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Biel/Bienne

Bern, Switzerland · Europe

About Biel/Bienne

Biel/Bienne is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Orvin, 45km from Creux du Van.

Biel/Bienne is a town located in Bern, Switzerland. With a population of 55,120, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Biel/Bienne sits in Switzerland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Zurich time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Biel/Bienne to your route.

About Biel/Bienne

Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: Biel [biːl] ; French: Bienne [bjɛn]; Alemannic German: Biu [biːu]) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. The Biel/Bienne urban area has a population of around 100,000

Read more inhabitants. Biel/Bienne is the capital of the Biel/Bienne administrative district. The city has been an industrial and watchmaking heart of Switzerland since the 19th century. With world-famous watch brands such as Rolex, Omega and Swatch based in Biel/Bienne, the city is one of the main centres of the Swiss watch industry and is also referred to as the "world capital of watchmaking". Biel/Bienne lies on the language boundary between the French-speaking and German-speaking parts of Switzerland, and is bilingual throughout. Biel is the German name for the city whereas Bienne is its French counterpart. The city is often referred to in both languages simultaneously. Since 1 January 2005, the official name has been "Biel/Bienne". Until then, the town was officially named Biel or Bienne. The city lies at the foot of the first mountain range of the Jura Mountains area, guarding the only practical connection to Jura, on the northeastern shores of Lake Biel (Bielersee, Lac de Bienne), sharing the eastern tip of the lake with its sister town, Nidau. The cities of Neuchâtel, Solothurn, and Bern (the capital of Switzerland) lie southwest, northeast and southeast of Biel/Bienne. They all can be reached within about 30 minutes by train or car. The cities of Zurich, Basel and Lausanne can each be reached in about one hour by car or train.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Biel/Bienne

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Biel/Bienne?

Biel/Bienne offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Biel/Bienne?

Plan your road trip to Biel/Bienne with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Biel/Bienne as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Biel/Bienne located?

Biel/Bienne is located in Bern, Switzerland, Europe. The coordinates are 47.1371 latitude, 7.2461 longitude.

What is the population of Biel/Bienne?

Biel/Bienne has a population of approximately 55,120 people, making it a town in Switzerland.

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Quick Information

Population
55,120
Continent
Europe
Country
Switzerland
Region
Bern
Timezone
Europe/Zurich
Coordinates
47.1371, 7.2461

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Switzerland

Police
117
Ambulance
144
Fire
118
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.

Full driving guide for Switzerland

Tags

EuropeSwitzerlandBernTown

Worth the detour from Biel/Bienne

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

historic highway

Circuit Bremgarten

The 7.3km forest circuit outside Bern where racing ended after Switzerland banned circuit motorsport in 1955. Its dappled, constantly curving roads through the Bremgartenwald are open to traffic and eerily unchanged.

24 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Bern Old Town

Switzerland's UNESCO-listed capital, a medieval gem with 6 kilometres of arcaded walkways, the Zytglogge clock tower, and bear park.

26 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Kaufdorf VW Beetle Graveyard

Atmospheric forest clearing filled with rusting classic Volkswagen Beetles, a pilgrimage site for VW enthusiasts.

34 km · about 40 min drive

natural wonder

Creux du Van

A vast natural rock amphitheatre with vertical 160m cliffs, a wild ridge-walk in the Jura.

45 km · about 50 min drive

landmark

Basel Zoo

Switzerland's oldest and most visited zoo, affectionately known as 'Zolli', with a strong conservation focus.

52 km · about 60 min drive

museum

Pantheon Basel

Striking rotunda in Muttenz where a spiral ramp climbs past decades of classic cars and motorcycles: part museum, part working forum for Basel's vintage-car scene.

52 km · about 60 min drive

museum

Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot

Peugeot's corporate museum tracing the brand's journey from pepper mills and bicycles to modern automobiles.

53 km · about 60 min drive

landmark

Basel

A cultural powerhouse at the meeting point of three countries, home to over 40 museums, a vibrant Rhine riverfront, and Art Basel.

54 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Biel/Bienne

  • 24 kmCircuit BremgartenThe 7.3km forest circuit outside Bern where racing ended after Switzerland banned circuit motorsport in 1955. Its dappled, constantly curving roads through the Bremgartenwald are open to traffic and eerily unchanged.
  • 78 kmMount PilatusA jagged mountain above Lucerne reachable by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, steeped in dragon legends and offering 73-peak panoramas.
  • 78 kmSchilthorn & Piz GloriaA 2,970-metre peak with a revolving restaurant made famous as a Bond villain's lair in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Driving in Switzerland

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.82/litre
Motorway tolls
None
Vignette
Required, around €42 for a short-stay sticker

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Biel/Bienne.

Nidau

🇨🇭 Switzerland

1 km awayPop. 6,696

Evilard

🇨🇭 Switzerland

2 km awayPop. 2,328

Brügg

🇨🇭 Switzerland

3 km awayPop. 3,868

Bellmund

🇨🇭 Switzerland

3 km awayPop. 1,311

Orvin

🇨🇭 Switzerland

4 km awayPop. 1,181

Orpund

🇨🇭 Switzerland

5 km awayPop. 2,488

Worben

🇨🇭 Switzerland

5 km awayPop. 2,042

Péry

🇨🇭 Switzerland

6 km awayPop. 1,342

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence