Just leave the capital of Switzerland to immerse yourself in the charm of high mountains, forests and breathtaking lakes: let's discover the canton of Bernese.
The canton of Bern is a very vast territory and within it it is possible to find all the landscapes that have made Switzerland so popular among painters and artists attracted by picturesque valleys, emerald lakes and mountains shrouded in fog. From the Swiss capital to the Jungfrau, let's discover together what to see in the Bernese canton.
Bern: all the charm of a quiet city
Less modern than Zurich or chic than Geneva, Bern is a city capable of conquering its visitors thanks to the medieval buildings that overlook kilometers of arcades. Here you will find fountains where giants devour children and cathedrals of dizzying heights, but also alternative venues and restaurants to discover the excellent cuisine of the Swiss capital. Walk along the streets of the historic center to discover the Clock tower with its figures that come to life with the stroke of every hour and don't miss a visit to the house of Albert Einstein, who developed his famous theory of relativity right in Bern. If you love walking in the open air, Bern offers you the wonderful Rose garden where you can stroll without haste and take beautiful photos of the historic center of the Swiss capital. And if it rains, the Zentrum Paul Klee is ready to welcome you among its "waves" to show you the charm of modern art and a thousand exhibitions and activities that will also involve children.
Interlaken, postcard suggestions
Just under an hour by train from the Swiss capital, Interlaken it is a magical place nestled between two lakes and ready to welcome you with its large hotels that so fascinated travelers in Victorian England. Today the town has become the base for practicing sports or many organized excursions in the surrounding area and will allow you to take magnificent photos of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. Furthermore, over 45 mountain railways, chair lifts and cable cars depart from Interlaken to reach perfect paths for hiking lovers and ski slopes.
Take a walk along the Höheweg – the street that connects the two train stations of Interlaken West and Ost – where you will find not only hotels and restaurants, but also flower gardens (like the Japanese one) and a truly unique view of the Jungfrau. And if you want to go on a day trip, we recommend going up to the Schynige plateau via the rack train to admire the Alpengarten, the alpine garden where there are over 600 types of plants.
Thun, castles and palaces on the lake shore
If you arrive from the Swiss capital by train, prepare your camera because your first encounter with Lake Thun (Thunersee) is destined to leave you speechless when the crystal clear waters in which the mountains are reflected appear among placid grazing cows and postcard villages. . The main attraction of Thun it is its fairy-tale castle from the 12th century which with its impressive red roofs will win you over, while from its towers you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the town and the entire lake. Equally fascinating is its historic center which extends between the Aare river and the Obere Hauptgasse, a cobbled street which, as in the case of Bern, is lined with colorful houses and arcades under which you can find shops and clubs of all kinds. Directly on the lake is Schadau Castle surrounded by a large English garden and within which there is also the Swiss Museum of Gastronomy.
Suspended in time in Brienz, relaxing on the lake
About an hour and a half from the Swiss capital, you find Brienz, a quiet village overlooking the incredible turquoise waters of the lake of the same name. Adapt to the sweet tranquility of the place and take leisurely walks along the pedestrian street along the lakeside where, in the summer months, among the green spaces, play areas and piers, there will also be an opportunity to treat yourself to a nice refreshing swim. Many wooden objects are still produced in the area and therefore there is no shortage of workshops open to the public that will allow you to browse among figurines, music boxes and artisans at work. Push yourself up to Brunngasse, a cobbled alley where many of the chalets that line it still date back to the 2.350th century and are embellished with wooden sculptures as well as real cascades of flowers. The Rothorn Bahn also departs from Brienz, the steam railway that will take you to the Rothorn at 2017 m above sea level and which in 125 celebrates its first XNUMX years of activity.
On the Jungfrau, in the highest station in Europe
Another excursion that is worth taking from the Swiss capital – or, better yet, stopping for a night in Interlaken – is the Jungfraubahn red train which will take you towards 3.454 meters above sea level which correspond to the highest railway station in Europe. From Kleine Scheidegg, a steep 7 kilometer tunnel takes the rack railway to the Jungfraujoch with two stops that allow you to photograph the glaciers of the Eiger's north face. Remember to dress warmly because once at the top you will only be surrounded by snow and ice, but it will be worth it because from viewing platforms like the Sphinx the view of the Aletsch glacier will leave you speechless. If you are traveling with children, don't miss the Eispalast, the palace where the ice sculptures seem about to come to life.
Wengen and Gstaad: dedicated to ski lovers (and not only)
If leaving the Swiss capital you want to dedicate a few days to the mountains, don't miss two pearls: wengen e Gstaad. The first can only be reached by train because cars cannot circulate within the town and will give you unique views of romantic chalets, grazing cows and postcard landscapes. In winter, Wengen is also known for its 110 kilometers of ski slopes with mostly medium-easy descents suitable for the whole family (but also for a speed world cup downhill test).
Gstaad is twinned with Cannes and this alone should make you understand that it is a somewhat chic location where you can find high fashion shops and great restaurants. If you want to do sport, however, don't worry because Gstaad offers you some easy slopes (the more challenging ones are in the Gstaad Mountain Rides area) for skiing and many paths for hiking during the summer.
