Rose Garden Bern

Rose Garden Bern (Rosengarten) is a hillside park above the Old Town of Bern, Switzerland, best known for its sweeping view over the city. It covers roughly 23,000 square metres, is open around the clock and costs nothing to enter.

What is there to see?

The view is the reason most people climb up. From the terraces you look across the loop of the Aare river and the rooftops of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety, and on clear days to the Alps beyond. Late afternoon light on the old roofs makes for the best photos.

The planting is a draw too. About 200 rose varieties and around 200 iris varieties grow here, along with 28 rhododendron species in the damper beds. In spring the park is known for its cherry trees, 110 of which were a gift from Japan. On the path down towards the BearPark you will pass a bronze figure of Albert Einstein.

How did the park come about?

The city bought the land in 1751 to make up for a shortage of burial space, and a municipal cemetery operated here from 1765. The name Rosengarten is older than today's flowerbeds. It dates from the cemetery era, when the rose stood for martyrdom and noble struggle. The grounds opened to the public as a promenade in 1913, and the layout has been reworked more than once, including a redesign in 1951-1962. The city's green-space department, Stadtgrün Bern, looks after the park and has commissioned a historical study of the site.

Where can you eat?

Restaurant Rosengarten (Alter Aargauerstalden 31b) sits at the southern entrance with a terrace facing the Old Town and the Alps. From mid-October to the end of February it serves fondue on a glassed-in veranda. Published opening hours differ between sources, so confirm them with the restaurant before you go.

How do you get there?

The park lies just across the Aare from the Old Town. From the centre you can walk over the Nydeggbrücke and uphill. The BearPark is right next door. There is no ticket and no closing time.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Rose Garden free? Yes. It is open 24 hours a day with no admission charge.

When should I visit? Roses and irises peak in late spring and summer, and the cherry trees flower in spring. The city view works in every season.

Is there food on site? Yes. Restaurant Rosengarten at the southern entrance has a terrace with views and serves fondue in winter.

What is nearby? The BearPark and the UNESCO-listed Old Town, both reachable on foot.