What is this place

The Rosengarten is Bern’s hillside viewpoint park above the Old Town between Laubeggstrasse and Aargauerstalden. It overlooks the Aare loop, the UNESCO-listed rooftops and, on clear days, Gurten and the Alps.

Key features

  • Public park with free 24/7 access – a straightforward spot for citywide views and a stroll.
  • Plantings include ~223–250 rose varieties, ~200 irises and ~28 rhododendrons – peak rose bloom in late spring to early summer.
  • Japanese cherry blossom in spring; a pond features the 1918 sculpture groups “Europa” and “Neptun” by Karl Hänny.
  • Family-friendly amenities: a large playground, a reading pavilion and a restaurant with a veranda (winter fondue terrace).
  • Easy access from the centre on bus 10 to “Rosengarten”; a steep footpath descends to the Bear Park.

What to see

  • The main lookouts along the upper terrace with sweeping views of the Old Town and Aare bend.
  • Formal rose beds, the iris section and the early-20th-century pond sculpture.
  • Seasonal highlights: cherry blossom late March–mid-April, roses in May–June, autumn colours later in the year.

History

The site served as the Lower Town cemetery from 1765 until the Schosshalden cemetery opened in 1877. In 1913 it was laid out as a public park, and from 1917 roses were cultivated systematically.

In 1918 a pond with Karl Hänny’s monumental groups was added. A 1956 redesign organised paths and plantings; the 1937 bust of Jeremias Gotthelf was moved to the reading pavilion in 1960. In 1997 the historic Cross Avenue was replanted with twelve lindens.

Practical information

Location: Laubeggstrasse 1, 3006 Bern; above the Bear Park between Laubeggstrasse and Aargauerstalden.

Getting there: From Bern HB take bus 10 (direction Ostermundigen) to Rosengarten; from the Bear Park it’s an 8–12-minute uphill walk. Service on line 10 may be altered during works – check Bernmobil.

Access: Free, 24/7; sloped paths with occasional steps; surfaces can be slippery in winter or after rain.

Visiting hours: Open around the clock year-round.

Visit duration: 30–60 minutes; 1.5–2 hours with a meal stop.

Best time: Late March–mid-April for cherry blossom; May–June for roses; golden hour on clear days for views.

Notes: Limited street parking along Laubeggstrasse and Aargauerstalden; the restaurant keeps its own seasonal hours (fondue in winter).