Aare River Swim & Marzilibad
Aare / Marzilibad
Bern’s most iconic summer activity: enter the river upstream, float with the current to the Marzili Pool, where a free open-air swimming pool sits right by the river.
Each summer, locals put their clothes into waterproof “Aare bags” and enter the water upstream at Eichholz or near the zoo. They then drift for about 20–30 minutes in the swift green river and come ashore at the red railing of the Marzili Pool. The Marzili open-air pool is free and has swimming pools, lawns and changing rooms. The Aare flows fast and the water is cold, so only confident swimmers should enter the water within the marked areas of the pool, and watch for the position of the red railing.
Opening hours
Beach approx. mid-May to mid-Sep, 08:30–20:00
Nearby sights
- Swiss Alpine Museum
- Federal Palace & Bundesplatz
- Bern Historical Museum & Einstein Museum
- Kirchenfeldbrücke
- Museum of Communication
- Käfigturm
- Zytglogge
- Kindlifresserbrunnen & Old Town Fountains