Photos: Ank kumar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ermell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dmitry A. Mottl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Ank kumar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ermell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dmitry A. Mottl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bern's medieval clock tower and the arcades below it
Your local guide
Fabienne Zbinden
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Highlights
- The clock tower's figures turning
- Centuries-old shopfronts under stone arcades
- A close look at medieval mechanics
- Cellar doors along a narrow street
- Bern's old town in one loop
About this tour
This session follows Bern's old town from its clock tower down through the covered arcades that shelter its shops. You see the Zytglogge's astronomical figures turn before the hour and then move under the Lauben, where centuries-old shopfronts line a street barely changed since medieval times. It is a short, tight loop through the part of Bern most visitors picture first.
Fabienne starts right at the clock face and times the walk so the figures are still turning when the call begins. She moves at an easy pace under the arcades, pointing out cellar doors and old shop signs as she goes.
This suits a first look at Bern's old town for anyone deciding how much time to spend there. It also works well before a longer session further into the city.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Bern before heading out.
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Zytglogge Clock Tower 21 min
The astronomical clock's painted figures begin to turn a few minutes before the hour, and Fabienne explains the gears behind them before the bells sound.
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The Lauben Arcades 21 min
Under the covered arcades on Kramgasse, the camera holds steady on shopfronts that have kept the same narrow frontages for centuries, cellar doors and all.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Bern: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Rösti and Altstadt, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Zurich time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Bern, showing you Zytglogge Clock Tower and The Lauben Arcades live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We connect on Google Meet and the link comes with your booking. I carry the phone through the old town myself, so you see the arcades exactly as I see them.
Times shown in Zurich time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Fri 30 Oct · 9 seats left From 23,00 €
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