Things to do in Biel-Bienne

Where French and German-speaking Switzerland meets, Biel-Bienne is a hub of history and culture. Nestled along the shores of the city’s namesake lake and the foot of the forest-carpeted Jura Mountains, the knockout natural scenery here is one of the top attractions. And that’s just a taster. Feel like you’re in a fairytale with a stroll around the Medieval Old Town, or step back in time with a trip to the prehistoric Vingelz-Hafen pile dwellings – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Elsewhere on the list of things to do, you can peruse the fascinating collection of artefacts inside New Museum Biel, discover the city’s watchmaking traditions at the Omega Museum, and take a funicular railway ride to the mountaintop municipality of Evilard-Leubringen.

Top six things to do in Biel-Bienne

1. Explore the historic Old Town

A warren of cobbled lanes lined with wonderful Swiss architecture, Biel's Old Town is a joy to explore on foot. This Medieval marvel centres around the ‘Ring’ – a pretty plaza that’s name dates back to the days when village elders would meet here to discuss the issues of the day. Highlights include the Gothic spires of the City Church of Biel, the Expressionist style inside the Church of St Maria, and the 18th century gilded water feature known as the Fountain of Justice.

2. Learn about Switzerland’s watchmaking history

It’s well known that the Swiss are watchmaking experts. And in Biel, you can visit the headquarters of a company that’s long had the last word when it comes to high-end timepieces. Take a tour of the Omega Museum and discover the story of this iconic Swiss brand. One of the top things to do in the city, it’s an immersive experience complete with interactive exhibits that tell the tale of the company’s past, present and future.

3. Visit Vingelz-Hafen archaeological site

To the east of the city lies Vingelz-Hafen archaeological site. It’s just one of a series of prehistoric pile dwellings scattered across the Alps. These ancient thatched-roof stilt houses were built on low-lying marshlands and raised from the ground to protect them from flooding. Remarkably well-preserved, they’re a fascinating insight into the lives of Neolithic and Bronze Age Alpine Europeans.

4. Admire Tissot Arena

Billed as Switzerland’s most modern multifunctional sports stadium, Tissot Arena has everything under one roof. You can watch Swiss second-tier side FC Biel-Bienne in action, or catch a game of Ice Hockey at a rink that holds over 6,000 fans. It’s not short on other activities, either. There’s a range of cafés and restaurants, a shopping mall, and even a movie theatre, too.

5. Ride the funicular railway

Bielle-Bienne is an ideal starting point for a hike into the sub-Alpine slopes of the Jura Mountains. But if you want to save on tired legs and still see the string of Swiss villages that adorn the mountainside, hop on the funicular railway instead. These handy cable cars can take you to Evilard-Leubringen or Magglingen for superb views over the Swiss plateau.

6. See priceless pieces from the past in New Bienne Museum

New Museum Biel is two galleries rolled into one. Combining the collections of both the Schwab and Neuhaus museums, the NMB boasts exhibitions that cover Swiss history, art and archaeology. It’s a deep dive into Switzerland’s past, from prehistoric times to present day.