Bundesplatz
Bern, Switzerland, 3011
A lively gathering place outside the Swiss Parliament building, this once-uninspiring square was given a facelift in 2003. Now the Bundesplatz draws crowds for its twice-weekly markets, as well as concerts, sporting events, and political demonstrations. It’s also the site of an ice rink in the wintertime and a light show in the fall.
The basics
If the ornate fountains around Bern didn’t give you a hint that this is the City of Fountains, the Bundesplatz will. A grand total of 26 fountains representing the 26 Swiss cantons spray water high into the air to the delight of soggy kids below. Arrive for an event or just people-watching, and you’ll have a nice time in this square. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can join a variety of self-guided or guided walking tours that include stops at the Bundesplatz.
Things to know before you go
The fountains may be in sync or randomized.
The large square stone is made of Vals gneiss.
The nearest public restroom is about 260 yards (240 meters) east.
How to get there
The Bundesplatz is in the center of Bern outside of the Bundeshaus Parliament building. Multiple bus routes stop here, but you can easily walk to it from any point of the Old Quarter or the main train station. If you use the Zytglogge astronomical clock as a central starting point, walk west down Marktgasse then turn south down Kafiggasschen.
When to get there
The Bundesplatz is always open, and there are markets in the square on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The fountains make for refreshing fun in the summer months, though one of the coolest times to visit is in the fall, when the Rendez-vous Bundesplatz sees the Bundeshaus turned into a giant screen for a 30-minute light and sound show. It typically takes place in October and November.
Other popular squares with fountains in Bern
The Bundesplatz is only one of many squares in Bern. While you can splash in its geyser-like fountains, other squares have historic drinking fountains. Far more than your average hallway spigot, fountains like the Mosesbrunnen in Münsterplatz and the Meret Oppenheim Tower Fountain in the Waisenhausplatz are also fully accessible to the public and completely safe to drink from.
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