1Historic clock tower
Zytglogge
Examine the exterior clocks and arrive shortly before the hour if you want to see the mechanical figures. This allowance is for the public street view and interpretation.
3-day itinerary · Switzerland
3 Days in Bern
Three Bern days connecting the old-town arcades and Aare with major historical collections, Paul Klee’s art and the Gurten hillside.
- 3days
- 11sights
- 2.2 kmon foot between sights
Updated 12 September 2026 · 5 official sources checked · report an error
The plan at a glance
Bern’s arcades, riverside viewpoints, collections and Gurten
Use three full days and keep the Historical Museum and Zentrum Paul Klee days between Tuesday and Sunday. Einstein House has an annual winter closure. The final day includes a cross-city journey and funicular; hotel and first-stop journeys are additional.
Day 1The clock tower, old town and Aare viewsZytglogge · Kramgasse and the old-town arcades · Einstein House · Bern Minster and Münsterplattform · BearPark and the old bear pit · Rosengarten6 sights · 1.4 km on foot
Day 2History, natural collections and the federal squareBern Historical Museum · Natural History Museum Bern · Bundesplatz and Parliament exterior3 sights · 770 m on foot
Day 3Paul Klee and the GurtenZentrum Paul Klee · Gurten park and viewpoints2 sights · Transport between sights
At a glance
Ways to use these days
Day 1
The clock tower, old town and Aare views
Start at Zytglogge shortly before an hour for the exterior clock display, then follow Kramgasse to Einstein House during its visitor session. After lunch, visit the Minster and its terrace, cross toward the bear park and finish with the uphill walk to Rosengarten.
- 6 sights
- 1.4 km on foot
- Longest walk 630 m
Morning
190 m · about 3 min on foot
2Historic street
Kramgasse and the old-town arcades
Walk a selected stretch of Kramgasse and its arcades, looking at the façades and fountains. Leave the clock tower and Einstein House for their distinct visits.
Right next door
3Historic house museum
Einstein House
Visit the small apartment museum and its interpretation of Einstein’s Bern years. Keep this separate from the larger Einstein exhibition at the Historical Museum.
Midday
LunchTake lunch in the old town before the cathedral and riverside walk.
Afternoon
120 m · about 2 min on foot
4Cathedral and terrace
Bern Minster and Münsterplattform
Visit the cathedral’s public interior and continue onto the nearby terrace above the Aare. A tower climb is an optional substitution with its own access requirements.
630 m · about 10 min on foot
5Riverside park
BearPark and the old bear pit
Follow the public paths beside the modern bear enclosure and the old pit. The visit focuses on the riverside setting and interpretation without promising an animal sighting.
430 m · about 7 min on foot
6Garden and city views
Rosengarten
Climb to the rose garden for a selected path circuit and views across the old town. Enjoy the landscaped grounds even outside the flowering season.
Evening
DinnerAllow a separate return from Rosengarten or have dinner nearby.
Day 2
History, natural collections and the federal square
Give the Historical Museum two and a half hours, choosing between its history galleries and Einstein exhibition within that time. Take lunch before the neighbouring Natural History Museum, then walk back across the river to Bundesplatz for the public square and parliament façade.
- 3 sights
- 770 m on foot
- Longest walk 670 m
Morning
1History museum
Bern Historical Museum
Choose a substantial route through the historical collections and, if selected in your ticket, the Einstein exhibition. Use the two and a half hours for a focused selection across this large museum.
Midday
LunchEat in the museum quarter before the natural-history collection.
Afternoon
100 m · about 2 min on foot
2Natural history museum
Natural History Museum Bern
Explore selected natural-history displays, from specimens and dioramas to the museum’s scientific collections. Keep the visit distinct from the neighbouring Historical Museum.
670 m · about 10 min on foot
3Civic square
Bundesplatz and Parliament exterior
Walk the square and view the Federal Palace façade from public space. A formal parliamentary tour is an optional replacement with its own reservation and security arrangements.
Evening
DinnerChoose dinner in the centre after the square walk.
Day 3
Paul Klee and the Gurten
Allow about 25 minutes before the first stop to reach Zentrum Paul Klee from the centre. Give the selected exhibition two and a half hours and take lunch before crossing the city toward Wabern and the Gurten funicular. Use a relaxed hilltop circuit suited to the weather. Allow about 35 minutes after the final stop for the descent and return toward the centre.
- 2 sights
- Transport between sights
Morning
1Art museum
Zentrum Paul Klee
Give the selected exhibition and the building’s architectural setting two and a half hours. The works on display change, so focus on the programme available for your date.
Midday
LunchTake lunch before the transfer to the Gurten valley station.
Afternoon
Allow about 60 minutes from Zentrum Paul Klee to the Gurten hilltop using public transport to Wabern, the walk to the valley station and the funicular, including waiting.
2Hilltop park
Gurten park and viewpoints
Use a relaxed circuit from the upper funicular station through the park and viewpoints. Short walks and pauses fill the visit; longer hikes, rides and organised activities need additional time.
Evening
DinnerReturn from the hill for dinner, checking the final funicular connections.
Before you go
Good to know in Bern
Select museum days carefully
- Einstein House normally opens daily from February to mid-December. Check its annual winter closure before assigning the old-town interior visit.Source: Einstein House — Einstein and Bern · checked Sep 2026
- The Historical Museum normally opens Tuesday to Sunday until 17:00. Choose selected history galleries and Einstein displays within the planned visit.Source: Bern Tourism — Historical Museum · checked Sep 2026
- The Natural History Museum has a different weekly calendar, including a Monday afternoon session. This route pairs it with the Historical Museum on one of that museum’s operating days.Source: Museen Bern — Natural History Museum · checked Sep 2026
- Zentrum Paul Klee normally opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Choose the exhibition before pairing the museum with the Gurten outing.Source: Zentrum Paul Klee — visitor information · checked Sep 2026
Allow the hill journey
- Gurten is reached via Wabern and the funicular. Check operating times and ticket coverage; the cross-city approach is additional to the short funicular ride.Source: Bern Tourism — Gurten · checked Sep 2026
Questions
3 days in Bern: quick answers
Is the Zytglogge interior tour included?
The base visit is the exterior clock and its hourly display. An interior tour needs a booking and extra time or replaces another stop.
Are the two Einstein visits duplicates?
Einstein House is the small historic apartment. The Historical Museum has a larger exhibition, which can be selected within that museum’s visit.
Will I definitely see the bears?
No. Their visibility varies and they may rest during winter. The public park and riverside remain the focus of the walk.
Is Gurten a quick walk from Zentrum Paul Klee?
No. The plan allows an hour for public transport, the valley-station approach and funicular, then a separate return after the hilltop visit.
Does this include Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn?
No. Those are substantial Alpine excursions outside Bern and need separate days.
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