Like something straight out of a fairytale, Bern’s steepled towers rise out from among the slanted orange-topped houses that hug the winding Aare River. That imagery alone is what draws people to Switzerland’s picturesque capital, but it’s much more than just a photographer’s dream. Home to bear pits, medieval buildings and a centuries-old clock tower, Bern is not only one of the world’s most beautiful cities—it’s also one of the best preserved.