09 Nov Why We Picked Bern Over Zurich (and Why I’d Do It Again)

Honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it to Switzerland this early in life. It was on the list, but further down the “things you do before 50” list. Yet somehow, it found its way into our plans, and we ended up spending 14 out of 30 days in Switzerland. We entered through Geneva and exited at Lugano, exploring a good chunk of the country in between.

Obviously, we gravitated toward the lesser-known corners. This snippet is one of those Bern vs Zurich travel stories.

Most Indians grow up smitten with Switzerland. Thank you, Yash Chopra, DDLJ, and the hundreds of Bollywood movies shot here. Most travelers start their Swiss adventure by basing themselves in Zurich or Lucerne. But we’re a little offbeat (read: cray in the head), so we chose Bern.

And here’s a confession: as much of a mountain lover as I am, I didn’t quite get the hype about Switzerland. That was before I went. After is a completely different story. This country runs with the precision of its clock towers, public transport included. The way Swiss trains and buses connect like magic is almost more impressive than its landscapes. (Almost.) I don’t know why I dropped this piece of information.

Now, back to Bern. It’s the capital of Switzerland, so there’s plenty of energy here, but it doesn’t feel rushed. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and OH-MY-GOD one of the best I’ve seen so far. Bern makes an excellent base if you want to day-trip to Lucerne, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Harder Kulm, Basel, Brienz, or any of the usual postcard-perfect spots. But its own vibe is reason enough to linger.

If you’ve read my previous blogs, you know we wander. A lot. We pick a street and just walk until something interesting finds us. One evening, we veered past the Zytglogge (Bern’s medieval clock tower) and ended up at the Munsterplattform. Dating back to the 1300s, it’s essentially a terrace overlooking the Aare River, with an open space, a tiny café, an ice cream shack, and enough room for a toddler to run wild. It became one of our favorite spots and not just for the views, but because our son was happily socializing with other kids while we enjoyed a rare, tantrum-free evening.

Bern is a dream for families with young kids. Most Swiss cities are, but Bern has this extra dose of charm. There are playgrounds, parks, and fountains everywhere; you don’t need to leave the city to entertain a child. Some of our best hours were spent just walking. Head one way and you’re at the Rosengarten with its panoramic views; wander the other and you stumble into the Matte, a historic neighborhood by the river.

I could have spent the entire trip here. Markets close early, around five, and restaurants transform into buzzing social hubs in the evenings with locals unwinding over beer, sports, and laughter. The way of life is slower than Zurich, the costs are slightly easier on the wallet, and there’s so much more history etched into every corner.

What surprised me most was how liveable Bern felt. Not just tourist-friendly, but genuinely livable, as in, you could imagine building routines here. There’s a gentleness to how the city moves. Mornings start slow. Trams glide in, glide out. 

There were afternoons when we did absolutely nothing noteworthy. Just strolling under those long stone arcades, stopping for gelato, raiding the nearest Migros, sitting by fountains, watching our toddler chase pigeons with the full confidence that he was contributing to urban wildlife management.

Not to forget the river. Aare is not just a river; it is a personality. Turquoise, dramatic, and downright theatrical when the sun hits it. You’ll see locals just jumping into it and letting the current carry them. It gives you a glimpse of how humans can live like this; be unbothered, joyful, buoyant if they choose well. 

Evenings were my favorite. The city lights don’t fight the dark; they gently glow. You hear laughter before you see faces. There’s music somewhere, but soft, like the city knows you’ve had a long day and doesn’t want to overwhelm you.

Bern doesn’t entertain you. It keeps you company, and that feels rare in a foreign land, especially when you are on a short trip.

Bern wasn’t the predictable choice, but it ended up being the right one. Sometimes the places you don’t expect to love are the ones you never want to leave. The idea of this blog was to convince you to consider Bern over Zurich or Interlaken for your next Swiss trip. I hope the purpose has been met.