Bucket List Bern | Switzerland on a Budget

Bucket List Bern: Switzerland on a Budget

I fell in love with Bern the moment we stepped off the train. Perhaps it was the beauty of the train ride, or the eagerness to see this medieval town (a UNESCO World Heritage site) that also boasts modern art and an eclectic mix of old and new architecture. If you are rather taken by towns and cities that have a river running right through the middle, then Bern is definitely a city for your bucket list!

Bern, located on the west side of the country, is Switzerland’s capital city. It is known for bears, the Paul Klee Art Museum, Einstein’s House, red tile roofs, and the Aare River which winds its way along creating a peninsular effect for the Old City center. Cross one bridge to get into the old city, and the next bridge to get out. You can also walk along the waterfront path near the Aare River. It’s the long way to go, but it’s beautiful any time of year.

Bern is only about an hour train ride from Basel or Zurich airports and only 2 hours from Geneva Airport. So grab breakfast and head for the train. We’re going to Bern!

When you get off the train, get your bearings grab a quick coffee.

If the prices are causing heart palpitations, I’ve got a secret! When you’re ready to eat, walk a few streets away from the central arcade. It gets surprisingly local very quickly. You will find cheese, meat, and bread shops every few blocks, so it will be quite easy to put together a picnic style lunch to eat in a park or along the river. If you are famished and need food quick, Migros & Coop are on the Arcade and easy to locate.

Now, head into the Old City. It’s been around since the medieval ages and is considered a Unesco World Heritage Site.

If you’ll want to make sure you get in the “must-sees” of Bern. Most of them aren’t hard to miss but make sure they make it on your bucket list – especially if you don’t have much time in Bern.

MORE to see and do for Bucket List Bern.

If you are lucky enough to get 2 or 3 days in the region, you’ll want to check out this list. Consider which are the perfect fit for your family and go have some fun – Bernese-style!

Parliament, Parliament Square, and the Einstein House, Who wants to grab a picnic lunch and eat outside one of these intriguing buildings?
The Rosengarten, The Botanical Garden. Yes, stop and smell the roses whenever you can. Perhaps a bottle of wine with some cheese and fruit will create a memory that will last a lifetime. Oh, don’t forget the chocolate!
You can’t miss the arcade (that’s the word for the shopping area with covered sidewalks). It’s 4 miles long! But also take notice and don’t miss out on the shops “down in the basement”. There are some charming little shops and cafes.
Einstein Museum. The museum also did an excellent job of making Einstein’s Theory of Relativity approachable and understandable. Videos and hands-on activities really helped simplify the ideas of Einstein for the not-so-genius masses. If you are headed to Bern with kids, you’ll have as much fun as we did at this museum.
Bernisches Historisches Museum. This museum is in the same building as the Einstein Museum. I think it’s one of the best in the country. There is so much to learn about this tiny, quiet, neutral country!

Budget-Friendly Bucket List Bern

For us, this was a somewhat expensive day as we splurged on the Bistro, but we still came in at a budget of 100 CHF a day for food. Which is easier when there are just three of us, like today. Don’t forget your Swiss Train Pass will help you save on over 450 museums in Switzerland. I’ve written a couple of posts to help you learn how to maximize your bucket list Bern budget and get the best mileage out your Swiss Rail Pass and get free or discounted admission into these museums in Bern.

Alpines Museum der Schweiz.
Bernisches Historisches Museum/Einstein Museum. (discounted with train pass)
Kunstmuseum (discounted with train pass)
Kunsthalle
Museum für Kommunikation
Naturhistorisches Museum
Psychiatrie-Museum
Zentrum Paul Klee – all my Swiss friends say this is a must-see art museum. It’s on our list for next time.

What’s FREE even without the train pass.

We went to the museum, we stayed for the park, the bears, the shopping, the culture, and the food. Clearly, we did not plan enough time in Bern. We will save what we missed for next time. There will be a “next time”!

Make the wise decision to stay a day or two in Bern.

Here are some lodging tips to help you save a few Swiss Francs.

There are some great hostels in Bern. There are a couple in the Old City.
Airbnb has quite a few great choices near and in the Old City. The prices are probably variable based on the season, so book early if you can!
Places like Bed and Breakfast EU or B&B Switzerland are great options if you fancy a B&B.

Beautiful Bucket List Bern

So, Bern is a fabulous city with so many different things to do that won’t break the budget if you’re careful. It’s a perfect destination if you can only afford a few days in Switzerland. And, if you can take extra time to explore the whole country, Bern is a region with breathtaking beauty, history, and character. It will be time (and money) well spent on your wanderlust adventures.