If you’re staying at the Best Western Hotel Beaulac in Neuchâtel, chances are you’ll be spending a few days exploring our beloved region and taking advantage of its cultural, culinary, and sporting offerings. Neuchâtel is highly praised, in part thanks to Lake Neuchâtel, one of Switzerland’s most beautiful and cleanest lakes. It’s also the largest entirely Swiss body of water.
Indeed, there are numerous activities to enjoy by and on Lake Neuchâtel! From beaches and sports to cruises, as well as hikes, walks, and visits to the villages and ports around the lake, you’ll have plenty of options. Not to mention observing the lake’s wildlife.
So, we’ve decided to provide you with a complete and detailed list of activities to do by Lake Neuchâtel. Happy reading, everyone.
Beaches by Lake Neuchâtel to Visit
You may not be at the sea or the ocean, but you’ll feel almost as if you are at the beaches of Lake Neuchâtel. These clean spaces invite relaxation for families, friends, or solo travelers seeking rejuvenation. You’ll find several beaches offering both tranquility and entertainment for all ages. Among these beaches, you can especially visit:
Les Jeunes-Rives: The Jeunes-Rives beach is located in the heart of Neuchâtel. It delights water sports enthusiasts and families alike. Bordered by a vast green space, this beach is quite peaceful while being close to the city center. It’s a pebble beach equipped with necessities like showers, toilets, a snack bar, and picnic tables. In terms of entertainment, Les Jeunes-Rives boasts playgrounds, petanque courts, and beach volleyball courts. Accessible to families and groups, this beach is easily reachable by public transport or car, with nearby parking.
Serrières Beach: Serrières Beach in Neuchâtel is located west of the city. It’s very peaceful and also close to the city center. Access to the lake is gentle (with a gentle slope), and it features green spaces for sunbathing and relaxation. It’s also a pebble beach with facilities including showers, toilets, and grills. It’s accessible by public transport or car.
Cheyres Beach: Situated between Yverdon-les-Bains and Estavayer-le-Lac, Cheyres Beach is a sandy beach offering an idyllic setting surrounded by the flora of Grande Cariçaie. It’s located right next to the Cheyres port and offers green spaces, sandy shores, playgrounds, restaurants, cabins, kiosks, and beach volleyball courts. Every July, you can even attend the festival organized on the beach: Festi’ Cheyres. The lineup caters to pop/rock enthusiasts!
Water Sports on Lake Neuchâtel
For those seeking thrills on the tranquil waters of the lake, a multitude of equipment rental services and courses for all levels are available.
- At the Neuchâtel Water Ski Club, located at Bains des Dames, you can enjoy water skiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing sessions.
- The Sailing Club, based at Nid-du-Crô port, offers sailing courses for children and adults, as well as summer camps for mastering navigation skills!
- The Neuchâtel Nautical Society, near Monruz Beach, offers rowing initiations and courses for learning to row.
- Océane Plongée is a diving shop and school where you can explore the depths of Lake Neuchâtel with baptisms, training, and activities like snorkeling and free diving.
- The Neuchâtel International Diving Center, located at the Diver’s House, offers baptisms, training, and outings to various diving sites by boat.
- For stand-up paddle (SUP) enthusiasts, Laimina Sports provides initiations and courses at Les Jeunes-Rives.
- Meanwhile, Marine Service Loisirs, based in the Neuchâtel port, offers pedal boat and boat rentals for peaceful lake excursions!
- Finally, Sub-Sport Neuchâtel, an underwater diving center in Serrières, offers diving baptisms and a full range of technical courses.
With so many options, Lake Neuchâtel is a favored destination for water sports enthusiasts. If you’d like the complete list of water sports services on Lake Neuchâtel, feel free to ask us directly at the hotel reception.
For those less inclined toward sports, you can also enjoy cruises and explore Lake Neuchâtel by boat.
Navigation Lakes Neuchâtel and Morat Company: This company offers a variety of themed cruises and guided tours, allowing passengers to discover Lake Neuchâtel and its treasures from the boat. Sunset cruises, gastronomic excursions: you’ll have plenty of choices!
Private Cruises: For an even more exclusive experience, many companies offer private cruises and luxury charters. They are generally popular and highly appreciated for special celebrations or romantic getaways.
And of course, companies like Neuchâtel Boat Rental and Lake Neuchâtel Yachting offer boat rentals without a license, allowing you to navigate the lake at your own pace and according to your desires
Hikes and Excursions around the Lake
The panoramic trails surrounding Lake Neuchâtel offer breathtaking views for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, guaranteeing energy and a return to nature! Here’s a list of hikes and excursions to do around Lake Neuchâtel.
- La Grande Cariçaie: This natural sanctuary, located on the lake’s south shore, harbors rich biodiversity. You can observe unique bird species native to the Neuchâtel region. The trails are well-marked and allow you to explore the reserve at your own pace while respecting the fauna and flora it houses.
- The Lake Promenade: Stretching along the lake’s shores for kilometers, the Lake Promenade offers splendid landscapes, both picturesque and charming. It’s a walk to do on foot, but you can enjoy it even more by cycling.
- The Three Lakes Trail: Stepping up a notch with the Three Lakes Trail, you can admire the diverse landscapes of the region over a long distance connecting Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Morat, and Lake Biel. It’s a highly appreciated hike for discovering typically Swiss landscapes.
In summary
By staying at Hotel Beaulac, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy Lake Neuchâtel in all seasons. The lake offers a wide range of activities for all ages and preferences. You can enjoy sunbathing and swimming with your family for a beach afternoon or indulge in numerous water sports activities if you seek thrills. For those less inclined toward sports, cruises are also available to explore Lake Neuchâtel by boat. Lastly, a wide selection of hikes and walks around the lake, ranging from short to long distances, will allow you to admire Neuchâtel and Swiss landscapes in all their splendor.
If you’re planning to visit Neuchâtel and our beautiful region but unsure where to stay, book now in one of our finest rooms overlooking the lake on our homepage www.beaulac.ch.
