The most popular city tours in Bern

Albert Einstein, Paul Klee, and Friedrich Dürrenmatt all strolled through Bern’s arcades (so-called Lauben) and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere on the cathedral platform. Bern’s Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enchants luminaries, people from all over the world and locals alike with its distinctive sandstone buildings, charming alleys, and monumental structures. The UNESCO Stroll through the Old Town shines a light on Bern’s historical side and leads you to the most famous sights: from the city gates, the Parliament and the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) past the fountains adorned with historical figures to Bern’s Cathedral.

UNESCO Stroll through the Old Town

Take a look inside the centuries-old clockwork, learn about the background of this Bernese landmark, and enjoy the view over the roofs of Bern’s old town from the tower. This 50-minute-long tour will delight fans of technical masterpieces as well as history buffs and panorama lovers. What do the figures signify? How does the ingenious mechanism work? What stories are hidden behind the thick walls of this famous attraction? And what can you see from the tower windows? The answers to these and many more questions can be found on the guided tour of the « Zytglogge ».

Tour of the «Zytglogge»

Late at night, it’s time for scary stories and dark legends. How did a night watchman in the Middle Ages deal with suspicious people who were out and about at night? Were there police hours back then or did people party until the early hours of the morning? Did the night watchman also encounter ghosts on his tour? Why did he find Kreuzgasse so scary? And why was he often annoyed by the tower guards? Participants will find out all this and much more on the night-time tour through the dark alleyways of Bern’s Old Town.

When darkness falls and night falls over the city, the hour of the Bernese ghosts strikes. Then the other side of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is revealed, with its winding alleyways and unique arcades. For 90 minutes, guests stroll through ‘spooky Bern’ and learn about legends, horror stories and old legends. The tour is skilfully combined with historical events.

Why does beer from a bottle taste different than beer from a glass? On the Bernese Beer Tour, you can find the answer to this and many more questions yourself: participants will learn everything about beer and its production at four different locations – from the hip, trendy brewery scene to the classic Altes Tramdepot (old tram depot). A professional beer sommelier will serve you 15 different beers and enhance the experience with exciting information and anecdotes. On this tour, learning is not only theoretical and dry, but practical and liquid. Santé!

Bernese Beer Tour

On the « Bern for Bernese » tour, the city guides will surprise even long-time locals with something previously unknown - that's a promise! Because even those who walk under the arcades every day certainly don't know all the secrets of the city. Or who knows which building's shutters are merely painted onto the façade as dummies? Or which building served as a women's prison? The answers can be found - in addition to lots of other insider knowledge - on this entertaining tour for Bernese « locals » and anyone who wants to become one.

Bern for Bernese

Happy Birthday! Bern is celebrating its 175th anniversary as a federal city. In 1848, it was elected as the political pulse of Switzerland. However, not everyone was optimistic about this choice at the time. After extensive discussions, the Swiss agreed on a compromise. On November 28, 1848, the seat of the Swiss Confederation was chosen by the National Council and the Council of States in Bern - which is why it is called the Federal City rather than the capital. Why this difference and why Bern in particular? These and other facts are revealed in the city tour « 1848 - Bern's birth as a federal city ».

1848 - Bern's birth as a federal city

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