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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Swiss watch
Bern's watch dealers offer everything from entry-level Swatch to prestigious Omega, Longines, and TAG Heuer timepieces. The Kirchenfeld district and Marktgasse have respected jewellers and authorised dealers.
Price: CHF 50-5,000+
Where: Marktgasse jewellers, Bucherer Bern (Marktgasse 19)
Premium Swiss chocolate
Bern has outstanding artisan chocolate shops including Abegglen, which has crafted Bern's iconic honey gingerbread (Honiglebkuchen) and chocolates since 1881. Look for bear-shaped chocolates as a Bern-specific souvenir.
Price: CHF 8-50
Where: Abegglen (Spitalgasse 36), Confiserie Tschirren (Kramgasse 73)
Bernese honey gingerbread (bear-shaped)
Bern's most distinctive culinary souvenir—the Honiglebkuchen is a spiced honey cake traditionally shaped as a bear, decorated with bright icing. A Bern tradition since the 18th century.
Price: CHF 5-25
Where: Abegglen (Spitalgasse 36), Old Town bakeries
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
An iconic Swiss souvenir with genuine functional value. Bern shops stock the full range of models and can engrave personalised blades.
Price: CHF 20-150
Where: Globus, Manor, specialist knife shops in the Old Town
Handwoven wool textiles
Traditional Bernese weaving (Heimweberei) produces distinctive woollen table runners, blankets, and clothing in natural alpine colours. A genuine regional craft souvenir.
Price: CHF 30-200
Where: Heimatwerk Schweiz concept stores, Bern craft markets
Gruyère, Emmental, and Appenzeller cheese
Switzerland's artisan cheeses are among the finest in the world. Bern Canton is home to Emmental cheese country—the original source of Switzerland's most famous cheese.
Price: CHF 12-40/kg
Where: Bern Bundesplatz market (Tue/Sat), Käserei shops, Migros and Coop supermarkets
Traditional Swiss cowbell
Hand-hammered Swiss cowbells are an authentic alpine souvenir. Hand-forged by artisans in the Bernese Oberland, they make distinctive gifts in a range of sizes.
Price: CHF 20-150
Where: Bernese Oberland craft shops, Interlaken tourist shops, Old Town Bern
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Bundesplatz Tuesday & Saturday Market
Bern's premier open-air market surrounding the parliament fountain with over 100 stalls of fresh produce, flowers, regional cheeses, meats, honey, and artisan food products from Bern Canton farmers.
Where: Bundesplatz, 3011 Bern
Hours: Tue 07:00-13:00; Sat 07:00-14:00
Waisenhausplatz Market
Complementary to the Bundesplatz market, the Waisenhausplatz adds organic produce stalls, artisan craft sellers, and prepared street food vendors.
Where: Waisenhausplatz, 3011 Bern
Hours: Tue 07:00-13:00; Sat 07:00-14:00
Bern Christmas Market (Münsterplatz)
One of Switzerland's finest Christmas markets, with over 100 traditional market stalls, mulled wine (Glühwein), festive crafts, and the cathedral as a magnificent backdrop.
Where: Münsterplatz and Waisenhausplatz, Bern
Hours: Late November to 24 December: daily 11:00-21:00
Zibelemärit (Onion Market)
Bern's legendary annual onion market dating back to the 15th century, featuring 50+ tonnes of plaited onion strings, woven garlic braids, confetti battles in the afternoon, and traditional festival atmosphere.
Where: Bern Old Town (Kornhausplatz, Aarbergergasse, and Marktgasse)
Hours: Fourth Monday of November: 06:00-20:00
Ryfflihof Organic Market
A smaller Saturday organic market with biodynamic vegetables, artisan cheese, fresh eggs, local honey, and natural cosmetics from certified organic Bern Canton producers.
Where: Ryfflihof, Bern
Hours: Sat 07:30-13:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Marktgasse and Kramgasse (Old Town Arcades)
The heart of Bern's shopping runs beneath the UNESCO-listed arcades of Marktgasse and Kramgasse. A mix of Swiss brands, jewellers, watch dealers, bookshops, delicatessens, and independent boutiques.
Best for: Watches, chocolates, Swiss gifts, independent boutiques
Spitalgasse and Neuengasse
The western continuation of the Old Town arcades towards the train station, with Swiss and international chain stores including H&M, Zara, and Manor department store.
Best for: High-street fashion, books, department store shopping
Länggasse (Effingerstrasse area)
Bern's most creative shopping district with independent designers, vintage shops, specialty bookstores, ceramicists, and artisan food shops. A Bern original rather than a tourist shopping area.
Best for: Independent designers, vintage, specialty foods, and unique gifts
Interlaken tourist shopping
Interlaken's Höheweg and Centralplatz are lined with Swiss souvenir shops, watch stores, and outdoor clothing retailers serving the large tourist trade.
Best for: Swiss souvenirs, watches, outdoor clothing, and adventure gear
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Einkaufszentrum RBS Bahnhof (Bern Station)
Bern's main station hosts a comprehensive shopping centre with fashion, food, pharmacy, and services. The most convenient shopping with Sunday opening.
Hours: Mon-Fri 06:00-22:00; Sat 07:00-20:00; Sun 08:00-20:00
Manor Bern
Switzerland's leading department store chain, with the Bern branch in the Old Town offering fashion, homeware, electronics, beauty, and an excellent food hall.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-19:00 (Thu until 21:00); Sat 09:00-18:00
Westside Shopping and Leisure Centre
Bern's largest out-of-town shopping complex designed by Daniel Libeskind, 5km west of Bern with 55 shops, restaurants, a hotel, cinema, water park, and ice rink.
Hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-21:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not culturally accepted in Swiss shops—prices are fixed
Watch dealers and jewellers may offer better prices if you enquire about cash discounts or pay in full upfront
Markets have fixed prices on produce; artisan craft sellers at Christmas markets may occasionally negotiate on multiple purchases
Tax-free shopping (VAT refund) is available for non-EU visitors on purchases over CHF 300—ask for the tax refund form at purchase
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques over 50 years old may require export documentation; some food products have import restrictions when entering other countries
Tax Refund: VAT refund (7.7% standard rate) available at Bern Airport and Geneva Airport for purchases over CHF 300 made at participating shops
Duty Free: Duty-free allowances entering Switzerland: 1 litre spirits over 18%, 2 litres wine/beer; 250 cigarettes
Shipping: International shipping available at Swiss Post offices and most large stores; DHL and FedEx also available in Bern city