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Tourists are fascinated by the mechanics of the historic clock in the Zytglogge tower in Bern, surrounded by the impressive architecture and the clockwork, which they eagerly study.
A group of people listen attentively to a guide explaining the dial of a historical clock. The atmosphere is inquisitive and tense as the visitors immerse themselves in the history and workings of the clock.
A person gazes in fascination at the complex inner workings of a historical clock. The scene, captured in a room full of old mechanics, radiates a deep interest and reverence for traditional craftsmanship.

Tour of the Clock Tower (Zytglogge)

Going on a tour of the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) means: taking a look behind the clock that has existed for hundreds of years, learning about the history of this Bernese monument and enjoying the wonderful view from the top of the tower.


Private tour

This tour can only be booked by telephone on +41 31 328 12 12 or by e-mail to citytours@bern.com.

from CHF 250.00

Public tour

from CHF 10.00

Privat ecombined tour

This tour can only be booked by telephone on +41 31 328 12 12 or by e-mail to citytours@bern.com.

from CHF 375.00

Public combined tour

from CHF 18.00

Useful information

  • Year-round
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
  • Language
  • City of Bern

The tour will be conducted bilingually if there is sufficient demand.

Every hour, on the hour, something unique happens in Bern: medieval figurines appear from the Zytglogge (Clock Tower). The dancing bears, the cheeky fool and the crowing rooster have been a joy for the public every day for centuries. But who knows what they represent, how the mechanism works, and which stories are hidden behind the strong walls of the clock tower?

The exceptional atmosphere inside the tower makes the one-hour tour a special experience – it seems like time has been standing still for many years. The heavy wooden beams, the thick stone walls and the cool and quiet air take the visitors into the past, always accompanied by the steady ticking of the medieval clock.

On the tour of the historic building, visitors will examine the gears and the apparatus of the old clock, watch the figurines closely and learn interesting facts about the history and the different roles of the Zytglogge (Clock Tower).

They will also look at the astronomical calendar clock, the Astrolabium, on the eastern side of the tower and discover how it works, with its slowly moving clock hands, the turning discs and the skillfully crafted celestial bodies.

The tour ends high up on the viewing platform of the monument. The reward for climbing some 130 steps is a wonderful view of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its rooftops, chimneys and towers – another highlight on this interesting tour. When the weather is good, you can see all the way to the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

Be it history fans, locals or visitors – everyone will enjoy this tour!

The Zytglogge (Clock Tower) tour is also available in combination with the walking tour of the UNESCO Stroll through the Old City.

“The Zytglogge tour really is an experience! Ever since I saw the centuries-old clockwork with its huge pendulum for the first time, I've been hooked.”
Patrik Bohnenblust

Guided tours and language offers

Private tour
Dates
Year-round
Meeting point
duration
1h
Price
  • CHF 250.00
Language
German, French, Italian, English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish
Number of participants
Maximum 19 people per group
Reservation
This tour can only be booked by telephone on +41 31 328 12 12 or by e-mail to citytours@bern.com.

Meeting point

City Tours Bern
Bahnhofplatz 10a
3011 Bern

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