Walk Along The Aare River

Bern's old town sits on a narrow peninsula inside a tight loop of the river Aare, and a walk along the water is one of the best ways to understand the shape of the city. The Aare carries meltwater from the Bernese Alps and arrives with a turquoise colour that surprises many visitors, and it is cool and fast even in summer. The medieval city was founded in 1191 on the high ground inside the bend, and the river gave it natural protection on three sides. The old town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983, and many of the best views of it come from the riverbanks.

A common starting point is the Nydegg Bridge, near the BärenPark, where bears are kept in an enclosure that slopes down to the river. From there paths follow the water in both directions. Downstream you pass the Untertor bridge and the lanes of the Matte district, where the old craftsmen's quarter still sits at river level beneath the cliff. Upstream, the walk leads under the high Kirchenfeld bridge toward the Marzili area, where there are lawns, a public pool and shaded benches. From the opposite bank, on the hillside above, the Rosengarten gives a famous panoramic view of the old town, with the tower of the Bern Minster rising above the sandstone roofs.

In summer the Aare becomes the city's swimming place. Locals walk upstream with a bag and float down with the current, climbing out at the steps near the Marzili. It is a pleasant tradition but not a casual one: the current is strong, the water is cold and fed by mountains, and steps for leaving the river are limited, so only confident swimmers should try, and only after checking local safety advice and river conditions. Visitors who prefer to stay dry can watch from the bank, which is lively with sunbathers and picnickers on warm days.

The paths are paved or well-packed and suitable for most visitors, including families and people with limited mobility on the flatter sections, though some stretches near the old town include steps and slopes. Cafés and kiosks along the way sell drinks and ice cream, and benches are never far. In autumn the trees on the riverbank turn yellow and reflect in the water, and in winter the paths are quiet and the view of the old town under frost is memorable.

There is no admission fee and no opening hours, so the walk can be done at any time. It suits couples, photographers, walkers and anyone who wants a break from the busy streets of the old town. Allow one to two hours for a loop that includes the BärenPark, the Matte and the Rosengarten, and add more time if you plan to stop at cafés or visit the Zytglogge and Bundeshaus nearby.