Bern · Switzerland
Bern Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Bern tours and things to do in Switzerland’s charming medieval capital: stroll the UNESCO old town with its arcades and the Zytglogge clock tower, watch the bears by the emerald Aare river, and day-trip to the Alps at Interlaken, the castle village of Gruyères and the rolling Emmental. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
127 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Bern
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Bern
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Bern by interest
Whatever brings you to Bern — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Bern
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Old Town
UNESCO arcades.
15 toursView tours
Zytglogge
Clock tower.
10 toursView tours
Aare River
Emerald loop.
10 toursView tours
Bear Park
Bern’s bears.
10 toursView tours
Gruyères
Cheese & castle.
15 toursView tours
Interlaken
Alpine gateway.
15 toursView tours
Emmental
Dairy country.
10 toursView tours
Cathedral
Old town spire.
10 toursView tours
1 hr awayInterlaken
Alpine gateway.
from €179View trips
1 hr awayGruyères
Cheese & castle.
from €139View trips
Nearby awayEmmental
Dairy country.
from €52View trips
City awayAare River
Emerald loop.
from €55View trips
City awayBear Park
Bern’s bears.
from €38View trips
City awayOld Town
UNESCO arcades.
from €28View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Bern visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and green — a lovely time to visit.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm, with locals swimming the Aare.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Crisp, clear days ideal for the Alps.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and festive, with nearby ski slopes.
For the Alps
Summer for hiking, winter for snow.
Best overall
May to September for city and mountains.
One day
The old town, Zytglogge and bear park.
Two days
Add a Gruyères or Emmental day trip.
Three days
Add an Interlaken and Alps day trip.
For the city
The old town and the Aare.
For the Alps
Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland.
For food
Gruyères cheese and chocolate tours.
On foot
The old town is small and walkable.
By tram
Trams and buses cover the wider city.
By train
Fast trains reach Interlaken and Gruyères.
Day-trip tours
Tours run to the Alps and cheese country.
Where to stay
Stay in or near the old town.
Swiss franc
Switzerland uses the franc; cards widely accepted.
Zytglogge
Arrive before the hour to see the clock figures.
Bear park
It is free — combine it with the rose garden.
Aare
In summer, watch or join locals floating the river.
Alps
Book a full day for Interlaken and the peaks.
Gruyères
Pair the cheese dairy with the chocolate factory.
Rail passes
A Swiss rail pass can save on day trips.
Alps day trips
Interlaken tours fill up — book ahead.
Gruyères trips
Cheese tours fill up — reserve early.
Old-town walks
Guided walks fill up — book ahead.
Emmental tours
Countryside tours fill up — reserve early.
Chocolate tours
Tastings fill up — book ahead.
Summer season
May to September is busy — book ahead.
Old town tour
Around €28–60 for an old-town walking tour.
Alps day trip
About €179–320 for an Interlaken Alps day trip.
Gruyères trip
Roughly €139–200 for a Gruyères day trip.
Emmental tour
Around €52–90 for an Emmental countryside tour.
Chocolate tour
About €55–90 for a chocolate and food tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
When to visit
Bern through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Apr–Jun
- Best for
- Green & mild.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Jul–Aug
- Best for
- Aare swims.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Warm.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Clear Alps.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Crisp.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Snow & festive.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.
People also ask
Bern travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Bern?
The highest-rated experiences are the old town, the Zytglogge clock tower, the bear park, and day trips to the Alps and Gruyères.
What should I book in advance in Bern?
Reserve Alps day trips, Gruyères tours and old-town walks ahead, especially in summer.
How many days do I need in Bern?
One day covers the old town, and two to three let you add day trips to the Alps and Gruyères.
Is Bern worth visiting?
Yes — with its UNESCO old town, arcades and riverside setting, it is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval capitals.
When is the best time to visit Bern?
May to September for the city, the Aare and clear Alpine day trips.
What is the Zytglogge?
Bern’s medieval clock tower with an astronomical clock.
What day trips can you do from Bern?
Interlaken and the Alps, Gruyères, and the Emmental.
127 Bern experiencesfrom €28 · free cancellation
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