The 5 Most Popular Bernese City Tours

Historic buildings, quaint alleys and impressive monuments and landmarks make up Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old City. The city has many stories to tell – and so do the guides of the various city tours. The tours are interesting, exciting, surprising, sometimes spooky, and definitely always entertaining.

“E Ligu Lehm” – the Matte neighbourhood

An infamous past and its own language called “Matten-Berndeutsch” – the Matte neighbourhood is the oldest part of the city and has many an outrageous story to tell. Home to butchers, tanners, and executioners from all over the world, the Matte neighbourhood was considered a rather shabby working-class area. What is this special language and why are the sidewalks higher and the arcades lower than anywhere else in the city? You’ll learn the answers to these and other questions as well as incredible and fun facts and anecdotes on this guided city tour.

«E Ligu Lehm»

(Guilty) Pleasure – the seven deadly sins

The tour “(Guilty) Pleasure” reveals Bern’s mysterious and seductive side: Listening to the guide, you’ll hear outrageous stories and erotic anecdotes from past and present times. The 90-minute tour dives into Bern’s past and digs up spooky tales and blood-curdling myths that can’t be found in any history book. The tour was inspired by the exhibition “Lust und Laster” (Lust and Vice), a collaboration between the Museum of Fine Arts Bern and the Zentrum Paul Klee.

«(Guilty) Pleasure»

Zytglogge (Clock Tower) Tour – inside Bern’s most famous monument

Take a look inside the century-old clock mechanism, learn the history behind this Bernese landmark, and enjoy the view over the rooftops of Bern’s Old City – this tour is perfect for fans of technical masterpieces, history freaks, and panorama lovers alike. What do the different figurines of the clock stand for? How does the intricate clock mechanism work? What stories hide behind the thick walls of the famous attraction? And what can you see when you peek out of the tower windows? The answer to these and many other questions can be found on the Zytglogge Tour.

«Zytglogge (Clock Tower) Tour»

The UNESCO Stroll – a tour of Bern’s most famous sights

Albert Einstein, Paul Klee, Friedrich Dürrenmatt: they all strolled beneath Bern’s arcades and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the Minster terrace. Whether it’s luminaries, visitors from all over the world, or locals – Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old City with its distinctive sandstone buildings, charming alleys, and impressive monuments fascinates anyone who sees it. The UNESCO Stroll shows off Bern’s historic side and takes you to its most famous landmarks: from the city gates, the Parliament Building and the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) past the beautiful fountains to the Bern Minster.

«UNESCO Stroll»

Bernese Beer Tour – take in Bern’s beer culture

Why does beer from the bottle taste different than beer from a glass? Learn all about it – and more – on the Bernese Beer Tour. At four locations, from the hip brewery to the classic, the Altes Tramdepot, participants learn everything there is to know about beer and its manufacturing process. 15 different beers are served on the tour, accompanied by interesting facts and the anecdotes of a professional beer sommelier. There’s nothing dry about this tour! Cheers!

«Bernese Beer Tour»

 Looking for more? More tours and information can be found here.