BearPark

I’m usually not a fan of places that keep animals in captivity—but Bear Park in Bern was a real surprise. The setting is absolutely beautiful, nestled beside the river with plenty of space for the bears to roam. They’ve even got access to a natural swimming pool from the river, which was amazing to see. The bears looked healthy, relaxed, and genuinely well cared for—it felt more like a sanctuary than a zoo. Best of all, it wasn’t crowded at all when we visited, and to our surprise, entry is completely free. You can walk right through and observe these magnificent brown bears up close, without any fencing or enclosures getting in the way of the view. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in Bern—it was a highlight of our visit.

An amazing experience and a chance to see some brown bears in real life. Great for kids but also adults who miss their childhood. Right next to the river, the park is both scenic and entertaining.

I didn’t expect to see real bears right in the center of Bern—such a fun and unique experience! I arrived around 3 PM, just in time for the feeding session. That’s when the bears all gather together and you can really see them up close. It was super interesting to watch! Outside of feeding time, they usually hang out near the lower part of the enclosure or wander under the trees by the fence. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Bern, especially with kids or if you love animals. A cool little surprise in the middle of the city!

It's a really cool place for a Tourist to visit. The view is beautiful, the River crossing the city is awesome and the Bears have a large space to live in.

Difficult to see bears but we had great shots over the bridge of the old Bern Town. If you stay in Old Town, can take Bus 12 to save some walking. It's free if you stay in the hotel. Just download BernApp and ask them for the activation code

It’s quite astonishing to see a bear park right in the middle of the city — a truly unique setting. The enclosure is spacious, well-designed, and blends beautifully with the natural surroundings along the river. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into making it as comfortable as possible for the bears. Still, it’s a reminder that the animals are in captivity, which can feel a bit bittersweet despite the excellent care they receive.

Bärengraben in Bern is a must see! It's historic and lovely. And didn't worry, they aren't just in the pits that you initially see, they have a large, shady area to roam with lots of bushes and trees, and even some water to splash in. They are well taken care of. After enjoying the bears, head down to the Aare River and soak your feet. It's absolutely beautiful! If you're feeling adventurous, bring your swimsuit and a wet bag to float down the river!

Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen, who, according to legend, named the city after the first animal he hunted there—a bear. The bear became the city’s symbol, appearing on its coat of arms, and Bern has kept live bears for centuries. The first recorded bears were brought to the city in 1513 after Bernese troops captured them as war trophies during the Battle of Novara in northern Italy.