Moving to Bern

Since 1961, the International School of Berne (ISBerne) has been welcoming families from around the world to Bern. Relocating to a new country is an exciting adventure, and we're here to help make your transition as smooth as possible. On this page, you'll find practical information about life in Bern, Switzerland, along with helpful resources to support your family's move. If you have any questions, our Welcome Team is always happy to help.

About Switzerland

ISBerne is fortunate to be situated in one of the world's most beautiful, culturally diverse, and safe countries. Renowned for its beauty and efficiency, Switzerland consists of 26 cantons, with Bern as its capital. It borders five countries, Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and recognizes four official language: French, Italian, German, and Romansch. Considered one of the most developed countries globally, Switzerland ranks at or near the top of several global surveys of quality of life.

About Bern

Bern is Switzerland's fifth-largest city with about 125'000 inhabitants. German is the official language, yet English and French are widely spoken. In German, the city is spelled Bern, while in English it is Berne.

Even though it is a capital city, Bern's pace is slower, and its inhabitants are relaxed and easy-going. Its beautifully well-preserved old town is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The old town's renovated bear park, the House of Parliament, the Clock Tower (Zytglogge), and the Cathedral of Bern are classic tourist destinations. Temperatures can reach over 35 °C in summer and average -1 °C in January.

Nature lovers will enjoy a summer swim in the Aare River that encircles the town. So close to the mountains, Bern also provides easy access to some of the world's most breathtaking natural environments and an almost limitless array of associated activities and pastimes.

The Bern Welcome Desk is a wonderful resource for information and tips about relocating to this area.

Local Associations, Groups, and Organizations

ISBerne does not endorse or sponsor these organizations.

Family Friendly Activities

ISBerne does not endorse or sponsor these businesses.

Across Switzerland

Ausflugziele: http://www.ausflugsziele.ch
Erlebniswelt: http://erlebniswelt.liliput.ch
Castles in Switzerland: http://www.swisscastles.ch
Children Friendly Museums in Switzerland: http://museumslupe.ch
Chocolate Factory Tours: https://swissfamilyfun.com/switzerland-chocolate-factories/
Sleep in the Straw in Barns throughout Switzerland: https://www.myfarm.ch/en/sleep-on-straw

Canton Aargau

Rolling Rock Inline Skate Park: http://www.rollingrock.ch
Schweizer Kinder Museum- Baden: http://www.kindermuseum.ch
Lenzburg Castle - Lenzburg: http://www.schlosslenzburg.ch
Murimoos Organic Farm - Muri: http://www.murimoos.ch
Umwelt Arena - Spreitenbach: https://www.umweltarena.ch/
Wildegg Castle - Wildegg: https://www.museumaargau.ch/en/wildegg-castle

Canton Basel

Dampfbahn - Mini Steam Engine - Basel: http://www.dampfbahn-basel.ch
Tierpark Lange Erlen - Basel: http://www.erlen-verein.ch
Zoo Basel: http://www.zoobasel.ch
Wiesner's Beeriland - Bottmingen: http://www.beeriland.ch
Park Im Grünen - Münchenstein: http://www.seegarten-gruen80.ch
Solarbob - Langenbruck: http://www.solarbob.ch

Canton Bern

Zentrum Paul Klee - Bern: http://www.zpk.org
Zoo Tierpark Dählhölzli - Bern: http://www.tierpark-bern.ch
Natural History Museum - Bern: https://www.nmbe.ch/en
Bernaqua - Bern: https://www.bernaqua.ch/
Marzili Lido - Bern: https://aaremarzili.info/
Bundesplatz Ice Skating Rink - Bern: https://www.kunsteisbahnbundesplatz.ch/
Ropetech Adventure and Seilpark - Thunplatz in Bern: http://www.ropetech.ch
Seilpark Gantrisch - Rüschegg Heubach: http://www.seilpark.ch
Erlebniswelt Seeteufel - Studen: http://www.seeteufel.ch
Gurten Park - above Bern in Wabern: https://www.gurtenpark.ch/en/
Ballenberg Open Air Museum - Brienz: http://www.ballenberg.ch
Steam Engine Train Ride - Brienz: http://www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch
Mystery Park - Interlaken: http://www.mysterypark.ch
Aare Gorge - near Interlaken: http://www.aareschlucht.ch
St. Beatus-Höhlen - near Interlaken: http://www.beatushoehlen.ch
Sensorium - Walkringen: http://www.sensorium.ch

Canton Fribourg

Charme(y) Aventures - Charmey: http://www.charmeyaventures.ch
Espace Junior - Fribourg: http://www.espacejunior.com
Papiliorama Swiss Tropical Gardens - Kerzers: https://www.papiliorama.ch/

Canton Geneva

Various activities for families and kids in and around Geneva, e.g. Palexpo, Natural History Museum: https://www.geneve.com/en/

Canton Graubünden

Pradaschier Rodelbahn & Seilpark - Churwalden: http://www.pradaschier.ch

Canton Jura

Fromagerie des Franches-Montagnes - Le Noirmont: https://fdfm.ch/de/

Canton Luzern

Glacier Garden - Luzern: http://www.gletschergarten.ch
Swiss Transport Museum - Luzern: http://www.verkehrshaus.ch
Lido outdoor swim area on the lake - Luzern: http://www.lido-luzern.ch
Rigi Mountain - near Luzern: http://www.rigi.ch
Schongliand Amusement Park - Schongau: http://www.schongiland.ch
Pilatus Mountain - near Luzern: http://www.pilatus.ch
Glasi Hergiswil - Hergiswil: http://www.glasi.ch

Canton Neuchâtel

Asphault Mine - Travers: https://www.mines-asphalte.ch/

Canton Schaffhausen

Rheinfalls - near Schaffhausen: http://www.rhinefalls.com

Canton Schwyz

Sattel Hochstuckli - Sattel: http://www.sattel-hochstuckli.ch
Natur- und Tierpark - Goldau: http://www.tierpark.ch

Canton Solothurn

Storchensiedlung Altreu - Stork Colony - Grenchen: http://www.witi-schutzzone.ch

Canton St. Gallen

Säntispark - Abtwil bei St. Gallen: https://saentispark-freizeit.ch/
Abenteurerland Walter Zoo - Gossau: http://www.walterzoo.ch
Sportbahnen Atzmännig - Goldingen: http://www.atzmaennig.ch

Canton Thurgau

Connyland - Lipperswil: http://www.connyland.ch
Pferdehändler - Märstetten: http://www.pferdehaendler.ch

Canton Ticino

Medieval castles of Bellinzona: https://www.bellinzonaevalli.ch/
Lama Trekking - Iseo: http://lama-trekking.lima-city.de/
Lido di Lugano: http://www.ticino.ch/en/commons/details/Lido-di-Lugano/1501.html
Swiss Miniatur in Melide-Lugano: http://www.swissminiatur.ch/en/
Zoo al Maglio - Magliaso: http://www.zooalmaglio.ch
Monte Tamaro: http://www.montetamaro.ch

Canton Valais

Labyrinthe Aventur Parc - Evionnaz: https://www.labyrinthe.ch/
Happyland New - Granges: http://www.happylandnew.ch

Canton Vaud

Olympic Museum - Lausanne: https://olympics.com/museum/
Parc Aventure - Aigle: http://www.parc-aventure.ch
Park Im Grünen Signal de Bougy: http://www.signaldebougy.ch
Château de Gruyères: http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch
Espace de Inventions Vallee de la Jeunesse - Lausanne: http://www.espace-des-inventions.ch/
Swiss Museum of Games - La Tour-de-Peilz: http://museedujeu.ch/en/
Swiss Vapeur Parc - Le Bouveret: http://www.swissvapeur.ch
Zoo La Garenne - Le Vaud: http://www.lagarenne.ch
Tobagganing Park - Leysin: http://www.tobogganing.ch/en
Payerneland - Payerne: http://www.payerneland.ch
Château de Chillon - Villeneuve: http://www.chillon.ch
Fun Planet - Villeneuve: http://www.funplanet.ch

Canton Zürich

Alpamare - Pfäffikon: http://www.alpamare.ch
Bruno Weber Skulpturenpark - Dietikon: http://www.brunoweberpark.ch/
FIFA Museum - Zürich: https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/
Jucker Farm - Seegräben: http://www.juckerfarm.ch/
Kindercity - Volketswil: http://www.kindercity.ch
Swiss National Museum - Zürich: https://www.nationalmuseum.ch/en
Technorama Science Center - Winterthur: http://www.technorama.ch
Zoo Zurich: https://www.zoo.ch/en

Supporting Families in Transition

We understand that relocating your family to Switzerland, changing schools, settling into a new home can be both exciting and challenging for parents and children alike. We work with each new ISBerne family in a highly personalized way to provide a warm welcome, with plenty of support to help you and your family to find your feet. This includes help and advice with the practicalities of transition as well as supporting you with the social side of settling in.

Our Welcome Team will take the time to understand your family's needs, answer your questions, and help you determine whether ISBerne is the right fit for your child. Whether you're exploring your options or ready to begin the admissions process, we're here to help.

Our Welcome Desk specialists, Ms Françoise Boillat and Ms Alice Germann, are happy to answer your questions by phone, email or during a virtual meeting before you arrive in Switzerland.

📞 +41 31 959 10 00

✉️ office@isberne.ch

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