Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli + BearPark

With its 200 different animal species, Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli – nestled in the Dählhölzli forest and right by the Aare river – is an experience for both young and old. The Animal Park is open 365 days a year, and about half of the site can be visited freely. Leopards, musk oxen, eagle owls, wolves, gophers, monkeys and many other animals invite visitors to observe and discover.

At Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli, visitors have the opportunity to witness the seals digging into their food and puffins hunting for fish in their mysterious «underwater flight».

Doctor fish, fox face fish, clown fish and box fish: these and many other fish live in the reef tank between the colourful corals. Numerous invertebrate species such as snails, mussels, sea stars, brittle stars and anemones frolic among them. The tank contains 40,000 litres of water and is the largest reef in Switzerland.

In the vivarium, visitors can hardly cease to be amazed, as animals such as monkeys, snakes, iguanas, fish, tortoises and crocodiles in all colours and sizes are at home here. In the outdoor area of the Dählhölzli Zoo, the footbridge high up in the trees, which leads over the bison forest, is another highlight. Native wild animals such as ibex, wild boar and otters can be spotted along the River Aare, which is freely accessible.

Discovering makes us thirsty and hungry. For visitors who feel like relaxing and having a cup of coffee while the children run around on the playground, there are several options at Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli: The Eulen Bistro (Owl Bistro) offers small, regional snacks. You can, for example, buy a sausage and roast it over the fire yourself, and then eat it accompanied by a tasty salad.

On the banks of the Aare river sits the Restaurant Dählhölzli. The varied and diverse menu, the beer garden and the soothing sounds coming from the river will make you want to stay forever.

Visiting the children’s zoo is a must for kids. Petting the pygmy goats, minipigs and pygmy donkeys is something that all animal lovers, no matter the age, enjoy doing. There’s also carriage rides (Friday afternoon) and face painting for kids – visiting Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli + BearPark is an adventure for the entire family.

Exploring the zoo at night? An individual tour? Or a workshop in animal photography? There are always exciting events at Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli + BearPark.

You can see all the events here.

A small gesture for a big contribution. In order to support endangered species and habitats in nature even more, various nature and species conservation projects can be supported with the voluntary nature conservation franc at Tierpark Bern: for habitats such as water, urban meadows, forests, the sea and mountains and their animal inhabitants. The donations are channelled 1:1 into Tierpark Bern’s nature conservation projects. This makes it possible for all visitors to support species conservation in Switzerland and abroad - even if it is just one franc.

Near Bern Animal Park and in the middle of Dählhölzliwald (Dählhölzli forest) – only ten minutes from Bern main station – lies one of Switzerland’s largest climbing adventures, with around 3,000 metres of climbing fun. At ROPETECH adventure park, there are seven different routes, four to 23 metres off the ground, that lead through the forest treetops, as well as three children’s routes. It is a unique experience for skilled climbers and beginners alike. The park visitors will cross bridges of varying degrees of difficulty and ride ziplines – all the while secured by carabiners, of course. This exciting mixture of nature and adrenaline makes for an unforgettable experience.

The home of the Bernese bears is the city’s Bern Animal Park, BearPark. Since 2009, the bears have been in the park on the banks of the Aare river, an exclusive location with a view of Bern’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A small forest, bushes, caves and a large pool next to the river make sure that the bears are comfortable and happy. A landscape has been created in which they can climb, fish, and play, but also retreat. The compound measures about 5,000 square metres and covers the area from the former Bear Pit all the way down to the Aare river.

In December of 2009, bear «Björk» gave birth to two cubs in one of the hibernation caves. Daughter «Ursina» still lives at Bern Animal Park, BearPark with her parents, her sister «Berna» has found a new home in Bulgaria.

Bern Animal Park, Dählhölzli + BearPark is suitable for visitors in wheelchairs. There’s been a wheelchair-friendly panorama elevator at Bern Animal Park, BearPark since 2015. It can be used for free and connects the banks of the river with the upper part of the park. Floating through Bern Animal Park, BearPark on the lift is a unique experience!

Right above Bern Animal Park, BearPark lies the restaurant Altes Tramdepot. Apart from the fantastic view of the Old City, Altes Tramdepot is known for its in-house brewery. Upon entering, visitors will notice immediately that the beer is carefully brewed in the copper brewing kettles in the middle of the restaurant. To accompany the varied selection of homemade «tram beers», the restaurant offers seasonal menus and swiss specialties and is a popular meeting place for hanging out and relaxing.

What once was the workshop for the old pneumatic streetcar «Bärengraben-Güterbahnhof» is now a «workshop» for homemade ice cream. Eiswerkstatt in the restaurant Altes Tramdepot makes tasty creations and delights guests with traditionally produced gelatos. The highlight: ice cream fans can watch the fresh ingredients – milk from the Emmental region and hazelnuts from Piemonte, for example – being turned into refreshing ice cream before their very own eyes.

Just a couple of minutes up the hill from Bern Animal Park, BearPark lies Rosengarten. It is one of the city’s most beautiful parks, thanks to its gorgeous view of Bern’s historic Old City, the minster and the Aare river. Depending on the season, visitors will be greeted by a cherry blossom wonderland, some 250 fragrant roses or vibrant autumn colours. The adjacent Restaurant Rosengarten is perfect for starting off the day with fresh croissants and tasty brunch or ending an eventful day with a drink on the terrace.