Wellness Royal

Spa hotels in Bern

The canton of Bern combines a UNESCO World Heritage capital (1983) with the oldest Alpine World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch (2001) and premium mountain spas in the Bernese Oberland — Gstaad, Grindelwald, Lenk.

Bern wellness & spa hotels

Holidays & wellness in the canton of Bern

Bern is the Swiss capital and namesake of a canton that reaches from the UNESCO World Heritage old town on the Central Plateau to the iconic high-Alpine summits of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. With two UNESCO World Heritage sites — the old town of Bern (1983) and Jungfrau-Aletsch (2001, the first Alpine World Heritage site) — and one of the most varied Swiss wellness topographies. Three wellness worlds share the canton. First, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bern itself, embedded in the loop of the Aare, with its iconic 6 km of arcade architecture and the unique tradition of Aare swimming as an act of city wellness. Second, the Bernese Oberland with the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau trio, the oldest Alpine UNESCO World Heritage, and classic premium hotels in Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren and Gstaad. Third, the spa lineage in Lenk in the Simmental — one of the strongest sulphur springs in Europe — and smaller addresses in Adelboden, Kandersteg and on Lake Thun.

What this region stands for

  • UNESCO World Heritage city wellness
  • Alpine premium wellness (Bernese Oberland)
  • Sulphur spa tradition (Lenk)
  • Family wellness (Adelboden, Lake Thun)
  • Aare swimming as a city act
  • Gourmet wellness (Emmental cheese, Berner Platte)

Why wellness here?

The canton of Bern carries a variety rare in Switzerland of three wellness worlds — a UNESCO World Heritage city, high-Alpine mountain-spa hotels and classic spa towns. The city of Bern has been UNESCO World Heritage since 1983 — the medieval old town with its 6 km of arcades (Lauben) is among the longest arcade ensembles in Europe. Sandstone buildings, the Zytglogge with its astronomical clock (15th century), Bern Minster with the tallest church tower in Switzerland (100 m) and the loop of the Aare as a geographical bracket shape the cityscape. Aare swimming — letting the current of the Aare carry you through the city — is a city-wellness tradition unique in Europe; in summer Bernese and visitors practise it as a matter-of-course refreshment routine. The Bernese Oberland opens the canton into its Alpine heights. The Eiger (3,967 m), Mönch (4,107 m) and Jungfrau (4,158 m) form the most iconic mountain trio in Europe; the surrounding area has been protected since 2001, together with the Aletsch glacier, as the UNESCO World Heritage “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch” — the first Alpine World Heritage site in the world. Classic premium wellness addresses: Gstaad as a global luxury location, Grindelwald and Wengen beneath the Eiger north-face routes, Mürren on the Schynige Platte plateau, Kandersteg on the Oeschinensee. Lenk in the Simmental — in the far south of the canton of Bern — carries one of the strongest sulphur springs in Europe and is a classic sulphur spa. Alongside Adelboden as a climatic health resort, Beatenberg above Lake Thun, the canton's share of Lake Lucerne as the gateway to Central Switzerland. The Gstaad sports centre with Finnish sauna, steam bath and Kneipp facility completes the profile.

When to travel here

Summer (May–September): Aare swimming in the capital, hiking in the Bernese Oberland (the Jungfrau-Aletsch region), pre-Alpine lake wellness on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. May/June for the mountain-meadow blossom, August/September for clear views in the high Alps, October for Indian summer in the Emmental and on the Central Plateau. Winter (December–April): winter-sports high season in Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Gstaad, Adelboden, Lenk. A classic Swiss winter-sports stronghold with upmarket après-spa hotels. Spa towns all year round. The shoulder months May/June and October/November are insider phases for longer wellness stays without the crowds.

Sights and anchors for the spa-free day

Official tourism portals

Up-to-date information on getting there, events, opening hours and visitor's tax is available directly from the destinations.

Frequently asked questions about the region

What is Aare swimming — and who does it?

Aare swimming is a genuinely Bernese city-wellness tradition. The Aare flows with a marked current through the centre of Bern; in summer (roughly May to October, depending on temperatures and water level) Bernese and visitors let the current carry them through the city. The classic course: entry at the Marzili baths above the Federal Palace, exit at one of the designated points downstream (at the Eichholz or the Lorraine baths, say).

Important safety notes: the Aare is cold (hardly above 20 °C even in high summer), has a current and eddies in places; enter and exit only at official points, not during high water, not after alcohol. Even so: a city experience unique in Europe — the few capitals with comparably usable river water can be counted on one hand.

Which UNESCO World Heritage sites are there in the canton of Bern?

The canton of Bern carries two independent UNESCO World Heritage sites. The old town of Bern (since 1983) as a medieval city ensemble with 6 km of arcades, the Zytglogge, Bern Minster and the Aare loop. Jungfrau-Aletsch (since 2001) as the first Alpine World Heritage site in the world, with the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau and the largest Alpine glacier, the Aletsch.

Both World Heritage sites can be combined in one wellness trip — the Bern–Interlaken rail link is well developed, and day trips to the Jungfraujoch or the Aletsch glacier are possible from a Bern city-wellness stay.

Which wellness world in the canton of Bern is for me?

The city of Bern: UNESCO World Heritage atmosphere, Aare swimming, medieval arcades, the Zentrum Paul Klee, the Federal Palace. A classic city-wellness profile with a cultural anchor.

The Bernese Oberland (Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Wilderswil): UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch, Alpine premium hotels, a ski circus in winter, hiking and climbing in summer.

Gstaad-Saanenland: a global premium location, upmarket hotels at St. Moritz level, ski areas including Glacier 3000, the Menuhin Festival.

Lenk-Simmental, Adelboden, Kandersteg: classic Swiss family and spa-town wellness. Lenk with one of the strongest sulphur springs in Europe as its spa anchor.

Lake Thun and Lake Brienz: pre-Alpine lake wellness, Interlaken as the gateway to the Bernese Oberland, classic boat trips and shore promenades.

When is the best time to travel?

Summer (May–September): Aare swimming in Bern, hiking in the Bernese Oberland, Jungfraujoch tours (“Top of Europe”), pre-Alpine lake wellness on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. May/June for the mountain-meadow blossom, August/September for clear views in the high Alps.

Winter (December–April): winter-sports high season in Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Gstaad, Adelboden, Lenk. Classic Swiss winter-sports strongholds with upmarket après-spa hotels.

The shoulder months May/June and October/November: insider phases for longer wellness stays. The city of Bern and the spa towns in full operation all year; the classic phase for medically supervised sulphur cures in Lenk.

Bern — spa hotels & holidays

The city of Bern lies centrally on the Swiss Central Plateau at 542 metres above sea level and is embraced by the Aare in a dramatic loop. This natural barrier helped Bern remain an important defensive position and a strategic trading place for centuries. Today history and modernity flow together harmoniously: from the well-kept parks to the trendy cafés of the Marzili quarter, Bern presents urban life with a relaxed atmosphere.

The canton of Bern is the second-largest in Switzerland and stretches from the gentle hills of the Emmental in the north across the Central Plateau to the spectacular summits of the Bernese Oberland, among them the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The contrast between the Alpine regions, the idyllic valleys and the urban capital makes the canton a unique combination of natural and cultural landscape.

The geographical region around the city of Bern, also called the Mittelland, offers a mixture of fertile plains, wooded hills and villages rich in tradition such as Burgdorf and Langenthal. Agriculture, especially dairy farming and cheese production, plays a central role here.

Bern's old town — UNESCO World Heritage since 1983

Bern's old town is a marvel of medieval town planning and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Characteristic are the 6 kilometres of arcades, among the longest in Europe, and the sandstone buildings that give the city its uniform face.

Sights of the old town:

  • Zytglogge (clock tower): one of Bern's oldest structures, originally built as a watchtower, today showing an astronomical clock with an elaborate figure play.
  • Bern Minster: the tallest church tower in Switzerland (100 metres) offers a spectacular view over the city as far as the Alps. The Gothic architecture and the elaborate stained glass are a masterpiece of church building.
  • Kramgasse: this main street of the old town is lined with traditional shops, boutiques and restaurants that combine history and contemporary city life.

Art and architecture in the capital

  • Zentrum Paul Klee: architect Renzo Piano, opened 2005 — three wave-shaped hill buildings housing the largest collection of Paul Klee's works in the world.
  • Federal Palace: the political heart of Switzerland, where the Federal Assembly sits, offers free guided tours that give visitors an insight into Swiss democracy.
  • Dampfzentrale: a former power station on the banks of the Aare, today a stage for contemporary dance, theatre and experimental music.

Cuisine from the Central Plateau and the Alps

  • Berner Platte: a traditional dish of various meats, bacon, sauerkraut and potatoes — created around 1798.
  • Emmental cheese: the world-famous cheese from the region, used in local dishes from cheese fondue to Älplermagronen.
  • The Swiss chocolate tradition — Bern and the canton carry a confectionery history of their own with several manufactories rich in tradition.

From the banks of the Aare into the Alps

In the city:

  • Aare swimming: a unique experience. In summer Bernese and visitors let the current of the Aare carry them — a refreshing city-wellness tradition, unique in Europe for a capital.
  • Rose garden: high above the old town, with more than 200 varieties of roses and one of the best views of the city.

In the canton:

  • Emmental: home of Emmental cheese, a paradise for hikers and cyclists through green hills and past farms.
  • Bernese Oberland: only an hour from the city — the Alps with iconic summits (Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau), the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch, ski areas such as Grindelwald, Wengen and Gstaad.
  • Lenk in the Simmental: a classic Swiss sulphur spa with one of the strongest sulphur springs in Europe — the canton's spa address.

Images:

ilijaa / Adobe