Berner Münster
Berner Münster
4.5
11:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in the center of the Old Town, this 15th-century cathedral sports a towering 328-foot-tall spire that dominates the city skyline.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Address
How to get there
- Bern Station • 9 min walk
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758 within 3 miles
Attractions
144 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Chrisandra B20 contributionsBern or LucerneWe had 4 extra days in Zurich after a train tour throughout Switzerland. The big question was Bern or Lucerne? My recommendation would be this...if you have seen the lakes, mountains and covered bridges go for Bern. The bears and the Zytglogge Clock Tower are a must see. If you want more nature with the lake, mountains and countryside go for Lucerne. Very beautiful. We chose Bern and just loved the Medievil town, the restaurants and shops.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 8, 2024
- Tunes79Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom569 contributionsA Worthwhile Long ClimbThis review is purely for the Munster tower and the views from there. I had a quick look at the cathedral, but there is work ongoing at present and much of its grandeur is hidden. The same cannot be said of the views from the tower over the city of Bern. Visiting in the morning when it opens (10am) means you have good light on the city beneath you and the Alps beyond on a clear day. You go up more than 200 steps to the first platform and get a good sight of the Altstadt and the river that winds around it, and then another 90 steps to the highest platform from where the views are even more extensive. It is cheap and fun, but not for those without the stamina for a steep climb. One thing to keep an eye out for are the carvings on the tower around you on the first platform, which are easily missed as you look to the surroundings.Visited August 2024Traveled soloWritten August 29, 2024
- Rupert A21 contributionsA lovely old church with great viewsA beautiful building, well worth a look inside and definitely pay for the tickets to climb the spire. Amazing views of Bern and the surrounding countryside . Time your visit for just before 3PM so you can be in the tower next to the ringing bells!Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 25, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,148 reviews
Excellent
575
Very good
461
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97
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8
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7
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Steve R
Temecula, CA2,186 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
My wife and I came here and we were really looking forward to this cathedral. We were HIGHLY disappointed. 1. Construction is being done on the roof and it is covered with wood. 2. I was really looking forward to climbing up the tower for the view of Bern. When I went to buy a ticket for 5CH, the lady told me that I cannot go up by myself. My wife has a fear of heights so she never goes up to view spaces with me. They said that they have had people jump off so they no longer sell a single ticket!!!!! This has NEVER happened to us and we travel the world. This is like saying “you cannot drive a car because you my drive drunk and crash the car.” I even asked if I could go up with another group. The answer “NO”. So if you are a solo traveler, don’t even think about coming here for a view off of the towers. What a joke waste of time.
Also, no photo or video allowed inside.
This place was a total let down.
Also, no photo or video allowed inside.
This place was a total let down.
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Homeschool_Mom_Patti
Peachtree City, GA684 contributions
Dec 2019
If you're in Old City, you may as well stop by and see the beautiful architecture and hear the bells ring. There is a cheese & misc. food market right next to it on Saturdays as well.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julian I
35 contributions
Jun 2021
The Cathedral is currently undergoing renovation, but fortunately its highlight, the Last Judgement Tympaneum is still visible. This is an amazing masterpiece of late medieval sculpture. The originals of the larger pieces can be found in the wonderful Historical Museum of Bern, but the smaller pieces are original and nearly all the work was made by one artist, Kung, a German who took from 20 to 40 years to complete his master work. Inside, there are some tremendous stained-glass windows from the 16th century onwards. Unfortunately, access to the choir was banned and photography not allowed. In better conditions, the Cathedral would warrant a fifth star.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GarryausPs
Princess Anne, MD26 contributions
Feb 2023
With the Fasenacht around the church yard , there was a peace prayer with the attendance of all major denominations of Switzerland.
This was a single event to remember the day of the occupation of the Ukraine .
The church was packed and the organization of this service went like clockwork
A very inspiring hour with much to think about
Thanks the commitee which organized this prayer hour .
Keep on doing the good work for peace in the world.
This was a single event to remember the day of the occupation of the Ukraine .
The church was packed and the organization of this service went like clockwork
A very inspiring hour with much to think about
Thanks the commitee which organized this prayer hour .
Keep on doing the good work for peace in the world.
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anaël
Paris, France921 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Entrance to the collegiate church is free but the building is quite austere. The Gothic style, Protestantism and the use of a gray stone don't really help to warm hearts...
On the other hand, if you are physically fit, consider climbing the steps of the tower. For just 5 Swiss francs, you have the opportunity to have an incredible view of the old town and surrounding areas of Bern as well as the beautiful turquoise/emerald waters of the Aare but also the snow-capped peaks of the Alps!
Please note, the ascent cannot be done solo. You must be in a group and know each other before climbing (it is not possible to join other visitors). I didn't understand why at first and the reason is very simple: the two observation platforms are not equipped with any vacuum protection. You can easily step over the parapet... which must have happened in the past due to the great precaution of the staff and the firmness of this visiting rule. Don't try to play shocked French or negotiate, the rule is the rule.
On the other hand, if you are physically fit, consider climbing the steps of the tower. For just 5 Swiss francs, you have the opportunity to have an incredible view of the old town and surrounding areas of Bern as well as the beautiful turquoise/emerald waters of the Aare but also the snow-capped peaks of the Alps!
Please note, the ascent cannot be done solo. You must be in a group and know each other before climbing (it is not possible to join other visitors). I didn't understand why at first and the reason is very simple: the two observation platforms are not equipped with any vacuum protection. You can easily step over the parapet... which must have happened in the past due to the great precaution of the staff and the firmness of this visiting rule. Don't try to play shocked French or negotiate, the rule is the rule.
Written August 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,608 contributions
Mar 2022
On our 8 days Swiss tour we traveled all over the country and confidently the Bern Cathedral is the most beautiful one we saw. It dominates the city skyline, seen from every corner.
The Cathedral dates back to 15 c with a tall Gothic tower. Amazing stained glass inside. Beside the Cathedral is a nice park to rest and enjoy the beauty.
The Cathedral dates back to 15 c with a tall Gothic tower. Amazing stained glass inside. Beside the Cathedral is a nice park to rest and enjoy the beauty.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AsHammer
Indianapolis, IN239 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Stunning stonework to admire outside the entrance to the church. We didn’t go inside or up for the views, but did spend quite a bit of time simply looking at all the sculptures and story-telling that went into the building. Amazing to reflect upon (even if you’re not religious).
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanka1 🇱🇰🇬🇧
Bicester, UK6,161 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Beautiful cathedral located at the heart of Bern. It's currently under a restoration operation so you might experience disruptions. This also offers an opportunity to go all the way to the top of the building using the spiral staircase but you're only allowed to go as pairs. Tickets for this can be bought at the church shop.
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthias W
Vienna, Austria538 contributions
Dec 2022
While the minster is actually beautiful (particularly the stained glass windows of the chancel and the vault), the ban of photography is just contrary to almost all updated policies in other countries.
While the UK (e.g. Westminster Abbey & St Paul's Cathedral), Spain (Toledo cathedral), Italy (St Mark's in Venice) or Germany (St Lorenz in Nuremburg) lifted their bans on photography in the past couple of years, Switzerland seems to go the opposite way. Until 2018 you could take photos in Bern, up to 2014 in Zurich as well.
Reasons given are that photography disturbs the visitors (churches in Zurich even goes as far to blame particularly Asian tourists). Clearly all of it comes rather down to wanting to make more money which one could also obtain by just requiring a couple of CHF for a photo permit (which I would happily spent money on). But I guess the Swiss church rather wants disgruntled visitors.
Add on top of that the ridiculous rule that you need to be at least a party of two to climb the church tower. A rule which is unique to this particular church as well. And I have climbed dozens of church towers alone in 2022 and nowhere else has it been an issue to be a solo traveller. So have fun in a solo traveller hating church which hates on people taking photos in addition.
Note that on my last visit in 2018 (and all my previous 5 visits) none of those ridiculous rules had been in place.
While the UK (e.g. Westminster Abbey & St Paul's Cathedral), Spain (Toledo cathedral), Italy (St Mark's in Venice) or Germany (St Lorenz in Nuremburg) lifted their bans on photography in the past couple of years, Switzerland seems to go the opposite way. Until 2018 you could take photos in Bern, up to 2014 in Zurich as well.
Reasons given are that photography disturbs the visitors (churches in Zurich even goes as far to blame particularly Asian tourists). Clearly all of it comes rather down to wanting to make more money which one could also obtain by just requiring a couple of CHF for a photo permit (which I would happily spent money on). But I guess the Swiss church rather wants disgruntled visitors.
Add on top of that the ridiculous rule that you need to be at least a party of two to climb the church tower. A rule which is unique to this particular church as well. And I have climbed dozens of church towers alone in 2022 and nowhere else has it been an issue to be a solo traveller. So have fun in a solo traveller hating church which hates on people taking photos in addition.
Note that on my last visit in 2018 (and all my previous 5 visits) none of those ridiculous rules had been in place.
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
New York City, NY3,304 contributions
Dec 2019
I visited the Cathedral at Munsterplatz (Munster Kirche) in December 2019. The weather was very rainy. I went inside and had a quick look. The cathedral was undergoing renovation so it was not convenient to spend a lot of time here. You can get a good photo of the cathedral from the outside but you are not allowed to take photos inside.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Approximately how long does it take to climb up and down the steps for an average person?
Written March 7, 2020
Very quick if you are an average person. For us, it took between 5 and 10 mins and we stopped several times to take pictures. It's a steep but rather short climb, you will easily make it. Enjoy :)
Written March 8, 2020
How much does a ticket cost for general admission, and/or the bell tower?
Written September 13, 2019
I don't remember whether we entered for free because we had Swiss Travel Passes, but I'm pretty sure the nave is open to the public.
Written September 13, 2019
Hi, Do you know when the restoration will be finished? thanks
Written May 16, 2017
only God knows haha.
there wasn't any signs given about that.
Written May 17, 2017
What are the open hours for the Cathedral? What is the cost to climb to the top?
Written August 24, 2016
To enter the cathedral it's free, the cost to go to the tower is between 12 and 15, I cannot remember exactly.
Written September 13, 2019
6.- a persona (adulta)
Written October 8, 2016
Cathedral at Munsterplatz / St. Vincent (Munster Kirche) - open hours in April 2015 ?
Written March 8, 2015
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