Visiting Neuchatel in Switzerland and you’re not sure how to spend your time in the town? Then you’re certainly in the right place because this guide to the top things to do in Neuchatel covers all the best attractions in town.
Lake attractions, popular museums, and historical landmarks are all included in this list of the best things to do and see in Neuchatel. I’ve also included the top natural attractions in the area, which are easily accessible by hiking trails in the area. Read on to learn more about Neuchatel and see all the best attractions on every street corner of this lovely Swiss town!
Table of Contents
Lake Neuchâtel Cruise
Neuchatel town lies on the bank of Lake Neuchatel, which makes it an excellent destination for lake cruises and water activities. If you visit this lovely Swiss town during the warmer months, you can enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Neuchâtel.
Did you know that this is the largest lake in Switzerland that is entirely Swiss? That’s just one of many reasons why you should enjoy a cruise on this wonderful lake! Another reason is that this is free for most tourists, so it’s one of the best things to do in town if you’re on a tighter budget.
Lake cruises are free with the Neuchâtel Tourist Card, which is gifted to tourists who spend at least one night in any accommodation in Neuchatel. Your host is supposed to give you the card, which also includes discounted museum tickets and free public transport!
Another thing to note is that many cruise ships on Lake Neuchatel transport bikes, so this is the perfect way of traveling if you just want to explore the endless hiking and mountain biking trails in this beautiful region.
Neuchatel Botanic Garden
The Neuchatel Botanic Garden is one of the top attractions in town that you can visit for free. The lovely green space is easily accessible by the Plan funicular and it’s just a 15-minute walk outside the old town.
This is a pretty big botanical garden with numerous plants, greenhouses, a souvenir shop, and even a cafe. There’s also a museum on the grounds – Centre Dürrenmatt boasts a collection of paintings by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and it is situated inside the author’s former home.
The collection of plants in the botanical garden is undoubtedly interesting to observe, but it’s nothing wildly impressive. It’s exciting for people who are into biology because medicinal plants account for a good chunk of the collection, and you can learn about all their different uses.
Theatre du Passage
Enjoy live performance arts at Theatre du Passage and get a glimpse of the cultural attractions popular in Neuchatel. The town boasts lots of cultural attractions, including museums, art galleries, and performance venues.
Even if you don’t want to sit through an actual play or concert, it’s worth it to take a quick tour of the theater building. Tours in English are available, and they will tell you a lot about the space’s history and its impact on the performing arts scene in Neuchatel.
If you genuinely enjoy performing arts, you will love this theater. It hosts plays, operas, comedy events, concerts, and a variety of other events, so there’s always something interesting going on at Theatre du Passage.
Old Town
Neuchatel’s old town is the highlight of the city. Boasting varied medieval architecture and multiple historical sites within walking distance of one another, the car-free old town of Neuchatel is truly a wonderful gem worth discovering.
With narrow alleys, steep stairways, and beautiful architecture, Neuchatel’s old town is attractive and charming. You could walk around its alleys for hours, exploring all the little shops and locales that serve traditional Swiss delicacies.
Remember to pop inside the occasional art gallery—this lovely town is famous for its numerous museums and art galleries, which are perfect for all art lovers.
La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds is a town north of Neuchatel, which is easily accessible by public transport. It’s just a 30-minute train ride from the lakeshore town, so you can easily visit it on a day trip from Neuchatel.
The city is known for its many museums, landmarks, statues, and fountains, most of which you can easily explore during your visit. The International Museum of Horology is one of the most popular in town – it’s an underground museum dedicated to the Swiss tradition of watchmaking, and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in town.
Go on a walk around the old town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, explore the countless parks and fountains, and discover why the town is an important Art Noveau center.
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Neuchatel Art & History Museum
The Neuchatel Art & History Museum is the most popular museum in Neuchatel and an absolute must if you really want to get to know this town. It is situated in the palace of fine arts, and the building alone is a stunning sight worth checking out.
This museum features four thematically separate collections, so you can learn quite a bit while touring it. One collection introduces visitors to the local history of Neuchatel, which is perfect for learning more about this fabulous town.
The other three collections focus on art, including everything from exquisite Monet paintings to the Jaquet-Droz automata. It’s worth noting that the Neuchatel Art & History Museum is free for visitors with the Neuchatel tourist card, so you can discover its magnificent collections without spending a dime!
Creux du Van
Creux du Van is a fascinating natural attraction on the border between Neuchatel and Vaud cantons. It’s a crater-like rock formation in the midst of a natural preserve, with stunning views all around it. Creux du Van is easily accessible by hiking trails, which boast beautiful scenery and magnificent panoramic views.
The easiest way to reach the hiking area from Neuchatel is by car. It’s only about a 30-minute ride to the nature preserve, but parking might be tricky because there’s limited space. It’s also possible to travel by train – you can get to Noiraigue in about 20 minutes from Neuchatel, and then you can hike or ride an electric bike to the imposing rock formation.
Outdoor lovers and adventurers should plan to visit this site of natural beauty. It’s truly an astonishing place with plenty to see and admire, and it might just be the highlight of your trip to Neuchatel.
Neuchatel Castle And Collegiate Church
The Neuchatel Castle is easily one of the most recognizable attractions in town. This historical site towers over Neuchatel city, offering beautiful panoramic vistas to anyone who dares to visit and climb its towers.
The hilltop castle was constructed in the 11th century and has had many functions over the centuries. At certain points in time, its towers were used as dungeons and residential towers, but nowadays, they’re just tourist attractions popular with people who want to experience sweeping panoramas of the Neuchatel skyline.
The castle is open for tours from April to September and entrance is free. Visitors can also stop by the Collegiate Church, next to the Neuchatel castle. Both attractions are easily accessible by a short walk from the old town, keep in mind that you’re walking uphill for most of that walk.
Gor de Vauseyon
Gor de Vauseyon is a historical landmark in Neuchatel where you can see remnants of a 17th-century water mill. Get a glimpse of life during the pre-industrial era while admiring a site of spectacular natural beauty. There’s plenty to love about this wonderful attraction in Neuchatel!
Perhaps the best thing about this landmark is that it’s a natural oasis situated in the urban area of Neuchatel. You don’t have to drive for hours or hike for miles to reach the gorges – you can just get on the 101 bus in the old town and get there in about 10 minutes.
Laténium Park and Museum of Archeology
Laténium Park and Museum of Archeology is the largest archaeological museum in the entire country. It’s situated in Hauterive, which is a suburb of Neuchatel. You can get there by bus in about 20 minutes from Neuchatel’s old town, and about an hour if you decide to walk instead of taking public transport.
This complex boasts a large park and a museum building, both of which were constructed on former excavation areas. The archaeological sites upon which the complex was built date to the Upper Paleolithic, Bronze Age, and Neolithic, so there’s truly plenty of history to be discovered here.
If you are genuinely interested in archeology, this excellent museum might just be the highlight of your trip. The collections at Laténium Park are varied, including everything from reconstitutions of ancient devices to modern artworks. Some of the highlights of this museum are the Bevaix boat, the remains of a Magdalenian hunting camp, and the reconstitution of a Celtic bridge, among other things.
Neuchatel Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neuchatel worth a visit?
Neuchâtel is definitely worth a visit for a short break. It has a charming, historic old town and is located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Neuchâtel. There is plenty to do in the city and surrounding area for culture, food and outdoor lovers alike.
Which Swiss city is closest to Lake Neuchâtel?
The closest city to Lake Neuchâtel is the Swiss city of Neuchâtel (Neuenburg) which is located at the northwestern corner of the lake.
Can you swim in Lake Neuchatel?
Yes, there are plenty of places to swim in Lake Neuchatel including many so-called “plage” in French in and near the city itself as well as others around the lake and in other towns and cities.
Why is there a shark statue in Lake Neuchâtel?
The shark statue at the bottom of Lake Neuchâtel was originally used in a film called Choc au Lac back in 2007. It was left in the water after filming finished apparently to mess with local scuba divers and has been slowly corroding ever since.
