The Canton of Bern is Switzerland's second-largest canton, stretching from the UNESCO-listed medieval capital city to the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Home to the federal capital of Switzerland, picturesque alpine lakes, and world-class ski resorts, Bern blends political significance with breathtaking natural beauty.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Bern.
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- Lively local favourite with fast-flowing river swimming
- heated outdoor pool
- changing rooms
- lockers
- showers
- café kiosk
- sunbathing lawns
Marzili Riverside Lido (Aare River, Bern)
Bern's most beloved and unique swimming experience—a riverside lido on the fast-flowing Aare River where locals and visitors drift downstream with the current on hot summer days. The Marzili has a heated outdoor pool, open-air sunbathing lawns, and changing facilities. Lifeguards are present in summer.
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- Family-friendly riverside lido with grass and pool
- outdoor pool
- changing rooms
- café
- volleyball
- sunbathing lawn
- playground
Eichholz Lido (Aare River, Bern)
A larger riverside lido south of Bern city with an outdoor pool, grass sunbathing areas, volleyball, and a café. Less intense than the Marzili current and more suitable for families with children who prefer calmer swimming.
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- Scenic mountain lake swimming with dramatic Bernese Alps backdrop
- changing rooms
- showers
- café-restaurant
- boat rental
- sunbathing area
- children's play area
Beatenbucht Lido (Lake Thun)
A beautiful lakeside swimming area on the north shore of Lake Thun, backed by cliffs with the Beatushöhlen caves above. The crystal-clear turquoise water is cooler than a sea beach but the mountain setting is extraordinary. Reached by lake boat from Interlaken or bus.
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- Municipal lido with pool and lake access on Lake Thun
- 50m outdoor pool
- lake swimming
- café
- changing rooms
- showers
- sunbathing lawn
Thun Strandbad (Lake Thun)
Thun's official municipal swimming area on Lake Thun combines a 50-metre outdoor pool with lake swimming access, grassed sunbathing areas, and a café. A popular local destination with Bernese Alps as a backdrop.
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- Tranquil lakeside swimming in vivid turquoise glacial waters
- free swimming area
- changing huts
- café nearby
- sunbathing area
- boat rental
Brienz Lido (Lake Brienz)
Lake Brienz's stunning turquoise-green colour—produced by glacial meltwater—makes this lido exceptional. The village of Brienz is famous for wood carving and the steam railway to Brienz Rothorn adds a wonderful excursion option.
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- Picturesque castle-backed swimming with lake views
- outdoor pool
- lake swimming
- changing rooms
- café
- sunbathing lawn
- playground
Spiez Lido (Lake Thun)
Arguably the most picturesque swimming spot on Lake Thun, the Spiez lido is backed by the medieval Spiez Castle on its vineyard hill and faces across the lake to the Niesen and Bernese Alps. The water is clean and the setting is postcard-perfect.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Beatenbucht on the north shore of Lake Thun offers a peaceful, cliff-backed swimming spot away from crowds
Family
Family-friendly
Eichholz Lido on the Aare and Thun Strandbad on Lake Thun have calm water, playgrounds, and facilities ideal for families
Sport
Active & sporty
Marzili on the Aare River is the most thrilling experience—drifting fast downstream is an exhilarating local ritual
Social
Lively scene
Marzili in Bern and Spiez Lido on Lake Thun have the liveliest summer atmospheres with locals and tourists
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Bern memorable.
Aare River Drifting
Bern's signature activity—local residents float downstream in the powerful Aare current, get out after 1-2km, and walk back. Requires good swimming ability and knowledge of the safe entry and exit points.
Marzili Lido (enter just above, exit at the lido)
Stand-Up Paddleboard (Lake Thun)
SUP rental available at several Lake Thun and Lake Brienz lakeside operators. The calm lake water makes it ideal for beginners.
Thun Strandbad, Spiez Lido, Beatenbucht
Lake Swimming
The turquoise Alpine lakes of Thun and Brienz offer exceptional swimming in clean, cold, glacier-fed water.
Brienz Lido for colour, Spiez for scenery, Beatenbucht for atmosphere
Boat Rental
Row boats, pedal boats, and electric boats available for rent at most Lake Thun and Lake Brienz lidos for self-guided lake exploration.
Beatenbucht, Brienz Lido, Spiez Lido
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
June-September for comfortable lake and river swimming; water temperature 18-22°C in Lake Thun peak summer; Aare River cooler at 16-20°C
Getting there
All public swimming areas and lidos are accessible; entry to natural lake shores is free; lidos charge CHF 5-8 entry
On-beach facilities
Municipal lidos have changing rooms, showers, and lockers; free natural swimming spots have basic or no facilities
Costs to budget
Marzili Bern: free; municipal lidos CHF 5-8; boat rental CHF 20-40/hour; SUP rental CHF 25-40/hour
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.