Neuchâtel combines Lake Neuchâtel with a diverse cultural offering. Jeunes-Rives and several beaches provide places to relax by the water; the old town, Château and museums offer other highlights. The lakeside areas are especially popular in summer and quieter outside the peak season. This lets you tailor your stay to your interests, balancing time by the lake with historical discoveries and exhibitions.
Lakeside, views and walks
Neuchâtel lies on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel. At Jeunes-Rives, there are opportunities for swimming and water sports; the season and access may vary. Cycling, swimming, rowing, sailing and stand-up paddleboarding are also offered as outdoor activities in Neuchâtel. One suggested lakeside walk leads from Parc des Jeunes-Rives to Quai Osterwald and includes a photo stop on Passerelle de l’Utopie.
For sweeping views across the city rooftops, the lake and the Alps, the Esplanade of Château de Neuchâtel offers its own viewpoint. The route to the castle hill passes the former city gates, Tour de Diesse and Tour des Prisons. At the Château, the 400-metre-long Chemin de ronde forms a loop from the southern area of the Château to the esplanade of the Collégiale. A metal bridge along the route spans the rock face carved by the Seyon. The interior of the Château can only be visited on a guided tour.
The city's Botanical Garden is another destination in its own right: it is open year-round, seven days a week. For a different perspective on nature and the landscape, the Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Neuchâtel features 111 dioramas depicting natural environments from the surrounding area. Across three floors, it presents native Swiss wildlife through reconstructed habitats and recordings of bird calls.
Museums and the city's history
The Musée d’art et d’histoire in Neuchâtel is an interdisciplinary museum by the lake. Its collections cover fine art, history, applied arts and numismatics. Among its special exhibits are the three Jaquet-Droz automata: the Writer, the Musician and the Draughtsman. They were made in La Chaux-de-Fonds between 1768 and 1774 and are on display year-round. Public demonstrations take place on the first Sunday of each month at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.; demonstrations can also be arranged by reservation. If a demonstration is important to your trip, check the dates in advance.
The branch venue Galeries de l’histoire displays seven models showing Neuchâtel’s urban development. At the Villa de Pury, the Musée d’ethnographie de Neuchâtel presents a reference exhibition on its collections, the institution’s history and social practices. The museum’s holdings include around 60,000 objects and 40,000 photographs from all regions of the world, with a particular focus on Africa.
At the Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel, Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s paintings are presented in relation to his literary work. The permanent exhibition uses interactive stations to present different facets of his work; the presentation may be updated. You can also explore Dürrenmatt’s library, office and “Sistine Chapel” there. As access arrangements may change, check them before your visit. Temporary exhibitions and events complement the offering.
Another permanent exhibition, at the Musée d’histoire naturelle, presents nature from a different perspective: a semi-permanent display brings the fauna and flora of Lake Neuchâtel to life using an interactive floor, without actual immersion. Check the latest exhibition details before your trip.
More discoveries on foot and at Chaumont
The walk through the Vallon de la Serrière leads from the source of the Serrière River to the well-known railway bridge and reveals the industrial heritage of the former Suchard chocolate factories. Neuchâtel’s chocolatiers, known for their chocolate creations, offer another connection to chocolate. In the historic centre, the “Les Chenapans” treasure hunt takes you around the city in search of Belle Époque murals. The Train touristique offers panoramic views of the pedestrian streets and historic buildings through its glass roof.
Monumentissimo! uses augmented reality to bring the Monument to the Counts and Countesses of Neuchâtel to life. A guided tour of the Collégiale also offers a distinct historical perspective: it takes you through eight centuries of history, past the Monument to the Counts and Countesses and the cloister. The tour includes a royal-blue ceiling adorned with 1,600 gold stars.
If you would like to add an outdoor activity to your stay, Parc Aventure Chaumont offers around ten high-ropes courses in the forest and several zip lines. Chaumont can be reached from La Coudre by funicular. In the wider Pays de Neuchâtel region, lakes, Jura ridges, wild gorges and extensive forests offer opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Chaumont, Cressier Ne, Enges, Saint-Blaise Ne, Thielle-Wavre
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