Top Things to do in Neuchatel
10 Things to Do in Neuchatel That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Neuchatel, Switzerland including Creux du Van, Lac de Neuchatel, The Collegiale church, Chaumont Panoramic Funicular Railway, The Chateau, Botanical Garden, Musee d'Art et d'Histoire, Museum d'histoire naturelle, Place Pury, Jeunes Rives.
Restaurants in Neuchatel
1. Creux du Van
Overall Ratings
5 based on 522 reviews
Reviewed By Baryla - Basel, Switzerland
Amazing hike taking you to a beautiful scenery. Hiked 2,5 h uphill then about 2km flat at the top then 2h downhill. Depending on the season, food options are limited so check ahead (we asked at the base station in Noiraigue, which is also where we parked our car). At the top there was a family of friendly mountain goats. Great hike with the added benefit that you can do a full loop. Highly recommended if you are in fairly good physical condition.
2. Lac de Neuchatel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
3. The Collegiale church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By peterp_knobel - Zug, Switzerland
It is worth to climb the hill, be it just for the view, but also for the Collegiale Church, a great example of gothic architecture with astonishing acoustics. Look for a concert - it is worth it.
4. Chaumont Panoramic Funicular Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Lexi61 - London
Bus 109 takes you from the train station to the base station, Le Coudre, in about 10mins. The cost of the bus & funicular tickets were included in the transport ticket I received gratis from the hotel I was staying at. Be sure to check the times the funicular runs ... at w/e there's only 1 / hr. Other than access for mountain biking, the main reason for going up to the top station, Le Chaumont, is to go up the observation tower & take in the stunning views. 1CHF into the turnstile slot gains you entry to the walkway & then the tower viewing platform, up an easy 2 flights of stairs. There's a panel showing what you'll be able to see on a clear day, including the 3 lakes Neuchâtel, Biel & Murten & in the distance the Mountains of Les Diablerets & the Mt. Blanc range. You can stay as long as you like, but remember that the last official funicular down is at 19.00. At Le Chaumont there are also a kiosk selling refreshments, benches / picnic tables in the adjacent children's playground, & some portaloos.
5. The Chateau
Overall Ratings
4 based on 103 reviews
12th Century Castle.
Reviewed By Wolf L - Neuchatel, Switzerland
The chateau de Neuchâtel on top of a down-town hill is a place to see for anybody interested in history. From here you have an extraordinary view on the old town and can easily catch its development over centuries. Neuchâtel was a Prussian dominium (traces can be found all around) until the peaceful revolution in 1848 when it became independent and ruled by its people. The Chateau is now seat of the cantonal government.
6. Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Le parc du jardin botanique est accessible 24h/24 toute la semaine. Les serres, nos expositions et le café du jardin sont ouverts tous les jours de la semaine. Pour plus d'informations sur les activités en cours, référez-vous à notre site internet. L'entrée au parc et aux exposition sont gratuites, seules certaines activités sont payantes.
Reviewed By GCR484 - Jersey, United Kingdom
I love going to the botanical Gardens to take a break from the office, to walk about, indulge the senses, sit, enjoy a Sandwich etc. A well laid out, attractive, botanical garden with a number of walks in the woods, fields, past ponds, bee hives, steams and water features and glass houses. We used to go often with our kids when they were younger and they could spend hours enjoying and playing in and around the water features, stream and ponds.
7. Musee d'Art et d'Histoire
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By AnnArborMHT - Genoa, Italy
This museum holds great promise, when viewing the beautiful exterior and then entering and seeing the grand staircase! For me, this amazing walk up to the second floor was one of two highlights in the museum. The beautiful Art Nouveau interior staircase is decorated with flowers, angels, grape vines, copper “wall paper”, inlaid and carved wood, glowing stain glass windows and three massive frescos by Leo-Paul Robert. Its pure pleasure to view, except then comes the disappointment; there is only information in French/German about this amazing entry! But I still really enjoyed it!
Of course the second highlight as so many other TA readers have identified are the three “automata” dolls on display, which can easily be missed if you don’t look for them, as they are tucked back in a small theatre. The three “dolls” are “The Writer” who writes with a goose feather quill, “The Draughtsman” who draws pictures and “The Musician” which is larger than the other two and plays a real organ. She breaths and her eyes move! Really bazaar and I must say they gave me the hebejebes…creepy! They reminded me of those horrible American “Chucky” the terrifying doll movies! I was almost glad that I didn’t see them move for real; just watched the very intriguing movie, which is in French, but has English subtitles. They do operate the three dolls once a month on the first Sunday of the month in the afternoon, but even without seeing them move, the movie is great! Well worth watching!
These two areas in the museum were great; the rest left me rather ho-hum; mainly because most of the exhibits are in French/German. Their current exhibition on “Switzerland and the Great War” is well done, but only in French/German…as you walk through it, I had the living daylight scared out of me when a motion sensor set off a person yelling at me about something to do with the war (NOT that I was too close to the exhibition!)...
I must say the museum makes a very good attempt to educate visitors about the history of Neuchatel with ceramics, canvases, news articles, artifacts, games, interactive kiosks, timepieces etc., but the history isn’t in chronological order and that’s how my brain works, so I had a hard time with the groupings according to category. But it’s beautifully curated!
The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Entrance 8 CHF, no audio guide. Storage lockers and clean bathrooms. I went on a Friday and had the entire place to myself…took a short nap in the theatre!
8. Museum d'histoire naturelle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Eduardo C - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
We have been at the museum for an exhibition about the dogs' origines and characteristics. It was very well organized and mainly very interesting.
9. Place Pury
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Mitchi121 - Neuchatel, Switzerland
This place is the central place of the city. From there you have acces to the bus and tram station. They drive you wherever you need. Nice buiĺdings and a lot of people hanging around when the weather is nice
10. Jeunes Rives
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By AnotherWayToD - Bern, Switzerland
Though it is just five minutes from the town centre, the Park Jeunes Rives with its large grassy field, pebble/sand Beaches, beach volley ball courts and the children's play area makes you feel as though you're on holiday. The huge park is right on the lakefront with breathtaking views of the Bernese Alps.
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