Murten combines well-preserved town walls and a historically layered townscape with opportunities to explore the surrounding lake. The small town lies in the Seeland region in the north of the canton of Fribourg. When planning your trip, you don’t have to settle on a single highlight: the town’s history, a museum visit, a look at how Nidelkuchen is made, and activities on Lake Murten each offer a different focus. You can tailor your stay to whether you’re most interested in architectural history, the region’s past, local food culture, or getting active by and on the water.

Old Town and Architectural History

The ring wall is considered one of the best-preserved town walls in Switzerland and is a prominent landmark for exploring the old town. Murten Castle dates back to 1255, during the time of Count Peter II of Savoy. Baroque houses line the narrow lanes; the French Church is late Gothic and replaced the former Chapel of St Catherine from 1481 onward. The clock mechanism in the Bern Gate was made by the Ducommun brothers in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1712. These details connect the town walls with individual buildings, religious architecture and a specific object of craftsmanship.

There are also various ways to learn about the cultural heritage. A QR code tour of the old town offers insights into its architecture and history. Visitors can discover the historic cultural heritage on a range of guided town tours. Circuit Secret Murten Licht comprises six immersive rooms hidden in the old town. If you prefer to explore the past in an exhibition setting, the Museum Murten offers a different focus from a tour of the streets and buildings.

Museum and Local Food Culture

Since 1978, the Museum Murten has been housed in the old town mill outside the town walls. Its permanent exhibition documents 6,000 years of history in Murten and the surrounding region. The museum also presents a dramatically staged multimedia exhibition about the events of the Battle of Murten. This brings together a broad historical timeframe and a presentation focused on a specific historical event.

At Aebersold Bakery in Murten, you can watch the bakers making Nidelkuchen and get a glimpse of the production process. This opportunity to see how it is made complements the cultural focus with a local culinary perspective.

Lake Murten and Activities in the Surrounding Area

Nearby Lake Murten and the Mont-Vully wine-growing region extend your explorations beyond the old town. In the wider region, Lake Murten is considered the smallest of the three large lakes in the Jura & Three-Lakes Region; the Broye Canal connects it to Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel. Murten’s lido is the only large lakeside bathing area on Lake Murten. On the lake, you can see wakeboarders, windsurfers, kitesurfers, stand-up paddleboarders and rowers. You can also take boat trips on Lake Murten with the Compagnie de navigation des Lacs de Neuchâtel et de Morat. If a boat trip might fit into your plans, check the company’s timetable.

Activities on land offer a different focus: the area around Murten is ideal for bicycle and e-bike excursions, while the Mont-Vully wine region can be explored by e-bike or tandem. A path along the moat passes the town walls and makes for a pleasant walk outside the old town. This gives you a choice between cycling in the surrounding area, walking along the fortifications and enjoying the various activities on the water.

Discover more destinations: Villarepos, Muntelier, Charmey, Wallenried, Haut-Vully, Bas-Vully, Ried Bei Kerzers, Greng

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