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Located in the Swiss canton of Bern, known as the "Bear City," the Bear Park has been raising bears since 1513, boasting a history spanning over 500 years. Today, the Bear Park is a modern bear park, built at great expense by Bern, where the bear cubs can climb, fish, and play. The Bear Park is not a typical zoo; it simply encloses a few bears within a wall, allowing them to roam freely. There is no entrance and no admission fee. The adorable bears, especially the cubs, attract many visitors.
Temperate maritime climate, summer
1-3 hours
free
The Bear Garden in Bern is historically significant as it has been home to the city's symbolic bears since the 16th century. The bears were once kept in the Old Bear Pit, and the current Bear Garden was opened in 2009, offering a more natural environment. The bear is the symbol of Bern, and it has deep ties to the city’s identity.
The Bear Garden is located just below Bern’s Old Town near the Aare River. It’s easily accessible by foot from the city center or by public transport. Take tram lines 9 or 10 to the "Guisanplatz Expo" stop and walk a short distance to the garden.
The Bear Garden is typically open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when the bears are most active and the park is less crowded.
Entry to the Bear Garden is free of charge. Visitors can enjoy the park and the bears without needing to purchase tickets.
No, you do not need to book tickets in advance as the Bear Garden is free to enter. However, special tours or events may require reservations.
You will need around 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore the Bear Garden, depending on how long you stay to observe the bears and enjoy the surrounding park.
There are no official guided tours or audio guides available at the Bear Garden. However, you can explore the area freely, and some local tours of Bern may include a stop at the garden.
The best photography spots are near the edge of the Bear Garden where you can capture the bears against the backdrop of Bern's Old Town and the Aare River. The elevated park areas also provide great panoramic views of the city.
Start by entering the Bear Garden and walking around the main enclosure. Then, take a leisurely stroll along the riverbanks for the best views of the bears and the city. Finally, explore the nearby areas of Bern’s Old Town.
The Bear Garden is not open at night, and there are no light shows or special tours available. The park is best visited during daylight hours for optimal visibility and enjoyment of the bears.
The Bear Garden can be busy during weekends and public holidays. The least crowded times to visit are early mornings on weekdays.
There are public toilets near the Bear Garden. While there are no food or water stands inside the garden, there are cafes and shops in the nearby Old Town where you can grab refreshments.
The Bear Garden is accessible for elderly and disabled visitors, with flat pathways and seating areas. It is family-friendly and suitable for children to explore the park and observe the bears.
Since entry to the Bear Garden is free, no payment is required. However, in nearby cafes or shops, credit cards and mobile payments are widely accepted.
Yes, there are vegetarian and vegan options available in Bern's Old Town cafes. Some places may also offer halal food, especially near the city center.
Yes, there are souvenir shops in the nearby Old Town where you can purchase Swiss chocolates, Bernese souvenirs like bear figurines, and traditional Swiss crafts.
From the Bear Garden, you can take trams or buses from the nearby stops to reach other attractions. Trams lines 9 or 10 offer easy access to Bern’s main train station for onward travel.
