The hills all around, and the steep banks of the river, are still wooded. Views over the Old Town’s clustered roofs, with the Alps on the horizon, are breathtaking. Coming from Zürich or Geneva, it’s hard to remember that tiny Bern – once voted Europe’s most floral city – is the nation’s capital.
Despite its political pre-eminence, Bern has a population under 140,000 and retains a small town’s easy approach to life. Traffic is kept out of the Old Town and you could spend days just wandering the streets and alleyways, café-hopping and – if it’s warm – joining the locals for a plunge into the river.
The medieval street plan, with its arcades, towers and street fountains, persuaded UNESCO to name Bern a World Heritage Site.
In a competition for the world’s most beautiful and relaxing capital city, it’s hard to think what could knock Bern into second place. Indeed, Bern is one of the reasons you voted Switzerland one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Bern also happens to feature in our run-down of top things to do in Switzerland this summer.
Top attractions and things to do in Bern
1. Old Town
Wandering Bern’s UNESCO-protected Old Town can be a magical experience: few cities in Europe are so visibly wedded to their distant past, with architecture and a street plan essentially unchange since medieval times.
Take a tour of Bern in the company of an expert Bern travel guide to uncover history, followed by a pampering session in the Hamman and Spa.
Travelling with kids? Book a family-friendly walking tour to create a higlight of your Bern vacation.
2. The Münster
Bern’s late Gothic Münster is unmistakeable, its feathery spire – the highest in Switzerland – towering over the Old Town and its sonorous bells dominating the quiet city.
It’s a reverential place, both for its lofty, gloomy interior and the spectacular Alpine vistas from its tower, the tallest in Switzerland.
Rough Guides tip: To increase your chances of a great holiday, read how many days you need to spend in Switzerland.