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:
- Gimmelwald
- Grindelwald
- 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.
Sponsors
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- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Get a universal plug adapter
- Get a Car Rental
- Buy Travel Insurance
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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
Community
Give me your feedback on the show at AmateurTraveler.com/1000
Amateur Traveler Trips
Travel to Interlaken, Switzerland – Video Episode 27
Travel to Switzerland – Episode 687
Travel to Rothenburg Germany, Zurich and Interlaken Switzerland – Episode 100
Switzerland UNESCO Sites – Episode 623
by Chris Christensen
Chris Christensen is the creator of the Amateur Traveler blog and podcast. He has been a travel creator since 2005 and has won awards including being named the "Best Independent Travel Journalist" by Travel+Leisure Magazine.+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook
2 Responses to “Travel to Bern, Switzerland – Episode 983”
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Tags: audio travel podcast, bern, podcast, switzerland
Justin Barnes
Says:February 19th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Quick comment on the Bern episode. One helpful thing for visiting that area of Switzerland – or any part of Switzerland for that matter – is the Swiss Travel Pass. For a set price for a given number of travel days (either consecutive or non-consecutive, depending on your itinerary), the pass covers almost all trains, buses, and boats, and gives discounts on many funiculars and cable cars as well. And if you’re going to be only in Bern and the Bernese Oberland, you can instead purchase a cheaper Regional Pass, which covers the Bernese Oberland Region specifically. You can purchase either of these passes online before you arrive in Switzerland.
Ali
Says:February 25th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Good episode thanks. Glad to hear from someone who loves a place so much.
Just a few thoughts.
The weather is always unpredictable. Much to the surprise of many people summer doesn’t mean it will be clear and sunny (those lush meadows need a way to stay lush after the snow melts). May through to August is statistically actually the wettest time of year in terms of precipitation and rainy days. However, what you actually get can really vary. You could visit the same week three years in a row and experience entirely different weather each time.
You can reach Schwarzsee (1hr20 by a train and bus via Fribourg) and just about anywhere else you want by public transport. You are going to run out of time long before you run out of places that can be reached by public transport from Bern. Though having a car will allow you to be more flexible taking roundabout scenic routes.
Bern itself is very firmly in the German speaking part, but if you want to experience a bilingual city then Biel/Bienne and Fribourg/Freiburg are the best options and only a short train ride away. Fribourg/Freiburg is prettier, but Biel/Bienne has more of a mix of the languages.