Travel Guide

Neuchâtel

Switzerland

Best time to go: May–September

Sights

Castle and Collegiate Church – On the hill above the old town, with views over the lake.
Old town in yellow stone – Houses of the typical yellow Jura limestone and fine fountains.
Museum of Art and History – The Jaquet-Droz automata write, draw and play music.
Laténium – An archaeology park on the lake – the Celts of La Tène.
Lakeside promenade – A stroll and a swim with views of the Alps.
Centre Dürrenmatt – The writer's works and home high above the town.

Neuchâtel wine – Chasselas, Œil-de-Perdrix rosé and the cloudy «non filtré» in winter.
Fondue neuchâteloise – Cheese fondue made with local white wine.
Absinthe – The «green fairy» comes from the nearby Val-de-Travers.
Lake fish – Perch fillets and whitefish in the lakeside restaurants.

Creux du Van – A natural rock amphitheatre in the Jura, often with ibex on the rim.
La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle – Watchmaking towns laid out in a grid – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Val-de-Travers – Absinthe distilleries and the Areuse gorge.

When to go: May–September
Getting around: The underground Fun'ambule funicular links the station and the lakeshore; boats run on the three Jura lakes.
Tipping: Service is usually included – rounding up is a nice gesture.
Power: Plug type J/C, 230 V.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

General tips without guarantee – please check opening times and prices locally.