Bern, Switzerland

The capital, Bern (or German ‘Berne’), the seat of the Swiss government, is located in the central eastern part of Switzerland.  With its medieval architecture, covered arcades, cobbled streets, fountains and many historic buildings, Bern’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Travel Insurance for Bern, Switzerland:
Area: Europe *

Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Switzerland
 

Attractions include the twelfth century clock tower, Museum of Fine Art, concert hall, theatre, botanical gardens and Albert Einstein House (Einstein developed his theory of relativity in Bern).  It is also birthplace of the Toblerone chocolate bar. 

There is plenty to delight shoppers with the many large unique vaulted arcade shops.  The city’s streets have a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes to watch the world go by and a market is held twice weekly.  The Bear Pits and inhabitants still remain in the city as an attraction, and the bear is the heraldic symbol which adorns the Swiss flag. 

The River Aare runs through the Old Town section which offers peaceful riverside walks.  Berne is located not far from the Alps, Zermatt, Lucerne and Lake Geneva.  Most of the residents of Bern speak German, or a dialect called Bernese German.