Swimming in the Aare: drifting safely through Bern

A summer ritual in the middle of the city

Anyone out and about in Bern on a warm summer afternoon sees them everywhere: people with brightly coloured swim bags walking upstream, getting in and letting the Aare carry them back towards the city. Swimming in the Aare is as much a part of Bern as the Federal Palace — and yet it is something to take seriously. The Aare flows fast and is cool. Underestimate it and you can quickly get into difficulty.

This guide explains how a classic Aare swim works and what to look out for.

The classic route: Eichholz to Marzili

Getting in at Eichholz

The large lawn next to the Eichholz campsite in Wabern is the starting point for many. A gently sloping gravel bank makes it easy to get in, and here the Aare flows without a weir, briskly towards the city. You will find more about the spot on the page Aare at Eichholz — some people even swim there in winter.

Drifting

You don’t swim against the current — you let it carry you and steer towards the bank as the exit approaches. You walk back along the riverside path; it takes a good half hour. Your clothes travel in the swim bag.

Getting out at Marzili

The Freibad Marzili below the Federal Palace is the classic exit. Get out early enough — the current carries you further faster than you think. The City of Bern publishes an Aare exit map. Look at it before your first swim and, near the bank, watch out for rocks below the surface.

When you are better off not swimming

High water level

After heavy rain or during snowmelt, the Aare carries much more water. The current gets faster, the water murkier, and there may be debris in the river. Above a flow rate of around 250 cubic metres per second, swimming in the Aare is not recommended. The Federal Office for the Environment publishes current readings.

Cool water

Even in high summer, the Aare is usually cooler than the lakes. Stay in the water for long and you cool down, and cold muscles react more slowly. On our website you can see the Aare’s water temperature in Bern live, measured by the Federal Office for the Environment’s station.

Construction work and closures

Flood-protection work can temporarily close stretches of the river. Between Eichholz and the Dalmazi Bridge, for example, swimming and boating were banned from September 2025 to May 2026. Check the current signage on site.

The most important rules

• Only swim if you are a safe swimmer with good stamina
• Never alone — ideally in pairs or in a group
• Headers and jumps from bridges are dangerous and often prohibited
• Air mattresses and inflatables don’t belong in the river
• Don’t tie the swim bag to your body
• Keep your distance from bridge piers, boats and obstacles in the water
• No alcohol before swimming
• Children only under close supervision and only where they can stand

These points are based on the river rules of the Swiss Lifesaving Society SLRG, explained in detail on its website.

The Wickelfisch and other helpers

The swim bag — invented in Basel as the “Wickelfisch” — is a waterproof bag for clothes, phone and keys. It floats with you and gives you something to hold on to while drifting, but it is no substitute for a swimming aid. What matters is closing it properly and not overfilling it.

Swimming in the Rhine in Basel and the Limmat in Zurich

Other cities have their own river rituals too. In Basel, you drift through the old town along the Kleinbasel bank, starting below the Museum Tinguely (Rhine swimming in Kleinbasel). From July to mid-September, SLRG lifeguards accompany first-timers free of charge on Tuesdays — registration required. In Zurich, the Flussbad Oberer Letten is popular: you walk upstream on the embankment and drift back down the canal. The canal is up to six metres deep and not suitable for non-swimmers.

You will find all river baths under River baths.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Aare warm enough?

That depends on the summer. Many wait until the Aare reaches around 18 degrees. You can see the current temperature live on our website.

Is there a lifeguard?

Not in the river itself. Swimming in the Aare is at your own risk.

What is the “Paradiesli”?

A separate area at Marzili reserved for women. Nude bathing there is optional.

Conclusion

Swimming in the Aare is one of the finest summer experiences in Switzerland — as long as you respect the river. Start with a short stretch, never go alone, check out the exits and skip it when the water is high. Then the moment the Aare carries you towards Marzili is all yours.