The 10 Beautiful Landmarks of Bern (Free DIY Walking Tour)
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As a wanderer and a fan of old-world architecture, I find Bern to be one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities.
Particularly its UNESCO-Heritage-Site-listed historic center, or the “Old City of Bern”—it’s sure to keep its visitors pleasantly exploring for hours. It seems like everywhere you look, there are picture-perfect scenes or impressive landmarks to draw you in and marvel at. Yes, the historic center of Bern is well-designed; a perfectly architected medieval city.
When it comes to architecture, the most notable feature of the Old City of Bern is the arcades, which stretch for 6 kilometers. However, there’s more you might like to see if you’re looking for a visually satisfying visit to the city.
The Old City of Bern boasts marvelous landmarks in high medieval architecture. There’s Neoclassical, Gothic, Baroque, and more. Today, I’ll help you find them.
Good to know
Should you need guidance on exploring the Old City of Bern, you can use my list of beautiful landmarks in Bern. The landmarks are arranged in an easy-to-follow manner (1 to 10), ensuring the shortest possible route.
If you’re planning to explore Bern on foot to see its beautiful landmarks, here’s something good to know:
- The Old City of Bern is compact and very walkable. It also has covered walkways, making exploration delightful even during inclement weather.
- Bern’s most stunning viewpoints are also in a walking distance from the historic center.
- If you suddenly feel thirsty from walking, the old city of Bern has beautiful fountains. And fresh, natural, drinkable water flows from them! You can drink directly from the fountains if you wish.
For a more insightful visit, consider joining this short 90-minute walking tour. You’ll discover more than just the city’s architectural features! If you prefer a private exploration with a local unveiling even the city’s hidden gems, this private walking tour with a local might be just what you’re looking for.
1. Heiliggeistkirche
I’m not an expert on architecture, but I’m certainly a fan! I marvel most at the buildings constructed before the era of Modern architecture.
Do we share this interest? Yes? Well… assuming that you’ll also be traveling to Bern by train, the first sight you’ll see upon exiting the station is a delightful welcome! It is Heiliggeistkirche first beautiful building you can see in Bern.
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2. Bundeshaus
Of all the beautiful landmarks in Bern, Bundeshaus is the largest in terms of land area. For me, it’s also the most elegant in the city—thanks to its neoclassical architecture—modest and symmetrical.
Bundeshaus, or the Federal Palace of Switzerland, as its name suggests, is the center of Swiss Democracy. This is where the parliament sessions take place.
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3. Käfigturm
Medieval cities also bring my daydreams to reality, particularly castles and towers like Käfigturm. They appear as if they’ve stepped right out of the films and TV shows set in the Middle Ages that I’ve watched.
4. Zytglogge
Zytglogge is the highlight of every walking tour in Bern. It’s the city’s most iconic landmark, particularly with its two large clocks, astronomical clock, and story-telling murals and paintings!
I even regard Zytglogge as the must-see spectacle in Bern due to its moving parts. The action takes place every hour on the hour.
You might find this article helpful:
Visiting Zytglogge in Bern (Expectations, Viewpoints, Tips) | Guided Tour of Zytglogge
5. Stadttheater
Among the beautiful landmarks in Bern, Stadttheater, or Bern Theater, is the least visited by tourists. However, Stadttheater boasts an elegant neoclassical architecture that is hard not to marvel at.
I believe Stadttheater’s elaborate facade can rival that of the Bundeshaus. It’s also an excellent example of Switzerland’s beautiful early 20th-century buildings.
6. Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
Like most cities established during the Middle Ages, Bern also has more than one church in its old city. In addition to the Bern Cathedral and the Heiliggeistkirche, there is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
This church is the first Catholic Church in Bern built after the Reformation. It was constructed in the mid-19th century in response to the requests of Catholics who were left without a place of worship.
7. Bern City Hall
Whenever I gaze upon the facade of Bern Rathaus, or City Hall, I can’t help but imagine scenes from the Middle Ages, such as town criers announcing new laws and proclamations from city rulers and officials.
Seeing its facade from Rathausplatz should also spark your imagination. The elaborate staircase, loggia, ironwork, and the 26 shields of the former districts flanking the main entrance all contribute to a vivid picture of scenes straight out of the medieval ages.
8. Bern Cathedral
In my opinion, Bern Cathedral is the most beautiful landmark in Bern.
This amazing structure will surely fascinate history and architecture fans with its beautiful entrances and complex spire. Among the churches in Bern, Bern Cathedral is the oldest, dating back to the early 15th century.
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9. Bern Casino
Bern Casino is another beautiful landmark in Bern that rivals the beauty of the Bundeshaus and Stadttheater. Like these two landmarks, the Bern Casino graces the eyes of the wanderer with its neoclassical elegance.
The most notable characteristic of the Bern Casino is its “Bernese style” architecture, which was intentionally showcased by its architects.
10. Bern History Museum
The tourist attractions in Bern aren’t confined to the old city. You can find museums, historic sites, and parks that offer fantastic views of the old city. One such attraction, which is also a beautiful landmark in Bern, is the Bern History Museum.
This museum, housed in a castle-like structure built at the end of the 19th century, is Switzerland’s second-largest.
Sources & Attributions
So, there you have it! That’s my list of the most beautiful landmarks in Bern. If you’re interested in further exploring these landmarks, please feel free to check out the sites I’ve linked below. Happy planning!
Sources:
- Art and Architecture (Bern Official Website)
- Heiliggeistkirche official website
- Kafigturm (Wikipedia)
- Bern City Theater
- Town Hall of Bern (Bern Official Website)
- Bern Town Hall (Wikipedia)
- Bern Casino (EMCH Magazine)
- Bern Historical Museum
Attribution:
- Heiliggeistkirche Bern – Spartanbu (Diskussion), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Filter applied.
- Bern Historical Museum – Nikolai Karaneschev, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Filter applied.
Plan Your Trip Now
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For more ideas on how you can explore Bern, check out my half-day, one-day, and two-day itineraries.
If you’re on a quest for stunning landmarks not just in Bern, but throughout Switzerland, I highly recommend exploring the charming city of Lucerne. If you visit Lucerne, you’ll be near a breathtaking alpine destination known as Mount Pilatus, widely regarded as one of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountains.