The Basics
City Name: Bern
Where is it located?: Bern is located in the northwestern part of Switzerland.
Why do people go there?: Despite being the capital of the country with one of the largest banking industries in the world, Bern enjoys a lazy lifestyle. Don’t try to find anything open on a Sunday – take a float down the river instead. The bottom levels lining the streets make up miles of shops, all covered by apartments overhead. Although Bern doesn’t have the most happening of lifestyles, crazy Interlaken is only an hour away.
How do travelers get there?: Like most of Europe, trains are your best bet.
Currency: Swiss Franc
City Code: 31
Population: 120,000
Languages: German, with some French and Italian
Travel Information
Attractions: Christoffelturm, Barenplatz, Barengraben
Accommodations: Bern Hostels, Bern Hotels
Tourist Office: See the Main Office in Zurich: Switzerland Tourism, Tödistrasse 7, P.O. Box 695, 8027 Zürich, Telephone: +41-1-288-11-11, Fax: +41-1-288-12-05, Email: postoffice@switzerlandtourism.ch,http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Off-the-beaten-path: River Aare
Health Issues: overweight and obesity
Tips for Visiting
When to go: Less-adventurous tourists wait for the slightly warmer and sunnier summer season.
Common Phrases: Yes = Ja, No = Nein, Please = Bitte, Thank you = Dank, Do you speak English? = Macht sie sprechen Englisch?
City Specific Events: Berne’s Lenten Carnival every February, Cheese Festival every October 10, “Zibelemärit” Traditional Folk Festival evey November 23
How to get around?: Bern is a very walkable city.
Good to know: Bern’s old town has been entered in the list of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The main airport serving Bern is the Berne Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Bern travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
