I am just putting together notes for an article about swimming areas
on www.living-in-berne.ch. Tell me if you think I should add something.
Graham


PS In Monbijoustr, find the Titanic building,
and come and visit me sometime. In the summer I
often go for a lunchtime swim at Marzili from 12 to 2.
Ask for me at the reception desk.
Graham Tritt


--------------------------------

City open-air swimming areas

Marzili
The place to be and be seen, for the young.
It's no more the "meat market" of bare flesg
that it was a few years ago, there are typically five thousand people
on any hot day.
Nearby under the Monbijou bridge, two beach volleyball courts.
A walk up the river, a kilometer to the Schönau bridge (cross to reach the Dählhölzli zoo)
jump in and float back down. For good swimmers only, and always go with someone
you can trust.

Paradiesli private for women, and an area at the other end with
river pool which in principle is private for the men.
European style changing rooms - open to view, so your hanging clothes are
reasonably secure. A private room for women to change, men don't need this, of course.
On a few evenings there is openair cinema, but the choice of movies is pretty limited.


Ka-We-De,
next to the Dählhölzli woods and the Zoo.
A large shallow pool, which in the winter is an ice rink, and
a smaller pool which is the only place in Berne with a wave generator.
Excellent with children, there is a 60 meter slide. There is an entry fee here.


Eichholz, in Wabern, follow signs to walk ten minutes from the No 9 tram station.
There is an occasional bus 29. Nearby there is a large park for recreation
including grill areas. The best place if you want to stay long in the evening.
Swimming is in the river, on a warm day you can float two kilometers down to
Marzili and walk back.


Weyermannshuus
A large pool, more than a hundred meters across,
the best location for families with small children.


Wylerbad, in the northeast, a short walk from the new Wankdorf railway station.
A large swimming pool, a diving pool, plenty of room for sunbathing,
good for families.


Lorrainebad, a pool built on the Aare riverside, river water only.
Reached by a walk of ten minutes from the Lorraine quarter,
it has a a good location for sunbathing (FKK area).


Surrounding towns
It is worth making a visit to each of the pools, you will see which
you like best.

Köniz Weiermatt, newly renovated, a great area for family and young,
with water slide. Expensive for Bernese (5.-), near bus line 10.




Muri, pleasant and relaxing, with pool and river sunning and swimming area.
Cheap for residents, it is a long walk from public transport

Belp - river pool on the Aare, picturesque natural setting,
a five meter diving tower.
The only public transport is the Airport shuttle which stops nearby,
but it is a perfect stop on an Aare bicycle tour.

Ostermundigen, on the east side under the hill,
excellent for families, with slide.

Hirzenfeld, a pleasant location between Bremgarten and Münchenbuchesse.
It has minigolf range and tennis courts, and the longest slide (88m).

Münsingen - a large and friendly area offering lots of sports,
next to the Aare river.


Further away
Strandbad Thun, pool and lake swimming,
A half kilometer away, near boat hire, tennis courts, and the stage for musicals on the lake
there is a little island where you can barbecue and swim.

Aarberg, on the Postbus Berne to Aarberg, or a 10 minute walk from the railway station.

Murten, a large hall and an open pool, water slide, volleyball, and access to the lake.
Nearby on the lakeside promenade (in Muntelier) there is also a large open area where you can swim

Biel/Nidau
A very nice pool on the side of lake Biel. It is also possible to swim in the lake for free
from a park at the Neuchatel end of the town.

Lyss
A great park area, with openair cinema in the summer.

Worb - four pools including one for diving pool, sport and grilling area.

Kerzers - close to a rail station, and next to the Papiliorama butterfly and
bird paradise (www.papiliorama.ch)

Also Kirchberg, Uetendorf, Spiez, Steffisburg, and other towns.


And it is worth a trip to
Schiffenensee betwen Fribourg and Murten (camping and minigolf)
Faoug and other lakeside
beaches on Murtensee - Sugiez, Motier, Muntelier
Burgseeli in Goldswil near Interlaken
Estaveyer le Lac (with waterskiing) and Portalban on lake Neuchatel


Schwarzsee, Lauenensee,
Aquaparc in le Bouveret Valais