Rosengarten

Overview

The Rosengarten (Rose Garden) is a beautifully landscaped public park on a hillside northeast of the Old Town. Originally Bern's cemetery until 1877, it was converted into a rose garden in 1913 and is now home to over 220 rose varieties, 200 iris varieties, and the city's most famous viewpoint.

Highlights

• Panoramic View: An unobstructed vista of Bern's Old Town, the Aar loop, the Bundeshaus, and the alpine peaks beyond.
• Rose Collections: Over 220 varieties of roses bloom from May through October, alongside irises and rhododendrons.
• Restaurant: A stylish restaurant and garden terrace with the same spectacular view.

History

The hilltop served as a cemetery from 1765 to 1877. After three decades of disuse, the city commissioned a rose garden that opened in 1913. For over a century it has been one of Bern's most beloved public green spaces and a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Visit in June–July for peak rose season, or at sunset for the most dramatic light over the Old Town.
• Tip 2: Walk up from the Bärengraben along the zigzag path — it takes about 10 minutes and offers progressively better views.
• Duration: 30–60 minutes.