Biel/Bienne: Watchmaking culture between the Old Town and Lake Biel

Biel/Bienne lies in western Switzerland at the foot of the Jura and combines Lake Biel with an urban setting. Watchmaking culture and museums meet a medieval Old Town, paths into nature and experiences on the water. This lets you plan a stay with different focuses – from exhibitions and walks to a boat trip on the lake.

Watches, art and distinctive architecture

The Cité du Temps brings Planet Swatch and the OMEGA Museum together under one roof. The separate Swatch and OMEGA museum areas span two floors and are equipped with interactive technology. The building was designed entirely by Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban.

At the OMEGA Museum, immersive films, presentations and interactive experiences explore the brand’s past, present and future. Exhibition topics include space travel, timekeeping at the Olympic Games and diving in the sea. The museum also displays Gene Cernan’s Apollo 17 watch. An area devoted to the company’s history covers OMEGA’s role as official timekeeper of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Kunsthaus Biel Centre d’art Bienne is dedicated to contemporary art. Its program combines experimental projects with historical exhibitions and presentations from the collection. The architecture also creates a contrast: a historic 19th-century building meets a modern white cube. Those interested in changing artistic perspectives and different forms of exhibition will find a different experience here than in the brand-focused watch museums.

The Neues Museum Biel features botanical and zoological watercolors from the Robert Collection Foundation, as well as works by Karl and Robert Walser. A permanent exhibition covers Biel’s industrial history through watches, textiles and wire drawing; visitors can also tour a faithfully detailed historic apartment. The Centre Müller offers another focus on work and technology: more than 150 machines from the 19th and 20th centuries are displayed in reconstructed workshops. Lifelike figures appear to be working at their former workstations, offering an impression of the working world of earlier times.

The Old Town and city life

Biel’s historic center is characterized by its medieval past. Galleries, antique shops and small stores alternate with restaurants, theaters and cafés. A fruit and vegetable market is held several times a week at Burgplatz. A sightseeing tour can connect Zentralplatz, the Old Town and the Stadtpark with the heritage of Biel’s watchmaking industry. The Stadtpark lies in the heart of the city and offers a playground and lawns for enjoying time together.

The prehistoric pile dwellings are also part of Lake Biel’s history. Five settlements in the lake area are between 3,000 and 7,000 years old and have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can explore the pile-dwelling sites on Lake Biel with the “Palafittes Guide” iPhone app.

Hikes, wildlife and time by the water

The Taubenloch Gorge offers an easy, impressive walk through unspoiled nature. Families can take part in the virtual quiz “Mystery in the Taubenloch.” From Biel railway station, take the bus to the Taubenloch stop to reach the gorge; by train, travel to Frinvillier. A stage of the ViaBerna trail leads from the Jura heights between Magglingen and Evilard through the gorge and the built-up area of Bözingen, follows the Schüss River and passes through Biel, ending at the station via the lakeshore.

A short but strenuous hike leads to Bözingenberg. According to Biel Seeland Tourism, the summit offers views of the Three-Lakes Region and the Alps on the horizon. For those who want to combine exercise with a culinary stop, Restaurant Bözingenberg serves traditional dishes with a modern interpretation.

At the foot of Bözingerberg, outside the city, lies Biel Animal Park. It provides a natural habitat for around 80 animals across nine hectares. Visitors can observe and learn about mainly native species in spacious habitats. The park has a playground, picnic areas and restroom facilities; certain animals may be fed with food available for purchase in the park.

Strandboden lies directly on the shore of Lake Biel. Its large lawn is ideal for relaxing or playing ball, and there is also a playground for children. The Lake Biel cruise runs from Biel to Erlach and back. The one-way trip takes around one hour and 20 minutes – a specific timeframe to help you plan your outing; check the timetable before you travel. A treasure hunt on Lake Biel adds puzzles on board and along the shore to the outing.

Biel/Bienne offers a variety of options for planning your trip: museums and architecture, Old Town life, hiking trails or activities on the lake. You can explore individual interests in greater depth or combine them during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Biel, Frutigen, Büren, Aarwangen, Thun, Niedersimmental, Fraubrunnen, Interlaken.

Back to the main travel overview: Bern.