Swimming & wellness

Swimming in the River Aare from the Eichholz river beach to the Marzili Lido

The “Aare swim” from the Eichholz river beach to the legendary Marzili Lido is a classic swimming route in Bern.

The “Marzili” is one of Switzerland’s biggest and most-frequented lidos, a popular meeting spot on warm summer days and legendary for being the first place where Swiss women sunbathed topless. Swimmers can swim their lengths in the pool, but the true “Marzilian” loves to stroll upstream to the Eichholz river beach, and there enter the Aare and let themselves be carried back downstream to the Marzili at up to 3 metres a second. This is a truly unforgettable experience, and not just for locals.

From Bern railroad station, it's about a 10-minute walk to the Marzili outdoor pool. To get back up to the city center, a short ride on the “Marzilibähnli” is recommended.

Facilities & food

Facilities

Aare riverside bathing area
50m swimming pool with 8 lanes
Diving pool, with 1m and 3m diving boards
Two 25m pools for non-swimmers
Paddling pool for children with “sails” providing protection from the sun
“Bueberseeli” lake with a swimming channel to the River Aare
Cabins and lockers for clothes and valuables
“Paradiesli” naturist bathing area for women (separate changing rooms and inner courtyard area protected from view)
Large sunbathing lawns with mature trees
Beach volleyball courts
Table tennis tables
Pool lift for Visitors with disabilities

Food and drink

Large lido restaurant with terrace
Fürst bakery and Gelateria di Berna very nearby

Opening hours Today (Thursday) open

The Marzili is open from 10 May to 31 August 2025.

Opening hours

10.05.−31.05.2025
daily 09.00−19.00 hours

01.06.−10.08.2025
Mon−Fri 07.00−21.00 hours
Sat−Sun 09.00−21.00 hours

11.08.−31.08.2025
Mon−Fri 07.00−20.00 hours
Sat−Sun 09.00−20.00 hours

Rates

Access to the River Aare at the Eichholz campsite and to the Marzili riverside lido are both free of charge.

Cabins, clothes lockers and deposit boxes for valuables can be rented for a fee at the Marzili.

BLS suggestion

Aare you safe?

Swimming in the Aare is only recommended for proficient swimmers and is at the swimmer’s own risk.

Additional information and safety notices

How to get there

From Bern railroad station, it's about a 10-minute walk to the Marzili outdoor pool. To get back up to the city center, a short ride on the “Marzilibähnli” is recommended.