Bern

Kramgasse 49· Cheap

Suppose a Bern Tram passed you at the speed of light, with Einstein peering out the window. While your own watch ticked on, his would appear stationary, and the tram's mass and dimensions would distort.

Bundesplatz 3· Free

Inaugurated in 1902, the Swiss Parliament building is a great dome separating the two chambers: the National Council and the Council of States. Free guided tour when Parliament is not in session (German Tu-Sa, English only Sa 14:00, book…

Helvetiaplatz 5· Moderate

Large historic museum, combining under one roof one of the country's most important ethnographic collections together with the Bernese historical collections from prehistory to the present day.

Hodlerstrasse 12· Cheap

Huge collection including Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler and Meret Oppenheim, and all the big names over eight centuries.

As you explore, you may notice these small graffiti mosaics, in the style of Taito's "Space Invaders". There are some 29 in Bern, the work of an "Unidentified Free Artist".

· Free

The Gurten is a lovely hill just outside the city. It features a park and a great view over the city on one side and a nice panorama of the Bernese Alps on the other.

Little park with a splendid view over the old town. Situated close to the bear pits (follow the path that goes up the hill opposite the bear-pit-roundabout. Quite popular (and populated) during lunchtime.

· Expensive

In July the Gurten hill is host to an open-air festival with many national and international music acts. During these four days you will find a party crowd of up to 25,000 people on the hill day and night.

A jazz festival with an international reputation has been held in Bern every year since 1976.

On hot summer days, let yourself drift for a few kilometres in the river Aare. Good (and safe) stretches are between the Kornhausbridge and the public pool of the Lorraine (old-fashioned swimming pool just next to the river) and between…

The SCB is Bern's ice-hockey team. The stadium is the second largest in Europe and is regularly sold out, producing an impressive atmosphere in the arena.

Gerechtigkeitsgasse 68· Moderate

Excellent soups, a good rendering of Swiss standards, such as cheese fondue, and a decent number of veggie choices. Many items are available in half portions.

Erlachstrasse 3

Old-fashioned restaurant serving traditional Swiss and Bernese cuisine at very affordable prices. Popular among students due to its situation close to the university; it is equally popular among the local workers.

A nice restaurant in the Reitschule complex which serves excellent dishes.

Rathausgasse 23

A simple Italian restaurant. The menu is mainly pasta. The food, dessert and the service are good.

Aarbergergasse 53

Very wide variety of dishes, a nice curry station, salad bar and lots of desserts.

Brunngasse 9

It's a delicious Asian take-away restaurant.

Rathausgasse 75· Pricey

A member of the Swiss Backpackers Association in the centre of the old town this highly favored backpackers' hotel is a 10-15 min walk from the central train station they have Internet, games and laundry facilities, solid security and no…

Zieglerstrasse 66

Tastefully renovated 3*-hotel with a friendly and informal atmosphere, close to the city centre on the “Eigerplatz” (motorway exit “Bern Forsthaus”).

Weihergasse 4

187 beds in all, consisting of two, four, five and six-bed rooms and two group rooms, one with eighteen and one with 20 beds. Showers and WC on each floor, the security is lacking though, and theft is common in the dorms, given the area…

near the bear pit· Expensive

A cute, friendly, and well-kept place with a good restaurant and bar downstairs. (If they are fully booked ask to crash in the TV room,

Zeughausgasse 9· Expensive

Charming hotel in the city centre of Bern, 600 m from the main station away and 10 km from the airport Bern Belp.

500 m from the railway station directly in the city centre· Expensive

Member of Swiss Quality Hotels International.