Bern
Switzerland · Canton de BerneCH
Federal city of Switzerland
Bern, or Berne, is the de facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city". With a population of about 146,000, Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland, behind Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 36 municipalities, had a population of 406,900 in 2014. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 201,800
- Coordinates
- 46.948, 7.447
- Timezone
- Europe/Zurich
- Elevation
- 542 m
Overview of Bern
Travellers heading to Canton de Berne, Switzerland will find Bern, a mid-sized city. Records put its population near 201,800. And it shows in how much there is to see. Its strongest draws are water sports, culture and nature. Seasons here follow the northern hemisphere. You are about 542 metres up.
Things to do in Bern
Water Sports in Bern
(17)Our data lists Canoeing, Diving, Jet Skiing, Kayaking and Kiteboarding as water sports options here. The category holds 17 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Bern.
Culture in Bern
(16)Looking for culture? Bern has Ancient Ruins, Art Galleries, Bridges, Castles and Cathedrals. Counting everything, 16 activities fall under this heading. This reflects only what is documented for Bern.
Nature in Bern
(14)Bern's nature entries include Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Gardens and Geological Formations. It is a direct read of Bern's activity profile. There are 14 tagged experiences in this group.
Adventure in Bern
(12)For adventure, expect Abseiling, Adventure, Adventure Parks, Amusement Parks and Climbing. The category holds 12 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Bern.
Nightlife in Bern
(10)Our data lists Bars, Casinos, Clubs, Disco and Events as nightlife options here. The category holds 10 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Bern.
Sports in Bern
(9)Bern's sports entries include Golf, Horse Trails, Hunting, Running and Skateboard. It is a direct read of Bern's activity profile. There are 9 tagged experiences in this group.
Wellness in Bern
(7)Bern's wellness entries include Farms, Hammam, Ranches, Spa and Therms. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Bern. 7 entries sit in this category, enough to fill more than a day.
Family in Bern
(4)Looking for family? Bern has Aquariums, Playgrounds, Water Parks and Zoo. Enough to anchor an afternoon or a full day. This reflects only what is documented for Bern.
Shopping in Bern
(2)Under shopping, Bern is tagged with Food and Shopping. Enough to anchor an afternoon or a full day. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Bern.
More to do in Bern
(2)On the other activities side, Bern offers Fishing and Secret. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Bern. These pair well with anything else on this page.
Best time to visit Bern
Water-based activities peak in June to September, when temperatures suit the coast and lakes. April to June and September to October keeps outdoor plans comfortable. December to February is when winter sports come into play. Even off-season, culture and nightlife give the trip a shape.
Getting there & around
A medium-sized centre, Bern is best entered by regional transport and crossed on foot. Set your clock to Europe/Zurich on arrival.
Similar destinations
Places near Bern that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Bern known for?
- Travellers associate Bern with water sports, culture and nature. It sits in Canton de Berne, Switzerland and counts about 201,800 residents.
- What can you do in Bern?
- Bern is tagged with Canoeing, Diving, Jet Skiing, Kayaking and Kiteboarding, which is enough to structure a first visit.
- When is the best time to visit Bern?
- Water-based activities peak in June to September, when temperatures suit the coast and lakes. April to June and September to October keeps outdoor plans comfortable. December to February is when winter sports come into play. Even off-season, culture and nightlife give the trip a shape.
- Where is Bern located?
- Bern belongs to Canton de Berne, Switzerland, so it pairs naturally with other stops in the same area.
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