The Market Streets of Bern's Old Town

The two main shopping streets of Kramgasse and Gerechtigkeitsgasse are in the center of the Old Town. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site is lined with six kilometers of arcades that invite visitors to enjoy a special kind of shopping experience.

The cellar shops are another distinctive feature of the Old Town. During the Middle Ages, Bern’s architects built a storeroom under each house on either side of the city’s broad streets. Today these cellars are used to house businesses such as fashion boutiques, art galleries, and wine shops.

Colorful markets set out their wares on both Parliament Square (Bundesplatz) and Cathedral Square (Münsterplatz) every Tuesday and Saturday, offering fresh produce, flowers, and meats.

  • Store Opening Times

    Stores in Bern usually have the following opening times:

    Monday - Wednesday 09:00 - 18:30
    Thursday 09:00 - 20:00
    Friday 09:00 - 18:30
    Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
    Sunday closed

    Times may vary slightly from store to store. Some stores in the lower Old Town, from the Clock Tower (Zytglogge) upwards, don’t open until 10:00 a.m. If you would like to visit a particular store, we recommend finding out its opening times in advance.

    Bern’s main station is home to more than 80 stores that are open 365 days a year, from early till late. The large shopping centers in the city also have longer opening times.

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