A perfect weekend in Bern The easy-going capital

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Intro

The Bernese may appear to be modest, but in fact they are exceptionally proud: of museums such as the Kunstmuseum and the Zentrum Paul Klee, and especially of their Old Town, built in a loop of the River Aare and now a UNESCO World Heritage Property. When you stroll around this architectural gem, through the medieval arcades and past a host of historic treasures, you have to admit that the locals are right: Bern is in a class of its own, and with its leisurely lifestyle, the perfect destination for a relaxing city break.

Friday.

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Friday, 12 noon: Stroll in the Old Town.

A sequence of attractive historical streets leads in an almost straight line from the station through Bern’s historic heart down to the Bear Park. The picturesque Old Town occupies a peninsula formed by a loop of the River Aare. The view from the Nydegg bridge of the Parliament Building and the workers’ district of Matte shows how Switzerland’s contrasting worlds have long flourished side-by-side.

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Friday, 4 pm: On a bed of roses.

223 varieties of roses, 200 different irises and 28 kinds of rhododendron: this may sound like a fairytale garden, but it is reality. Located near the BearPark high above the Old Town, the Rose Garden also offers glorious views of Bern's medieval houses and the Aare. At the Restaurant Rosengarten, diners sit on the terrace and enjoy new interpretations of traditional dishes, as well as original and sophisticated Mediterranean-style creations.

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Saturday.

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Saturday, 7 pm: Love at first bite.

Bern has plenty of surprises in store – such as the one that greets first-time visitors to the Restaurant Kornhauskeller. Nothing about the doorway hints at the vast dining hall concealed deep underground. The columns and late-Baroque vaulted ceiling suggest a church-like setting, while the striking wall paintings, warm colours, extensive use of wood and subdued lighting create an elegant and sensuous atmosphere.

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Sunday.

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Sunday, 9 am: Brunch at Einstein’s.

The heart of a good breakfast is tasty bread and delicious coffee. But it's all relative. Which is why the café in the Einstein House at Kramgasse 49, in Bern's UNESCO-protected Old Town, also serves lots of other treats. Upstairs, on the second floor, is the apartment where the physicist lived with his family during his years in Bern – and where he developed his famous Theory of Relativity. Today, it houses a small but fascinating museum dedicated to him.

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Sunday, 11 am: Paul Klee and the arts.

The Zentrum Paul Klee is dedicated to an exceptionally wide-ranging artist. Born in Bern, Klee emigrated to Germany but in 1933 returned to his homeland, where he produced his crucial late work. In 2005, the Paul Klee Foundation unveiled this innovative centre designed by Renzo Piano. Under its distinctive undulating roof, compelling temporary exhibitions explore the artist’s work and lasting influence.

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Sunday, 1 pm: Bern’s local mountain.

With the Gurtenbahn, a panoramic funicular, you will reach the peak in an instant. From the viewing tower on the Gurten, Bern’s adventure and festival mountain (locally called Güsche), you will enjoy a wonderful view over the UNESCO city and the mountains, before cultural, culinary and celebratory pleasures clamour for your attention. Perhaps a ride with the Liliput Train across the huge playground on a meadow.

Learn more Common.Of Sunday, 1 pm: Bern’s local mountain.