BernCapital
Switzerland · Country profile
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and one of the most beautiful old cities of Europe, the sandstone town that curls around a loop of the river Aare on a high peninsula, its medieval centre crowned by the famous clock tower and preserved as a world heritage. The city is the quiet, orderly seat of the Swiss government and the world of the diplomats, with the federal palace on its hill above the river, the arcaded streets of the old town and the bear pits that gave the city its name and its mascot. Beyond the historic centre, the city spreads its museums, its art galleries, its parks and the pleasant residential districts of the riverbanks, and the bridges and the terraces of the Aare give the superlative viewpoints over the whole peninsula. Compact, elegant and immaculately Swiss, Bern is the gentle, beautifully preserved capital of the confederation.
About Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland. The city's documented population is around 134,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF) and German, French and Italian are spoken; the dialling code is +41.
The Arcaded Old Town on the Loop of the Aare
Bern is a compact, postcard-perfect Swiss capital built around a bend of the river, a city of sandstone arcades, fountains, clock towers and a calm, orderly pleasantness that few European capitals can match. The old town is small and easily walked, the federal palace anchors the seat of the government, and the river terraces give the classic panoramas. It is a city of museums, markets and unhurried promenades, safe and walkable in the extreme, and it rewards an easy, lingering day. The wider attractions of the country, the mountains and the lakes, are an hour or two away by train from the flawless little capital.
The Franc, the Seasons and the Easy Walking Scale
The climate is temperate, with the mild summers and the cold, sometimes snowy winters, and the spring and the autumn are pleasant shoulder seasons. The old town, the clock tower and the federal palace are the essential circuit, and the museums of the city, from the art gallery to the museum of the history, fill out the cultural side. The Swiss franc is the currency and the cards work everywhere. The city is small, safe and easy to explore on foot, with the tram and the bus network covering the wider area, and the Aare river with its swimming and its terraces anchors the outdoor life of the summer.
The Clock Tower, the Federal Palace and the Bears
The clock tower of the city, the medieval clock of the old gate with its moving figures and its astronomical dial, is the most famous sight of the old town, and the arcaded streets with their fountains and their cellars of the shops and the restaurants make the centre one of the best preserved old cities of Europe. The federal palace, the seat of the Swiss government, gives the guided tours of its chambers, and the terraces and the bridges of the river grant the classic views over the peninsula and the rooftops. The bear pit of the city, the home of the famous bears of the canton, and the rose garden on its hill complete the circuit, and the museums, from the fine art gallery to the Einstein house of the city, hold the cultural weight.
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- Country
- Switzerland
- Population
- 134,000
- Coordinates
- 46.9485, 7.4522
- Capital
- Bern
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Languages
- German, French, Italian
- Calling code
- +41
- Country code
- CH
Entry requirements for Switzerland
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Switzerland for tourism.
Getting to Bern
The nearest airports we list:
Cities in Switzerland
Other cities we cover in Switzerland:
Frequently asked questions
Is Bern the capital of Switzerland?
Yes — Bern is the capital of Switzerland.
What currency do I need in Bern?
The local currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Languages spoken in Switzerland include German, French and Italian.
What is the dialling code for Switzerland?
The international dialling code for Switzerland is +41.
Which airport is nearest to Bern?
The nearest airport we list is Zurich Airport (ZRH), about 101 km away.
How far is Bern from the nearest airport?
Bern is about 101 km from Zurich Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Switzerland visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Bern? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.