Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a city full of charm, culture and activities to do. Surrounded by nature and framed by mountains, it is truly a city on a human scale, where it is as easy to settle in as it is to find the best place to stay according to your needs.
Here are all our tips on where to stay in Bern.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
Bern is a city on a human scale, perfect for discovering on foot and surrounded by nature. For an authentic experience in the heart of the city, the best option is to stay in the Old Town, or Innere Stadt. This is where the city's main attractions are located and you can get around easily on foot. This is an ideal area for families, along with the residential district of Kirchenfeld, south of the Old Town, which is full of green areas and parks, including the Bern Zoo.
If you are looking for nightlife and fun, there are two main areas in which to stay. The first is Breitenrain-Lorraine, north of the old city centre, on the opposite bank of the river, an old medieval quarter and now one of Bern's hipster and trendy areas, a true meeting point for young people and artists. The second district is Länggasse-Felsenau, the university quarter. Both are also two ideal areas to save money, always bearing in mind that Bern, like the whole of Switzerland, is a very expensive destination.
Recommended areas tosave money: Breitenrain-Lorraine, Länggasse-Felsenau
Suggested areas forfamilies with children: Innere Stadt, Kirchenfeld
Best areas foryoung people: Breitenrain-Lorraine, Länggasse-Felsenau
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Bern. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Bern for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Bern Area Guide
As the capital of Switzerland, Bern is indeed a city on a human scale, with a wonderful historic centre, plenty of green areas and easy to get around and discover. It covers an area of 51.62 square kilometres and has just over 133,000 inhabitants.
The city is divided into six districts, called Stadtteile, which in turn are subdivided into districts, called Quartiere. The central district is the Innere Stadt, or Old Town, the heart of Berne. You will then find the districts of Länggasse-Felsenau, Mattenhof-Weissenbühl, Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde, Breitenrain-Lorraine and Bümpliz-Oberbottigen.
Areas to avoid: Bern, like the whole of Switzerland, is an extremely safe destination. There are no areas to avoid from a security point of view, but from a tourist point of view it is perhaps better to avoid looking for accommodation too far from the centre and the main attractions
Innere Stadt
The Innere Stadt is the Old Town of Berne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to some of the Swiss city's most famous attractions and is traversed by the Spittalgasse, one of the most important streets in the entire Old Town, lined with palaces, art galleries, boutiques, shops and numerous clubs.
It is definitely the best area to stay in. Bern, however, is an expensive destination, as is the whole of Switzerland, so even here the costs will be rather high, so we advise you to book early to find some good offers.
Finally, staying here will allow you to get around easily on foot: crossing the bridges that connect the various areas of Bern, you will be able to reach every neighbourhood in no time.
Average prices in the district range from around €100.00 for low-cost accommodation to €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
You are entitled to the Bern Ticket: if you stay at least one night in Bern, you are entitled to the Bern Ticket, a ticket that entitles you to free use of all public transport in the city in zones 100/101.
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel 5 min walk from the train station. Modern accommodation, Bärenhöfli restaurant on site, free fitness facilities. Ideal for couples | |
Hostel in the heart of the Old Town. Choice of private rooms and dormitories, 2 internet stations and fully equipped self-service kitchen. Ideal for young people | |
Oldest hotel in Bern's Old Town. Restaurant, WiFi, elegant rooms. Ideal for couples and children | |
4-star hotel located between the French Church and the Zytglogge Tower. Gym, restaurant, bar, room service, 24-hour reception. Ideal for couples and families |
Kirchenfeld
Kirchenfed is a residential district of Berne, located in the southern part of the city and separated from the old town by the River Aare. It is an area rich in green areas and museums, such as the Bernisches Historisches Museum / Einstein Museum. The city's zoo, Tierpark Bern, is also located here.
It is a very quiet area, especially ideal for families because of the many parks. Here you will find all the amenities you need and a large number of accommodations ranging from flats, B&Bs to luxury hotels. It is also a solution for those arriving by car, as many accommodations offer parking facilities and it is not a ZTL like the city centre.
Staying here you can get around on foot or by transport. If you stay close to the river bank, you only have to cross the Kirchenfeldbrücke bridge to find yourself in the old town, otherwise if you stay near the zoo, you should use public transport.
Average prices in the district range from around €100.00 for low-cost accommodation to €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Flats with balcony and garden view. Equipped kitchen in each apartment and private bathroom. On-site parking and luggage storage. | |
B&B with swimming pool, shared lounge, garden, rooms with pool view and accommodation with free WiFi. Ideal for couples | |
Residence with 70 sqm flats. Balcony accommodation, kitchenette and full bathroom. Up to 4 people. Ideal for couples and families | |
Flat 10 min. walk from the centre. Several bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, full bathroom. Up to 8 people. Ideal for families and groups |
Breitenrain-Lorraine
Another great district to stay in is Breitenrain-Lorraine, the hipster and artistic soul of Berne. It is located in the northern part, divided from the old city centre by the Aare river. Here you will find international clubs and restaurants, as well as plenty of activities to do.
Due to its artistic and trendy soul, it is definitely one of the most recommended areas for young people and those looking for a bit of fun and nightlife in general. Staying on the banks of the river, prices are similar to those in the city centre, but as you move further away and reach the heart of the district, it is possible to find more affordable accommodation, especially if you search in good time.
Finally, again you can get around by transport or on foot. If you are staying on the river bank, for instance, you only need to cross the Altenbergsteg to get to the historical centre, if you are staying further north you might consider taking the bus.
Average prices in the district range from around €90.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Hotel 600 m from the Bear Pits. Express check-in/check-out service, bar, common room, free WiFi, 24-hour reception and business centre. Ideal for couples | |
Hotel with free WiFi, 24-hour reception, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and young people | |
Flat residence with shared lounge, terrace and kitchen. Up to 5 people. Ideal for small groups and families | |
4-star hotel with a view of the old town. Casino, 2 restaurants, bar, garden lounge and conference centre. Ideal for couples |
Länggasse-Felsenau
Finally, we recommend the Länggasse-Felsenau district, the university quarter of Berne. This is where the prestigious Universität Bern is located, as well as several museums. You will also be not far from the railway station.
Given its young soul, it is a district especially suitable for young people, who can mingle among university students here. But that's not all: being a university district and further north from the centre, it is also a good area to look for affordable accommodation, such as small flats and hostels.
Finally, by staying here you can get around on foot or by public transport. If you stay close to the university, the centre is easily accessible on foot, and if you stay in the northernmost part of the district, you can get around comfortably by public transport.
Average prices in the district range from around €90.00 for low-cost accommodation to €200.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
B&B 300 m from the train station in an old building from 1888. Rooms with shared bathroom. Ideal for couples and young people | |
Hotel 10 min. walk from the historic centre. Breakfast, internet point, 24 h vending machine and pets allowed. Ideal for young people and couples | |
4-star hotel in a historic building surrounded by a private park and 1 km from the train station. Restaurant, parking and WiFi. Ideal for couples |
Countries near Bern where to stay
You usually stay in Bern for a few days, so the best solution is to stay in the city. As we have seen, there are numerous districts and numerous solutions. If you arrive by car, it's best to look for accommodation outside the city centre for parking and ZTL issues, otherwise the Old Town remains the best solution.
Alternatively, however, if you are travelling by car and want to spend a weekend in nature, you could consider staying at the base of the Gurten mountain, a popular destination for the inhabitants of Bern and really not far from the city. On its slopes, for instance, you will find the village of Köniz, with its typical mountain atmosphere, directly connected to Bern by the S6 train (10 min) or the direct bus line 19 (10 min). This area is especially recommended if you are looking for tranquillity and are travelling with children.
