Fribourg Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Fribourg
Roam this medieval Swiss city’s charming streets, browse its quirky museums and cross its wonderful bridges in search of French and German-influenced monuments.

Fribourg looks like something out of a fairy tale, especially after snowfall. This hilly university city is nestled in a steep gorge carved by the winding Sarine (Saane) River, which forms the cultural and linguistic border between the German and French parts of Switzerland.

Although Fribourg translates to Free Fort in German, French is spoken on the western bank where you’ll find the city center. Enjoy the best of both worlds by regularly crossing the river. The eye-catching Pont de Berne (Bern Bridge) is a covered wooden bridge from medieval times and the stonework Pont du Milieu and tall Viaduc de Grandfey train bridge are also very picturesque.

In the elevated Old Town, admire Fribourg’s Gothic-style buildings, including many from the 15th century. Built in 1283, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas is even older. One of the cathedral’s more recent additions was its 242-foot (74-meter) tall clock tower from 1490. Climb the 368 steps for superb views over the city and gorge.

Connecting the Bourg quarter of the Old Town on the hill withthe Basse-Ville (lower town) is the Fribourg Funicular, built in 1899 to transport brewery workers. Jump aboard and learn how waste water is added to assist with gravity, pulling the opposite wooden carriage up and down the hill.

Discover more about the fascinating history and mixed culture of Fribourg in the city’s many museums. Pick the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle Fribourg for natural history, the Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle for modern art, the Musée Guthenberg for the history of printing and the Art and History Museum for antiques and religious paintings. Quirkier options are the Musée Suisse de la Machine à Coudre about sewing machines, the Swiss Puppet Museum full of masks and puppets and the Chemins de Fer du Kaeserberg museum with model railways.

Fribourg is not only the linguistic border between French and German Switzerland, but also a meeting place of cultures and cuisines, old and new, young and old. Grab a meal at a classic French restaurant or join the students in the cafés to find out that this medieval city is not only proud of its past, but also ready for the future.

Where to stay in Fribourg

Fribourg featuring a city

Old Town Fribourg

Old Town Fribourg is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like St. Nicolas Cathedral and Bern Bridge.

Old Town Fribourg
Hotel De La Rose
Hotel De La Rose
4 out of 5
Rue de Morat 1, Fribourg, FR
The price is Rp1.938.184 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp1.938.184
Rp2.120.583 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Fribourg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (771 reviews)
"Located in the old part of the town near to the Cathedral and historic walks and scenery. Pleasant front desk staff and cleaners. Breakfast was satisfactory. Good bathroom facilities. Bed comfortable. Accessible to local restaurants nearby."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2024

Hotel De La Rose
Le Sauvage
Le Sauvage
4 out of 5
Planche-Supérieur 12, Fribourg
The price is Rp2.591.885 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
Rp2.591.885
Rp2.799.125 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Nov - 5 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Fribourg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Chasse aux Tresors and Golf Urbain are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (107 reviews)
"J’adore! Parfait emplacement tranquille mais accessibilité facile pour le train"

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2024

Le Sauvage
Mercure Fribourg Centre Remparts
Mercure Fribourg Centre Remparts
4 out of 5
Porte de Morat, Chemin Montrevers 1-3, Fribourg, CH
The price is Rp2.166.575 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
Rp2.166.575
Rp2.357.653 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Fribourg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Art and History Museum and Église des Cordeliers ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (369 reviews)
Fabulous hotel
"A fabulous room (thanks for the upgrade). Quiet, clean, modern, spacious. Free parking. Great staff. Thank you"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2024

Mercure Fribourg Centre Remparts
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Los Lorentes Residences
Los Lorentes Residences
4 out of 5
Murtenstrasse, 147, Bern, BE
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bern. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (200 reviews)
"Our experience with the staff was mixed because the man named was rude while the lady was very helpful. Besides this drawback the hotel itself and everything around this were very nice."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2024

Los Lorentes Residences
Stay KooooK Bern Wankdorf - Online Check In
Stay KooooK Bern Wankdorf - Online Check In
3.5 out of 5
Trüsselstrasse 4a, Bern
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Bern. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a fireplace in reception. Popular attractions Wankdorf Stadium and Bern Expo ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (188 reviews)
"Very nice hotel, loved the lounging floor and laundry services, very clean, didn’t really like the glass door to bathroom would have preferred a regular door but the place was very clean and had everything we needed. Was nice and close to train and bus station"

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2024

Stay KooooK Bern Wankdorf - Online Check In
Evi's Home Hotel & Apartments
Evi's Home Hotel & Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Stauffacherstrasse 60, Bern
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Bern. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Wankdorf Stadium and Bern ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (111 reviews)
"Too good"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2024

Evi's Home Hotel & Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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