Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum)
Hodlerstrasse 8, Bern, Switzerland, 3011
Opened in 1879, the Museum of Fine Arts (Kuntsmuseum) is one of Switzerland’s oldest art museums and houses one of the country’s most impressive collections. Here, you can see artworks by Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler, Paul Klee, Meret Oppenheim, and many more. Temporary exhibitions tend to run for a year or two, making the Kunstmuseum worthy of a revisit on return trips to Bern.
The basics
The Museum of Fine Art features a permanent collection that dates from the Middle Ages to today, as well as changing exhibitions. The museum offers guided tours in German, English, and French, either focussed on specific exhibitions or showcasing highlights of the collection. Most visitors spend a few hours here browsing at their leisure, but you may want to plan more time if you’re hoping to join a tour or if stopping for refreshments at the on-site café.
If traveling with kids, there are regular events tailored for families—listed online on the museum’s official website—and you can borrow museum discovery kits from the ticket office, which feature a telescope, coloring pencils, and activities.
Things to know before you go
There’s an on-site café, serving coffee, sandwiches, and snacks.
Pick up postcards, art prints, and souvenirs at the museum’s gift shop.
Audio-guided tours and text exhibition references are downloadable for free.
How to get there
Bern’s Museum of Fine Arts is located at Hodlerstrasse 8 on the south side of the Aare River. Limited parking is available, so it’s recommended to travel by public transport or walk. From Bern station, it’s around 10 minutes on foot, or you can catch buses 11, 20, or 21 and get off at the Bollwerk stop.
When to get there
The Museum of Fine Arts is closed on Mondays and open from Tuesday to Sunday, typically from 10am to 5pm. It runs longer hours on Tuesdays when it closes around 8pm. Weekends are usually the busiest time, so plan a weekday trip if possible. It’s also worth checking the calendar on its website ahead of your visit, as it runs regular workshops and events.
Where to find art museums in Bern
The Museum of Fine Art is a great place to start exploring Bern’s art museums. Other venues to add to your itinerary include the Kunsthalle, to see contemporary art on a guided tour; the small Galerie da Mihi, which is free to visit and located in the center of the city; and Zentrum Paul Klee, where you can see the world’s largest collection of the artist’s works.
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