Best Things to do in Bern Switzerland with Kids (2025)

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, but for some reason, it attracts fewer visitors than the major cities. The city is built on the Aare River and has a UNESCO-certified Old Town, as well as many parks and museums. There are some amazing things to do in Bern Switzerland with kids!

Founded in the 12th century, Bern had a strategic military position within a loop of the river. Its medieval architecture still lines cobblestone streets in the historic Old Town of Bern. This family-friendly city is one of the best places to taste Swiss culinary delights, like fondue and chocolate, and visit the Alps. Let me be your travel guide and list all the best things to do in the underrated city of Bern!

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Where is Bern, Switzerland?

Bern is located in the western part of Switzerland and sits along the Aare River. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. Bern is a gateway to both the Jura Mountains to the northwest and the Bernese Oberland region to the south.

The city is approximately 125 km/78 miles southwest of Zurich (about a 90-minute drive) and 96 km/60 miles northwest of Lucerne. Geneva is 160 km/100 miles to the southwest, about a two-hour drive. Other nearby cities include Thun and Fribourg, but Bern is the largest in the area.

Awesome Things to Do in Bern Switzerland for All Ages

1. Bern’s Old Town Walking Tour

When Bern was founded in 1191, the streets were meticulously planned. That’s pretty unusual for the time! Its well-preserved medieval architecture, with later additions from the 15th and 16th centuries, allowed it to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s. 

You can (and should!) take a short walk around the Old Town. Admire its many fountains, towers, ancient fortresses, and covered arcades. However, this 90-minute walking tour is the best way to uncover the city’s secret corners. 

You’ll visit the main sights, such as:

• Cathedral of Bern
• Zytglogge Clock Tower
• The Parliament Building

Learn about 800 years of rich history from a local Bern resident. It’s the perfect amount of time for those traveling with kids. 

2. The Parliament Building

The walking tour is a fantastic introduction to Bern. However, you shouldn’t skip heading inside the main attractions!

As Bern is Switzerland’s capital, it’s home to the Federal Palace of Switzerland. This is where the Federal Council (similar to the presidency) and the Swiss Federal Assembly (like Congress) conduct business.

Confused? Probably! Switzerland has a pretty unique governmental structure. If you have interested teens, book a free guided tour of the Swiss Parliament Building and learn more. It’s 60 minutes and tickets are available three days in advance. Note that English-language tours are only available on Saturdays.

There is a viewing gallery overlooking the council chambers. Plus, the building itself is beautiful. It dates back to the 19th century, and the decor is full of symbolism relating to Switzerland’s cultural diversity.

3. Zentrum Paul Klee

Bern has over 25 museums, so let’s start with one of the most famous. Zentrum Paul Klee is a modern art museum that displays around 40% of 20th-century Swiss-German artist Paul Klee’s total works. His creations are so notable because he dabbled in several movements, including expressionism, surrealism, and cubism. 

Zentrum Paul Klee also has temporary exhibitions for the works of modern international artists. But it’s not just the artworks that make this museum worth visiting. Architect Renzo Piano built this wave-shaped museum in 2005, as well as The Shard in London and the Pompidou Center in Paris.

It’s a 30-minute walk or a 15-minute bus ride from Old Town. 

Check out the Bern Museum Card to save on entrance fees. With just two museum visits in 24 hours, you could cover the entire cost of the card!

4. Rosengarten Bern

Across the riverbank is Rosengarten Bern. Or, in English, Bern’s Rose Garden. This public park (former cemetery!) is approximately 1.5 acres. It’s completely free to enter and is the perfect place for a summer stroll.

At the turn of the 20th century, the city of Bern decided to transition the land into a blooming park with ponds. Today, Rosengarten’s flower gardens feature over 220 varieties of roses, 200 types of irises, and 28 rhododendron species. Because of its position on a hill, it provides a spectacular view of Old Town and the Rive Aare peninsula.

5. Bear Park

Did you know that the bear is the main symbol of Bern? ‘Bern’ is actually the old Germanic word for ‘bear’. Look around the city and you’ll see this animal everywhere! The best place to see the city’s bears (real ones!) is at Bear Park.

Bear Park is a 19th-century bear pit housing several of these majestic creatures. There’s only one species, the Bernese brown bear, but it has free admission 24/7.

The bears have space to run, climb, fish, play, and retreat from prying eyes whenever they like. Bear Park is just across the River Aare, so it’s super close to Old Town.

6. Bern Historical Museum

The Historical Museum of Bern covers everything you could possibly want to know about Bern from the Stone Age to the present day. It’s a part-ethnographical, archaeological, historical, and cultural museum. There are over half a million objects on display, and it’s a must-see attraction for history buffs. Or, if it’s a rainy day.

Another reason to visit is the permanent (and extensive) Einstein Museum. Scientist Albert Einstein lived in Bern from 1902 to 1909. It’s where he worked as a patent office clerk while working on his famous theory of relativity.

Yes, the Bern Historical Museum is also included on the Bern Museum Card!

7. Christmas Markets

If you’re planning a European Christmas Markets trip, add Bern to your list. The city’s festive events are mostly held in the Old Town, which looks even more like a fairytale with twinkling lights and decorated trees. 

Expect dozens of wooden stalls in Kleine Schanze city park and next to the cathedral selling gingerbread, Swiss chocolate, mulled wine, and roasted almonds. Purchase handmade tree ornaments and other artisanal gifts. It’s a quintessential holiday market experience in Switzerland from late November to late December.

Top Travel Tip: Switzerland has one of the best public transport systems in the world. But if you’re traveling around, it can become expensive! Get a Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited bus, train, and boat travel for as long as you need.

8. Day Trip to Interlaken

One of the best things to do in Bern, Switzerland… is to leave. Why wouldn’t you when the Swiss Alps are just a one-hour train ride away?! Take a direct service from Bern train station to Interlaken Ost or West train station. They depart approximately every 30 minutes, so it’s a super easy day trip! 

Interlaken is in the Bernese Oberland (Highland) area of the Alps. It’s a traditional resort town located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz—hence the name—and is postcard-perfect. Think timber houses, alpine meadows, and jagged mountains.

Interlaken is a popular place to ski and enjoy other winter sports. In summer, take the inclined railways up the mountains and sail on the water. This 75-minute jetboat tour is a thrill you won’t soon forget.

9. Cathedral of Bern

Bern Cathedral, Bern Münster, the Cathedral of Bern … Whatever name you want to call it, you should absolutely stop by during your trip to Bern. Its spire is the tallest structure in Old Town, so it’s difficult to miss!

The Cathedral of Bern is a Gothic church first built in the 15th century. Its vibrant stained glass windows were part of the original structure, although the 100 m (328 ft) bell tower wasn’t completed until 1893. It’s free to visit the cathedral, but it has limited opening hours during the weekdays. Plan your visit to avoid disappointment!

Of course, you can also witness the panoramic view from the bell tower for a small fee. The lower platform is 254 steps up, and the higher platform is a further 90 steps. Make sure everyone is in decent shape before climbing because 300+ steps is no joke.

10. Taste Swiss Chocolate

Switzerland is famous for the smooth and creamy Lindt chocolate (Fun fact: Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite sweet treat) and the crunchy Toblerone. But there are lots of smaller chocolatiers around the city. Most are very generous with samples and tastings!

Here are some ideal spots in Bern to shop for sweet souvenirs:

• Chocolaterie Walder
• Monnier 1912
• Nobile Cioccolateria
• Sprüngli
• Läderach Marktgasse

Many chocolate shops, like Sprüngli, also have small hot chocolate machines. It’s the perfect way to warm up in the winter months!

Alternatively, you could book this 2-hour Bern Chocolate Tour. Indulge in at least five tastings and uncover the history of chocolate making in Switzerland. 

11. Kunstmuseum Bern

If Zentrum Paul Klee is too far away or you’d rather see works by a range of artists, no sweat, Kunstmuseum Bern has you covered. Opening in 1849, it is not the oldest art museum in Switzerland, but it’s pretty close. Its international art collection boasts over 48,000 works from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Find works by famous artists Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, and Meret Oppenheim. There are even works by Paul Klee, so you get the best of both top art museums in Bern!

This museum is also included in the Bern Museum Card. Kunstmuseum Bern is located on the edge of Old Town, so it’s easy to visit.

12. Day Trip to Lucerne

Another fun and easy day trip option is the lakeside city of Lucerne. There are approximately 35 daily direct trains from Bern to Lucerne (spelled Luzern) train station. And the journey only takes one hour!

Lucerne is known for its iconic 14th-century Chapel Bridge over the Reuss River. Like Bern, it has a charming Old Town (known as Altstadt) and several fantastic museums. Take a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne and ride the mountain train up Mount Pilatus for sensational views.

13. Zytglogge Clock Tower

You might see the Zytglogge on a stroll around the main streets of Bern’s Old Town. However, you’ve not really seen the clock tower if you haven’t watched it in action.

This medieval structure was built as a city gate in the 13th century. Its astronomical clock was added two centuries later. Every hour on the hour, puppets and Cronos (the god of time) put on a little show to ring in the new hour. It’s a unique performance and one you can’t miss!

Book this 1-hour guided tour inside Zytglogge. See the medieval golden clock mechanics and climb 180 steps for views over Old Town.

14. Natural History Museum

Art museums aren’t for everyone. If you and your family prefer to visit science museums, visit Bern’s Natural History Museum. It’s a small yet well-loved attraction with fascinating skeleton displays and geological exhibits. The temporary exhibits usually cover fun topics like the apocalypse and queerness in nature.

One of the best exhibits is the life-size dioramas of animal habitats. These immersive experiences date back to the 1920s with taxidermied animals and realistic set dressing. 

The Natural History Museum is located in Bern’s Museum Quarter. It’s a small neighborhood where you’ll also find the Historical Museum. And yes, you can also access this museum with the Bern Museum Card.

15. Fondue at Kloetzlikeller

Visiting Switzerland without trying fondue is like visiting Italy and not eating pizza. This traditional Swiss dish consists of melting cheese—usually Gruyère and Emmental—in a communal pot on a portable stove. Sometimes, white wine and garlic are added for flavor.

Everyone dips in small chunks of bread using a skewer. Crunchy vegetables and chicken are also commonly dipped in a fondue.

Many restaurants in Bern serve fondue, but Kloetzlikeller is a particularly great place. They don’t add alcohol to the fondue, so it’s ideal for families. It’s a cozy stone tavern with friendly staff who will help you navigate their menu.

16. Day Trip to Zurich

Zurich would make a great side trip to Bern, as there are easily enough attractions to fill a 2-day itinerary. However, it makes a great day trip too! There’s a theme emerging: Zurich is also a direct, one-hour trip via train from Bern.

Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, is a famous global banking hub. But that doesn’t mean its streets are filled with skyscrapers! Old Town is nestled on the banks of Lake Zurich, which is lined with waterfront parks. Grossmünster is the city’s main cathedral with striking 16th-century twin towers, and you can visit the home of Lindt chocolate.

17. Einstein House

Museums are cool places to learn a lot about important people, but visiting their homes is even cooler. Albert Einstein rented a second-floor apartment on Kramgasse when he lived in Bern. Today, that apartment is open to the public. You can actually visit Einstein’s house!

He lived in this apartment from 1903 to 1905 with his wife Mileva and son Hans Albert. It is filled with period furniture, personal photos of the scientist, letters, and more. This isn’t a large apartment, so you don’t need to allow much time in your itinerary here. The Bern Museum Card doesn’t include Einstein House, but the ticket price is minimal.

18. Climb Gurten Mountain

One of the best things to do in Bern, Switzerland, for active families and others visiting the city is to climb Gurten. This mountain peak is 858 m (2,815 ft) and takes approximately 90 minutes to reach the summit.

The top of Gurten offers great views over the entire city and beyond the peaks of Jura and the Alps. The paths are even and easy to navigate. Plus, there are play areas and fun sculptures at the summit.

Luckily, you don’t have to hike Gurten to enjoy the panoramic views! Those with small kids, limited mobility, or no desire to climb hills on a relaxing city break can take the funicular. The Gurtenbahn departs from Wabern bei Bern train station around every 15 minutes.

19. Alpine Museum of Switzerland

Founded by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) in 1905, the Alpine Museum of Switzerland covers far more topics than its name suggests. Inside, there are over 4,000 objects, 1,000 documents, 13,000 artworks, and over half a million photographs. 

Most of the displays focus on the Swiss people living in mountainous regions. However, the exhibits also cover mountain-based sports and the growth of tourism. There are fun galleries with items lost and found in the Swiss Alps and Swiss model villages.

The Swiss Alpine Museum is a great place for outdoorsy, mountain-loving travelers. They have a huge onsite restaurant and a ‘Children’s Trail’ through the museum. It’s included in the Bern Museum Card and is a perfect rainy-day activity.

When is the Best Time to Visit Bern, Switzerland?

Bern might not be the first city that comes to mind for a family vacation in Switzerland, but it’s an underrated gem. With its medieval old town, riverside beaches, and proximity to the Alps, it is the ideal home base for adventure seekers. It’s also a year-round destination, so no matter the time of year, there’s sure to be something families will love!

Here are two of the best times to visit Bern with kids:

Bern in Spring Break

Average Temperatures: 41°F–59°F (5°C–15°C)

Spring in Bern is a treat with cherry blossoms in full bloom and the reopening of Bear Park for the season. You will still need a jacket, but the crowds are fewer, and accommodations are more affordable.

Take a ride on the Gurten funicular for panoramic views and playgrounds at the top, kids are sure to love.

Bern in Early Summer

Average Temperatures: 61°F–75°F (16°C–24°C)

Late May and June are some of the best times to visit Bern. The weather is comfortably warm, perfect for swimming in the Aare River (yes, it’s safe and popular with locals!).

The Rose Garden is in full bloom, and street cafes are filled with locals and tourists alike. Older kids will love tubing down the river or visiting the Einstein Museum before peak summer crowds hit in July.

How to Get to Bern

Bern is centrally located and easy to access, whether you’re flying in internationally or coming from elsewhere in Europe.

By Plane

The nearest major international airports are Zurich (125 km/78 miles away) and Geneva (160 km/100 miles away). From either, you can take a direct train to Bern in about 90 minutes to two hours.

By Train

Bern is a hub in the Swiss rail network, with direct trains from Zurich, Geneva, Interlaken, Lucerne, and even Milan. Swiss trains are fast, reliable, and family-friendly, perfect for families traveling with luggage and strollers. Use the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) website or apps like Omio for booking.

By Car

Driving to Bern is an easy option if you’re on a family road trip through Switzerland. Highways are well-maintained, and the scenery is insane. Just be aware that parking in Bern’s Old Town is limited, so look for hotels or vacation rentals with garage options.

Where to Eat in Bern with Kids

Swiss cuisine is hearty, but there are plenty of kid-friendly options in Bern.

• Restaurant Della Casa – A cozy traditional spot near the Parliament with schnitzel, Rösti, and sausage plates that kids usually love.
• Altes Tramdepot – Near the Bear Park, this brewpub serves burgers and local dishes with views over the Aare River. There’s a great kids’ menu too.
• Gelateria di Berna – A must-stop for sweet treats. This beloved local chain serves inventive, all-natural gelato flavors—perfect after a sunny day by the river.

2 Days in Bern Itinerary

Two to three days is a great amount of time to explore Bern with your family.

Day 1 in Bern

Start with a walk through Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Visit the Zytglogge (clock tower) and catch the mechanical figures in action. Then stop at the Bern Historical Museum and Einstein Museum combo (perfect for older kids).

Have lunch near the Aare before heading to the Bear Park and Rose Garden for the afternoon.

Day 2 in Bern

Ride the Gurtenbahn (funicular) for sweeping city views, hiking trails, and a large playground. In the afternoon, rent inner tubes or swim at the Marzili, a public swimming area along the Aare.

End your day with a stroll through Bundesplatz (Parliament Square) where kids can run through the water fountains.

Places to Visit Near Bern with Kids

Day Trip to Thun

Just 30 minutes away by train, Thun has a medieval castle, lakeside beaches, and a charming old town. Take a boat ride on Lake Thun or rent paddle boats for an adventure.

Day Trip to the Alps

Want to show the kids snow in the middle of summer? Take a scenic train ride to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland—both under two hours away.

Getting Around Bern

Bern is one of the most walkable cities in Europe. Most major sites are within a 20-minute walk from the train station.

The public transport system includes buses and trams, and they are very easy to navigate. They are often free with your hotel stay thanks to the Bern Ticket (offered by most accommodations).

You won’t need a car in Bern, but if you’re planning side trips to smaller villages, rent one from a city center location or train station. Look for family-sized vehicles with GPS and car seat options if you need them.

The family-friendly capital city of Switzerland is a fantastic addition to any European vacation. Add these exciting things to do in Bern, Switzerland, to your travel plans so everyone has the best time possible!