Read about my previous trip to Basel, Switzerland here:
This time, I continued my journey from Basel to another Swiss city.
I had a hard time deciding between Zurich and Bern, but in the end, I chose Bern.
At the time, I was reading travel websites and online forums, and I kept seeing people say:
“If you are choosing between Zurich and Bern, go to Bern.”
That was one of the main reasons I decided to visit. I also wanted to walk around a historic old town, so I spent two nights in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
Traveling from Basel to Bern and Staying Near the Old Town
After leaving Basel, I arrived at Bern railway station.
For this trip, I stayed at Jugendherberge Bern.
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The total price for two nights was CHF 102.06, which was around 110 euros at the time.
That felt quite expensive for a dormitory. Staying there long term would have been difficult on that budget, but Switzerland is expensive, so I accepted it.
Jugendherberge Bern, where I stayed
Breakfast was included in the room price, and in the evening, you could also order drinks such as mulled wine at the front desk. There was a shared lounge as well, and overall, the hostel was comfortable.
The hostel is located below the old town, but there is a small funicular along the way.
Guests received a ticket that allowed them to use it for free, which was very helpful after a long day of sightseeing. The hostel was also close to Bern Old Town, making it a convenient base for exploring the city.
Exploring Bern Old Town During the Christmas Season
I visited Bern during the Christmas season, and once again, it made me think that this might be the best time of year to visit Europe.
Christmas markets filled the streets, while the city sparkled with lights and decorated Christmas trees.
I arrived in Bern in the evening, so after leaving my luggage at the hostel, I immediately went out for a walk. Bern Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was located close to where I was staying.
The cobblestone streets and historic buildings created a classic European atmosphere. I also occasionally saw Bernese Mountain Dogs, a breed originally from Switzerland, and they were incredibly cute.
The Christmas Market Near Käfigturm
While walking through the old town, I found a Christmas market near Käfigturm.
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Käfigturm is a historic tower that was once used as a prison. Around the market, there were stalls selling handmade goods, beer, snacks, and other local items.
There was nothing in particular that I wanted to buy, so I simply walked around while looking at the brightly lit Christmas trees.
The fresh air, the natural atmosphere of Bern, and the warm glow of the Christmas market created an almost magical scene.
The atmosphere was amazing.
The only downside was that traveling alone felt a little lonely there.
A Kebab That Cost Around 14 Euros
After that, I visited a nearby kebab restaurant.
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I ordered one kebab, and it cost around 14 euros.
“Fourteen euros for a kebab?”
That was my first reaction.
Then I thought:
“Well, I guess this is just Swiss pricing.”
So I decided not to think about it too much.
At least the staff member was friendly. I also looked around the area, but I could not find many affordable food options other than kebabs.
After eating, I returned to the hostel and ended my first day in Bern.
As usual, I spent the rest of the evening working on my laptop.
Day Two in Bern: Walking Through the UNESCO Listed Old Town
The next morning, I went to the free breakfast buffet and saw two other travelers from my dormitory, one from Thailand and one from Nigeria.
We decided to have breakfast together.
One of the best things about staying in hostels is being able to naturally meet travelers from different countries.
The traveler from Thailand had a Swiss Travel Pass and was planning to take a day trip.
The Swiss Travel Pass is a transport pass for international visitors that can be used on trains, buses, boats, and other public transportation throughout Switzerland.
Swiss Travel Pass Official Website
It can be very convenient if you plan to travel to several different places around the country.
I decided not to buy one because of my budget.
Maybe next time.
Bern Minster and the Christmas Market
Around noon, I left the hostel and went back into the city.
My first destination was Bern Minster.
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A Christmas market was already open around the cathedral. I remember seeing many stalls selling handmade items.
Bern Minster is one of the most famous attractions in the old town.
However, after traveling for so long and moving around so often, I was tired and never really thought:
“I should go inside.”
Instead, I simply walked around the market and continued on.
I did not buy anything here either.
Even so, the atmosphere of the Christmas market was enough to make the visit enjoyable.
McDonald’s on Kramgasse Was Expensive Too
After walking for a while, I became hungry and eventually went to a McDonald’s on Kramgasse.
Kramgasse is one of the main streets in Bern Old Town. It is lined with historic buildings, and attractions such as Zytglogge and the Einstein House are also located along this street.
I thought McDonald’s would be a little cheaper, but a cheeseburger meal cost around 10 euros.
Expensive.
Even McDonald’s was not cheap in Switzerland.
From Zytglogge to Rosengarten: Visiting Bern’s Main Attractions
Zytglogge, Bern’s Famous Clock Tower
After eating, I visited Zytglogge, one of Bern’s most famous landmarks.
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The tower was once used as a prison, and the clock mechanism seen today was created in the 16th century.
It also includes an astronomical clock that shows information such as the phases of the moon and the zodiac.
A few minutes before every hour, moving figures such as bears and a jester begin to perform.
At that time, many tourists gather in front of the tower.
It felt like one of those classic places that everyone should visit at least once in Bern.
The House Where Albert Einstein Actually Lived
After that, I continued walking along Kramgasse and arrived at the Einstein House.
Albert Einstein actually lived in this building.
Today, it is a museum where visitors can learn about his life and see historical documents and displays.
However, I only looked at the building from outside.
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For some reason, I never seriously considered going inside.
Maybe I was simply tired from traveling.
Looking back, I wish I had visited the museum.
Buying a Bear Souvenir Before Heading to Bärengraben
After that, I visited a souvenir shop called Berner Bär Souvenirs.
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I bought a souvenir from Bern there.
Bears have a strong connection with the city, and while walking around Bern, you can see bear themed souvenirs and designs everywhere.
After buying my souvenir, I headed toward Bärengraben.
No Bears at Bärengraben
I had heard that visitors could see bears for free at Bärengraben, so I was looking forward to it.
However, there was not a single bear in sight.
Maybe they were hibernating.
During winter, the bears sometimes stay indoors.
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Although I did not see any bears, the Aare River nearby was incredibly beautiful.
The water had an emerald green color unlike anything I had seen before.
Water coming from glaciers and the Alps can appear blue green because of very fine mineral particles.
Interesting.
Looking Over Bern Old Town from Rosengarten
I did not see any bears, but I decided to continue to Rosengarten Bern.
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Rosengarten is a famous rose garden located on a hill overlooking Bern Old Town.
Of course, I visited in winter.
There were no roses.
Even without flowers, the view over Bern was beautiful.
You could see the reddish brown rooftops, Bern Minster, and the Aare River surrounding the city.
It was a great place to enjoy many of Bern’s most recognizable views at once.
There is also a statue of Albert Einstein here, so it is worth taking a photo.
After walking around for a while, I became tired and returned to the hostel.
I had originally planned to explore areas outside the old town as well, but I no longer had enough energy.
Instead, I returned to the hostel and took a short nap.
Mulled Wine at the Christmas Market at Night
By the time I woke up, it was already dark.
I went back into the city and visited the Christmas market near my hostel.
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There, I ordered another kebab and a cup of mulled wine.
Mulled wine, or Glühwein, is a warm red wine mixed with ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, and orange.
It is a classic drink at Christmas markets in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other parts of Europe.
When visiting Europe in winter, it is definitely worth trying.
Drinking warm mulled wine outside in the cold was amazing.
Solo Travel Is Free, but Sometimes Lonely
As I slowly drank my wine and looked around, I noticed that almost everyone was there with friends, family, or a partner.
Solo travel gives you a lot of freedom.
You can leave whenever you want and return to your accommodation when you feel tired.
You do not need to adjust your schedule for anyone else.
However, in a warm and festive place like this, traveling alone can sometimes feel a little lonely.
After spending some time enjoying the Christmas market, I returned to the hostel.
They were also selling mulled wine there, so I ordered another one.
In the end, I fell asleep with some help from the alcohol.
My Final Morning in Bern and a Future Trip to Jungfrau
The next morning, I met the traveler from Thailand again.
I asked:
“How was yesterday?”
He told me that he had visited the Jungfrau region.
When he showed me his photos, the snow covered mountains looked incredible.
Next time, I am definitely going there.
That was what I promised myself.
This trip focused mainly on walking around Basel and Bern, but next time, I would also like to experience the natural scenery of the Swiss Alps.
Leaving Bern and Traveling to Lyon, France
After breakfast, I checked out of the hostel.
Then I walked to the FlixBus stop.
Christmas markets, the UNESCO listed old town, Zytglogge, and the emerald green Aare River.
My stay was short, but I still saw many of the sights that make Bern unique.
Bern is not a flashy major city. It is a place where you can slowly enjoy historic streets, traditional architecture, and nature.
The Christmas season made the city even more special, as the lights and decorations blended beautifully with the old buildings.
Because I was tired from traveling, I did not go inside Bern Minster or the Einstein House.
I did not see any bears, and there were no roses at Rosengarten.
Even so, winter in Bern offered more than enough beautiful scenery to make the trip worthwhile.
Next time, I would like to stay longer and visit the places I skipped.
And next time, I definitely want to visit the Jungfrau region.
For now, I was leaving Switzerland and heading to Lyon, France.
