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 day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Interlaken & Jungfraujoch
Combine Interlaken's stunning two-lakes setting with the ultimate Swiss alpine experience—the Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres, Europe's highest railway station. Visit the Ice Palace, walk on the Aletsch Glacier, and absorb a panorama spanning France, Germany, and Italy.
Highlights: Jungfraujoch Top of Europe experience · Great Aletsch Glacier views · Ice Palace tour · Sphinxobservatorium panorama · Interlaken Höheweg promenade
Grindelwald & First
Grindelwald beneath the Eiger's north face is one of Switzerland's most iconic mountain villages. Take the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher for close-up glacier views, or ascend to Grindelwald First for the Cliff Walk, toboggan run, and the classic hike to Bachalpsee alpine lake.
Highlights: Eiger north face views · Grindelwald First Cliff Walk · Bachalpsee lake reflection · First Flyer zipline · Hike to Schynige Platte
Thun & Lake Thun
The market town of Thun where the Aare flows from Lake Thun is one of Bern Canton's most attractive small cities. The medieval castle and its four-tower keep commands the old town, while the distinctive elevated arcade shops of Obere Hauptgasse are unique in Switzerland. A lake boat connects Spiez, Oberhofen, and Beatenbucht.
Highlights: Thun Castle museum and views · Obere Hauptgasse elevated arcades · Lake Thun boat trip · Spiez Castle on the lake · Beatenbucht swimming
Fribourg (Freiburg)
Switzerland's most intact medieval city straddling the Sarine River gorge at the linguistic boundary between German and French Switzerland. The 17th-century Grand Pont, Gothic St Nicholas Cathedral, the remarkable Zaehringen Quarter on the lower town, and Switzerland's only remaining funicular running on wastewater are the highlights.
Highlights: St Nicholas Cathedral and tower · Medieval lower town (Basse-Ville) · Unique wastewater-powered funicular · Grand Pont panorama · Fribourg cheese tradition tasting
Solothurn
Switzerland's 'most beautiful Baroque city' has an extraordinary architectural consistency—the number 11 recurs throughout (11 churches, 11 towers, 11 fountains) in a city where Baroque Italian architects created a perfectly preserved urban jewel on the Aare. The St Ursus Cathedral and the Jesuit church are outstanding.
Highlights: St Ursus Cathedral facade · Baroque Old Town streetscapes · Solothurn Old Arsenal · Aare riverside promenade · 11 fountains discovery trail
Mürren & the Schilthorn
Car-free Mürren at 1,638m is arguably the most dramatically situated village in the Alps, perched on a cliff directly facing the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. The Schilthorn cable car ascends to 2,970m and the 360-degree revolving Piz Gloria restaurant—filmed for the James Bond movie 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'.
Highlights: James Bond Piz Gloria revolving restaurant · 360-degree alpine panorama from Schilthorn · Car-free Mürren village · Northface Trail hike · Lauterbrunnen Valley waterfalls en route
Kandersteg & Oeschinensee
The village of Kandersteg at the head of the Kander Valley is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Oeschinensee alpine lake and the famous Lötschberg tunnel. The turquoise lake in its amphitheatre of limestone cliffs, accessible by gondola and a short walk, is among Switzerland's most beautiful natural sights.
Highlights: Oeschinensee turquoise lake · Rowing on the alpine lake · Toboggan run at the gondola station · Gasterntal valley walk · Swimming in the lake (summer)
Brienz & Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
The village of Brienz on the impossibly vivid turquoise Lake Brienz is famous for wood carving—the Swiss wood carving school has operated here since 1884. The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum 2km away assembles over 100 historic Swiss farmhouses from across all 26 cantons in a magnificent 66-hectare park.
Highlights: Ballenberg Open-Air Museum rural Switzerland · Brienz wood carving tradition · Brienz Rothorn steam railway · Lake Brienz turquoise colour · Brienz swimming lido
Neuchâtel & Lake Neuchâtel
The French-speaking lakeside city of Neuchâtel boasts a perfectly preserved medieval castle, a collegiate church with extraordinary tomb effigies, an Old Town of golden sandstone buildings, and the largest lake entirely within Switzerland. The clockmaking heritage and fine art museum are additional draws.
Highlights: Neuchâtel Castle and collegiate church · Old Town golden sandstone architecture · Lac de Neuchâtel lakeside walk · Museum of Art and History · French-speaking Swiss culture
Adelboden & Engstligenalp
Adelboden is one of Bern Canton's most characterful mountain villages—traditional chalets, the Engstligen Falls cascading 600m into the valley, and the high alpine plateau of Engstligenalp accessible by cable car. In winter it hosts the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
Highlights: Engstligenalp high alpine plateau · Engstligen Falls (second-highest in Switzerland) · Traditional chalet architecture · Hiking on the Engstligenalp · FIS World Cup venue (winter)
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from CHF 80-150 include guided visit, transport, and selected admissions—available from Bern Tourism
- Private
- Private car hire from CHF 70/day; rental desks at Bern station; parking available at most Bernese Oberland base stations
- Public
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and BLS regional trains serve all day trip destinations; Jungfrau railways connect the Bernese Oberland
- Rental
- Car rental from CHF 70-120/day at Bern station (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise); many mountain areas are car-free—park and take cable cars
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early—the Jungfraujoch and popular mountain areas have clearest skies before noon
Book Jungfraujoch tickets at least 2-3 days ahead in summer—sell out quickly
The Swiss Travel Pass or regional Berner Oberland pass covers most train journeys and some mountain railways
PostBus serves all villages not on the rail network—download the SBB app for PostBus timetables
Mountain restaurants can be busy at lunchtime—carry packed lunch or eat at off-peak times
Always check the MeteoSwiss mountain forecast before alpine day trips—weather changes rapidly above 2,000m