10 Best Things To Do In Biel, Switzerland

things to do in biel switzerland
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 3 min read

Situated in the canton of Bern, Biel (also known as Bienne) is the town where branded Swiss watches are made. Settled at the foot of the Jura, Biel has its own charm. What is so good about Biel? Why do travel enthusiasts have to visit this town? Discover the best of Biel by doing the best things to do in Biel, Switzerland.

1. Feel the sports rush in Tissot Arena

Tissot Arena (hockey) 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Fabien Perissinotto used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Cheer for your favorite team or sports personalities in the unique Tissot Arena located in Biel Bienne. The grand facility is a combined multifunctional stadium and arena consisting of a football stadium, an outdoor ice skating rink, an ice hockey arena, and a curling hall. With its large seating capacity and function halls, the modern infrastructure is a center for concerts, sports, cultural, and business events in the city. It is the home of various Biel sports clubs such as EHC Biel, FC Biel, and the Swiss Football Association.

As a multifunctional ice stadium, the diverse infrastructure also caters to volleyball, basketball, tennis, floorball, and many other indoor sports. The possibilities of the arena as a world-class venue are expansive.

Tissot Arena

Address: Boulevard des Sports 18, 2504 Biel

Website: Tissot Arena

Visited this place?

2. Explore the 18th-century charm of Old Town

Old town church in Biel
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Revelation-4u used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Biel’s Old Town area brings back the 18th-century vibe with its perfectly preserved alleys, beautiful facades, and esteemed guild houses. It is a gem that has remained authentic and full of charm over centuries in the heart of the city. The Old Town features an assortment of alternating restaurants, theaters, and cafes in the alleys of many galleries and small stores. Local farmers from the region sell their products in this district and offer the freshest fruit and vegetables, bread, and dairy products. Craft and flea markets are also held regularly as well as numerous events to keep the place lively all year round.

Wander through the market, taste a local coffee, meet with friends or simply enjoy the fascinating atmosphere; this magical district always has something up its sleeves for some great Biel sightseeing.

Old Town Biel

Website: Old Town Biel

Visited this place?

3. A visit to the Omega Museum is a must

Diamond-studded Omega watch (26272019658)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Thomas Quine used under CC BY 2.0

Having traveled to the capital of the watch industry, it would be a shame if you don’t visit the Omega Museum. Situated opposite the Omega Headquarter, the Omega Museum displays an impressive collection of high-end designer watches. There are approximately 4,000 watches being displayed at the museum. In addition to the watch collection, you can also see plenty of clocks, tools, instruments, engravings and much more. If you are really interested in the museum, there are audio guides available in several languages, including English, Mandarin Chinese, French and German.

Omega Museum

Address: Rue Jakob-Stämpfli 96, 2502 Bienne, Switzerland

Website: Omega Museum

Visited this place?

4. Have fun with animals at the Biel Zoo

Alpine ibex.1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bert de Tilly used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Traveling should be fun, and you can have one of the most fun times in Biel at the Biel Zoo, where you can get intimate with the animals. Opening all year round, the Biel Zoo presents a lot of native animals, such as the red deer and the Alpine ibex. You can see those cute animals in their natural habitat, which is a nice thing. Moreover, you won’t be charged for entering the zoo. In other words, you don’t have to pay for anything to meet all those lovely animals. Simply enter the woods and follow the paths.

Biel Zoo

Address: Zollhausstrasse 103, 2504 Biel, Switzerland

Website: Biel Zoo - in German)

Visited this place?

5. Art lovers should go to the Centre PasquArt Bienne

Biel-Bienne Centre PasquART
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user WillYs Fotowerkstatt used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Do you consider yourself an art lover? If yes, you have to go to the Centre PasquArt Bienne, a place that exhibits innovative contemporary artworks. Open only from Wednesday to Sunday, the museum also offers guided tours and workshops based on request.

Centre PasquArt Bienne

Address: Seevorstadt 71, 2502 Biel, Switzerland

Website: Centre PasquArt Bienne

Visited this place?

6. Relax at the Lake Biel

Lac de Bienne 4
Source: Photo by user Milko Vuille used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A lake is a perfect spot for relaxation, especially if the lake is as breathtaking as Lake Biel. Once you come to the lake, your mind will try to persuade you to never leave the place. Located on the border that separates the French and the German speaking parts of Switzerland, Lake Biel is one of the most picturesque lakes in the country.

If you want to see the whole region surrounding the lake, you can take a boat ride. If you want to try the MobiCat, the largest solar-powered catamaran on the planet, you should visit the lake on Sunday during summer time. Explore the lake, make the most of your time at Lake Biel.

Lake Biel

Website: Lake Biel

Visited this place?

7. Explore the Taubenloch Gorge

Dans le entrailles des Gorges du Taubenloch
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jean-Daniel Echenard used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Still wondering what to do in Biel? Those who are looking for a little adventure in Biel should go to the Taubenloch Gorge and explore the site. You don’t have to worry about the difficulty of hiking the gorge, because it is a quite easy hike, which makes the Taubenloch Gorge one of the most popular and loved hikes in Biel. One thing to remember, don’t just hike, always try to stop once in a while to admire the beautiful natural surroundings.

Taubenloch Gorge

Website: Taubenloch Gorge

Visited this place?

8. Chill at the Elfenau Park

Bern Elfenaupark DSC06064
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Krol:k used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Nestled in the middle of the town, Elfenau Park is the prettiest park in Biel. The park itself is considered a small park, but it is a really great place for anyone who wants to chill. There are plenty of benches available for visitors who want to escape from the busy atmosphere of the town. Some animals, such as peacocks, ducks and birds are the residents of the park. You may be able to spot and meet some of them when you are chilling at the park.

Elfenau Park

Address: Unterer Quai 7, 2502 Biel, Switzerland

Website: Elfenau Park

Visited this place?

9. Marvel at the Fountain of Justice

Eeyore & EJ pause by the Fountain of Justice, Biel / Bienne, Switzerland
Source: Photo by user nikoretro used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The town of Biel has some historic fountains, and the most popular among them all is the Fountain of Justice, which is situated on the Castle Square (Burgplatz). The Fountain of Justice is very famous because it is the symbol of Biel’s jurisdiction. The Fountain of Justice is the oldest fountain in Biel. The fountain used to be a wooden fountain, but in 1535 the material was replaced with stone.

Fountain of Justice

Website: Fountain of Justice

Visited this place?

10. Indulge in exquisite meals served at L’Ecluse

Parc Elfenau Biel-Bienne - panoramio (1)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Patrick Nouhaille... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The last best thing to do in Biel is related to how to make your stomach happy. There is no better way to satisfy your stomach than indulging in some exquisite meals. One of the best restaurants where you can taste exquisite dishes is the L’Ecluse Cafe Restaurant. Located within walking distance from the main railway station of Biel, the restaurant offers a delectable selection of creative meals as well as an exquisite selection of drinks served in a friendly atmosphere.

The menu highlights include cordon bleu of pork CH (Gruyere cheese, ham) with French fries and seasonal vegetables for the main course and homemade chocolate cake with whipped cream and fruit decoration for dessert. What’s more, the restaurant also promises guests an incredible view of Elfenau Park. What a complete package!

L’Ecluse

Address: Schüsspromenade 14D, 2501 Biel, Switzerland

Website: L’Ecluse

Visited this place?

Traveling to Biel will leave you speechless

The town of Biel is so charming that it will leave you speechless from the moment you arrive in Biel until you leave the town for good. Having traveled to Biel, you will have plenty of stories that you will proudly tell others who have not been there, and memories to last a lifetime.

Visited this place?

Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Biel, Switzerland


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Biel
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.