A stroll through Bern

The starting point for this tour of Bern’s old town is at the SBB railway station (Bahnhof).

(S/E) On leaving the station, head south and turn right towards Bubenbergplatz; walk for about 100 metres. Cross the road and take Schwanengasse. Cross Bundesgasse and walk along Kleine Schanze Park until you reach the entrance gate, which is just before the Dreifaltigkeitskirche Basilica. Walk along the park’s paths, passing the Weltposdenkmal (Universal Postal Union Monument) sculpture. Leave the park at Bundesterrasse and head towards the terraces of the Federal Palace, which begin at the Marzili Funicular station.

(1) Follow the lovely promenade at the foot of the imposing Federal Palace. Enjoy the view over the city from the Munzterrasse. Make your way to Casinoplatz by crossing a small park dotted with several café terraces.

(2) Heading north on Casinoplatz, just past the casino, leave Herrengasse on your right and turn right into Münstergasse. Walk along this shopping street to Münsterplatz in front of Bern’s Collegiate Church. Walk round the collegiate church via the gardens of the Münsterplattform, where you can enjoy a view of the Aare and the city. Return to Münstergasse, turn right into Junkergasse and continue to the Erlacherhof.

This private hotel houses the Bern City Council chamber but is not open to visitors every day. Enter the courtyard and explore the building and gardens. Return to Junkergasse and emerge onto Nydeegggasse. Cross the Aare via the Nydeggbrücke, then turn right towards the Bear Pit (Bärenpark).

(3) Return to Bärenplatz, heading north, and reach the Untertorbrücke via the Klosterlistutz promenade. Head back towards the Old Town via Nydeggstalden. Continue westwards, still along Nydeggstalden, then along Gerechtigkeitsgasse until you reach the junction with Kreuzgasse.

(4) Turn right into Kreuzgasse and head to Rathausplatz to see the Town Hall and the seat of the Canton of Bern. Walk past the Church of St Peter and St Paul, continue west along Rathausgasse, turn right into Brunngasse until you rejoin Rathausgasse. Head east along Rathausgasse again and return to the Town Hall. Take Kreuzgasse to Bern’s main thoroughfare. At this point, Gerechtigkeitsgasse becomes Kramgasse. Walk down this bustling street, admire the various fountains and continue on to Einstein’s house. Stroll along Kramgasse to arrive at the Zytglogge just in time for the clock’s figurine show (every hour).

(5) Walk past this tower and turn right onto Kornhausplatz. Stroll as far as the Korhausbrücke bridge and look out over the River Aare. Retrace your steps and stop in front of the theatre. Turn into Zeughausgasse. Just past the Hotel Bern, turn left into the shopping arcade to emerge onto Markgasse.

(6) Walk along this shopping street to the Church of the Holy Spirit. Turn right and head back to the easily recognisable railway station (S/E).

Depending on the mode of transport you use for the journey from Lucerne to Schwarsee via the Alpenpanorama Weg, Bern will probably be on your return route. Make the most of a few hours to visit this lovely city.

• Transport: Timetables

• Kleine Schanze Park.
• Marzili Funicular.
• Federal Palace. The Swiss Parliament sits in the Federal Palace, more precisely beneath its dome. Part of the government and the federal administration are housed in the wings of this immense palace.
• Casino Platz and the Casino.
• Münsterplatz and St Vincent’s Collegiate Church in Bern. Bern’s Collegiate Church (Bern Cathedral) is one of the city’s most important monuments. It boasts the tallest bell tower in Switzerland. It is also the largest late-Medieval church in Switzerland.
• Erlacherhof – Junkergasse. Today, the Erlacherhof hosts the weekly meetings of the City of Bern’s Municipal Council (executive) and houses the Mayor’s Office and the Municipal Chancellery.
• TheBear Pit.
• Town Hall: Rathaus. The Rathaus, or Government House, is the political centre of Bern: it is here that the parliaments of the City of Bern and the Canton of Bern sit.
• St Peter and Paul’s Church.
• Einsteinhaus – Einstein House. Albert Einstein lived in this house from 1903 to 1905. It is also said to be here that he developed his theory of relativity.
• Zytglogge – Clock Tower. Formerly one of the city gates, the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) attracts visitors from all over the world. Every hour, crowds gather in front of the Zytglogge to watch the spectacle of the moving figures, featuring the procession of the bear, the jester, the golden rooster and Chronos (the god of time).
• Kornhaus (Granary).
• Theatre.
• Numerous fountains.