Barenpark
- Visit: under an hour
Sign up free — See who's going and message them.
Is this your place? Get the badge for your websiteAbout
More photos 7
1 / 7
Why go
- The bears have direct access to the Aare.
Don't miss
- Bear-viewing pathsFollow the paths for different views of the bears without disturbing them.Through the enclosure
- Smaller pitExplore the bear-free smaller pit to learn about Bern’s bear-pit history. The space also hosts public events and performances.Next to the Old Tram Depot
Interesting facts6
-
The large historic pit is used briefly during cleaning or feeding.
Bärenpark Bern - Wikipedia -
BärenPark and the Bärengraben form a geographically separate part of Bern’s Dählhölzli Zoo.
Bärengraben - Wikipedia -
The historic bear-pit buildings have national heritage protection.
Bärengraben - Wikipedia -
The habitat includes sleeping caves and feeding areas designed for the bears.
Bärenpark Bern - Wikipedia -
The Mary Plain children’s book series is partly set at the bear enclosure.
Bärengraben - Wikipedia -
1969
The historic bear pit appears briefly in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Bärengraben - Wikipedia
Shorts
-
Bärenpark Bern - 15.11.2009 - Bär beim Fressenmcstalder
-
Frühling im BärenPark - Teil 2Tierpark Bern
-
Bärenpark Bernronalter
-
Frühling im BärenPark - Teil 1Tierpark Bern
-
Bär "Finn" im Bärenpark in Bernronalter
-
Einsatz im BärenPark | Tag der guten Tat | 2023Coop Genossenschaft
-
Bern Switzerland 🇨🇭BärenPark Bern – A Special Place in the Heart of S…A-TravelVideo
History
The pit underwent a full renovation to improve conditions for the bears. BärenPark was created because the old pit could not provide suitable conditions for brown bears.
- 1441The earliest recorded mention of a bear pit in Bern places it near Käfigturm, at today’s Bärenplatz.
- 1857The present, fourth bear pit opened.
- 1925A smaller pit was added to raise bear cubs.
- 1970sThe pit’s indoor enclosures were renovated.
- 1994–1996The pit was renovated.
Show all
- 2004The city council approved funds to remodel and expand the historic pit into a bear park.
- 2009The adjoining riverside habitat opened.
Tips for your visit
- Expect steeply sloping ground between the historic pit and the river.
- The smaller historic pit is outside the bear habitat.
How to get there
- BusTrolleybus 12 towards Zentrum Paul Klee serves the bear pit.
Accessibility
- Lift An inclined lift improves access to the park.
Sources: Bärengraben - Wikipedia · Bern - Wikivoyage (see) · Bärenpark Bern - Wikipedia · Fosse aux ours de Berne - Wikipedia · Fossa degli orsi - Wikipedia · checked 25 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +41 31 357 15 25
Similar places nearby
Nearby places
Questions and answers
How did Bern’s first documented bears arrive?
They were brought to Bern as spoils after the Battle of Novara.
Where is BärenPark?
It is at the foot of Bern’s old town, beside the River Aare near Nydeggasse Bridge.
How can I get to BärenPark?
Trolleybus 12 towards Zentrum Paul Klee serves the bear pit.
Can the bears reach the River Aare?
Yes. The park’s redesign gave the bears direct access to the Aare.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.