Schachspiel Bärenplatz Bern
Jun 30, 2025

Schachspiel Bärenplatz Bern

Check, mate!

""Schachspiel Bärenplatz" in Bern is a kind of hidden giant chess game where you can easily see e.g. an alcoholic playing an MP. Such a local thing to do."

Actually I am no good at playing chess - I only roughly know the rules and completely lack any kind of strategic thinking. Nevertheless, the open-air chessboard on Bärenplatz is one of my favorite spots to let the day go by. Its kind of hidden inbetween four trees and lies half way between the Bundeshaus and public transportation. Thus you can easily bump into a match between a beardy alcoholic and an honorable parliamentarian. Or between a elderly chess master and an 8-year-old Asian tourist wunderkind. Everyone is equal once the game has started.

Of course I've never dared challenge one of the guys that play there for hours each and every day. But if you are a confident chess player and dare to join in, be prepared for two dozen of (more or less drunk) people knowing every move better - and not keeping this for themselves. So good luck!

And by the way: If this spot is too crowded for you - there are more that three dozen public chess and merel boards in all parts of the city.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Bärenplatz

CHF

no-price

Find your way with 70 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

Jul 8, 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

Jul 5, 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

Jul 5, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 4, 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

Jul 2, 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

Jul 2, 2025

Heading to Bern?

70 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

70 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

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

Our Locals' Favorite Bern

Our team loves Bern

Get to know our other Spotters from Bern

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7315
Made with the 💚 of 489 Spotters.
Filters