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Things To Do In Bern, Switzerland: Discovering The City's Whimsical Side

28/8/2017

 

The best things to do in Bern, Switzerland, include bears by the river and epic chess battles. Check out all the fun and frivolity we found in the Swiss capital! Updated in 2022.

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Things to do in Bern, Switzerland: Vanessa stands next to a large colourful bush with red white and purple flowers.
Unexpected discovering like this gorgeous plant were some of the things to do in Bern, Switzerland, that I liked best.
Is Switzerland a serious travel destination? The images of the stoic Swiss banker or the studious clock maker certainly don't suggest a fun and frivolous destination. But the Swiss capital of Bern is a city of charm, whimsy, and wry good humor - and I've had more fun here than just about any other spot. Whether it's discovering a cheeky giant flower arrangement designed to mimic a Christmas tree (above) or a jaunty frolic with make-believe bears, Bern has amusement and diversions for every traveller.  These are some of my favourite things to do in Bern, Switzerland.

Public games and superb people watching.

Men play a game of giant chess on a huge board in a public square.
Men gather in the public square to watch a game of chess.
Public games like chess and boule are beloved pastimes across Europe but nowhere did we see chess taken so seriously as in Bern. At one point, a heated argument broke out between the elderly gentlemen at the public chess square (hmmm.... make that elderly rogues. I'm not sure how gentlemanly they were!) We weren't entirely sure they weren't going to resort to blows! Happily the moment passed without further incident and, judging from the bland expressions on the faces of everyone at the market, these little scuffles were part and parcel of public life. 

Amazing people watching

Woman buys cheese from a market stand
A variety of people sit in the public square
A street scene and fountain in Bern
People bike and walk under an archway in Bern
People walk on the street in Bern
A street scene which features a sculpture of a pair of feet poised to walk off the sidewalk

Bern is full of funky fountains

Watching the world go by is one of my favourite things to do in Bern, Switzerland. Seniors, students, and professionals alike packed the market. Everything, from small treats of cheese and chocolate to more substantial looking grocery orders, was neatly packaged and tucked into bags and briefcases. And everywhere we went, we saw people perched on the edges of public fountains, benches, and monuments, happy and animated as they socialized with friends and kept an eye on restless kids. (Speaking of those monuments, keep an eye out for one featuring children being eaten. Really!)

​With all due respect to the fine folks of Zurich, I can't imagine the same level of joie de vivre in Switzerland's financial heartland. Everything in Bern was just a little more relaxed, a little less hurried. 
People hangout at a public square that will transform into a fountain
Wide shot of the public square with wet paving stones after the fountain turns off.
A small white dog licks the wet stones in the public square.
This easy-walking city seems especially designed to make people slow down and smell the roses (and a good thing too, since Bern is home to a famous rose garden which we loved!) Case in point was this fun water fountain located by the Bundesplatz.

Maybe you're looking at the photos wondering "What water fountain?" What looks like a flat, plain set of paving stones conceals a cheeky set of water jets, perfect for energetic kids to run through, just daring another hidden stream of water to erupt from the staid looking square. You never know when dozens of water jets are about to emerge and soak everyone in the vicinity. The kids were going nuts - and the adults and dogs seemed to love it just as much! 

Bern's bears are friendly than you think.

Children check out a large cartoon style sculpture of a brown bear
Children climb on a wooden sculpture of a bear
Bern's mascot and namesake, the bear, may seem like a stern and imposing animal (and those who roam Bern's Barengraben certainly are). But should the bears of the Barengraben be feeling shy and not up for visitors, their stone and fiberglass cousins are always happy for a visit. With a keen eye you can spot more family friendly bears who welcome human interaction, even tummy rubs. Bear statues (and posters and logos and artwork) adorn the city. If you have a keen eye, you can even spot a bear in the Toblerone chocolate logo. It's a local company and keen to showcase it's Bern pride (but no spoilers here - you're going to have to squint at it yourself!) 

Medieval clock, modern performance art. 

A man and woman in grey
An interior shot of the city tower's clock's inner workings.
Even what's arguably the city's most famous and popular attraction, the Old City clock tower, has a whimsical and merry side. Watching it strike the hour is an essential item on any list of things to do in Bern. Known as theZytglogge, its roots date back to the 1200's and, in more recent history, it influenced how a young Albert Einstein thought about time. Most visitors aren't contemplating physics however when the clock chimes and a parade of sculpted bears come out to dance in a circle. Keen an eye out as well for the gilded gold bell chimer - as well as some gilded "living statue": people dressed and made up to look like statues and who stand frozen for long periods of time. Both are sure to delight.

Our only regret: Not taking the plunge (into Bern's Aare River that is....)

Standing at the edge of the river, with signs showing rules about swimming
A look at the river and city beyond, with a white life preserver ring in the foreground
As I can attest from my first trip to Bern many years ago, the absolute best thing to do in the city is to take the plunge into the Aare River (along with all the locals - this is a beloved summer pastime) and bob with the current through the city centre. Like a natural "lazy river" from a water theme park, swimming in the Aare is one of my most beloved travel memories and I was so eager to do it again but, alas, the weather was uncooperative this time around.

Ending the day in Bern with a sweet treat

Vanessa browses the chocolate shop
Close up shot of chocolates in a little cellophane bag
Shot of the chocolate shop display case showing many kinds of chocolates, nougat, candied orange peel, and colourful iced cookies
selfie of Ryan and Vanessa walking up the hill
Thankfully, cooler temperatures didn't stop us from sampling chocolates (Tschirren is our favourite), exploring food emporiums and shops, exploring the rose garden, and strolling along cobblestone streets. We'll simply have to put swimming in the Aare on our list for next time - because we're definitely coming back!

​
If you liked this article, you'll also enjoy:

Exploring Bern Through Rose Coloured Glasses
How to Save, Splurge, and Steal in Bern
Savoring Local Eats in Berlin
Mike link
10/9/2017 01:36:40 am

Bern looks like a lot of fun! I would be worried if a fight broke out over chess but otherwise it would be super fun to play on that huge board! The street art and human sculptures look really cool plus I'd try to get your only regret fixed for you and take that plunge if I ever visit! Thanks for sharing.

Vanessa
11/9/2017 09:19:16 am

Please do! I am such a massive fan of the river swim and I was crushed that I couldn't do it on this trip (but it was only like 15degreesC outside so it was wise to postpone).

sherianne link
10/9/2017 12:05:37 pm

I haven't been to Bern but I love Swiss chocolate and public art so it's my king of place for sure!

Vanessa
11/9/2017 09:20:32 am

The chocolate was just amazing. And we picked up what we thought were the smallest, plainest pieces at the chocolate shop in part because we were a bit overwhelmed at all the choices - turns out we had grabbed some of their signature pieces and it melted almost instantly in our mouths - impossibly creamy and smooth.

Aleah | Solitary Wanderer link
10/9/2017 03:25:57 pm

I skipped Switzerland on my Euro trips because it's so expensive but now I wish I did go! I love art installations, and those legs and bears look so much fun. I'm not into public chess playing, but I would love to see that. Someday!

Vanessa
11/9/2017 09:21:51 am

I've been to other cities and towns in Switzerland and, so far, it seems like Bern has superb value. Lots of free and frugal fun and there's a great hostel in the city center (we stayed in their private room) and a wonderful market for groceries.

Lois Alter Mark
11/9/2017 12:13:47 am

I was only in Switzerland once and would love to go back and visit Bern. Your photos are beautiful, and I'd love to see all those sculptures. And, of course, the chocolate!

Vanessa
11/9/2017 09:23:29 am

We were disappointed that we didn't have more time to discover more of the city's restaurants. We got so many recommendations in a short amount of time and we just couldn't eat it all!

Megan Jerrard
11/9/2017 03:28:49 am

I really loved my time in Bern, I loved that you could watch public chess games, and that there was quirky street art throughout. The markets were a highlight, and it was just so much fun to walk around! Haha I didn’t take the plunge into the Aare River though, but it’s definitely a natural lazy river! I can see why the locals love it so :)

Vanessa
11/9/2017 09:25:39 am

I think the river swimming really sums up the attitude of the local people. They're so passionate about their city and surrounding nature, they're so relaxed and unpretentious - bankers in Zurich might work around the clock for the financial markets but in Bern it feels like the locals might skip off work for the afternoon for a river swim and some gelato. It's awesome!

Vicky and Buddy link
13/9/2017 08:22:47 pm

I've been to Zurich and it definitely felt a bit... stuffier. Bern looks like such a fun place! I love people watching so I think hanging around here would be great.

Vanessa
14/9/2017 09:26:21 am

I think you'd love it.


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