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I believe that most travelers have discovered Switzerland because of the Swiss Alps—so spectacular.
However, only a fraction of them is aware that Switzerland also has beautiful cities.
If you ask me, ‘What is Switzerland’s most beautiful city?’ Without thinking twice, I will say it’s Bern—the capital of Switzerland—architecturally at least. Specifically, the Old City of Bern — as a wanderer, it is amazing! The scenes and views inside and outside its old city are picture-perfect.
And let’s not forget about Bern’s cute and colorful fountains and imposing architectural attractions. Altogether they make Bern visual delight!
Wondering where can you find the viewpoints in the city? Let me share with you my seven favorite places where you can behold the most beautiful views in Bern.
For a hassle-free and insightful exploration of Bern Old Town, I suggest joining this guided tour that allows you to visit beautiful spots in Bern, including the city’s fountains, towers, quaint streets, and arcades.
The tour would not last more than 2 hours, making it perfect if you’re quickly stopping by Bern on your way to the best destinations in the Swiss Alps (e.g., Jungfrau Region) from other Swiss cities (e.g., Lucerne). You can find more alternatives for Bern walking tours here.
1. Top of Bern Cathedral
Of all the places with beautiful views in Bern, it’s Bern Cathedral that I found the most breathtaking.
It has the tallest viewing deck within the old city of Bern, nearly 100 meters or 330 feet high. Up on the terrace of the church’s spire, a 360-degree panorama of the entire city awaits you.
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2. Junkerngasse
Wanderers, you will fall in love with Junkerngasse.
For me, the scenes you’ll see at Junkerngasse are the most beautiful views in Bern. There’s no doubt about that, especially since Junkerngasse is the best-preserved street in the old city of Bern. There, you may have one of the most magical walks during trip to Switzerland.
But do you know what scene convinced me that Junkerngasse is one of the places with the best views in Bern? It’s the view of the spire of Bern Cathedral that peaks above the houses along Junkerngasse.
JUNKERNGASSE’S BEAUTIFUL, RIGHT?!
Of course, you can’t expect Junkerngasse to always look like that. The time of day, weather, and season are factors for such a stunning view.
But if you want to see the same view of Junkerngasse as shown in the photo, head towards Zeerlederhaus (house no. 51). I suggest visiting the street during the golden hour in Bern, which is an hour after sunrise or before sunset.
You should be able to find Zeerlederhaus in Junkerngasse because of its beautiful facade. The facade has a mural depicting a woman sitting on a large chair and holding two flags with coats of arms.
If you’re unsure where Zeerlederhaus is, I suggest you first go to the back side of Bern Cathedral, where Junkergasse starts. Start walking away from the church, and you should see Zeerlederhaus before you reach Junkerngassbrunnen.
Zeerlederhaus is just one of the most beautiful houses in Junkerngasse. More grand and Late Gothic craftsmen’s houses await you on this street. This is why some consider Junkerngasse to be ‘one of Europe’s most magnificent cityscapes.
Zeerlederhaus in Junkerngasse
I have a link at the end of this post that gives the exact location of Zeerlederhaus in Google Maps.
3. Kramgasse
I can only name two or three places in our country that have an old-world feel, like Bern. This is why Bern is so amazing and uniquely beautiful to me—especially Kramgasse!
It is the main street of Bern’s old city, the center of urban life before the 20th century. Like Junkerngasse, Kramgasse is a street with absolutely phenomenal views.
The long arcades on both sides of Kramgasse and the houses with baroque facades will compel you to pull your cameras out and take photos. This will surely be the case when you reach the western half of Kramgasse, where you can see Zytglogge.
You will appreciate how the buildings along Kramgasse appear as if they emphasize Zytglogge at the end of the street. Below is the view.
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4. BärenPark
Bear Park is probably the best place to go for a panoramic view of Bern’s old city. It’s situated east of the old city, perfect for viewing Bern’s skyline.
In my opinion, Bear Park is also the best vantage point for appreciating the houses of Junkerngasse and their extensive garden terraces.
Specifically, Bear Park is located next to the Bear Pit—a tourist attraction in Bern considered a Swiss heritage site of national significance. In a very brief description, the Bear Pit is an enclosure for bears, the animals that symbolize the city of Bern. You can learn more about it from its official website, linked at the end of this post.
You can already see a nice view of Bern’s old city from the Bear Pit, but the panorama from Bear Park is even more stunning. Here’s a photo of the beautiful scenery of Bern from Bear Park:
5. Rose Garden
Located on a hill very close to Bern and overlooking the city, there’s no place other than the Rose Garden where you can find a more beautiful panorama of the city.
From the garden’s viewing deck, you can see, from left to right, Gurten, the old city, and the new skyscrapers far in the distance. The view from the Rose Garden transported my imagination back to the Middle Ages.
The skyline of the old city is pretty much preserved: the pointed spires of the churches and the tile roofs of the houses dominate the view. Not to mention the Aare River, which can be so blue, untouched by the pollution of the modern age.
Here’s the beautiful view of Bern from the Rose Garden:
6. Kirchenfeldbrücke
Kirchenfeldbrücke is another place to see beautiful views of Bern.
An extensive panorama of the old city’s southern buildings awaits you there. Facing Bern’s old city, you’ll see the Bundeshaus, Hotel Bellevue Palace, Bern Casino, elegant houses along Herrengasse, and Bern Cathedral from left to right.
Getting to Kirchenfeldbrücke is not difficult. If you are coming from Kramgasse, turn left after passing by Zytglogge. You should arrive at Kirchenfeldbrücke after a short walk (about 5 minutes or so).
Below is a sample view from Kirchenfeldbrücke, looking at the eastern side of the bridge.
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7. Dalmaziquai
The last place in Bern with beautiful views that I will share is Dalmaziquai.
It is a 1-mile-long riverside path along the east side of the Aare River with stunning views of the Bundeshaus’ southern facade. As far as I know, Dalmaziquai stretches from the Schönausteg bridge to the restaurant below Kirchenfeldbrücke.
There are several ways to reach Dalmaziquai. However, if you are currently in Bern’s old city, the quickest way to get here is through the pathway that starts at Bundeshausterrasse. From Bundeshausterrasse, it may take 10 minutes to reach Dalmaziquai on foot.
Aside from the view of the Bundeshaus, Dalmaziquai can be an excellent place for a stroll to see a part of the daily lives of the locals in Bern. You can see people jogging, walking their dogs, and some cycling. Below is the view awaiting you in Dalmaziquai.
More Information
So, those are my 7 favorite views in Bern! What do you think? Bern is indeed beautiful, isn’t it? 🙂 For further planning, please check the websites linked below.
- Bern Cathedral (Official website)
- Junkerngasse (Wikipedia)
- Bear Pit (Official website)
- Rose Garden Restaurant
Google Maps Links
- Bern Cathedral
- Junkerngasse or Zeerleder Haus
- Kramgasse
- Bear Park (Inclined Lift)
- Rose Garden
- Kirchenfeldbrücke
- Dalmaziquai (Bundeshausterrasse to Dalmaziquai)
Plan Your Trip Now
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Bern is just the beginning of the stunning scenery in Switzerland.
Don’t forget to visit the Jungfrau Region, which is only an hour away from the Swiss capital. This is where you’ll find Lauterbrunnen — a place often referred to as ‘Heaven on Earth’ due to the unbelievable scenery the village offers. You can take a day trip to the Jungfrau Region from Bern, but I believe you might want to spend 4 days in the Jungfrau Region instead. This place is filled with awe-inspiring sights!
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