3 to 9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
Immerse yourself in the enchanting capital of Switzerland with our premium audio guide, crafted by local historians and sound artists. Unlike rigid group tours, our experience grants you the freedom to explore Bern's UNESCO-listed Old Town at your own rhythm—pause, replay, or linger where your curiosity takes you. Uncover hidden stories and secret spots that even locals don't know about, from medieval legends to architectural mysteries. Our professionally narrated commentary, enriched with ambient sounds and musical elements, transforms ordinary sightseeing into a cinematic journey through time. Skip the crowded tour groups and expensive private guides while gaining deeper insights than any guidebook offers. The perfect blend of flexibility and insider knowledge ensures you'll experience authentic Bern beyond the tourist façade, creating memories that last a lifetime.
What's Included
- Admission fee
- Private access links are valid until your tour is complete (maximum 6 days)
- Private access link to the audio guide in one playlist for all 13 attractions
- Private access link to a tour itinerary map of 13 attractions with audio guide individually
- Audio devices (earphones and internet / Wi-Fi)
Meeting Location
Meeting point
Bern
Switzerland
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Central Railroad Station
Begin your journey at Switzerland's second-largest railway hub, a magnificent blend of historic architecture and modern engineering. Your audio guide reveals how this seemingly ordinary station played a crucial role in Switzerland's neutrality during both World Wars, serving as a diplomatic crossroads. Discover the hidden artistic details in the main hall that most visitors overlook, including symbolic motifs that tell the story of Swiss transportation history. Our narration explains the ingenious underground expansions that allow this historic building to handle over 200,000 travelers daily without sacrificing its elegant façade. Take your time exploring the exquisite clock tower, whose mechanisms were designed by the same engineers who created Bern's famous astronomical clocks.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Church of the Holy Ghost
Step into this architectural masterpiece, the most important Baroque religious building in Switzerland. Your audio guide unveils the church's surprising history as a medieval hospital before becoming a spiritual sanctuary. Marvel at the extraordinarily detailed stucco decorations as our narration points out hidden symbolism missed by ordinary visitors. Learn about the church's revolutionary role during the Reformation and why its unique oval shape represents a theological statement that changed religious architecture across Europe. Our exclusive acoustic recordings demonstrate how the church's perfect acoustics were achieved centuries before modern sound engineering, allowing you to experience the space exactly as 18th-century composers intended when creating music specifically for this extraordinary venue.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Bundesplatz
Experience the vibrant heart of Swiss democracy as your audio guide transforms this seemingly simple square into a stage where Switzerland's most dramatic political moments unfolded. Discover the hidden meanings behind the square's water choreography—32 fountain jets representing each Swiss canton, programmed in sophisticated patterns reflecting Switzerland's precise democratic balance. Our narration reveals what happens beneath this square, including the gold vaults and secure chambers that remain one of Switzerland's best-kept secrets. Learn which international negotiations occurred in the buildings surrounding the plaza, including peace treaties that shaped modern Europe. Enjoy fascinating anecdotes about diplomatic incidents and celebrations that never made international headlines but fundamentally shaped Switzerland's unique position in global politics.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kafigturm
Uncover the fascinating dual nature of this medieval tower through our expertly narrated commentary. While tourists admire its picturesque exterior, your audio guide reveals its darker history as a women's prison where accused "witches" were once interrogated. Our narration points out the architectural elements that tell this complex story—from the deliberately intimidating stone façade to the surprisingly ornate upper sections symbolizing justice and redemption. Discover how this tower's transformation from place of punishment to cultural center reflects Switzerland's evolution toward becoming a progressive democracy. Your audio experience includes exclusive access to little-known stories about famous prisoners and daring escapes that local guides rarely mention, giving you a profound understanding of how Bern's approach to justice transformed over centuries.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Child Eater Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen)
Stand before one of Europe's most bizarre monuments as your audio guide unravels the disturbing yet fascinating mystery of Bern's infamous ogre devouring children. While tourists snap quick photos, you'll discover multiple competing theories about this fountain's true meaning—from representations of Greek myths to warnings about the Jewish community during medieval times. Our narration reveals specific sculptural details that support each interpretation, allowing you to decide which explanation seems most plausible. Learn how this grotesque figure influenced modern art and literature, including connections to famous works you'll recognize. The audio experience includes exclusive interviews with folklore experts who share psychological insights into why such a disturbing image remains beloved by locals, who consider it an essential part of their cultural identity despite its macabre appearance.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Old City
Navigate the UNESCO-protected medieval heart of Bern with expert guidance that transforms these charming streets into a living historical document. Your audio tour reveals the ingenious medieval urban planning that made Bern's Old City revolutionary for its time—including the sophisticated arcaded walkways that allowed commerce to continue regardless of weather conditions. Discover hidden courtyard gardens behind unassuming facades, accessible through easy-to-miss passageways that our narration helps you locate. Learn to spot the subtle architectural differences that reveal a building's age and original purpose, developing an "architectural eye" that transforms ordinary sightseeing into fascinating historical detective work. Our exclusive narration includes the stories behind specific family crests and symbolic decorations, connecting these visual elements to the powerful merchant families who shaped Bern's golden age.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Berner Munster
Experience Switzerland's tallest cathedral in extraordinary depth as your audio guide reveals structural elements and artistic details invisible to the casual observer. While other visitors simply admire the imposing exterior, you'll understand how this architectural marvel was constructed using medieval engineering techniques that pushed the boundaries of what was possible at the time. Our narration guides you to specific stone carvings in the portal that tell biblical stories through sophisticated visual symbolism, explaining their meaning and pointing out the master sculptor's signature details. Learn why the cathedral's completion took over three centuries and how political revolutions influenced its design. The audio experience includes specially recorded acoustic demonstrations of how the space amplifies the magnificent organ, whose pipes range from the size of a pencil to over 10 meters tall.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kirche St Peter & Paul
Discover the architectural and historical significance of this Neo-Gothic masterpiece, unusual in predominantly Protestant Bern. Your audio guide explains how this Catholic church represents a crucial turning point in Swiss religious history, marking the end of centuries of restriction on Catholic worship. Explore the magnificent stained glass windows as our narration points out symbolic elements and artistic techniques that make them among the finest examples of 19th-century glass art in Europe. Learn about the controversial construction period and the political compromises that allowed this distinctly Catholic structure to be built in the heart of historically Protestant territory. The audio experience reveals the fascinating acoustical properties of the church through specially recorded demonstrations of its remarkable sound environment, explaining why renowned musicians seek out this space for recordings.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Nydegg Church (Nydeggkirche)
Explore this architectural gem situated at the birthplace of Bern itself. Your audio guide reveals how archaeological excavations beneath the church uncovered remains of the city's original defensive structures, telling the story of Bern's strategic founding. Learn how this seemingly modest church represents a fascinating blend of architectural styles resulting from centuries of modifications and expansions—each architectural element a visual clue to different periods in Swiss history. Our narration points out easily missed details in the interior that contain symbolic references to Bern's transition from Catholic to Protestant worship, explaining the theological significance of seemingly decorative elements. Discover the church's connection to Bern's powerful guilds through specific artifacts and memorial plaques, understanding how these trade associations shaped both the physical and political landscape of medieval Switzerland.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Nydeggbrucke
Cross this engineering marvel while your audio guide explains its revolutionary significance in Bern's development. Unlike ordinary bridges, this structure represented cutting-edge engineering when built, spanning the deep Aare gorge at a time when such construction challenged the limits of architectural knowledge. Our narration reveals how this bridge transformed Bern's economic and social geography by connecting previously isolated communities, creating new trade patterns that accelerated the city's prosperity. Learn to spot the subtle reinforcements added over centuries as the bridge adapted to increasing traffic while maintaining its historic character. The audio experience includes the dramatic story of how this bridge survived numerous catastrophic floods that destroyed other structures, featuring eyewitness accounts from historical documents rarely accessible to the public.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Barenpark
Discover the surprisingly complex story behind Bern's famous bear pits as your audio guide transforms this seemingly simple tourist attraction into a fascinating case study of evolving attitudes toward wildlife and conservation. Learn how the bear enclosures progressed from cruel medieval pits to the current sophisticated habitat, reflecting Switzerland's changing relationship with its national symbol. Our narration reveals specific design elements of the modern bear park that solve complex behavioral and ethical challenges, representing cutting-edge thinking in animal welfare. Hear exclusive stories about individual bears whose personalities became legendary among locals, including diplomatic incidents where bears were gifted to foreign dignitaries as political gestures. The audio experience provides optimal viewing positions and timing suggestions to maximize your chances of observing fascinating bear behaviors typically missed by casual visitors.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Rosengarten
Experience this magnificent garden as more than just a pretty viewpoint. Your audio guide explains how this space transformed from a cemetery to one of Europe's most sophisticated rose collections, reflecting changing cultural attitudes toward urban planning and public spaces. Learn to identify rare heritage rose varieties using our expert descriptions, understanding their historical significance and the remarkable journey. Our narration reveals how the careful landscape design creates a series of "outdoor rooms" with distinct emotional qualities, demonstrating principles of garden architecture that influenced parks worldwide. Discover the garden's connection to Switzerland's scientific community through botanical research conducted using its collections. The audio experience includes sensory guidance on experiencing the garden's subtle aromatic progression as you move through different sections, an aspect entirely missed by visitors without insider knowledge.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten)
Explore this living museum with expert guidance that reveals its significance beyond beautiful plantings. Your audio guide explains how this garden participates in critical conservation efforts, preserving endangered Alpine species threatened by climate change. Learn to identify remarkable botanical adaptations as our narration points out specific plants with extraordinary survival mechanisms. Discover the garden's historical significance in the development of botanical science, including specific beds where experiments led to breakthroughs in understanding plant genetics and physiology. Our exclusive commentary reveals the sophisticated engineering behind the different climate zones within the greenhouses. The audio experience includes seasonal highlights ensuring you don't miss currently flowering rarities, along with fascinating stories about plant explorers who risked their lives to bring exotic specimens to Switzerland throughout history.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Since this tour is a self-guided audio tour, you can choose where to start and finish according to your preference.
- How Our Self-Guided Audio Tour Works:
- 1. Receive Access Links: On your selected date of travel, before your starting time, you'll receive an email containing two important links for your audio guide.
- 2. Audio Content (Link 1): Click on our secure SoundCloud web link to access the audio guides. You can listen to individual attraction guides or the entire tour to plan your visit. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the content before or during your tour.
- 3. Interactive Map (Link 2): Use our secure Google My Maps link to locate all attractions on an interactive map. Each point on the map corresponds to a stop on the tour and links directly to its audio guide.
- 4. Flexible Exploration: As you explore the city use the map to navigate between stops. At each location, simply click on the corresponding point to play the relevant audio guide.
- 5. Plan Your Route: You can use both links to plan your route in advance, deciding which attractions you want to prioritize or if you want to follow the suggested order of the tour.
- 6. Customer Support: If you have any questions about accessing or using the audio guide, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable experience
- Remember, this self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Feel free to take breaks, spend more time at your favourite locations, or even split the tour across multiple days. The flexibility of our audio guide ensures you can tailor the experience to your preferences and schedule.
- What to Bring: * Headphones/Earphones * Fully charged smartphone * Internet access
- *While all the tourist attractions mentioned above are free to visit, please note that if any attractions have recently implemented entry fees, travelers will need to purchase their own tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
(5)Q: What's included in the price?
Cancellation Policy
This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-18568P164
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (5)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Admission fee.
- Private access links are valid until your tour is complete (maximum 6 days).
- Private access link to the audio guide in one playlist for all 13 attractions.
- Private access link to a tour itinerary map of 13 attractions with audio guide individually.
The following is NOT included:
- Audio devices (earphones and internet / Wi-Fi).
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Bern Self-Guided Audio Experience is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Bern Self-Guided Audio Experience will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Admission fee
- Private access links are valid until your tour is complete (maximum 6 days)
- Private access link to the audio guide in one playlist for all 13 attractions
- Private access link to a tour itinerary map of 13 attractions with audio guide individually
- Audio devices (earphones and internet / Wi-Fi)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Since this tour is a self-guided audio tour, you can choose where to start and finish according to your preference.
- How Our Self-Guided Audio Tour Works:
- 1. Receive Access Links: On your selected date of travel, before your starting time, you'll receive an email containing two important links for your audio guide.
- 2. Audio Content (Link 1): Click on our secure SoundCloud web link to access the audio guides. You can listen to individual attraction guides or the entire tour to plan your visit. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the content before or during your tour.
- 3. Interactive Map (Link 2): Use our secure Google My Maps link to locate all attractions on an interactive map. Each point on the map corresponds to a stop on the tour and links directly to its audio guide.
- 4. Flexible Exploration: As you explore the city use the map to navigate between stops. At each location, simply click on the corresponding point to play the relevant audio guide.
- 5. Plan Your Route: You can use both links to plan your route in advance, deciding which attractions you want to prioritize or if you want to follow the suggested order of the tour.
- 6. Customer Support: If you have any questions about accessing or using the audio guide, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable experience
- Remember, this self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Feel free to take breaks, spend more time at your favourite locations, or even split the tour across multiple days. The flexibility of our audio guide ensures you can tailor the experience to your preferences and schedule.
- What to Bring: * Headphones/Earphones * Fully charged smartphone * Internet access
- *While all the tourist attractions mentioned above are free to visit, please note that if any attractions have recently implemented entry fees, travelers will need to purchase their own tickets.
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