Not many cities manage to preserve and maintain their historical heritage as successfully as Bern, the Swiss capital. The Old Town of Bern has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. With 6 kilometers of arcade galleries – locals call them “Lauben” – Bern boasts the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe. And the Paul Klee Center has the most impressive collection of the artist’s works.
The medieval spirit of this city with its fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers is truly unique. Stretching above Bear Park, the rose gardens and the 101-meter high cathedral tower platform offer the best views of the old city washed by the waters of the Aare River. The former bastions descend steeply to the river. The boutiques, bars, and cabarets of the old town, some of which are located in vaulted cellars, attract locals as much as tourists. Although Berne has excellent public transport links, it is better to explore the city center on foot.
The Paul Klee Center on the edge of town is home to the artist’s most comprehensive collection. The Albert Einstein House pays tribute to the physics genius who lived in Bern in the early twentieth century – it is a great place to visit together with the Einstein Museum. The Historical Museum, the Museum of Art, the Swiss Alpine Museum and the Museum of Communications offer visitors to Bern a wide range of exhibitions.
In Bern, the government of Switzerland sits. The Parliament building (Bundeshaus) rises above the city just steps from the station. The doors of Parliament are open to visitors most of the time, and if you’re lucky, you might meet a member of Parliament just in the street.
In summer, the Aare River is a great place to swim – good swimmers can afford to swim in the clear waters of the Aare and enjoy the view of Parliament at the same time. The botanical garden is also by the river, as is the Dählhölzli Zoo and the Matte quarter. Bern and the bears, as the heraldic symbol of the city, are inseparable. Be sure to visit the Bear Park, which is home to a family of bears.
In the squares in the city center, the weekly street markets display all the splendor of goods. The Onion Market (Zibelemärit) takes place on the fourth Monday in November and is definitely worth a visit: the traditional market is dedicated to onions, which start flooding the city early in the morning.
Located in the center of Switzerland, Bern is the gateway to the Alps. The capital is easily accessible by car, or by plane from Bern-Belp airport, which is connected to the city center by a bus route. Travelers who prefer to travel by train can appreciate the excellent connections to the most important cities in Europe. Bern’s central location makes it a great base for exploring Switzerland.
Conferences and congresses
Safety, transport links, infrastructure and local attractions are the reasons why the region around the Swiss capital is the second strongest economic area in Switzerland. The real secret behind Bern’s success, however, is its relaxed atmosphere. This may be due to the Swiss capital’s legendary charm, the interplay between visionary architecture and its world-famous UNESCO-listed old town. Bern offers an enormous variety of locations for business events all within easy walking distance – from historic vaulted cellars such as the Kornhauskeller to cultural and architectural gems such as the Zentrum Paul Klee or the ultra-modern Kursaal Bern conference center.
