Not Train Or Cab, Tourists Can Explore This Switzerland City By River Swimming

Picture this: a summer afternoon in Switzerland, where people put on swimsuits, pack their clothes and laptop into waterproof bags, and slip into the turquoise Aare River to float past medieval bridges and beneath the Federal Parliament. Far from a novelty, river swimming is woven into Bern's rhythm of life, with signposted entry and exit points, free riverside lidos (a public open-air swimming pool or bathing beach), and a relaxed vibe that invites confident swimmers and curious visitors to join in.

For the best routes, safety rules and insider stops along the banks, here's how to experience the city exactly as the Bernese do.

River Swimming: Bern's Signature Summer Ritual  

The Aare loops around Bern's UNESCO-listed Old Town, making river swimming the perfect way to see the city in motion: you walk upriver, enter at a marked point, and let the current carry you downstream to a convenient exit. Popular stretches include the classic Eichholz-to-Marzili float, with steps, ladders and red poles indicating where to get in and where to get out.

Fed by Alpine glaciers, the Aare is famously clear and fast. In high summer, locals and visitors flock to its milky-blue flow. Even on hot days, expect refreshing temperatures around the low twenties (degrees Celsius). This combination of purity and pace is what makes "the Aare swim" exhilarating but also strictly for strong swimmers.

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Navigating River Swimming In Bern

Marzili Lido, the most popular open-air bathing spot in Bern, sits right beneath Parliament and offers free pools plus multiple access spots to the river. Many swimmers walk upstream before floating back to Marzili.

Lorraine Bad, a historic riverside facility, has a breakwater that calms the water. Eichholz, known for its pebble beach, is the grassy, riverside start point for that much-loved float to Marzili. The Eichholz-Marzili run is the city classic.

How Tourists Can Try River Swimming Safely  

Check conditions first (water level, temperature, and flow) and learn the entry/exit points before you jump. Bern's "Aare You Safe?" campaign stresses swimming sober, acclimatising to cold water slowly, going with a buddy, and using a buoyancy aid with a quick-release mechanism. Never tether a dry bag to your body.

River swimming accidents do happen in Switzerland, especially when conditions are high after rain or when risks are underestimated. Follow guides and local advice before planning a river swim.

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Tips For First-time River Swimming In Bern

• Time your float: aim for warm afternoons/evenings in summer; always check conditions on the day.  
• Learn the exits before you enter; never miss your signposted exit  
• Go with a buddy and carry a buoyancy aid; dry bags keep things dry, but do not make you safer.  
• If in doubt, ask locals or start with the pools at Marzili/Lorraine; swim within your limits.

Best Time To Go To Bern For River Swimming

Prime months to plan a visit are late spring to summer when the city's lidos open, and the river scene comes alive. Note that parts of the Aare in Bern face temporary swimming/boating restrictions linked to flood protection and Marzili renovations (from September 2025 until spring 2026), so check local guidance before planning your float.

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Not Swimming? Do The Bankside Version  

You can soak up the "Aare life" without entering the water. Stroll along Bern's Aare River, starting at the BearPark Zoo, passing the historic Mattequartier,  a charming, old riverside district, and the recreational Marzili area. Grab gelato or linger at riverside restaurants and pop-up summer bars like Aarebar between Marzili and Schönausteg.

Few cities let you float past a UNESCO heritage site and step out at a free lido under parliament in the same afternoon. Follow all guidelines, safety measures, and routes, and enjoy a rewarding and deeply local experience that you may not find elsewhere.