There is this colorful super underrated town by the lake that you have to visit! Yes, I am talking about Neuchâtel, a real pearl with a summer vibe, picturesque old town, rich wine culture, history and stunning views.
It’s super easy to reach either from Zurich or Geneva, which makes it such a great destination for a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Exploring the Old Town
One of the most beautiful things to do in Neuchâtel is to explore the city’s Old Town. The best way to do it is to stop by the tourist office and get yourself a FREE tourist map. This will allow you to walk a 2-3 hours circuit discovering all of the gems in the city.
Here are some of the must-visit places on your circuit:
- The Corbets Passage
- Griffon fountain
- The justice fountain
- Rue des Moulins
- The old market place
- The Banneret fountain
- The Diesse Tower
- Place des Halles
And of course the castle! Another fun thing to do while in the area is climb to the castle’s courtyard where you can enjoy FREE panoramic views to the city, the lake, and the mountains.
Outdoors and Elevation
For all the outdoor enthusiasts, Neuchâtel is a great destination for hiking and cycling. So if you came with your bicycle you can find a nice board with all the cycling routes you can take right in front of the train station.
Also, the city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and vineyards which makes it perfect for scenic nature trails. For example: you can take the funicular to La Coudre – Chaumont. A 13-minute ride on the funicular takes you up 570 meters to beautiful panoramic scenery.
(Quick note: Neuchâtel Vins sponsored this next bit)
A Local Stop: Lake Neuchâtel and Œil de Perdrix
After exploring the town, I spent the late afternoon on a lakeside rooftop of Hotel Beaulac- that I can WARMLY recommend!! As it probably has THE BEST views over the lake. My visit coincided with a local milestone: The 165th Anniversary of Œil de Perdrix.
If you are not familiar with it, Œil de Perdrix is considered the original Swiss rosé. Its history dates back to 1861and it’s made from 100% Pinot Noir using a short maceration process. The result is a bone-dry, incredibly crisp wine with clear red berry notes. There is zero fake sweetness here, and it’s genuinely reflects the region.
For the event, local mixologists were also challenged to create a drink using the rosé. The winning recipe, created by Juleps Cocktail, called “Le Clin d’Œil” is a serious MUST TRY. I even prepared it myself and I think I may just found a new favorite for this summer! In case you want to try it yourself, here is the recipe:
“Le Clin d’Œil”:
- 1.5 dl Œil de Perdrix
- 8 cl Kenai Tonic
- 2 cl Tarocco Orange Syrup
- 2 orange quarters
It is easy to mix at home if you want a crisp, simple cocktail that highlights local Swiss wine.
A Local Tip: Fête des Vendanges
Here is a little secret tip if you are planning a trip later this year: mark your calendars for late September.
That’s when the region finishes the grape harvest and goes all out for a hugggge wine festival with an incredible flowers parade called Fête des Vendanges.
This year it falls on September 25-27, with a dedicated winegrowers’ village right in the city center. You can try local wines and food directly from the producers. On Sunday, they host the “Corso Fleuri,” a traditional flower parade with decorated floats. It’s a totally down-to-earth, fun way to experience the local wine scene right at the source.
Let me know what you think and if you like to hear more recommendations about the region!
