Bern

Day 1: Old Town vistas and the river bend

Bern’s UNESCO-listed centre is built for viewpoints: cobbled streets, arcades and bridges reveal the city from every angle. Today you’ll stitch together the classic panoramas and a few atmospheric low angles along the Aare.

• Morning: Arrive at the station and stroll via the arcades along Spitalgasse–Kramgasse to the Zytglogge, pausing for coffee. If it’s Tuesday or Saturday, browse the farmers’ market on Bundesplatz, then continue to the Bundeshaus and step onto the Bundesterrasse for your first south-facing sweep towards the Gurten and, on clear days, the Alps.
• Midday: Head to the cathedral: climb the Münster tower (small fee; narrow 333-step spiral) for a 360° rooftop tapestry and, in crisp winter or föhn conditions, the Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau. If you’d rather keep things gentle, picnic under the plane trees on the Münsterplattform and ride the Mattelift down to the riverside for a different perspective.
• Afternoon: Wander through the Nydegg and BärenPark, then ascend to the Rosengarten on foot (15 minutes) or Bus 10. Check the Rosengarten webcam for alpine visibility; spring blossoms, early-summer roses or autumn colours add natural frames to the postcard Aare loop.
• Evening: Cross the Kirchenfeldbrücke at golden hour to frame the Old Town with the Bundeshaus and Münster spire; it’s superb after dusk when façades are lit. Dine in the Altstadt and finish with a quiet blue-hour look back from the bridge or the Kornhausbrücke—share the rail, don’t linger too long in the prime photo spot.

Day 2: Gurten panoramas and life by the Aare

Today zoom out to see Bern in its landscape, then return to street level for museums or river time. Aim for a morning summit when the air is clearest; föhn days can make the Alps feel close enough to touch.

• Morning: Take Tram 9 to Wabern, then ride the Gurtenbahn up to Bern’s local mountain. Climb the viewing tower for the city-in-the-meander panorama; in winter the air is crystal and light low all day, in summer the meadows are ideal for a short loop walk.
• Midday: Lunch on the summit terrace or picnic on the lawns, then descend. If clouds build, check live webcams (Gurten/Rosengarten) before deciding where to chase your next view.
• Afternoon: Stroll the Kirchenfeld district back towards town via the bridge’s side profile of the Old Town; dip into a museum if the weather turns. Warm day option: join locals at Marzili for an Aare swim/float (strong swimmers only; follow signage and local advice). Cooler day option: walk the Aare path from Lorrainebad to Altenbergsteg for dramatic, low-angle views beneath the Old Town and the Kornhausbrücke.
• Evening: Join students on the Grosse Schanze for sunset over western Bern with a simple Feierabendbier and takeaway. Amble to the Kleine Schanze for night-time views back to the softly lit Bundeshaus.

Day 3: Hidden corners, bridges and farewell angles

Settle into Bernese pace: small elevations, short hops and layered views that reward unhurried wandering. Mix lesser-known lookouts with riverbank paths and one last high perch.

• Morning: Start on the Münsterplattform before the crowds, then take the Mattelift down to the Matte district for a riverside amble. Foggy mornings can be magical from the bridges—watch the mist coil along the Aare from the Untertorbrücke or Nydeggbrücke.
• Midday: Cross to the BärenPark area for lunch (or a picnic) and linger on the Nydeggbrücke looking back at the steep Old Town flank. Add a detour to the Altenbergsteg footbridge for intimate shots of arches and reflections.
• Afternoon: Choose your finale: re-climb the Münster tower if the forecast clears, or cycle the gentle Aare loop to Lorrainebrücke and back (rentals available) to appreciate Bern’s cliff-like walls under the Kornhausbrücke. If weather is fickle, the Historical Museum/Einstein Museum pairs well with a late look from the Bundesterrasse.
• Evening: Time your farewell panorama for golden-to-blue hour: Rosengarten if you want the full Aare loop again, or return to the Gurten on an ultra-clear day for an alpine curtain call. Use Bus 10 or Tram 9 to avoid uphill slogs, pack an extra layer (even summer evenings can be cool), and enjoy the city’s quiet appreciation etiquette at viewpoints.

By Air

• Zurich Airport (ZRH): Fastest gateway. Direct InterCity trains to Bern; 1 h 12–1 h 20. Departures up to every 30 minutes.
• Geneva Airport (GVA): Direct trains to Bern; 1 h 45–2 h. Departures up to every 30 minutes.
• Basel EuroAirport (BSL/MLH/EAP): Bus 50 to Basel SBB (12–15 min) then direct train to Bern (55–60 min). Total 1 h 15–1 h 30.
• Bern Airport (BRN, Belp): Very limited seasonal/charter flights. Bus 160 to Belp station + S-Bahn to Bern; about 30–35 minutes total.

By Train

• Main station: Bern Hauptbahnhof (Bern HB), city-centre hub with seamless tram/bus links.
• Key direct journey times:
  • Zurich HB: 56–60 min
  • Zurich Airport: 1 h 12–1 h 20 (often direct)
  • Geneva: 1 h 44–2 h
  • Basel SBB: 56–60 min
  • Lausanne: ~1 h 05
  • Interlaken Ost: ~52 min
  • Lucerne: ~1 h–1 h 15 (usually 1 change)
  • Milan (via Spiez/Brig): ~3–3.5 h (1 change)
• International: From Paris, TGV Lyria to Basel or Lausanne then onward to Bern (~4–5 h total). From Germany, ICE/IC via Basel or Zurich (e.g., Frankfurt ~3.5–4 h).

By Car

• Motorways: A1 (Geneva–Lausanne–Bern–Zurich–St Gallen), A12 (Bern–Fribourg–Vevey), A6 (Bern–Thun/Spiez).
• Typical drive times (normal traffic): Zurich ~1 h 30; Geneva ~1 h 50; Basel ~1 h–1 h 15; Interlaken ~50–60 min.
• Notes: Swiss motorway vignette required (CHF 40/year). Strict speed enforcement. Old Town is largely pedestrianised—use city car parks (e.g., Casino, Metro) or P+R Neufeld with bus/tram into the centre.