A pleasant city with a medieval center

Neuchatel, also referred to as Nauenberg, is located 430 m (1,411 ft) above sea level in western Switzerland on the northwestern shores of Lake Neuchatel, just 20 km (12.4 miles) from the French border. The town is also the capital of the Swiss canton of Neuchatel and belongs to the tourist zone of the Jura-Watch Valley.

The old town of Neuchatel is extremely attractive and spontaneous wanderings through its steep alleys are as good a way as any to appreciate the architecture’s golden charm.

The streets of Old Town are packed with mansions and decorative fountains from the 18th century. Cross the ancient city door and walk up the Rue du Château to the Prison Tower. Scale the tower for views over the town below and its lake and Alpine backdrop. Inside the largely Gothic Église Collégiale, a mix of Romanesque elements (notably the triple apse) looms large.

Distances to other popular Swiss Destinations:

Getting to Neuchatel:
By Plane:
Geneva-Cointrin is the nearest international airport easily reached in 80 minutes by direct train. Zurich-Kloten Airport is reached within 110 minutes by direct train, as is the EuroAirport in Basel-Mulhouse. The Bern-Belp Airport with some international flights is within less than one hour driving distance (approx. 80 minutes by bus and train).

By Train:
Numerous direct trains from the major cities in northern and western Switzerland stop at Neuchatel’s railway station providing easy access. Also the international highspeed TGV train Paris-Geneva-Bern stops in Neuchatel which makes the journey to/from Paris less than five hours.

By Car:
Neuchatel is situated on the A5 Motorway which connects to the A1 Motorway either along the western shores of Lake Neuchatel near the town of Yverdon in the south, along the western shores of Lake Biel near the city of Solothurn in the north, or via the Main Road to Murten in the east. Thus, Neuchatel is easily accessible from all major destinations in Switzerland.