Bear Park (BärenPark)
Bear Park (BärenPark) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Bern audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~45 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type park
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Bern Bern guide
About Bear Park (BärenPark)
A large natural hillside habitat at the foot of the Nydegg Bridge where Bern's official bears roam, the city has kept bears since 1513, making this the world's longest-running bear tradition.
Bern's bears are among the most distinctive symbols of the Swiss capital, the city's name itself is traditionally associated with the German word for bear (Bär), and a bear has featured on Bern's coat of arms since the 13th century. The city has kept live bears since 1513, making this one of the longest continuously maintained animal keeping traditions in the world. The current Bear Park (BärenPark), opened in 2009, replaced the old bear pit with a much more spacious and naturalistic habitat: a large hillside enclosure beside the Nydegg Bridge and the Aare, where bears can roam among trees, rocks, and a stream. The bears can also access the Aare river directly. The park is free to visit and is one of Bern's most popular attractions.
Did you know? Bern has kept live bears since 1513, over 500 years of continuous bear keeping, making it one of the world's longest civic animal traditions.
How long should you spend at Bear Park (BärenPark)?
Plan about ~45 min at Bear Park (BärenPark). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Bear Park (BärenPark) worth visiting?
Bear Park (BärenPark) is one of the 22 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Bern, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Bern
Hear the story of Bear Park (BärenPark)
Preview the Bern tour free in the Gingerguide app.