The Ultimate One Day in Bern Itinerary

Despite being the capital city of Switzerland, Bern is actually pretty small. Therefore, spending one day in Bern is the perfect amount of time to explore the main sights and get a sense of the city.

Bern is a tranquil, riverside city with a historic Old Town and an array of cultural attractions. Although sometimes overlooked in favor of Zurich and Geneva, the Swiss capital has more than enough to see and do to quench your wanderlust and it deserves a spot on any Switzerland itinerary.

Designed with first-time visitors in mind, this Bern travel guide will help you figure out what to do in Bern in one day based on the types of activities you enjoy the most when traveling.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Your One Day in Bern Itinerary

Breakdown of your one day in Bern

Morning: Bern Altstadt, Bear Park, Rosengarten
Afternoon: Option A: visit an art gallery or museum, Option B: swim in the River Aare
Evening: Gurten, Dinner

Map of the best places to visit in Bern in a day

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this Bern itinerary.

I marked the different times of the day with different colors – I used blue for the morning, red for the afternoon, and green for the evening, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit during your one day in Bern.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Morning

Bern Altstadt

Bern Altstadt, the Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This gives you a hint that it’s going to be historic, ornate, and beautiful so make sure you have your camera at the ready!

In terms of what to do in Bern in one day, you could easily spend it roaming this neighborhood and ticking off as many of the 100-plus fountains that dot the city. Follow my tips below to maximize your time.

Bundeshaus

You can start your self-guided walk around Altstadt at Bundesplatz, a historic plaza that provides the setting for Bundeshaus, also known as the Parliament Building and Federal Palace. Constructed between 1894 and 1902, the building was inaugurated by the United Federal Assembly 1st April 1902.

In front of the palace, you will see a fountain of 26 jets. Each one represents one of Switzerland’s Cantons. The building itself is steeped in symbolism that represents Swiss history, culture, and values which is best digested on a guided tour.

These tours are free of charge, last one hour, and must be booked online at least three days prior. Tours take place from Tuesday until Saturday with English language tours scheduled for Saturdays. During the summer months, additional English language tours are available.

Zytglogge

Moving on from Bundeshaus, you can walk five minutes to the next attraction, Zytglogge. This medieval clock tower was constructed in 1405 and has served as a watchtower and prison in the past.

Nowadays, it marks the core of Altstadt and it’s a marvel to see the astronomical clock face close up. Schedule your 24 hours in Bern so that you arrive at the hour if you want to watch the show.

Einsteinhaus

Walk two minutes down Kramgasse from the Zytglogge and you will reach Eistenhaus, a residence where Albert Einstein lived in the early 1900s. The museum is open for visitors between 1 February and 20 December. Hours are Monday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. The admission fee is 5 CHF (€5.10).

Churches

Altstadt is the setting for a scattering of churches, which represent different branches of Christianity.

Visit the 15th-century Cathedral of Bern where you can tackle the spiral staircase to reach the summit of the Gothic building and take in birds-eye views of the city. The church hall and steeple are open daily, 10 am – 5 pm.

The main church is free to visit but if you want to climb up the tower then there is a fee of 5 CHF (€5.10).

You may also want to stop at Nydeggkirche, a Protestant church situated next to Nydeggbrücke. It features a beautiful blue spire and attractive bronze carvings. Make this your last stop in Altstadt then you can cross over Nydeggbrücke and walk to the Rosengarten.

Bear Park

While wandering around Bern in one day, you might have noticed lots of bear symbols all across the city. This is not a coincidence, as the bear is not only the symbol of the city of Bern but the whole canton as well.

After knowing all this, it won’t come as a surprise that Bern has its own Bear Park as well! Situated along the banks of the River Aare, the bears have a huge, 6000-square-meter park where they can roam free. You can also find a small bear pit near the park where you can observe the bears from a closer perspective.

Rosengarten

For the remainder of your morning, you can stretch your legs and capture wonderful views of Bern Altstadt from this elevated rose garden. This is a lovely place to take a breather during your one day in Bern and you could always bring a picnic up here to enjoy for lunch.

Rosengarten is a 10-minute walk from Nydeggbrücke and it is free to enter.

Afternoon of Your One Day in Bern

There are so many types of things to do in Bern in a day so for the afternoon, you can decide between a couple of options based on your personal preferences or what the weather is doing.

Option A: Visit an art gallery or museum

Option A is to visit one of Bern’s many museums or galleries. Here are four suggestions for your one day in Bern! The first museum is located a bit out of the city but the rest are all located in Bern’s Museum District, Kirchenfeld.

To access any of these museums in Kirchenfeld, you can board bus numbers 10 or 12, alight at Zytglogge, and then cross over to Kirchenfeldbrücke on foot.

Zentrum Paul Klee: Showcasing the avant-garde works of Swiss-born artist Paul Klee, this museum features everything from his childhood sketches to masterpieces from his career. The building itself is a striking architectural feat. Located a 20-minute walk from Rosengarten or accessible via bus number 40.
Alpine Museum of Switzerland: Perfect for mountain lovers, this museum delves into alpine culture, traditions, and the Swiss and international mountain ranges. It’s a great spot for both aspiring and accomplished mountaineers.
Museum of Communication: Housed in a former post office, this museum explores the history of postal services, telecommunications, and modern media. Visitors can even try their hand at learning Morse code.
Bernisches Historisches Museum: This museum covers Swiss history, featuring artifacts from the Stone Age to modern times. It also hosts temporary exhibits on royalty, art, and political movements. The Einstein Museum is part of the same complex and adds a fascinating scientific dimension to your visit.

Option B: River Aare swimming

If the weather is hot and you fancy cooling off then you can go for a session of wild swimming in the River Aare. This is one of the best things to do in Bern in a day during summer.

The section of the river just south of Dalmazibrücke is the most suitable place to do this. At Freibad Marzili you can nab a spot on the grassy lawn and hop in the river for a swim.

Please note that swimming in the river itself is only possible for strong, experienced swimmers. Make sure you get a sense of the current before entering the Aare as some days it is stronger than others!

If you are more comfortable then there are also some swimming pools at Freibad Marzili where you can take a dip safely. The pools are open daily in summer during sunlight hours. During the winter months, they are open daily, 8:30 am – 6 pm.

There is no admission charge to swim in either the river or the pools at Freibad Marzili. From Rosengarten, you can ride bus numbers 10 and 12 and alight at Bundesplatz.

If you don’t fancy a museum or a river swim, then you can extend the evening activity of your one day in Bern itinerary and spend longer at Gurten.

Evening

Gurten

Gurten is a mountain situated in the south of Bern and it is accessible from the city via the Gurten Funicular (Warbern Gurtenbahn). The view from the summit at 858 meters (2,815 feet) looks out over the Bernese Oberland region, the city, and the winding River Aare.

There are a variety of hiking trails that typically take 1–2 hours to complete and there is also a toboggan run. During the warmer months, you might stumble upon a festival while winter sees the peak transform into a mini ski resort.

From either Freibad Marzili or Kirchenfeld you can ride bus number 28 (board at Monbijoubrücke) to Bern Weissenbühl Bahnhof and then ride the commuter train to Wabern bei Bern where the funicular station is located. Your ride is free with your Bern Ticket!

Dinner

Toast the end of your one day in Bern with a tasty meal at one of the best restaurants in town. Some of the best ones are Süder, Restaurant Rosengarten, and Restaurant Terrasse Schwellenmätteli.

Useful Info for Visiting Bern

Where to stay in Bern

To save you some time, below you can find my personal recommendations for where to stay in Bern for one day.

How to get to Bern

Bern is tiny but it is still a capital city and therefore it does have its own international airport, situated 12 km (7.5 miles) southeast of central Bern. However, flights to Bern Airport (BRN) from other European destinations are very limited so you might find it easier to fly to a larger Swiss city and connect via rail or road.

Bern Train Station is situated centrally, just west of Bern Altstadt. This connects to other Swiss and European cities and you can check schedules, and journey times, and reserve train tickets online at Omio.

Its central location and the fact that you can explore the best of Bern in a day means that this city is an excellent stop as part of a Switzerland road trip. It takes around 2 hours to drive there from either Geneva or Zurich but you can always extend the journey and discover some of the pristine Swiss countryside along the way.

Best time to visit Bern

Similar to Geneva and Zurich, you can absolutely visit Bern at any time during the year. It really depends on the type of experience you are seeking from visiting Bern in a day.

Winter temperatures do drop as low as -3°C (27°F) while the hottest summer months of July and August will see them soar to 25°C (77°F). The shoulder seasons of mid-spring, early summer, and autumn are the most pleasant overall with temperatures pushing 20°C (68°F).

Winter brings festive cheer in the form of Christmas markets and, if you’re lucky, a light coat of snow on the city streets. Meanwhile, summer sees an influx in visitor numbers so you’ll have to contend with more crowds, however, it’s a really nice time for swimming in the river.

How to get around Bern

You can get around this compact city on foot for the most part. If your accommodation is further out of the historic heart then you can hop on board a bus or tram to connect to the city and then start your exploration.

This one day Bern itinerary mainly relies on walking to get around but it does include a couple of bus rides. If you book at least one night of accommodation in town, your hotel will give you a Bern Ticket that permits free travel during your visit, across buses, trams, and the Gurten funicular.