Old Town

Biel

Find ancient fountains and buildings and enjoy the pleasant mix of language and culture in this French/German spot in Switzerland.

The Old Town of Biel/Bienne is a charming 800-year-old Swiss neighborhood. Stroll around its Ring and other squares while listening to locals intermixing French and German languages. The German town of Biel was founded near Lake Biel in the early 13th century, with French residents calling the village Bienne. After centuries of wars, plague, witchcraft and typhus, the Swiss town was officially given the name of Biel/Bienne.

Look for the Old Town’s interesting fountains repainted in original bright colors. Engelsbrunnen is an angel cuddling a lamb, protecting it from a bright green devil. Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen features a brightly painted statue of blind Lady Justice holding a scale.

In the Ring, find Venner Brunnen, the Fountain of the Banner Carrier, constructed in the mid 1500s. Dine al fresco at a restaurant here. Gaze up at five-story pastel buildings, some with stepped rooflines. Peek inside the Temple Allemand, completed in 1470.

Attend opera, comedy, dance, symphony or children’s entertainment at Stadttheater/Théâtre Municipale. TOBS is the Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn or Theatre Orchestre Bienne Soleure and presents plays, opera, symphonies and dance. Enjoy intimate performances at the Théâtre de Poche in a vaulted cellar.

Once the center for the city’s craft guilds, today the Old Town has boutiques featuring jewelry, artworks and musical instruments. Visit a brewery, coffeeshop, cakeshop or other restaurants and bistros.

Come in November for the Ring’s annual truffle market. Artisans hold markets here monthly, and flea markets occur twice monthly during warm weather.

Follow the tree-lined Seevorstadt to Lake Biel. Along the way, stop at Museum Schwab and Centre PasquArt. See the headquarters of the Swatch Group. Biel is a major Swiss watchmaking center.

Old Town is about a 5-minute drive north of the center of Biel/Bienne in the canton of Bern. Park along its eastern side. Alternatively, enjoy interesting city views by taking the Leubringenbahn funicular that leaves from the Bahnhof/Gare. Continue on the funicular toward the Jura Mountains.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Old Town

Prize by Radisson, Bern City

Prize by Radisson, Bern City

2.5 out of 5
VIKTORIASTRASSE 21, Bern
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P9,337 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,337
P10,499 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bern. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (562 reviews)
"Excellent service and bed comfort."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Prize by Radisson, Bern City
Hotel Bären Am Bundesplatz

Hotel Bären Am Bundesplatz

4 out of 5
Schauplatzgasse 4, Bern, BE
The price is P12,222 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P12,222
P13,489 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bern. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (817 reviews)
"Very cozy and clean with a lot of shops, transportation, food, and tourist attractions around. This is the very centre of Bern! Beautiful and Cozy. Loved every minute there!"

Reviewed on Aug 7, 2025

Hotel Bären Am Bundesplatz
Stay KooooK Bern City – Online Check In

Stay KooooK Bern City – Online Check In

3 out of 5
Zeughausgasse 26, Bern, BE
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bern. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and rainfall showerheads. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (492 reviews)
Great location
"Great location and excellent staff. The reception staff were super friendly and kind . Breakfast was amazing with great service and wide variety of options .mist attractions were within a 15 min walking radius. Room was relatively expensive but it is a boutique hotel ."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Stay KooooK Bern City – Online Check In
Los Lorentes Residences

Los Lorentes Residences

4 out of 5
Murtenstrasse, 147, Bern, BE
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bern. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (283 reviews)
"Very spatious and comfortable room, fully equipped kitchen, clean!"

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Los Lorentes Residences
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa

5 out of 5
Bahnhofplatz 11, Bern, BE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P23,752 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P23,752
P25,461 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bern. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (651 reviews)
"Services was excellent and convinien transportation is just across the Street of the Main train Station"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
Stay KooooK Bern Wankdorf – Online Check In

Stay KooooK Bern Wankdorf – Online Check In

3.5 out of 5
Trüsselstrasse 4a, Bern
The price is P7,974 per night from Sep 14 to Sep 15
P7,974
P9,084 total
Sep 14 - Sep 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Bern. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a fireplace in the lobby. Popular attractions Wankdorf Stadium and PostFinance ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (244 reviews)
"Horrible check in process online. No one to pick up phone when I called for assistance. Really weird building system of needing to open every door through an app on your phone. Room was good overall"

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Stay KooooK Bern Wankdorf – Online Check In
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Old Town