Summer time in Berne is synonymous to one big thing: swimming in the Aare river! Every year, as soon as temperatures are rising both in the air and in the water, people in Berne start the everyday pilgrimage up the riverbank just to float in the refreshing green and clear water of one of Switzerlands biggest streams.

And stream is what it really is: Joggers probably won't catch up with you while just drifting down in the water. It's not dangerous, you only have to be a solid swimmer and follow a couple of basic rules which are posted on the riverbank. Or you may simply ask some locals for adivce, they will be more than glad, and maybe even proud, to tell you about this fantastic experience.

The best place to enter is at the Eichholz, a big park where you can hang around and even hosts a nice camping site. You walk in the river until the stream takes you in and keep you going. Then you float about fifteen to twenty minutes down to the Marzili Bad, a public bath with all facilities you need for a hang-out summer day. Getting out is easy, just steer towards one of many stairs exclusively built for the swimmers. But be aware: don't miss the last exit, because a water barrier will follow further down the river which you absolutely must avoid.

One more thing: Since the Aare comes from the alps, the water my be fresher than expected and sometimes milky from the glaciers and lakes. Standard temperature is about 18 to 19 degrees when the weather is hot, which seems to be low but most people ignore the freeze factor once they're in. It might get even above 20 degrees for a couple of days in the high season.

For more information check out www.aareschwumm.ch or www.aaremarzili.info. Have fun!

a wondeful city with a really large and nice old town. also, there's the lovely Aare river winding it's way through the town with a lot of bathing areas.
I can really recommend visiting the old town by day to take a look at all the touristic sights and then hanging out in one of the dozens of awesome bars in the evening after having a meal in one of the countless restaurants.

Beautiful city with a charm of river Aare flowing through the city and medevial culture. Main sights are definitely medeival clock tower Zytglogge, Gothic cathedral, federal palace, Natural historic museum, alpine museum, Albert Einstein's room, etc. There are also fetsivals and other activities like swimming in the lake Aare that can make your vacation a blast.

A pleasant place to get away from the city (even though it's beautiful) and get closer to nature. There is a picnic area along the bank and also a small zoo. If you drive upstream a bit, there is a place you can rent tubes and float down the river on a hot day!

In summer when it's hot. Take a swim in the river Aare. Head down to the Marzili quarter and jump in the river. It's a great way to cool down. Be careful that your swimming skills should be high since the water is flowing strongly.