Bern, Switzerland Travel Guide
- Bern has a very good transport system with regular services into the city provided by trams, trolleybuses and buses. There is an S-Bahn rail system which provides transport into the suburbs. It is easy to travel around the center of Bern by foot with the main shopping center and restaurants all within walking distance of each other. Free parking is rare and the car parks in the city center are expensive. There is a "park and ride" scheme as well.
- Bern is full of art and history. Bundeshaus is the Federal palace of Switzerland and this is where the Houses of Paliament are. It was constructed in the 19th century. There is a free guided tour of the Bundehaus when parliament is not in session. Einsteinhaus, Kramgasse 49 is the flat that was rented by Einstein and his wife whilst he was working at the Swiss patent office. It is full of photos and documents from Einsteins personal life. The Clock Tower near the center of the Old Town was built in the 13th century. Every hour there is an amazing animatronic display. There are guided tours inside the tower so you can see the clockwork in action. The Museum of Fine Arts in Bern has a large collection of paintings by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Ferdinand Hodler. It displays paintings which date back eight centuries.
- Benese-German is the main language spoken in Bern although a large amount of German is also used. Major announcements and official publications are also spoken in German. English is spoken widely in Bern as well as French so tourists should have a good chance of being understood.
- There is an annual onion fair that is held in November in which street entertainers are dressed as onions. There is a Buskers festival in early August which is held for three days celebrating street performers. The Bern Jazz Festival is held from March until May. A music festival called Gurtenfestival is held in July on top of Bern's local mountain.
- Bern has one of the longest shopping arcades in Europe. Shops are usually closed on Sundays and on Monday mornings. Craft fairs are held every Saturday all year except January and February. Rathausgasse has a large number of quaint shops with a vast range of handicraft and luxury goods.
