What are the best things to do in Bern?
Top picks in Bern include Bern Historical Museum, Kunstmuseum, Swiss Alpine Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Bern travel guide.
Why visit Bern
Travel guide for Bern, Switzerland — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Bern is a stop in Switzerland, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise Bern Historical Museum, Kunstmuseum, Swiss Alpine Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 180–350 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Bern
1
Bern Historical Museum
2
Kunstmuseum
3
Swiss Alpine Museum
Plan your trip
Bern itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Bern Historical Museum
- Visit Kunstmuseum
- Visit Swiss Alpine Museum
- Eat at Restaurant Zunft zu Webern
Budget
Bern trip cost
Budget
USD 80–135
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 180–350
per person / day
Luxury
USD 400–665+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Bern, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Bern
Estimated total (USD)
$3,965
≈ $1,983 per person · $566 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $265/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Bern mid-range ground costs (budget 80–135 · mid 180–350 · luxury 400–665+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Restaurant Zunft zu Webern
Excellent soups, a good rendering of Swiss standards, such as cheese fondue, and a decent number of veggie choices. Many items are available
Coop Restaurant Bern Ryfflihof
Very wide variety of dishes, a nice curry station, salad bar and lots of desserts.
Lo stuzzichino da Mohan
A simple Italian restaurant. The menu is mainly pasta. The food, dessert and the service are good.
Tong Fong
It's a delicious Asian take-away restaurant.
Sous le Pont
A nice restaurant in the Reitschule complex which serves excellent dishes.
Beaulieu
Old-fashioned restaurant serving traditional Swiss and Bernese cuisine at very affordable prices. Popular among students due to its situatio
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Astoria Swiss Quality Hotel
Tastefully renovated 3*-hotel with a friendly and informal atmosphere, close to the city centre on the “Eigerplatz” (motorway exit “Bern For
Bern Swiss Quality Hotel
Charming hotel in the city centre of Bern, 600 m from the main station away and 10 km from the airport Bern Belp.
Hotel Schweizerhof & The Spa
In 2016 the Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern was awarded the "Luxury Hotel of the Year" by the Luxury Travel Guide Awards. This five-star hotel is
Bellevue Palace
This five-star hotel provides exquisite rooms and attentive service. It is situated next to the Federal Council building, which is appropria
Hotel Bern
A good value nearing the upper end the Hotel Bern has a great location, near-perfect service and impeccable rooms for somewhat less money th
Shopping
- Yamatuti
- Krompholz Music
- Bücherbergwerk Monbijou
- Bücher-Brockenhaus Bern
Nightlife
- Du Nord
- Café Kairo
- Cuba
- Dampfzentrale
- PROGR_centre for cultural production
- Reitschule
Museums & culture
- Bern Historical Museum
- Kunstmuseum
- Swiss Alpine Museum
In pictures
Bern gallery
Photos: Flooffy, JoachimKohler-HB, Universitaetbern, Krol:k, Daniel Kraft — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Bern travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Bern?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Bern?
Plan at least 1 days in Bern for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Bern?
Popular stays in Bern include Astoria Swiss Quality Hotel, Bern Swiss Quality Hotel, Hotel Schweizerhof & The Spa. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Bern cost?
On the ground in Bern (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 80–135 per person per day, mid-range about 180–350, and luxury about 400–665+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Bern, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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