This is Bern's most popular outdoor pool. As with all of the city's municipal pools, there is no charge for swimming here. In the separate open-air spaces “Paradiesli” and “Männerbad”, women and men are allowed to sunbathe in the nude.
The Marzili (also callend Marzer) comprises a paddling pool for toddlers and a sports pool with 8 x 50 meter lanes, a pool for non-swimmers and a diving basin with 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards. In addition, there is a spacious 10,000m2 lawn for sun bathing.
The «Marzili» is a Bernese institution. Whoever visits the city during summer and strikes up a conversation with the locals will sooner or later be advised not to miss «the most beautiful riverside bathing spot in Europe» with its views on the Bundeshaus (house of parliament) and the cathedral. And there's no entrance charge.
A pool was first established here in 1782. Back then the admission fee was five centimes, so it was known as the “Füfiweiher”. What makes the Marzili so special is that you are swimming in the open Aare (so it is only for good swimmers!). In several places, and upriver, you have access to the water through stairs with retaining rods. Bathers simply have to get changed and then choose the spot in which they wish to take to the water.