Every hour, on the hour, something unique happens in Bern: medieval figurines appear from the Zytglogge (Clock Tower). The dancing bears, the cheeky fool and the crowing rooster have been a joy for the public every day for centuries. But who knows what they represent, how the mechanism works, and which stories are hidden behind the strong walls of the clock tower?
The exceptional atmosphere inside the tower makes the one-hour tour a special experience – it seems like time has been standing still for many years. The heavy wooden beams, the thick stone walls and the cool and quiet air take the visitors into the past, always accompanied by the steady ticking of the medieval clock.
On the tour of the historic building, visitors will examine the gears and the apparatus of the old clock, watch the figurines closely and learn interesting facts about the history and the different roles of the Zytglogge (Clock Tower).
They will also look at the astronomical calendar clock, the Astrolabium, on the eastern side of the tower and discover how it works, with its slowly moving clock hands, the turning discs and the skillfully crafted celestial bodies.
The tour ends high up on the viewing platform of the monument. The reward for climbing some 130 steps is a wonderful view of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its rooftops, chimneys and towers – another highlight on this interesting tour. When the weather is good, you can see all the way to the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.
Be it history fans, locals or visitors – everyone will enjoy this tour!
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Public Tour
Dates 1 January–31 March, only on Saturdays
1 April–31 October, only on
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Additional tours: on Monday, 5 April 2021 and Thursday, 13 May 2021
1 November–25 December, only on Saturdays
26 December–31 December, dailyMeeting point Zytglogge (Clock Tower), on Kramgasse alley Starting time 02:15 p.m. Duration 60 minutes Price Adults CHF 20.00
Senior citizens (AHV)/Handicapped (IV)/Students CHF 15.00
Children (6–16 years) CHF 10.00Languages German Number of Participants Maximum 10 people per group* Reservations We recommend reserving in advance as the number of participants is limited. * All participants are required to wear a protective face mask. We would kindly ask all participants to bring their own protective face mask with them.
Reservations online, via phone at +41 31 328 12 12, or via e-mail citytours@bern.com
The Zytglogge (Clock Tower) tour is also available in combination with the walking tour of the UNESCO Stroll through the Old City.
Combined Ticket Adults CHF 40.00
Children (6–16 years) CHF 35.00
Seniors/DI/Students CHF 20.00 -
Private Tour
Availability Year-round Meeting point Zytglogge (Clock Tower), on Kramgasse alley Start time The tours always begin at a quarter past (e.g., 3:15 p.m.), the hour is arranged individually. Duration 60 minutes Price CHF 250.00 per group
Prices for schools on requestLanguages DE / EN / FR / IT / ES / RU / KR / CN / JP Number of participants Maximum 14 people per group* * All participants are required to wear a protective face mask. We would kindly ask all participants to bring their own protective face mask with them.
Reservations via phone at +41 31 328 12 12, or via e-mail citytours@bern.com
