Biel between Lake Biel and watchmaking culture

Biel/Bienne is Switzerland’s largest bilingual city and the second-largest city in the Canton of Bern. It is also a cultural and economic centre for the Seeland region, the Bernese Jura and parts of the Canton of Solothurn. The city’s history, art, watch industry and landscape add different dimensions to a stay – from a walk by the water to a museum visit.

Lake Biel, Strandboden and Taubenloch Gorge

Strandboden is located right on Lake Biel. A lakeside promenade stretches along the shore, with several large lawns that invite you to relax and play. The area’s past is also present: prehistoric settlement remains can be found on Lake Biel, and the Vingelz/Hafen archaeological site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you would like to experience Biel from the water, you can plan a trip on a scheduled boat. Boats from Biel travel along the northern shore of Lake Biel to St. Peter’s Island. Check the current timetable when planning your trip. This makes it possible to combine a stay on the lakeside promenade with a boat trip, without treating the two types of excursion as the same thing.

The Taubenloch Gorge offers a different landscape. It is considered a unique gorge because it is the only gorge in Europe located in the immediate vicinity of a city. A hike through the gorge’s rugged, romantic scenery can be extended as far as Bözingenberg. For a themed addition, the “Riddles in the Taubenloch” experience uses a smartphone to guide you along the hiking trail to virtual stations and share interesting facts about water. As the digital experience may change, it is advisable to check its current availability in advance. Trail conditions may also change.

Watchmaking culture and museums

Biel/Bienne is considered an important centre of the Swiss watch industry. The Swatch Group headquarters and a Rolex production facility are located here. The OMEGA Museum in the Cité du Temps building offers an introduction to the brand’s history. A range of interactive experiences presents highlights from the brand.

The tour begins with a film that tells a 360° history of time, featuring highlights from the brand. The museum also displays a wide variety of OMEGA watches on a 50 m-long steel bracelet. In the film, you experience the brand’s history as a 360° history of time; on the steel bracelet, you see the watches as exhibits.

Old Town, food and art

The medieval Old Town lies within the modern city. Here, you can discover Biel’s history and its main squares. The Nourritour takes you on a culinary tour of Biel’s Old Town and introduces regional specialities. It combines a stroll through the Old Town with an insight into regional cuisine; booking conditions may change.

The Kunsthaus Pasquart is dedicated to contemporary art. The art museum focuses on contemporary sculpture, graphic art and photography. It offers a different perspective on the city from that of the historic Old Town and the brand-focused exhibition at the OMEGA Museum: Pasquart puts works of art centre stage, while the museum tour at Cité du Temps presents highlights from a watch brand.

Biel Animal Park

Biel Animal Park covers 9 hectares and provides a natural habitat for around 80 animals. Visitors can observe mainly native species in spacious habitats. The animal park also has a playground, picnic areas and restroom facilities. This makes a visit different from the museum and Old Town experiences: the focus is on observing animals and the facilities on site.

For the wider travel overview: Biel/Bienne.