G
NY traveler
Very knowledgeable guide about many aspects of the city, current & historical. Open to questions & friendly.
Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour
+6 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2h 15min
- Price from
- $31 / person
- Location
- Bern, Switzerland
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 38 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 20
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- GoBartos Tours
- Meeting point
- I’ll be waiting for you at the Bernabrunnen fountain, next to the Federal Palace. I’ll be wearing a backpack and most likely a hat.
Description
See beyond the monuments and discover how this country really works. This isn’t a dry history walk. It’s a journey through Bern’s Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where medieval streets, legends, local stories, politics and real Swiss life come together. But this tour is more than sightseeing. It helps you understand Switzerland — its mentality, neutrality, direct democracy, money culture and everyday life. You’ll hear stories about Napoleon, the Swiss army, Einstein, local legends and Bern’s famous bear. We’ll explore Bern’s highlights, including Zytglogge, the Federal Palace, Bern Cathedral, the Matte Quarter and views along the Aare River. You’ll also get practical local tips, honest recommendations and insights beyond the guidebooks. Ideal for travelers who want more than just sightseeing. By the end, you won’t just know Bern — you’ll understand Switzerland, with surprising facts and stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $31
- Child (ages 6–17)
- $12
- Infant (ages 0–5)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Out at sunset: the 5:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:34 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 60 of the next 180 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Parliament Square
Discover the heart of Swiss democracy, explore its historic details and understand how the system works and the mindset behind it.
Discover how Switzerland’s military past shaped both the city and the country — and how its influence can still be seen today.
Clock Tower - Zytglogge
See Bern’s iconic medieval clock tower and discover what makes it so special.
Enjoy the stories behind Bern’s most famous fountains and learn about the house where Einstein once lived
Berner Munster
See Bern’s impressive Gothic cathedral and learn what makes it so fascinating.
Matte
Walk through Bern’s historic working-class district by the Aare River and learn why this area played an important role in the city’s past.
Nydeggbrucke
Enjoy beautiful views from Bern’s first modern bridge and capture great photos from a different perspective.
Barenpark
Hear the story behind the bear — the symbol of the city.
What's included
Included
Honest local recommendations on where to eat, drink, explore or simply relax
Not included
Not wheelchair accessible
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
38 reviews
How it compares in Bern
- No. 4 by number of reviews among 125 tours in Bern
- Starting price $31 is 68% below the typical $97 for tours of similar length in Bern
Excurgo comparison of 125 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour take?
Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour lasts about 2h 15min. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $31 per person for this Bern experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM.
How much does Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour cost for children?
Children aged 6–17 pay from $12, adults from $31. Infants go free.
Does Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour sell out?
It can: 60 of the next 180 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is I’ll be waiting for you at the Bernabrunnen fountain, next to the Federal Palace. I’ll be wearing a backpack and most likely a hat. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Discover Bern, Understand Switzerland Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(38)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
9
Informative and personal
Bartos was a good guide. He told us about his own experiences as a citizen of Bern and the peculiarities of the Swiss. At the end of the walking tour we could download a short list of the things he recommended to do in Bern and also informed us of some of the daytrips you could do outside Bern.
R
Enriching Tour
Our tour with Bartos really enriched our experience of Bern. In a relatively short time, Bartos was able to orient us to the geography of Bern’s Old Town (Allstadt) and cover a wide range of topics: Swiss history, the financial system, politics, the judicial system, modern life, religion, architecture, and culture. Bartos is a great communicator. Book this tour! It will give you a deeper appreciation of a beautiful place—at a great value.
L
Wonderful
Bartos was wonderful, friendly, very knowledgeable, Great tour. Loved Bern. Good for a short travel tour and not extensive walking.
P
Our leader was excellent...
Our leader was excellent and was well versed in Bern’s history, We learned so much and it could not have been better. His sense of humor was great and made if fun. I highly recommend this tour!
P
Guide was very insightful...
Guide was very insightful about the Swiss people, who they are, how they live,politics. Very interesting and well spoken one of my favorite tours in our Europe trip.
F
Great trip!!
Wonderful experience and beautiful way to learn about the city and country. Our guide Bartos was able to engage all of us, it was fun and informative, he is such a story teller. Make sure to book this trip with him.
K
Impressive
An outstanding tour experience! A rich blend of historical information & quirky stories. An enjoyable, long walk through a beautiful city.
S
Engaging & Informative!
Bartos is a fantastic, friendly and informative guide. He was consistently clear and engaging. Everyone will enjoy a Bern walking tour with Bartos.
M
This was a very...
This was a very interesting tour about Bern and Switzerland, the history and cultural traditions. I enjoyed it a lot
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from$31
4.9(38) Free cancellation