Bern attractions

There are more than 200 historic fountains in Bern’s old town, and the striking 16th-century Zähringerbrunnen (Zähringen Fountain) is one of the most important. This memorial to the founder of Bern sits at the end of the main Kramgasse thoroughfare near the city’s landmark Clock Tower (Zytglogge) in the heart of the UNESCO–listed historic center, and is a highlight of city sightseeing tours.

In the center of Bern, the Heiliggeistkirche, also called the Church of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, has baroque-style architecture that stands out among the medieval and Gothic buildings surrounding it. You can appreciate the 18th-century church with just a brief visit, or attend an event for a fuller experience.

A lively gathering place outside the Swiss Parliament building, this once-uninspiring square was given a facelift in 2003. Now the Bundesplatz draws crowds for its twice-weekly markets, as well as concerts, sporting events, and political demonstrations. It’s also the site of an ice rink in the wintertime and a light show in the fall.

The Moses Fountain (Mosesbrunnen) in Bern’s Münsterplatz was first built in the 16th century, and then replaced by the current one in 1791. Its statue depicts Moses in blue and gold robes, holding the Ten Commandments. One of the abundant sculptural fountains in Bern’s historical center, it’s an artistic place to pause and refresh—the water can be sipped.

Opened in 1879, the Museum of Fine Arts (Kuntsmuseum) is one of Switzerland’s oldest art museums and houses one of the country’s most impressive collections. Here, you can see artworks by Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler, Paul Klee, Meret Oppenheim, and many more. Temporary exhibitions tend to run for a year or two, making the Kunstmuseum worthy of a revisit on return trips to Bern.