Bern Old Town
Bern, Switzerland
A compact medieval centre on a bend of the Aare, with sandstone arcades, fountains and the Zytglogge clock tower along the main street. Leave the car at a park-and-ride or garage and explore on foot; the arcades keep you dry in rain.
Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen founded Bern in 1191 on a narrow peninsula almost enclosed by the River Aare. After the great fire of 1405, the previously mostly timber town was rebuilt in stone, chiefly sandstone. In 1983 UNESCO inscribed the Old Town as a World Heritage Site for its coherent planning concept. Its defining features are the arcades, which run for about 6 km through the streets, and eleven allegorical fountains, most of them made in the 16th century by Hans Gieng. The Zytglogge tower dates from around 1218 to 1220; its figures begin to move just under four minutes before each full hour. The Bear Pit stands on the bank of the Aare.
The Old Town is compact and easy to explore on foot, and the arcades offer shelter from the rain. Allow about half a day for the main street, the Minster (tower about 100 m, completed in 1893) and the riverbank.
- Nearest town
- Bern, Switzerland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 46.9480, 7.4474
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping EichholzCampsite2 km from Bern Old TownTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- TCS Camping Bern-EymattCampsite5 km from Bern Old TownTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Camping ThörishausCampsite11 km from Bern Old TownTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- WaldeggCampsite18 km from Bern Old TownTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Erlebnisland GrizzlybärMotorhome stopover23 km from Bern Old Town · 19 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Wohnmobilstellplatz OrpundMotorhome stopover23 km from Bern Old Town · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Bern Old Town?
Bern Old Town is in Bern, Switzerland, at GPS 46.9480, 7.4474. It is about 18 km from Burgdorf.
Can you camp near Bern Old Town?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Eichholz, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 28 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Bern Old Town?
Places worth a stop nearby: Hasle-Rüegsau wooden bridge (17 km), Lueg viewpoint (25 km), Emmental Show Dairy (26 km) and Oberhofen Castle (29 km).
When is the best time to visit Bern Old Town?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)