Bern is Switzerland’s federal capital, a compact Aare River city of roughly 130,000–140,000 people, founded in 1191 and famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Town with kilometres of covered arcades. The classic first stops are the Zytglogge clock tower, the cathedral (Berner Münster) and the Federal Palace (Bundeshaus), with postcard views from the Rosengarten above the river loop. Bern is also closely linked to Albert Einstein, who lived here while developing key ideas, and the city’s bear symbol lives on at the BearPark by the Aare. Despite being the capital, it feels relaxed and very walkable, with river swimming in summer and easy day trips into the Bernese Oberland. Getting around is simple on the tram and bus network, with fast trains to Zurich, Basel, Lucerne and Geneva.
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