Travel to Bern, Switzerland – Episode 983

Hear about travel to Bern, Switzerland, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jack Baumann from Guidester and the Europe Travel 101 Podcast about a city he fell in love with early in his travels.

Why should you visit Bern?

Jack says, “I would say Bern epitomizes the blend mixture of natural beauty, culture, and history that Switzerland is known for. It’s on the river Aare, it’s surrounded by the Bern oberland, so you can get from the city center to a mountain in about 15 minutes. On a clear day, you can see the Alps.”

Jack’s Recommended 7-Day Itinerary for Bern, Switzerland

Days 1–2: Historic Bern (UNESCO Old Town)

Base yourself in or very near the Old Town, ideally at Hotel Bären am Bundesplatz, Bern. Must-see highlights:

• Bern Minster
  Climb the tower for panoramic views over the Aare River and Old Town rooftops.
• Zytglogge
  One of Europe’s oldest working astronomical clocks, including an interior tour.
• Bern Historical Museum
  Includes the outstanding Einstein exhibition explaining his time in Bern.
• Einsteinhaus Bern
  Visit Einstein’s former apartment on the main Old Town street.
• Wander Bern’s covered arcades, browse underground cellar shops, and explore the medieval street layout.

Food & local flavor

• Try Raclette at Restaurant Lötschberg Bern.

Day 3: Nature Inside the City

• BearPark
  See Bern’s live bears, the city’s symbol, in a natural riverside setting.
• Rose Garden
  Classic postcard view across the Aare River to the Old Town.
• Marzili Funicular
  Ride down to the river level.
• Swim in the Aare River at Marzili in summer.
• Relax at Hammam and Spa Oktogon Bern, a Turkish-style bath hidden below the Old Town.

Day 4: Gurten and Local Life

• Ride or walk up Gurten, Bern’s local mountain.
• Enjoy countryside views, hiking paths, and a restaurant at the summit.
• Evening back in Bern for casual dining or wine in Old Town cellars.

Day 5: Thun and Lake Thun Castles

Day trip by train (about 30 minutes).

• Explore Thun and its Old Town.
• Visit Spiez Castle and Church.
• Continue along the lake to Oberhofen Castle.
• Return to Bern for the evening.

Day 6: Interlaken and Alpine Villages

• Train to Interlaken, the adventure hub of Switzerland.
• Ride gondolas into the mountains:
• Walk alpine paths, enjoy views, and experience classic mountain villages.
• Overnight back in Bern or Interlaken, depending on pace.

Day 7: Jungfraujoch or Flexible Alpine Day

• Full-day excursion to Jungfraujoch
  Ride cog trains and gondolas to Europe’s highest railway station.
• Explore ice tunnels, viewing platforms, and snowfields.
• Alternatively, opt for a quieter mountain outing, such as Schwarzsee, if weather or crowds are an issue.

Why Jack Recommends Bern as a Base

• Compact, walkable UNESCO Old Town.
• Easy rail access to lakes, castles, and the Bernese Oberland.
• Less crowded than Zurich or Lucerne, but just as beautiful.
• Rare blend of medieval history, mountain scenery, and everyday Swiss life.

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Show Notes

Guidester Custom European Travel Planning Services
Europe Travel 101 Podcast
Bern
Bern Minster
Zytglogge
Bern Historical Museum
Einsteinhaus Bern
BearPark
Rose Garden
Marzili Funicular
Raclette
Gurten (mountain)
Restaurant Lötschberg Bern
Thun
Spiez Castle and Church
Oberhofen Castle
Interlaken
Gimmelwald
Grindelwald
Jungfraujoch
Schwarzsee
Hotel Bären am Bundesplatz, Bern
Hammam and Spa Oktogon Bern

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