Square & Landmark

Federal Building (Bundeshaus)

📍 Federal Building (Bundeshaus), Bern, Switzerland

1 photos

4.7/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Switzerland, Bern
Category: Square & Landmark
Duration: 1-2 hours
Opening Hours: Monday No tours (no Monday or Sunday slot published) · Tuesday 11:30 and 15:00, French and German · Wednesday 11:30 and 15:00, French and German · Thursday 11:30 and 15:00, French and German · Friday 11:30 and 15:00, French and German · Saturday 11:30 French, 14:00 Italian, 15:00 German, 16:00 English · Sunday No tours (no Monday or Sunday slot published) · The visiting pages at parlament.ch (checked 5 November 2026): Tuesday to Friday gives 11h30 and 15h00 in French and German and Saturday lists 11h30 French, 14h00 Italian, 15h00 German and 16h00 English, though the same page suspends English tours for low demand. Tours are free, last up to 60 minutes, cap at 30 people and book online from three days ahead, tickets arrive by mail, no tours run while Parliament is in session and a booking page without dates means none are offered.
Ticket Price: Adult: Guided tours are free of charge · Student: Free, but a place must be booked online first · Booking runs through the online system on the site, enquiries go to [email protected], and a booking page with no available dates means no tours are being offered in that period.
Address: Federal Building (Bundeshaus), Bern, Switzerland
Coordinates: 46.9466, 7.4448

Introduction

The Bundeshaus is the seat of the Swiss Federal Assembly, its green-domed sandstone building completed in 1902 and crowned inside by mosaics of the Swiss coat of arms and the cantonal crests. When parliament is not in session, free guided tours take you into the council chambers to experience direct democracy at first hand. On the Bundesplatz in front, the fountain splash pool is a summer favourite with children, and on clear days the Alps shimmer on the horizon from the steps. Tours are limited, so check the official site for availability and booking.

✨ Highlights

Parliament Landmark

The heart of the Swiss Confederation, dignified in green-domed sandstone.

Free Chamber Tours

Outside session times, guided tours open the council chambers to visitors.

Dome Mosaics

The cupola assembles the federal and cantonal coats of arms in stone and glass.

Bundesplatz Fountains

The splash pools in front frame the Alps in the distance, a summer joy for locals.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Season：Good all year; clear days give the best Alpine views from the square.

→Duration：Half an hour for the square; about 90 minutes with a tour.

→Transport：On the western edge of the old town, 10 minutes' walk from the station.

→Tour Languages：Sessions in several languages are usually offered; choose when booking.

→Nearby：Combine with the arcaded shopping streets and Bern's cathedral.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday	No tours (no Monday or Sunday slot published)
Tuesday	11:30 and 15:00, French and German
Wednesday	11:30 and 15:00, French and German
Thursday	11:30 and 15:00, French and German
Friday	11:30 and 15:00, French and German
Saturday	11:30 French, 14:00 Italian, 15:00 German, 16:00 English
Sunday	No tours (no Monday or Sunday slot published)

The visiting pages at parlament.ch (checked 5 November 2026): Tuesday to Friday gives 11h30 and 15h00 in French and German and Saturday lists 11h30 French, 14h00 Italian, 15h00 German and 16h00 English, though the same page suspends English tours for low demand. Tours are free, last up to 60 minutes, cap at 30 people and book online from three days ahead, tickets arrive by mail, no tours run while Parliament is in session and a booking page without dates means none are offered.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Guided tours are free of charge
Student	Free, but a place must be booked online first
Child	Free, and visitors aged 16 and over hand an official ID to security
Senior	Free under the same booking rules
Free Admission	The tours cost nothing, take about an hour and are capped at 30 people

Booking runs through the online system on the site, enquiries go to [email protected], and a booking page with no available dates means no tours are being offered in that period.

💡 Tips

• Tour places are limited, so book on the official site in advance and bring ID.

• Tours are cancelled when parliament sits or on state occasions; reconfirm before going.

• The square's fountains are liveliest on summer evenings; a must for families.

• Expect airport-style security; large bags are best left behind.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Federal Building (Bundeshaus)?

Monday: No tours (no Monday or Sunday slot published); Tuesday: 11:30 and 15:00, French and German; Wednesday: 11:30 and 15:00, French and German; Thursday: 11:30 and 15:00, French and German; Friday: 11:30 and 15:00, French and German; Saturday: 11:30 French, 14:00 Italian, 15:00 German, 16:00 English; Sunday: No tours (no Monday or Sunday slot published); The visiting pages at parlament.ch (checked 5 November 2026): Tuesday to Friday gives 11h30 and 15h00 in French and German and Saturday lists 11h30 French, 14h00 Italian, 15h00 German and 16h00 English, though the same page suspends English tours for low demand. Tours are free, last up to 60 minutes, cap at 30 people and book online from three days ahead, tickets arrive by mail, no tours run while Parliament is in session and a booking page without dates means none are offered.

How much is the admission for Federal Building (Bundeshaus)?

Adult: Guided tours are free of charge; Student: Free, but a place must be booked online first; Child: Free, and visitors aged 16 and over hand an official ID to security; Senior: Free under the same booking rules; Free Admission: The tours cost nothing, take about an hour and are capped at 30 people; Booking runs through the online system on the site, enquiries go to [email protected], and a booking page with no available dates means no tours are being offered in that period.

Any practical tips for visiting Federal Building (Bundeshaus)?

Tour places are limited, so book on the official site in advance and bring ID. Tours are cancelled when parliament sits or on state occasions; reconfirm before going.