Bern City Guide

Bern boasts one of the best preserved medieval cityscapes in Europe, named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Its medieval clock tower, cathedral (the nation's largest ecclesiastical building), ancient sandstone buildings and around 6km (3.7 miles) of picturesque arcades lend the quaint Old Town an almost fairytale atmosphere.

City of bears
Bern was founded in 1191 and, according to legend, it got its name when city founder Berchtold V von Zähringen killed a bear (bär in German) on the Aare peninsula. Ever since, the city has had a particular fascination for bears, and for the last 500 years or so, there have been bear pits in the city centre. A spacious new bear park opened in 2009, where visitors can view the city's heraldic animal climbing, fishing and playing on the banks of the river Aare.

Swiss capital
As the federal capital of Switzerland, Bern is home to the country's government, and a visit to the House of Parliament is a must for anyone interested in politics. The city is also well placed (just west of the country's geographical centre) for excursions to the Alps, the Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Mittelland. But it is also worth spending some time in Bern itself. With its many excellent restaurants, bars and wine cellars, its cultural activities, boutique shopping and wide variety of entertainment, there is plenty to experience in the Swiss capital.