Politforum Käfigturm Bern
Aug 30, 2025

Politforum Käfigturm Bern

Direct democracy in action

""Politforum Käfigturm" Bern used to be the city prison -- now it's more than a fancy viewpoint. It's an information bureau for the Swiss political system."

On first sight, Bern's Käfigturm (cage tower) is just the less attractive sister of the grand Zytglogge a bit further down the road. But while the famous clock tower is only accessible by guided tours, the cage tower is open for the public and free to enter. Sometimes I come here just to enjoy the view onto the busy cobblestone main street down there in the canyon of medieval houses.

But the cage tower (yes, it was once the city prison) is much more than a fancy viewpoint. It actually is an information bureau for everyone interested in the Swiss political system with regular discussions about current policy issues and sometimes very interesting exhibitions (in German, French and English) shown on the top floor. So if you are interested in figuring out why the Swiss are voting about banning minarets, six weeks of holidays, how many horns a cow is supposed to have and why bicycles should be mentioned in the constitution - you're at the right spot!

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Marktgasse 67

CHF

free

313102060

find your way in Bern, download our app.

Find your way with 72 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Bern guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Bern

Ô Capitaine Bern

Ô Capitaine

Best brunch spot in town

Who doesn't love brunch? At Ô Capitaine in Bern you'll find everything your heart desires and more! I really like the variety of the food here...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 7, 2025
Trallala Bern

Trallala

Where The Wild Wines Are

I especially like that they have about a dozen bottles by the glass and that they offer you to try several wines before you settle for a good drop.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sebastian

Meier

Sep 4, 2025
Kreissaal Bern

Kreissaal

Late Night Cocktails

Their house specialties "Black Cuban" (a rum coffee cocktail) and "Fado" (port wine and whiskey) are worth spoiling yourself for.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Sebastian

Meier

Sep 4, 2025
Jusq‘a Bern

Jusq‘a

Enjoy the best coffee in town

"Jusq‘a" in Bern makes hands-down the best coffee in town. The personal and simple atmosphere just makes it for me...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 3, 2025

Landhaus

An experience from cellar to attic

"Landhaus" is a beautifully renovated, rustic restaurant in Bern! From the attic to the cellar to the beautiful garden, it's all an experience...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 3, 2025
Süder Bern

Süder

Delicious food in a great atmosphere

"Süder" is a nice restaurant in Bern where the food is excellent from the starter through to dessert. I especially like the friendy staff & atmosphere...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 3, 2025
Lieblings Café Bar Bern

Lieblings Café Bar

A secret spot

"Lieblings Café Bar" is for you if you fancy a glass of wine in a cute, little bar in Bern's old town. I like it for the cultural events & concerts, too!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 3, 2025
Soriya Restaurant Bern

Soriya Restaurant

Tasty Asian food

"Soriya Restaurant" serves Asian food in Bern in a simple and relaxed atmosphere. I highly recommend the massaman curry with tofu or vegetables...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 3, 2025
Palette Bern

Palette

Zero-waste shopping

"Palette" in Bern is a zero-waste shop for unpackaged, organic food as well as hygiene products. Shopping here makes cooking twice as fun!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 3, 2025

Wasserspeier

Spoiler alert!

"Wasserspeier" in Bern is a trick spot! Just go there and be surprised... it's an installation by local artist Luciano Andreani

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sebastian

Meier

Sep 3, 2025
Welle7 Bern

Welle7

Pastime at the train station

Welle7 is a warm and cozy place next to Bern's train station where you can kill time. It has a pharmacy, a supermarket, a food court & free, clean toilets!

017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 1, 2025

Casa Novo

Incredible location at the Aare River

"Casa Novo" is one of the most exclusive and superior restaurants in Bern that I know. Its location by the Aare is special and beautiful...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sarah

Dennler

Sep 1, 2025

Heading to Bern?

72 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Bern?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

72 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Bern

Get to know our other Spotters from Bern

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
7315
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters