We will be in Bern on a Sunday, one day prior to joining our RiverCruise on Monday. I've read that the shops are closed on Sundays. Just curious about any suggestions for what we can do? Things to see? We've read the city has lots of Chocolate Shops - does anyone know if those will be open? We will be arriving in Bern early Sunday afternoon from landing in Zurich - so we will only have Sunday to explore on our own and 1/2 day on Monday before joining up with our Cruise group Monday afternoon. Would appreciate any suggestions.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5108 posts
Yes, Bern is really quiet on Sundays, unless there is a festival. Google your date and maybe you'll get lucky. Last time we were in Bern on a Sunday , there was a healthy living / bike festival, so the town was quite busy. Bern is a beautiful, comfortable city, walkable town, so do the RS walking tour and wander around. If it's clear you can see the Jungfrau from one of the bridges. Check the TI for any English guided walking tours for Monday. When we were last there , a free bike- borrowing program was available, so check with your hotel.
You're wise to come in the day before, with all the airline chaos. If you're delayed , you may not arrive in Bern until the evening.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
California USA
3985 posts
Everything History Traveler said and more. From the braurei you can take a funicular down to the Aare River walk which is a very nice place to stroll. The Einstein Haus Museum is also open in the Old Town on Sundays if that interests you. It is a 2 minute walk from the famous clock tower, Zytglogge.
Posted by
Chicago
8046 posts
If you like or are into modern art go to the Paul Klee museum.
Posted by
Switzerland
396 posts
Just to add that while, yes, most shops are closed on Sundays, the big shopping center at the train station will be open. In case you need to pick up some essentials when you arrive, there is everything from bakeries to a pharmacy, book store to hair salon and yes, a couple of chocolate shops.
Quite a few restaurants/cafes in town will be open and a couple of the tourist-oriented shops are usually open too (souvenirs etc). Otherwise you can easily fill an afternoon with a nice leisurely walk around the central old town area. Stroll around the old town (if you see interesting shops, you can always go back Mon morning) and make sure you go down the little side streets too, see the Zytglogge, go into the Münster, check out the Parliament building (go behind it for a nice view), walk across the bridge to the bear park (Tram Depot is a good suggestion for lunch or pit stop, great views from their outdoor area - or go up the hill to Rosengarten for a higher up view over the city, nice garden/park and restaurant), etc. Not sure when you will be there, but in the summer it's fun to watch people floating down the Aare river.
And if the weather doesn't cooperate, there are covered walkways in most of the old town and plenty of interesting museums.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4572 posts
yes the rule is, always look for a major train station if you need to eat or shop on an off day
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33243 posts
Bern has its own mountain in the city, the Gurten. I very much enjoy going up there on a nice day. You take a tram and then a funicular up to the top, a great place for both young families and not so young families.
If you want to follow Ricks advice as temporary locals you can do it there. You will find very few folks there who are not locals.
It will most definitely be open on Sundays and on a warm sunny day it may be quite busy.
Closer to the centre, in rose season, the rose garden has beauty, great views and the Einstein bench.