7 reasons why a trip to Biel/Bienne is worth it

Advertisement: this article was created in collaboration with Jura3Lacs

There are Swiss cities where I have been significantly less often than in Biel/Bienne. But although my engagements in the youth & sports sector have taken me past Biel train station to Magglingen from time to time, I know little more from the bilingual watch city than the station forecourt and the funicular up to Magglingen. Once, out of sheer curiosity, I went in search of the old town of Biel and after a 15-minute walk I was surprised at what secluded places Biel has to offer and was a bit sad that I had little more than half an hour left until I had to continue to the next city.

I was all the more pleased when Jura3Lacs asked me if I would like to take a closer look at Biel and its surroundings. Mais oui! Of course! You know me – I have a soft spot for the humble underdogs. I was all the more surprised by the response to my InstaStory, where I asked you in advance for tips on recommended pubs, sights and other pretty places and corners around Biel. There was so much that I couldn’t try everything out in the three days. Nevertheless, there was enough time to collect 7 good reasons for a trip to Biel. I would think that’s not so bad for now. Et voilà:

1. Because the “Nourritour” takes you to the finest squares in the old town of Biel

Every Saturday morning, Biel’s old town invites you to a culinary walk of a special kind. By appointment (by Friday noon at the latest) you can try your way through the specialty shops for 45 CHF. Currently, seven establishments are part of the “Nourritour“, which was developed by Tourismus Biel Seeland. The order in which you go to which store is not predefined. But if you prefer to start Saturday with fresh rolls and a coffee instead of beer or a hearty platter, you should ideally start the tour at Mosimann’s Bäckerstübli and then stop at Edu’s Coffee & Clothes.

The businesses are scattered all over the old town – an overview map guides you unerringly through the maze of alleys. But there is also a lot to see and discover along the way. There are, for example, the inscribed cobblestones in Obergasse, the striking Venner fountain in front of the church in the Ring and the colourful market hustle and bustle around the Justice Fountain.

Directly opposite Edu’s is the small, fine grocery store Batavia. Here we are given a salty souvenir on the way. Next we stop at the Kirchgässli. It used to be the site of the brewery of Biel’s “La Marmotte” beer. In the meantime, the brewery has moved to Seevorstadt and, together with other local producers, has converted the long-empty Verdan barn. And so the Kirchgässli now offers not only a beer of your choice, but also the matching snacks from Nectaflor Artisanal.

Even if it’s only been small bites so far – you should definitely bring hunger with you on the Nourri tour. At Le Petit Coin du Seeland, you will find a veritable plate with local sausage and cheese specialties. In addition, there is a glass of sparkling Zeeland to toast.

The culinary walk is rounded off with two sweet stops at the Biennoiserie and the Chocolaterie Langel. We started the tour shortly after nine o’clock on Saturday morning and finished around noon – I recommend allowing around three hours.

Further details as well as the booking information can be found on the website of Jura3Lacs: Nourritour Biel

2. Because Biel surprises with its exciting urban development

A relocation of the railway station in the 1920s freed up building land in a prime location in Biel at a time when the Bauhaus style was on the rise. With active political support, this led to the Bauhaus style leaving its most perceptible traces of urban development in Biel, along with Tel Aviv. To this day, there are landmark buildings from this era around General-Guisan-Platz and along Murtenstrasse.

Another architectural landmark of Biel is the Congress House from the 1960s. Opinions about this cultural asset of national importance differ – I think it is well worth seeing in combination with the alternative cultural centre directly opposite.

However, urban development in Biel did not stand still in the 20th century. The Schüss has been renaturalised in recent years and the paths along the river have been made accessible to pedestrians and cyclists as continuously as possible. The latest structural attractions were opened this autumn around the headquarters of the Swatch Group.

Background information on Biel’s urban development can be obtained on various guided tours. What I find particularly exciting is the “urban Biel/Bienne” tour, which starts at the Kongresshaus and takes you through residential areas and along the freight station to the new quarter around the Swatch Group in just under two hours. On this tour, you will not only get to know the less frequented districts of Biel, but also get an insight into the Biel graffiti scene, which is legally allowed to paint the walls assigned to them on the Holunderweg. While you’re in this corner of Biel, take a look at the former home of FC Biel-Bienne – the Gurzelen Stadium. Since the football club moved to the newly built Tissot Arena in 2015, the stadium has been used as a temporary open space. Community garden, tennis courts, children’s construction site – the Gurzelen terrain surprises with a colourful potpourri of alternative uses. The vegetables grown here can be bought at the weekly market in Biel, among other places.

3. Because every first Friday of the month is celebrated in Biel

There is no lack of charm in Biel’s old town. Rarity shops, boutiques, casual cafés and restaurants invite you to “Lädälä”, browse and linger. There are also plenty of secluded places and pretty photo opportunities. Nevertheless, it is not so easy to make the old town attractive to out-of-town guests and day trippers. Even though it is only a 15-minute walk from the train station, it is too decentralised for many.

In order to increase the level of awareness of the old town and to enliven the alleys, the “First Friday Biel” was launched. Every first Friday of the month, people sit out in the historic alleys. The shops stay open until 10 p.m., serve fine food and provide entertainment with concerts, DJ’s and other special programs.

We dabbed exactly one of these “First Fridays” during our stay and were thrilled by the relaxed atmosphere and the many food stalls. Why not take an after-work excursion to Biel’s old town on the first Friday of the month?

4. Because it’s the perfect place for romantic walks

In Biel, less than a ten-minute walk separates us from architectural icons and natural oases. If you follow the shot across the city, you will be led directly into the Taubenloch gorge. Along the two-kilometre-long stretch of gorge in the north of Biel, a beautiful hiking trail leads to Frinvillier. An excursion that is worthwhile even in bad weather and that offers a nice contrast to urban Biel.

The starting point of the hike is at the “Taubenloch” bus stop (accessible by bus lines 1 and 2). There the hiking trail is signposted.

5. Because it’s a great place to “enjoy hiking”

Biel impresses not only with gorges in the immediate vicinity of the city, but also with idyllic vineyards along Lake Biel. These can also be hiked. The Lake Biel Rebenweg starts in the west of the city (you can walk from the train station or take bus no. 11 to the “Rebenweg” stop). From here it leads along the farm roads via Tüscherz, Twann and Ligerz to La Neuveville. The total distance of 15 kilometres can be divided into stages. On the way, there will be the opportunity to taste local wines in wineries (e.g. Hasler Winery in Twann-Tüscherz) and wine shops (e.g. Viniterra in Twann).

And if your stomach growls on the way, I recommend a stop at the Restaurant zum Alten Schweizer in the pretty village alley of Twann. If you’re lucky, deliciously prepared, freshly caught perch from Lake Biel will be on the menu of the day.

6. Because Biel has a great pub scene

In any case, the pub scene in and around Biel is reason enough for me to take a trip to the watch city. The St. Gervais in Biel’s old town, for example, is a great address for a more uncomplicated but fine lunch. And if you want to try seasonal and regionally inspired tapas creations in the evening, you should take a closer look at the restaurant. The restaurant was reopened in 2018 by a young team and has already made a name for itself with its creative concept. We have tried our way through almost the entire tapas menu and can say with a clear conscience: the beetroot is really great (and everything else too)!

7. Because island happiness is not far away

When Jean-Jacques Rousseau spent his oft-quoted “best time of his life” on St. Peter’s Island in the 18th century, it was still an effective island – in other words, an area surrounded on all sides in the middle of Lake Biel. Since the lowering of the water level due to the correction of the waters of the Jura at the end of the 19th century, St. Peter’s Island has been connected to the “mainland” via the Heideweg.

Nevertheless, St. Peter’s Island exudes a special power to this day. The wheelchair-accessible (and therefore also stroller-friendly) island circular trail offers a nice setting for a really relaxed Sunday walk. From the Biel landing stage, you can reach St. Peter’s Island in just over an hour by boat – it would be faster to take the train via la Neuveville, but then you would miss the great view of the vineyards.

From the St. Peterinsel Nord jetty, a footpath leads to the monastery hotel in just under ten minutes. From the beginning of April to the end of October, fine food is served here in an idyllic atmosphere.

Back to Biel we take the boat again. Alternatively, there would be the possibility to hike along the Heideweg to Erlach – also a very charming town worth seeing.

More tips for your trip to Biel

• We stayed right next to the Biel-Leubringen railway in the immediate vicinity of the old town in the bed and breakfast “Les Sources“. The B&B is located in a beautiful old building surrounded by a lush garden. It is important to know that not all rooms have private bathrooms (depending on the room, you may have your own bathroom or share it with other guests). If you appreciate the charm of old buildings and are looking for a location close to the old town, this is the right place for you.
• When the weather is nice (or on foggy autumn days), it is worth taking a detour with the Biel-Leubringen Railway or the Magglingen Railway to the viewpoints high above Biel.
• Both the detour to Magglingen and the detour to Evilard/Leubringen can be combined with hikes. From Leubringen, a path leads into the Taubenloch Gorge and at Magglingen a beautiful tour towards the Twannbach Gorge starts.
• If the weather is not so good, I can recommend a visit to the NMBs (Neues Museum Biel), which, together with the Museum Schwab right next door, offers a nice combination of permanent exhibitions on Biel’s history and exciting special exhibitions on current events. Until spring 2020, a special exhibition is dedicated to the topic of bilingualism and presents exciting facts and figures about bilingualism in Biel.
• If you like nice cafés like me, you are also in good hands in Biel. In addition to Edu’s, a coffee stop at Kafoj (also in the old town) is worthwhile, and on Sunday mornings, Farel Bistro is worth a detour with brunch options.
• Brunch fans can find more tips on the best breakfast places in and around Biel on Simone & Rachel’s blog “Brunch-Café“
• Locally brewed beer and fine drinks are available at Pooc near the train station.