Tours
Federal Palace Guided Tour
How to visit Switzerland’s Parliament building in Bern
The Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) is the seat of the Swiss federal government and parliament, an imposing domed building from 1902 that crowns the Old Town above the Aare. The free guided tour is the best way inside: you walk through the grand entrance hall under the dome, past statues of the country's founding figures and the stained glass of the cantonal coats of arms, and into the National Council and Council of States chambers where Switzerland's direct democracy actually plays out. It's genuinely interesting even if politics isn't your thing—the building is a deliberate portrait of how a small, multilingual federation holds itself together.
The catch is logistics. Tours are free but must be booked online in advance (places are limited and open only a few days ahead), and everyone aged 16 and over must show photo ID at security. They run on days when parliament isn't sitting; during the four annual sessions there are no public tours, though you can instead watch debates from the visitors' gallery. Out front, the great Bundesplatz square—and its 26 ground-level water jets in summer—is free to enjoy any time.
At a glance
- Cost: Free
- Booking: Required online, usually from about 3 days ahead
- Duration: Around 60 minutes
- Languages: Offered in four languages outside session periods
- ID: Photo ID checked for everyone 16+
What to expect
- Airport-style security and check-in
- Strict punctuality—latecomers can be turned away
- The two parliamentary chambers and the domed central hall
- No tours during parliamentary sessions (watch debates from the gallery instead)
Booking and Arrival (The Smooth Way)
1) Book as soon as you can
Published tour reservations are typically available online earliest three days in advance. A practical approach: check daily once you’re in the window, then lock a time and build your day around it. Capacity is limited (commonly 30 places per tour).
2) Arrive early
Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your tour time. This gives breathing room for check-in and entry. Bern is walkable, but it’s easy to underestimate the time needed to cross the Old Town at a relaxed pace.
3) Bring ID and travel light
Visitors over 16 are typically subject to an identity check and must show a valid official photo ID. Travel light: large bags slow things down, and storage options are limited. If arriving with luggage, use station storage and visit unencumbered.
When tours run (and when they don't)
Public tours run on Tuesday to Saturday outside parliamentary sessions, in German, French, Italian and English. The key thing to plan around is the parliamentary calendar: parliament meets in four ordinary sessions a year—broadly spring, summer, autumn and winter (around March, June, September/October and November/December)—and no public tours take place during those weeks.
The upside is that when parliament is sitting, you can instead watch a live debate for free from the public visitors' gallery, which is its own kind of experience. Exact tour days, start times and the language of each slot are set on the parliament's booking system, so the reliable move is to check the official page for your specific dates rather than assume a fixed weekly timetable. Once you've found a slot, build the rest of your day around it.
How to Build a Day Around the Tour
The simplest approach: treat the Federal Palace as the centerpiece of your Old Town route. Start with the arcades and fountains, do the tour, then head toward the cathedral quarter and finish with the river bend view.
- Use the Old Town walking tour to connect everything on foot.
- Add the Zytglogge tour nearby for another guided highlight.
- It's a free attraction—see what else costs nothing in our free things to do guide.
- If you only have one day, follow Bern in one day.
Free even without a tour: Bundesplatz
Even if you can't get a tour slot, the square in front of the palace is worth lingering in. Bundesplatz is paved with Vals quartzite, hosts the city's twice-weekly market, and in the warmer months runs a set of 26 ground-level fountains—one for each Swiss canton—that children (and plenty of adults) run through on hot days. In autumn the same square becomes the canvas for the free "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz" light-and-sound show projected onto the palace facade after dark; dates are set each year, so it's worth a glance at the official listings if you're visiting in season.
Behind the building, the Bundesterrasse gives one of the best free views in the city—straight down over the Aare and across to the Marzili district and the Gurten beyond.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Federal Palace tour really free?
Yes—the guided tours of the parliament building are free of charge. You do, however, have to reserve a place online in advance, as walk-ins generally aren't admitted.
How far ahead do I need to book?
Booking opens only a short window before each date—commonly around three days ahead—and places are limited. The practical approach is to check the official booking page once you're inside that window and grab a slot as soon as one suits you.
Do I need to bring ID?
Yes. Everyone aged 16 and over must show a valid official photo ID at the security check, so bring your passport or ID card. Arrive early to clear airport-style security comfortably before your start time.
Can I visit during a parliamentary session?
Public tours pause during the four annual sessions, but that's when you can watch a live debate from the visitors' gallery instead—a great alternative if your dates fall on a session week. Check the parliamentary calendar to see which applies.
What if I can't get a tour slot?
You can still enjoy the building from outside: the Bundesplatz square, its summer cantonal fountains, and the river view from the Bundesterrasse behind are all free and open to everyone.
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