One Day In Bern : 7 Awesome Things To Do
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Only one day in Bern? Read on to know the best things to do in Bern in one day. Yes, it might be a little busy, but absolutely worth it.
Bern is known as the capital and political land of Switzerland. It is thus of prime significance to the nation. But, if you think that this place is just good for legislative, political and federal duties then you might be wrong in several ways. There are multiple things to do in Bern, even if you plan to visit it for a single day. Below is the list of the best ways that you can explore the city in 24 hours. You can pick and choose to give your experience an exclusive touch. So lets start planning that one day in Bern.
One Day In Bern : Top Things To Do
1. Take A Stroll Through The Old Town
Start your day by walking on the cobbled streets of Old Town (Altstadt). With many significant architectures and cherishing history, the Old Town area will give you a medieval feel. Surrounded by the Aare river, this site is also listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many churches, museums, fountains and historical figures to pass through in Old Town Bern.
Strolling around Old Town is one of our favorite things to do in Bern and easy to achieve if you have only one day in Bern. It is a picturesque spot. The medieval alleys, architectural elements and vibrant arcades can keep one busy for days. You will also find numerous restaurants, cafes, boutiques and bars for spending an enjoyable time in the heart of the city.
If you are short on time, the best way to explore the best of Old Town Bern is by taking a guided tour so that you do not miss out the highlights. You can book a guided tour of Old Town Bern here.
2. Visit The Einstein Museum
It would be a pleasant surprise for you to know that Einstein was at Bern when he came up with the theory of relativity. This theory gave a direction to our understanding of time and space. This museum is also the second-largest historical museum in Switzerland. Get to know every single aspect of Einstein’s life and, how did a German-born scientist end up in Bern to later teach in the most notable universities of the world. Here you would come to know a different aspect of the scientist’s personality and his work. You might develop an interest in science and its discoveries even though you never were interested in any of them.
Opening Hours : Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum remains closed on Mondays.
3. Admire The Stained-Glass Window Of Munster Kirche
The Cathedral of Bern, the Bern Minister or the Munster Kirche is the biggest church in Bern and is also known for its renaissance architecture and design. It is a property of national significance and known for being the tallest cathedral in Switzerland. The cathedral is huge and has arch-roofed galleries and beautifully color-stained glasses on the windows. If you are not religious, you can visit Munster Kirche for its beauty and design. The history of this church is equally interesting.
The way you see the church now is not how it began. Though the gothic style of the church always remained the same. However, it was built and rebuilt again for a long time period of more than two centuries.
Opening Hours : Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM | Sunday – 11:30 AM to 5 PM
4. Make Your Way To The Clock Tower Or Zytglogge
The clock tower or Zytglogge is in the center of the city of Bern. It is not only a clock tower but has served in various ways to the city. It has served as a guard tower, prison, a center for urban life and a civic memorial as well. Now, you can understand that it has been bringing the community of Bern together for ages. It has been providing a platform for a communal get-together and thus making a healthy and happy society. Don’t be surprised if you visit the city and find out about a musical or a cultural event happening around the clock tower.
The architectural beauty of Zytglogge is also something to appreciate. Being made during medieval times, it reflects the design of that period. And, since it has served a lot of purposes, its design is not like a regular clock tower.
Click here to be a part of an interesting tour through the Zytglogge.
5. Visit the Art Museum / Communication Museum
Since there are many museums in Bern, you can visit any of them depending on your choice of interest. Below are some of the honorable mentions of museums in Bern on this list.
Museum of Fine Arts : Swiss people are known for their art and architecture in all walks of life. The way they have preserved that throughout centuries is also something you would love to know. There are multiple museums of Fine Arts around the world. However, The Museum of Fine Arts in the capital city of Switzerland will make a special place in your heart because of its collection. The paintings and sketches that have been born by a few of the most artistic minds in the world, from the past are being brought up on the walls and in the galleries of this museum.
Opening Hours : Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM | The Museum of Fine Arts remains closed on Mondays.
Museum of Communication : Moving on from the ancient form of art to the modern form of art, that is communication. If you were to tell someone 50 years ago that you can be connected to the person sitting across the world, they won’t believe it. But how does this modern miracle come to fruition? And what are the possibilities for this kind of technology and digital communication? All of your questions can be answered in this museum and it would also leave you wondering about this.
The best part about this museum is there are interactive exhibits and fictional characters that would help you understand the evolution of digital communication. All you need to do is to visit the museum and get yourself amazed.
Opening Hours : Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM | The Museum of Communication remains closed on Mondays.
6. Explore The Swiss history At Federal Palace (Bundeshaus)
A building that is not just an emblem to secure the constitution of the country but dates back more than a century old. The federal building is the house of the Federal council and Federal Assembly, so you can understand its significance to the country. However, if politics doesn’t interest you then the architecture and design of the building would certainly make your heart flutter.
The building is huge and is divided into several wings. Though you are not allowed to enter the functional wings you would love to know the history of its birth. Where the congress met for the first time, how this building was made in the first place and what wings came into being later. They all are interesting facts to delve your time into. You can check the visiting hours for tourists here.
7. Be One With Nature At Rosengarten
For your perfect Swiss evening in Bern, there is Rosengarten. On the backdrop of mountains and clear skies, there are green lands with a hint of rainbow flowers and sunlit grounds. If that is not enough to tell you the beauty of this garden, then you must witness it yourself. All Swiss beauty is being enclosed in this garden. The paradise as you want to call it once you catch your breath here after your entire day exploring the city. There is also a Rosengarten Restaurant nearby where you can have dinner and wrap up your perfect day in the city.
How To Reach Bern
Bern is very centrally located in Switzerland which also makes it a perfect base for many excursions. The city is well connected to all the major cities like Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Lausanne and Basel through the rail network. You can find train schedules here. It is also possible to take a flight to Bern from cities like Zurich, Geneva and Basel.
So there you go, we hope that you have enjoyed reading about the best things to do with one day in Bern. If you have any other Bern attractions to add to the list, do let us know in the comments below.
