Two Days in Bern Itinerary: Old City, Gurten, & Museums
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After exploring Bern and taking in its gorgeous landmarks, picturesque spots, and even its charming fountains, I’ve come to realize that half a day is just ample to cover the city’s highlights, and a full day only allows for a thorough exploration of the Old Town and the Rose Garden.
To fully experience the city’s other offerings, including its museums, delightful spas, and surrounding natural wonders, you would need at least two days. For a truly relaxed journey, consider extending your stay to three days. Now, if you opt for a two-day itinerary in Bern, I have some excellent tips to help you make the most of your time in the Swiss capital. Ready to start?

Itinerary Summary

Day 1: Bern Old City & Gurten
There are several ways to spend a day in Bern; however, your priority should be seeing the old city.
It is, in my humble opinion, the primary reason to visit Bern. The old city of Bern is a beautiful place, filled with picturesque, romantic scenes. If you are a history lover, an architecture enthusiast, or a photographer, I’m sure you’ll find your trip to Bern worthwhile.
I honestly think the old city alone can “complete” a trip to Bern. Every visitor can undoubtedly find value in it. You can see unique historical landmarks, learn about Swiss history and politics, and have some relaxing moments at places with panoramic views. Visiting the old city can keep you busy for the entire day.



However, there are times when an attraction is unavailable for tourists, or you might not be interested in a specific destination and decide to skip it. If that happens, you will indeed create some spare time. Of course, we don’t want to be idle during our trip, as visiting Switzerland is quite expensive!
We want to maximize our day, constantly seeing new, beautiful places or having great experiences. The museums can fill the space in the itinerary, but I would not suggest them yet at least for day 1. Especially if the weather is excellent, you have to take advantage! I suggest going to other outdoor attractions like Gurten or the River Aare in Bern.
As I mentioned at the beginning, there are many ways to spend a day in Bern. If you really like the outdoors and the weather is fantastic, you can also spend a day in Bern: half in the old city, half in Gurten. This can be a good option, as you can already see the unmissable places in the old city of Bern in half a day.
Here are the guides to everything you need to know about visiting the top attractions in Bern’s Old City during Day 1.
Day 2: Bern Museums & Other Indoor Attractions
One way to spend another day in Bern is by engaging in activities that aren’t dependent on the weather. Naturally, these are the indoor tourist attractions in Bern, such as the museums, spas, and tours inside the historical sites in the old city. Is museum hopping in Bern a good idea? I believe so.
The museums in the city are fun and unique, especially the Einstein Museum and the Museum of Communication. If you’re a fan of art and history, Bern’s Historical Museum and Zentrum Paul Klee are worth a visit.
Visiting different museums in Bern is easy as they are located near each other in their own district called “Kirchenfeld,” which some people refer to as the “Museum district” of Bern. In Kirchenfeld, you’ll be walking short distances to go from one museum to another.



Kirchenfeld is situated south of the old city, across the Aare River. It is connected to the old city via Kirchenfeldbrücke, the bridge next to Bern Casino. You can get directly to Kirchenfeld from Bern’s central train station by taking Bus #19 or Tram #8 or #9.
However, I wouldn’t entirely recommend using public transportation, especially if you want to see a different panoramic view of the old city. I think you’ll also appreciate the view of the old city while walking along Kirchenfeldbrücke. From the bridge, you can get a different perspective of the old town’s skyline—it’s picture-perfect. Facing the old city, you can see a panorama that includes the Bundeshaus, Bern Casino, and Bern Cathedral.
By the way, in addition to some of the museums mentioned earlier, you can also find the Natural History Museum, Kunsthalle Bern (an art museum), and Alpine Museum in Kirchenfeld. There are several restaurants near the museums, so you might not need to leave Kirchenfeld and return to the old city for lunch.
Visiting a few museums in one day can be tiring. This is especially true if you enjoy visiting museums and can spend hours exploring, strolling, and standing to appreciate the exhibits. If you need some pampering and relaxation, you might want to check out Hammam & SPA Oktogon. In a nutshell, it’s a beautiful spa with a unique bathing experience in its 4-story building.
Let me share the four museums that I think are the most interesting in Bern.
Go Beyond Bern
Bern is just one of many incredible destinations in Switzerland, and I can’t stress enough how much you’d be missing if you don’t explore more of the country, especially the Swiss Alps.
With breathtaking mountains, picture-perfect lakes, and fairytale castles set against stunning backdrops, there’s so much to see! I have plenty of recommendations, but since you’re visiting Bern, you shouldn’t skip Thun and the Jungfrau Region. They’re both easy to reach, with train rides taking less than an hour! Check these out:
If you need inspiration for how to spend your time in Bern and the rest of Switzerland, I have three suggestions based on the length of your stay. Check them out!
For great alternatives to Bern, check out other cities near the Swiss Alps. Like Bern, they’re great starting points for exploring the Alps. The best part? They’re amazing destinations on their own!
Planning a trip? From great hotel deals to skip-the-line tickets and affordable eSim to cheap rentals, check out the travel resources I recommend and use for a smooth and memorable trip.
For a smoother and more enriching visit, check out these experiences and services:

Resources
I hope this two-day itinerary for Bern has given you an idea of how you can spend a couple of days in the Swiss capital. For further planning, here are the official websites of various museums and attractions in Bern, where you can find the most recent practical information for your trip.
- Gurten
- Einstein Museum
- Bernisches Historisches Museum
- Museum of Communication Bern
- Natural History Museum of Bern
- Hammam & Spa Oktogon Bern

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