Life is good on the banks of the Aare River, and locals and visitors alike seem a bit smitten with Bern. Switzerland’s de facto capital city, which ranks #34 for overall Livability in our rankings, also enjoys a Lovability perception (#41) far above its actual Lovability performance (#128).
That doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to love. This is, after all, a UNESCO World Heritage Old City, its quaint alleys snaking through historic arcades and around its Zytglogge clocktower. The river is swimmable – bragging rights for any city – and culture comes to life in converted power plants and palatial museums alike. Then there’s the craft advantage: Bern hosts more than 200 independent breweries, the most of any Swiss city. A #5 Walkability ranking, plus #9 for Biking, means it’s easy to explore them responsibly.
These pleasures are well-earned: Bern has hustle, ranked #17 for Labour Force Participation and #13 for Economic Output. In recent years, the city has proved to be a centre for climate action as well. It hosted Climate Forum Switzerland 2025, actively monitors its urban heat, and codified into law its goal to be net-zero by 2045. All the more noble when you consider that Bern has the third-lowest Climate Risk in Europe.