Pretty European city with mythological statues and turquoise river that locals float down

For most Brits, commuting to work will look fairly similar and probably involves travelling there either by car, train or bike. If you’re lucky, you might simply stroll on over to work, but in one European city, the morning commute involves a slightly more unusual route into the office.

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern boasts an impressive history complete with mythological statues that date back to the Renaissance period and some of the longest Medieval walkways in Europe. Often described as a gateway to the Bernese Highlands, a mountain range in Switzerland, the city is also home to the turquoise Aare River which locals often float down to get to work.

During the warmer months, it’s common to see locals swimming down the river on their way to work, with their belongings tucked away in waterproof bags that float behind them.

Considered a popular Bernese pastime, there’s no official record of when the tradition of floating to work started, but it’s one that has gained popularity with locals and is well-documented on social media.

Tanya Andreeva, a travel influencer based in Switzerland recently shared a video of the river commute on her Instagram account, with a list of everything you need “to float like a local in Bern without looking clueless”.

While it’s possible to float down the river for up to four hours, Tanya warned this is something that should only be done by experienced swimmers. Popular entry points start at Eichholz Park and Schönausteg, a footbridge close to the city.

The strong currents make it an efficient commute to work, which is why it’s important to know where to exit too. The adventure traveller shared that showers and lockers are located at the exit point known as Marzili Bad.

Most locals use a Wickelfisch dry bag, a red floating bag often seen in videos of the commute which keeps clothes, shoes and phones dry.

Although it’s a popular tradition with some locals, the fast and powerful river can also be difficult to navigate and should be approached with caution, with Tanya advising visitors to use the AARE GURU to check the river’s conditions.

While some residents use it to commute, others simply enjoy it as a spot to cool off during the warmer months, as the river originates in the Bernese Alps, meaning it’s icy cold throughout the year.