounded by stunning natural beauty. As we reached the heart of the village, a magnificent waterfall (Staubbach Falls) cascaded down from towering cliffs. It was truly beautiful. We found the public parking lot and waited in the queue to enter. We didn’t wait long before being able to enter the gated parking lot and finding a spot. And from there, we explored the little main street to have lunch before taking a cable car ride up to Murren, a charming village perched high in the Swiss Alps offering awe-inspiring views of the surrounding mountains.
Though we didn’t explore Lauterbrunnen extensively because of our limited time, here’s a list of what you can do.
Staubbach Falls – you can see this amazing waterfall from the main road. There’s also a path to hike behind the falls.
Trummelbach Falls are 10 water falls inside a mountain. It’s a UNESCO world natural heritage site. There is a small fee to enter. A bus takes you from Lauterbrunnen to Trummelbach Bus stop. From there, there is a tunnel lift that will take you inside, from there, follow along the path.
From the Schilthorn cable station on the Lauterbrunnen valley, you can watch paragliders land.
Take a small group tour from Interlaken of Staubbach Falls at Lauterbrunnen and ride a cable car to Murren.
As a side note, you can also take the train to Lauterbrunnen from Bern and it has a stop right in the town. Check Omio for the best route from your destination. Omio is a leading platform in Europe and the UK that allows travelers to compare and book trains, buses, and flights, all in one place.
On to Murren. The cable car ride from Lauterbrunnen to Murren has panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, green valleys, and snow-capped peaks. The ride itself was pretty crowded, so make sure to situate yourself by a glass window, if you can.
Once you get off in Murren, you’ll take another tram to get you to the village. More panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, sprawling meadows, and cascading waterfalls. Murren is supposed to be car-free, but we did see some construction vehicles.
Murren's chalets offer the classic Swiss Alpine getaway for those seeking a blend of charm, tranquility, and breathtaking mountain vistas. This village also serves as the jumping point for many paragliders. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, there are also hiking trails in the area that wind their way through stunning valleys adorned with vibrant wildflowers during the summertime. One of the most popular trails is the North Face Trail, easily marked by signage along the way. As you follow the trail, you'll pass by quaint farms and eventually reach Spielboden, where you can eat and refill your water bottle (and take a bathroom break, if needed). From Spielboden, you can go toward Sprutz Waterfall and enjoy the view. However, we didn’t do this because it is a steep descent to the waterfall, which can only mean a steep ascent back. You can also opt to head on toward Gimmelwald instead of heading back to Murren. In our case, we decided to forge on toward Murren to complete the loop. All Trails app has a great map to follow.
Once back in Murren, we took the train to the cable car back to Lauterbrunnen. The parking lot was clearing and day visitors were heading home. So did we.
Happy Travels!
Zellie, your forever a traveler.
