Capital city, Switzerland
Bern for solo travelers
Is Bern good for solo travel?
Relaxed federal capital with arcaded old town, Aare river swimming and a calm pace. Good for a slower solo trip or day-trip base; fewer nightlife and expat options than Zurich, and still expensive.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Polite but reserved |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone, day and night. |
How to meet people in Bern
University language exchanges, Aare floating and swimming groups in summer, hostels and Meetup events; the city is small and social groups are easy to find.
Good things to do alone
- Float or swim the Aare from Eichholz
- Climb the Münster tower at sunrise
- Eat rösti at a cellar restaurant
- Walk the Rose Garden at dusk
- Visit Zentrum Paul Klee
Where to stay in Bern
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Altstadt (Old Town) | UNESCO arcades, fountains, restaurants; best for short stays |
| Länggasse | University area with cheaper food, bars and cafés |
| Kirchenfeld and Marzili | Quiet residential area near the Aare and museums |
Solo travel across Switzerland
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Geneva | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lucerne | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Interlaken | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Basel | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lausanne | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lugano | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Grindelwald | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Zermatt | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bern | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| St. Moritz | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Montreux | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Bern good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Relaxed federal capital with arcaded old town, Aare river swimming and a calm pace.
How do you meet people in Bern?
University language exchanges, Aare floating and swimming groups in summer, hostels and Meetup events; the city is small and social groups are easy to find. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Bern?
Widely spoken.
Is Bern safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone, day and night.
More about Bern
Going to Bern solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Bern meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.