Berne

Eco-friendly travel guide to Berne advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Berne, Switzerland.

View of Central Berne from North

Air quality: 3/ 5

Exploring by foot: 4.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 4 / 5

Parks: 3.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4 / 5

Locals' English level: 3 / 5

Safety: 3 / 5

Accommodation: US$ 10- $350

Budget per day: US$ 50 - $600

Responsible Travel

Bern is Switzerland's capital city, referred to by the Swiss as their "federal city." Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland. Bern is a gorgeous city, both with neat old buildings and a gorge with a roaring river. There are several ways to ensure responsible travel in Bern, with some being:

Support local businesses
Use public transport
Volunteer

Air Quality and Pollution

Bern's air quality is moderate as there is a substantial amount of air pollution in the city. Most air pollution is caused by various industries, vehicles, and some day to day activities. The air is breathable, and there is a minimal risk of it having detrimental effects on the health of people living in that environment.

Because it is one of the country's industrial hubs, Bern gets a lot of its pollution from industries. Major waste from industries ends up deposited in water sources leading to water pollution. The city is still trying to combat water pollution.

Bern is generally a bustling city, and as such, there are high levels of sound pollution. Most of the noise is from the ordinary day to day activities as people go about their lives, e.g., cars, machinery, people talking, etc. The noise is not destructive or annoying but is instead a normal part of life.

Respect the Culture

The culture of Bern is characterized by diversity. The city keeps old-aged traditions alive not for the sake of tourism, but their heritage. Bern has a vibrant and robust music scene, and the people perform folk music and dances, wear ethnic dresses and may seem too conservative. Alpine folk music blossomed in the verbal form of skills and compositions. It is passed from generation to generation during decades and even centuries.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Bern is a hidden city, and it is an underrated city when it comes to tourism. The city is a hidden gem as many unique places are worth visiting. Below is a list of the top ten places to visit:

The Zytglogge is a landmark medieval tower in Bern that served the city as a guard tower, prison, clock tower, center of urban life, and civic memorial. The tower has been remodeled several times, and it is still one of Bern's most recognizable symbols. The tower is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The core point of sightseeing with unique architecture. The tower has an interesting medieval clock tower with an extremely complex clock, an astronomical part. When translated, the name means time bell. It is in the heart of Bern market. The tower is beautifully preserved and is still in good working condition. The chimes can be heard very clearly around the tower.
The Cathedral of Bern is a Swiss Reformed cathedral built in the Gothic style and is the tallest cathedral in Switzerland. The church is a great architectural piece of art and history. The building has been restored beautifully and has excellent stained glass windows. The view from the top is breathtaking, and the experience can be very humbling for anyone interested in history and architecture, but if you are afraid of heights, you should be careful. The staff members are kind and offer information and service. The atmosphere inside the church is safe and holy. The pillars and walls are so beautifully crafted; also, there are statues of saints. Most of the city's top sites can be seen from here, and you can spend as long as you want.
The Federal Palace refers to the building in Bern housing the Swiss Federal Assembly and the Federal Council. The building is enormous, with a total length of more than 300 meters, and it has a central assembly building and two wings housing government departments, and a library. The building is gorgeous and has an outstanding view of Bern's city from the balcony, and from the square behind the parliament, there is a nice view of the river. There is a beautiful fountain in the building's courtyard. The Parliament building is stunning during both daytime and night time, but it is even more incredible when the lights are on at night. There is a small fee to enter the Parliament building. There are guided tours that need to be reserved.
The Zentrum Paul Klee is a museum dedicated to the artist Paul Klee that features 40 percent of Paul Klee's entire pictorial works. The collection comprises works donated by his daughter-in-law and others donated and loaned by other family members and the Paul-Klee-Foundation. The building has a gorgeous design, in the form of three ripples blending into the landscape, and there are different kinds of corn planted around the building. The building is in a beautiful park close by the highway and comprises three sections: offices, the exhibition, and the bar-restaurant. The exhibition is on two floors, and there is a dedicated area for babies. The parking area is big and affordable.
The Gurten is a mountain situated just to the south of Bern that is 858 meters high, and at the summit, there are fantastic views of Bern, of the Jura mountains, and the Alps. There are several facilities on the Gurten, including a hotel, restaurants, a 25-meter-high viewing tower, and a children's playground. They also have winter sports facilities are available in winter. The Gurten Festival, a music festival, is held every year in the middle of July. The mountain is accessible on foot or by the Gurten Funicular from Wabern. There are also remains of a palace that consists of a roundish castle hill, which formerly carried a rectangular donjon. There is a view platform, which is a great touch but can be a little scary for those afraid of heights. The mountain is an excellent place to go and relax and spend time in nature. There are many hiking paths and a downhill mountain bike track, and in summer, there are grill spots with free wood.
Oeschinen Lake is a lake that is at an elevation of 1,578 meters, has a surface area of 1.1147 square kilometers, and a maximum of 56 meters. The lake is fed through a series of mountain creeks and drains underground. Part of the water is captured for electricity production and as a water supply for Kandersteg. The lake is generally frozen for five months, from December to May, and from time to time, ice skating is possible. There are various types of fish in the lake, including Arctic char, lake trout, rainbow trout, and from January to March, ice fishing is popular. The mountains have a stunning view of the lake with calm turquoise water reflecting the mountains with their snowy peaks. It is important to note that the hill is quite steep at some spots.
The PostFinance-Arena is an arena in Bern that is primarily used for ice hockey and is the home arena of SC Bern. The building was built in 1967 and currently accommodates 17,031 people, making it the hall with the world's largest standing room grandstand, with a capacity of 10,422 bench seats. The PostFinance Arena was the main arena for the 2009 IIHF World Championships. When watching a hockey game there, be sure you cover yourself in some really warm clothes as it is freezing inside. The atmosphere in the arena during games is impressive. Taking photos from the game is forbidden.
The Bantiger is a mountain north of the Emmental Alps, overlooking the region of Bern. The summit has the Bantiger TV Tower, a 196-meter tall tower used for FM and TV transmission. In the ancient days, this was the site of an ancient Celtic temple. In the Middle Ages, it became a castle. Despite the radio and TV transmissions, a mountain is a quiet place with a sweeping view over the whole of Bern and the surrounding area. The mountain does not get very crowded during the week, but it can get crowded on weekends. There is a parking lot at the bottom where you can park your car for free. The walk up from the parking is 30-40 minutes, depending on your pace. There is an elevator at the driveway for those who are not interested in walking, which will take you straight to the top. There is a lot of open space equipped with a barbecue area and a toilet.
The Bern Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in the city listed as a cultural property of national significance. The garden is beautifully landscaped on a hillside with a great variety of plants, trees, shrubs, and herbs. There even is a special part with healing and medicinal plants. A few greenhouses are focusing on palm trees, succulents, orchids, and carnivorous plants. The garden is peaceful and quiet even though it is so close to the city center. The garden is open daily, and admission is free. The garden is an excellent place for relaxing for the family and a place where kids can enjoy playing. Also, you can find a cozy coffee shop in the middle of the garden. The garden is well maintained.
Kirchenfeldbrücke is a breathtaking historic bridge over the Aare river with a 37-meter height. The bridge connects Casinoplatz with the beautiful old town of Bern. The bridge is one of the most characteristic architectural structures of the city. The bridge is a short walkthrough, and there are many fantastic picture opportunities of the city from it. There is an excellent view of the Parliament building and the cathedral from the bridge.

The Zytglogge

Explore

Even though it is the capital city of Switzerland, Bern has very few visitors compared to other cities. The city is a hidden gem with a lot of rich culture and history. there are numerous places to explore, such as, the many historical sites, churches, gardens, parks and mountains. Visiting Bern, even for just a day or two is an excellent idea. Keep reading to be able to find out more about this fantastic tourist destination.

City Parks

Gurten Park is a beautiful park that is the perfect place for family and kids. The park is made up of an incredibly massive lawn patch on a hill in the middle of the beautiful medieval city. They have a playground, a kids' train, kids motorized car, and tobacco, which is very fun even for adults. The park has a relaxing and serene atmosphere. You can play games like frisbee here or sit around on blankets. There are several barbeque areas where you can roast meat, or you can carry picnic baskets. The park has many places for wandering, and there is a 360-degree view of Bern and its surroundings. The staff is also amiable.
Rosengarten is a lovely rose garden with a great view, which of course means it is a steep climb up. There is an excellent view with a restaurant, a playground for the kids, and lots of green grass to lay down on. The garden has a beautiful variety of Roses, some of which are over a hundred years old. The architecture is very welcoming and gives a sense of peacefulness. The view from the Rosengarten is spectacular overlooking Barengraben.

Gurten Park

National Parks

The Tierpark Dählhölzli, or Dählhölzli Zoo, is a public zoo in Bern that is owned and financed by the city. the zoo is situated on the bank of the river Aare near the city center. The zoo is home to approximately 3,000 animals on 15 hectares of land. The main focus is on domestic wild animals, but there is also a large part with exotic animals and a seal facility. Some of the animals found include snakes, iguanas, fish, monkeys, alligators, seals, bison, deer, bears, wolves, and owls. The zoo is not too fancy, but the entry fee is very appropriate, and children will enjoy the great playground. The animals live in comfort and have plenty of space to move around as there are huge enclosures that are very close to wildlife. There is also a "free" part with goats, boars, flamingos, and lamas, among others. There are several restaurants and a souvenir shop.
The Bärengraben, or Bear Pit, is a bear pit, or enclosure housing bears, situated at the eastern edge of the city. the park is a large and more natural enclosure alongside the River Aar. The Bärengraben is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. It is of particular significance in Bern because the bear symbolizes both the city and surrounding canton and is featured in their coat of arms. The bears can only be seen in summer as they hibernate during winter. The bears are typically found on the levels which are steep and are visible from upstairs. This is a unique experience, and entry is free.

The Tierpark Dählhölzli

Beaches

There are no beaches in the city.

Landmarks

The Anna-Seiler-Brunnen is a fountain on Marktgasse in the city that is a Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fountain was built in the 16th century and had a woman's colorful statue at the top, pouring water into a bowl. The fountain was constructed to commemorate Anna Seiler, the woman who opened a hospital in Bern in 1354. The statue is stunning and very well preserved.
The Holländerturm is a former defensive tower in the city that is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. The tower was originally part of Bern's city wall but was absorbed by the house at Waisenhausplatz as it was no longer needed to defend the city. This tower is very close to the Main Train Station. The tower is well maintained and is worth seeing. There are also many opportunities to take some nice pictures.

The Anna-Seiler-Brunnen

Museums

The Natural History Museum of Bern is a museum in the city that cooperates closely with the University of Bern as it also focuses on teaching and research. They have an exciting exposition about glasses. The museum can get a bit crowded, but there is enough space for people to move around freely. There are several fascinating exhibitions, which include the Dinosaur one, which has moving dinosaurs. They also have a crystal and gem exhibition, which is interesting. Most exhibitions don't have an English description. Entry is affordable for adults and free for kids.
The Swiss Alpine Museum is a museum dedicated to the Swiss Alps' nature and culture and is one of the most impressive museums in the world. The architecture is designed in a way that reminds guests of the alpines. The current exhibit at the Swiss Alpine Museum is a collection of over a hundred artworks depicting the alps, and these are nice to look at. There are also outstanding narrations.

The Natural History Museum of Bern

Eat

There are several traditional foods in the city. Swiss food is unique and is worth trying in all its splendor. Trying various local dishes is one of the best things about being a tourist as you get to experience multiple dishes that you probably could never come across anywhere else. Several restaurants and street vendors sell different dishes that you could try, whether it is out of curiosity or so that you can have a story to tell later.

Traditional Local Restaurants

One of the best things about traveling worldwide is trying the various local cuisines available in that area. In most cases, traditional restaurants are the best place to experience local foods' taste, and maybe even a bit of the culture behind said dishes. Numerous traditional restaurants around the city serve exceptional Swiss cuisine. Below is a list of the most famous Swiss restaurants in the city.

Krone is a local restaurant that serves seasonal dishes in its smart wood-accented dining room. They serve fantastic food that is tasty and has a Mediterranean flair. Their dishes are always made up of soup and a main dish. The food is beautifully presented and very tasty. The restaurant is sophisticated and modern, with a very relaxing ambiance. They also have a good choice of wines as they have access to a wine cellar; they offer great wines for very reasonable prices. The service is professional and friendly.
Kornhauskeller is an impressive space that serves Mediterranean, Swiss and Bernese specialties. Kornhauskeller has romantic atmospheric and beautiful surroundings, making it an excellent venue for date night. They are very accommodating and pay attention to detail. One of their most famous dishes is the Berner platter and the rosti. Their food is good, and the prices were no different than any other Swiss restaurant around the area. The service is fast, although the restaurant is huge. The restaurant has no takeaway or delivery options available.
Restaurant Süder is a traditional Swiss dining room that serves seasonal dishes in a cozy interior or a winter garden. The restaurant is small on the inside, with more seating available outside when the weather is good. Due to the size, reservations are a must. Their food is delicious beyond expectations; it is seasoned to perfection and well presented. The prices are normal by Swiss standards. The service was quick and accommodating. They have a website and menu, both of which are available in English.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Kebabo is a vegan fast food restaurant with a salad bar, take-out, and a mainly Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant offers plant-based kebabs filled with spicy seitan, sauces, salads, and vegetables. The prices are reasonable.
Swing Kitchen is a vegan restaurant with mainly Western cuisine. They have fast food as well as several organic dishes. The restaurant is take-out and is part of a small chain of vegan eateries by the Schillinger's. The restaurant specializes in vegan burgers and also offers salads, sides, sodas, and sweets. They are also eco-friendly as they use CO2-neutral and bio-degradable ware. There is swing music played in the background.
3 Dosha Ayurveda is a vegetarian self-service restaurant that offers mainly Indian cuisine. The food is laid out in a buffet style, and people select what they want to eat. The buffet spread has salads, cakes, and warm dishes. Vegans should ask for vegan options as some items are not labeled.
Tibits is an International vegetarian buffet restaurant. A self-service spread features a range of salads, hot dishes, soups, sandwiches, juices, bread, and desserts. Dishes are labeled with ingredient information, and vegans can ask for vegan options. The food is priced according to how much it weighs.

Street Food

Street food is found in several places across the city and is something that you must try. There are both street-side vendors and restaurants that specialize in street food. There is an endless variety of delicious street food dishes that one must try while in Bern, and below are a few examples:

Fondue is a pot of melted cheese, wine and garlic, served on an open flame, and people dip their bread pieces with long forks and eat it.
Rosti- a Swiss-style hash brown
Polenta is wholesome cornmeal, cooked as a thick porridge in a copper cauldron over a fire.
Roasted flour soup

Drink

Bern is a mostly cold or cool area, and as such, the most common beverages are the warmer ones. The cool temperatures dictate the beverage of choice as people prefer to drink something that would help them feel a bit warmer. There are numerous cold non-alcoholic drinks, excluding water, to choose from in Bern. In its various types and flavors, tea is loved by most people, and in most cases, they drink it even on a hot day. Other choice beverages include soft drinks, lemonade, milkshake, vegan shakes, and even iced tea or coffee. On the colder days, especially during winter, the beverages of choice are usually hot with tea, coffee, and warm milk is the most sought after drinks.

Alcohol consumption is relatively high in Bern as alcohol is a source of entertainment or a way of cooling down after a long and hard day at work. There are several bars and pubs where people can go for a relaxing drink and hang out with friends, while some people prefer to drink in the comfort of their own home. The local brew of alcohol is known as sake and is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the city. Several other alcoholic drinks are enjoyed by people depending on their taste in alcohol. These include wine, gin, vodka, and cocktails, to name a few.

Tap-water

The tap water in Bern is safe for drinking. The water is fresh, and there are plenty of fountains dispersed throughout the city where you can easily drink water whenever you are thirsty.

Organic Cafés

Organic foods are foods that are grown without artificial nutrients, pesticides, or other chemicals. Eating organic has become a widespread trend where people are very selective about what they put in their bodies. Several organic cafes attract patrons of all ages who are careful about nutrition. There are many cafes in the city that cater specifically to this group of people. Below is a list of some of the organic cafes that one could try in the city

Marta
Drip Roasters
Caffè Due
Bakery Bakery

Breweries

The local beer brewing industry in Bern is solid and local beer is common across the city. Some of these breweries make traditional beer, while others make simple local brews. The most popular breweries are:

BrauKunst Bern GmbH
Brauerei Felsenau AG
Brauerei Schuum

Activities

Numerous activities can be done as you explore Bern. The city is one of the least visited in Switzerland. The activities ensure that no one is left out, and people of different interests can still enjoy and have a great time. Some of the most popular activities include museum tours, hikes, bike riding, visits to the many religious sites, and beautiful gardens, to name a few. Some of the activities are in the city center while others are just on the outskirts. It is essential to carefully plan your itinerary to ensure that you get the best out of what the city offers.

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga is traditionally a Hindu discipline that focuses on physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines. It has become quite popular across the globe, including Bern. Some of the most popular yoga studios in the city include:

Yoga Carmen Bern
Dayayoga / Jivamukti Yoga Bern
Yoga Luna

Accommodation

There are numerous accommodation options across Bern. The type of accommodation that you end up in depends on your budget, taste, and sense of adventure. This section will look into some of the accommodation options that are available for tourists to select from

Green Hotels

There are several eco-friendly hotels in the city which aim for the sustainability of the environment. These hotels tend to offer safe, non-toxic, and energy-efficient accommodation. Other characteristics include using renewable energy, organic soaps, energy-efficient light fixtures, and recycling programs. A few of the most popular ones are:

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern
Bellevue Palace Bern
Hotel Allegro Bern

Hostels and Guest Houses

Bern Backpackers Hotel and Hostel Glocke is a simple hostel with common rooms where guests can have movie nights. They also have a communal kitchen and an on-site coffee house. The hostel is a 9-minutes walk from the train station and only one minute away from the Zytglogge. There are single and double private rooms, as well as mixed and female-only dorms. Every bunk has a reading light, linen, and secure lockers. There are shared bathrooms, and some private rooms are en-suite.
Hostel 77 is a beautiful and simple hostel for backpackers, individual travelers, groups, and families located on the foot of the Gurten Mountain. The hostel has a total of 116 beds. The booking prices include a breakfast buffet, bed linen and duvet, towels, free Wi-Fi, and Bern's local public transport ticket.

Apartments

For those who plan on staying in Bern for a long time, staying in hotels might prove to be a bit too expensive. Several apartments are hired out for a minimum of one month, and these are more budget-friendly as they reduce costs on several levels. For one, apartments allow for self-catering, which means that you get to save instead of having to buy all meals at hotels. If you stay as a group of friends or family, you can share the cost, unlike hotels that charge per head.

Couchsurfing

Couch surfing refers to staying with a host family that rents out a part of their house to tourists. This is a trend that is gaining popularity in Bern. There are several websites where people who are willing can put their homes on offer, and tourists can book the most interesting or convenient one. One such website is simply called couch surfing.

Camping

There are numerous campsites across Bern's old city for those tourists who want to rough it by living outside during their vacation. Camping offers a sense of adventure as it allows people to get the full outdoor experience and can be quite affordable. Camping provides a great experience, including the fresh night air as well as the magnificent night skies. Below are some of the more popular campsites in Bern:

Campingplatz Eichholz
Camping Bern
Jugendreisen Schweiz

How to Get There

Several modes of transport can be used to travel to Bern, with the most convenient being dictated by where you are coming from, be it a local or international area. People from surrounding cities usually travel to the city by bus or train. While those coming from further away commonly use airplanes.

Air

Bern Airport is about 10 kilometers outside the city center. The airport is relatively small, and so it is quick at handling arrivals and departures. The airport can easily be reached by public transport. There is an Airport Bus, which brings passengers directly to the Belp train station. Due to its small size, Bern airport has few international flights; and most flights land at nearby airports. These include the Basel (BSL) Airport, which is 72.8 km away, Zurich (ZRH) (101 km), Geneva (GVA) (129.9 km), Milan Malpensa (MXP) (176.1 km), and Strasbourg (SXB) (178 km). To then get to Bern, there are several modes of transport used, mainly the train.

Bern Airport

Bus

Several bus companies connect Bern with several cities across Europe. The two main bus companies which offer luxury coaches to Bern are the FlixBus (green buses) and EUROBUS. The bus terminals are near the city center, ensuring that passengers do not lose valuable time and can start exploring the city right away.

Train

There are direct train connections that regularly leave for all major Swiss and European cities and guarantee a comfortable journey. The cities of Zurich, Basel, Interlaken, and Lucerne, for example, are only a direct, one-hour train ride away from Bern. These trains are punctual and dependable, ensuring that passengers get to wherever they need to go quickly, easily and on time.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking works very well in Switzerland, although it is no longer a popular way of moving around. Hitchhiking is wildly popular in the mountain regions and small country roads. The easiest mode of transport is truck drivers who will be traveling from Germany to Italy and back. It is illegal to hitchhike on the autoroute, but everywhere else is fine.

Others

There are several direct access paths to Bern, making traveling to the city by car easy. This can be either personal or hired car. Car hire in the city is relatively expensive, though. There are several direct access paths to Bern, making traveling to the city by car easy. This can be either personal or hired car. Car hire in the city is relatively expensive, though.

Moving Around

There are numerous things to do and places to explore in Bern. Moving around the city is very easy as the city's public transport system is well planned out and well managed. Below are several ways you can move around the city.

Walk

Bern's city center is relatively small, and so it can easily be discovered on foot. Most hotels are just a short walk away from pretty sights and attractions, the alleys of the Old City or the green banks of the Aare River.

Bicycle

Bicycles are a standard mode of transport in the area, especially areas with trails to explore. There are several hidden alleys and pretty neighborhoods that have fantastic bike routes. It is also possible to take a short bike ride out of town and breathe the countryside's fresh air. There are many bike rental options in Bern, and you can choose from all kinds of bikes: normal bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, road cycles, and cargo bikes.

Electronic Vehicles

Electronic vehicles are growing in popularity in Bern. Most car hire companies now have all types of electronic vehicles for hire as part of their portfolio. There are several charging stations across the city, ensuring that you never get stranded.

Public Bus

Several buses move around the city. These buses are affordable and reliable, and there is a bus on the hour every hour. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at the stops, at the BERNMOBIL shop in Bern's central station, or via the SBB-App.

Tram, Train and Subway

Trains are a standard and effective mode of transport in the city. They offer a reliable and quick mode of transportation. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at the stops, at the BERNMOBIL shop in Bern's central station, or via the SBB-App.

Sustainable Shopping

There are many shopping centers in the city whereby tourists and locals alike can go for shopping. It is more sustainable to shop in local shops and ensure that you do not only stick to one shop but try to spread the wealth by visiting different shops.

Food Markets

There are several markets across the city that are dedicated to selling fresh food. They sell both local and international food, processed or unprocessed. Some of these markets include

Farmers-Market Bern
Asian Food Market - Bern Europaplatz
Markt Waisenhausplatz

Flea Markets

Several flea markets across the city offer both an exciting shopping experience and a chance to mingle with the locals. Most of them sell various things, mostly souvenirs at reasonable prices. However, they tend to double the price when selling to tourists. Some of these flea markets are

Nicky's Schnäppchenshop
Flohmarkt Steinhölzli
Ankauf von ältere Uhren in Bern

Second Hand Stores

The trend of second-hand stores has caught the world by storm; numerous stores have opened where people can buy things they wouldn't usually afford for less than half the price. The most common ones in Bern are:

Salvation Army Bern
Bümpliz Bärner Brocki
Broki Sidewäg

Eco-Fashion

The city has several brands that are dedicated to making fashion that is sustainable and eco-friendly. Some examples of these brands are:

Nordring Fair Fashion
Fairbrands
STOOR

Recycling

The recycling system of Bern is well managed as the city is efficient and conscientious about recycling. There is a long list of rules and regulations regarding the issue. Glass, aluminum, and plastic PET bottles need to be separated and then deposited at local recycling points. Glass items are further divided by color. There is a garbage calendar that tells you when specific waste will be collected. Recycling collection points for most materials are widely available.

Waste

Waste management in Bern is well thought out and managed. The city has a handbook that explains it's waste and recycling system and an annual garbage collection calendar. Rubbish is collected twice a week, and depending on your neighborhood, garbage bags should be placed on the sidewalk on designated days or in local collection containers.

Work and Study Abroad

There are several job opportunities for foreigners in Bern, and foreigners can find these by searching online. Many companies advertise job vacancies through online platforms and their company websites. Bern is also a university city as there are many universities there. International students are encouraged to apply. Many of the universities offer their lessons in English.

Exchange Student

The University of Bern offers exchange programs to students from partner universities, mainly those from other European countries.

Au Pair

An au pair is a young foreign person who helps with housework or childcare in exchange for food, a room, and pocket money. The concept of Au pairs is relatively popular in Bern, although there are a few vacancies. Several agencies and websites connect potential Au pairs with families that need them. One of these websites is "great au pair."

Volunteering

Several voluntary organizations across Bern are always open to volunteers. Some of the best volunteer opportunities include volunteering with girl scouts, volunteering in eco-villages, working with underprivileged women and children, to name a few. The possibilities are endless, and you can look up other volunteer opportunities in the city.