Shopping in Bern
Over 6km (3.7 miles) of covered arcades in the Old Town shelter many of Bern's upmarket shops and boutiques, protecting shoppers from rain and snow.
Key areas
The main shopping streets are the Spitalgasse and Marktgasse where you can buy luxury goods like watches, jewellery, art, upmarket fashion and wines. The Old Town also attracts many souvenir hunters. The Bernese soap factory bblubb, Münstergasse 52, manufactures and sells locally-made soaps shaped as the Bern bear. You will find Swiss knives at the cutler's business Klötzli, Rathausgasse 84. The famous Bucherer, Marktgasse 2, sells luxury watches and jewellery and is the first address in Bern for diamonds.
Markets
There are food and flower markets on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Bundesplatz, Waisenplatz and Bärenplatz (from May to October). From March to December on every first Saturday of the month there is a crafts market on the Minster platform, and a flea market takes place on Mühleplatz in the Matte every third Saturday of the month from May to October. Minster platform also holds the Bern Minster Christmas Market in December. There is a colourful two-day Geranium Market on the Bundesplatz every April.
Shopping centres
Globus, Spitalgasse 17-21, is a very popular department store offering everything from fashion and cosmetics to home accessories and luxury food. Another department store, Loeb, Spitalgasse 47-51, is particularly good on upmarket fashion. Other department stores include Ryfflihof (Coop City Bern) and The Wankdorf Center, plus the Westside, which has over 50 shops and a spa and water park.
Opening hours
Shops are usually open Monday to Wednesday 0900-1900/2000, Thursday 0900-2100, Friday 0900-1900/2000 and Saturday 0800-1700. Most shops are closed on Sundays.
Souvenirs
Pick up watches, jewellery or food delicacies as souvenirs. In particular, the Mandelbärli (almond bear) - is a typical souvenir of Bern - and ranges in flavour from chocolate to honey, vanilla and lemon. Chocolate is also popular – head to Spitalgasse 2 for an exquisite selection of original Läderach chocolate
Tax information
Tourists buying goods costing CHF 300 or more which they wish to export home can gain tax refunds by picking up a tax-free form at Globus department store, Spitalgasse 17-21.
