Bern is the capital of the Swiss Confederation. At approximately 128,000 permanent residents, it is the fifth-largest city in Switzerland. Bern is fundamentally a German-language city along the Aar River. A variant of German known as Bernese German is spoken there. The city is built on and around a mountain surrounded on three sides by the Aar River. As the city grew, it extended out past the river, although the Aar bounds most of the historic part of Bern.
The oldest buildings in Bern date from the Middle Ages, which is the source of the majority of the city's fame among tourists. The Zytglogge is Bern's best-known attraction-- a medieval clock tower from which fanciful, mechanical puppets emerge on the hour. The Münster of Bern, the city's 15th-century cathedral, is another famous Bern sight. The Bärengraben (bear pit) of Bern attracts many tourists as well. As for Bern hotels, EasyToBook.com is the best place to look. The site offers many hotels in Bern, including discount hotels in Bern and other Bern cheap hotels.