Bern, Switzerland Travel GuideSwitzerland
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s capital Bern is small enough to walk around yet filled with fascinating museums, markets, cafes and historical architecture. Conveniently located less than two hours by train from Zurich airport, Bern is a charming holiday destination for a weekend break or for a longer visit, especially for lovers of history and architecture. Bern
’s Tourist Attractions Bern
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s medieval Old City is a Unesco World Heritage Site and its historical architecture has been
preserved extremely well. Old City’s highlights include the famous clock tower Zytglogge and the 15th century Gothic cathedral Münster. Visitors can get a great view over the city from the Munster tower, and concerts are offered frequently in the church as well. Other sights in and around Bern’s Old City are the 19th century Parliament House and one of Bern’s most fascinating museums, the Einsteinhaus. Once Albert Einstein’s home, the
Einsteinhaus is now a museum with an exhibition featuring Einstein’s life and his work. There are also dozens of colourful, artistic public fountains in Bern and many of them can be found in the old part of town. Things to Do in Bern The cobbled streets in the old part of Bern are lined with picturesque outdoor cafes, atmospheric restaurants and exciting boutiques. Outdoor markets take place on Waisenhausplatz near the Parliament House. During the summer Bern
’s residents swim in the River Aare and sunbathe in the parks by the river. The new Bear Park on the banks of the Aare has replaced the old Bear Pit and houses two brown bears, historical symbols of the city of Bern. The 864 m high Gurten Mountain has excellent views over Bern and the surrounding mountains, and it also hosts the annual Gurten music festival in July. Places to Stay in Bern Bern has a great range of hotels for all tastes. Although Switzerland is known
as an expensive holiday destination, there are some relatively cheap places to stay in Bern including the centrally located Bern Youth Hostel and the Eymatt campsite by the River Aare. List of House Sitters available for Bern Switzerland |