Albert Einstein Museum

The Albert Einstein Museum is a permanent exhibition inside the Bern Historical Museum, a castle-like building on Helvetiaplatz in the city's museum quarter. It tells the story of Einstein's life from his childhood in Germany to his years in Bern and later fame, using original documents, photographs, letters and objects. The displays place him in his time, showing the world of the patent office, the scientific debates of the early twentieth century and the political events that shaped his later life as a refugee. Multimedia stations and short films explain special and general relativity with simple models, and a timeline lets you follow his thinking year by year. It is a serious but accessible exhibition, and it works whether or not you have studied physics. The exhibition forms part of the wider historical museum, whose permanent collections cover Bernese history, archaeology and world cultures, so the ticket can fill several hours if you enjoy museums.

Plan to spend at least ninety minutes in the Einstein exhibition, and longer if you add the rest of the museum. The historical collection includes medieval tapestries, rich archaeological finds, and a strong section on world cultures and ethnography. Rooms are spacious and well lit, with English labels throughout. The museum is closed on Mondays, like many Swiss museums, and opening hours can change, so check the schedule on the museum website before you go.

The museum quarter is a short walk or tram ride from the centre. Several major museums sit around Helvetiaplatz, including the Alpine Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Communication, and the Kunstmuseum is a little further away. A combined plan can fill a rainy day easily. Cafes near the square provide a break, and the Aare path and the Kirchenfeld bridge provide a short walk to the Old Town. The Einstein exhibition suits teenagers and adults best, though younger children can enjoy the hands-on stations.

To get more from the visit, combine it with the small Einstein House on Kramgasse. The house gives you a feeling for how the family lived, while the museum explains the science and the person in depth. If you only have time for one, choose the museum if you want information and the house if you want atmosphere.

Audio guides and guided tours may be available in English, and a short read on the theory of relativity before you go can make the displays more rewarding. Photography rules vary by room, so look for signs, and leave large bags in the lockers.

The wider museum building is worth a look in its own right. It was built in the 1890s in a castle-like style with towers and turrets, and it stands beside the Kirchenfeld bridge over the Aare, so the approach on foot from the Old Town is a pleasant walk with fine river views. The museum also runs family activities and temporary exhibitions through the year, which can be checked on its website.

Visitors who enjoy objects and stories should leave time for the collection of medieval tapestries and the displays on the history of the canton. A cafe in the museum quarter is a good place to rest, and a visit also combines well with the nearby Alpine and natural history museums if you have a full day. The staff are used to international visitors, English information is easy to find and the cloakroom is helpful in winter.