Please sign in to post.

Speiz or Bern?

Posted by on

My boyfriend and I are doing a weeklong trip in Switzerland in the middle of July. We will be spending the first few days around Lake Lucerne and then two days in Wengen. We really want to hike Lake Oeschinensee and are wondering if we should leave Wengen, do luggage storage for the day while we hike and then make our way after the hike to Bern to spend two days there before we leave. OR should we find a hotel in Speiz for two days and trek out for the hike from there instead?

We will have a lot of mountain time so I was excited about Bern and also worried if there is enough to do in Speiz for a day or two. If we stay in Speiz, we probably still would be able to stop in Bern for the day on our way back to Zürich, but would not get as much time there.

Is Bern worth it or should we stay in Speiz?

Thank you so much in advance!

Posted by
8 posts

Bern is one of the most beautifully preserved in Europe. It is a very orderly and noble city. Spiez is a place that can be fit into 2 hours in terms of accommodation and places to visit. I recommend Bern.

Posted by
6515 posts

I'm confused when you say you have a lot of mountain time, but are only spending two days in Wengen? What did I miss?
No one is ever ready to leave the beautiful Berner Oberland. I suggest you maximize time there. Note that Swiss cities get quite hot in the summer now, so the mountains will be much more refreshing.
Have a great trip!

Posted by
402 posts

Been through Speiz many times on the way to somewhere, don't know why I'd stay there. I'd definitly prefer Bern. Great place to stay. We like to eat at the Old Tram Depot, by the bear pit. Walking there from the HBF is a very nice, interesting walk.

Posted by
279 posts

There is definitely not much to see in Spiez, Bern is far more interesting. Note that they are only 30 min apart by train - extremely easy to do a day trip if Spiez happens to be the cheaper/easier location to find a room. Depending on exactly when you are going, there is the Women's Euro happening and Bern is one of the host venues. Not sure how much that will impact hotels and such.

https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/0283-1883bd6fea6b-0b8618e0d03e-1000--uefa-women-s-euro-2025-all-you-need-to-know/

Posted by
1045 posts

It sounds to me like you have a week? With only that amount of time I’d pick 2 bases. Every time you move locations you lose a 1/2 day. If you want to see Bern, stop there on your way to the airport and add on your time in Luzern/Wengen. 2 days is nothing. You could end up with poor weather and hardly see anything.

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.