A Weekend in Yverdon-les-Bains
Weekend in Yverdon-les-Bains: 48 Hours of Relaxation by the Lake
Located on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, Yverdon-les-Bains is the ideal destination for a rejuvenating getaway with friends or as a couple. With lakeside strolls, sandy beaches, and cultural attractions, this small spa town in French-speaking Switzerland offers the perfect setting to unwind for a weekend. Here’s our 48-hour itinerary to help you make the most of the spa town.
Saturday: Immerse yourself in the local culture and relax by the water
The Saturday Morning Market
Start your weekend with a stroll through the weekly market that brings Rue du Milieu to life every Saturday morning. Colorful stalls filled with local fruits and vegetables, cheeses from the Vaud region, and so many other products that will catch your eye. It’s the perfect opportunity to soak up the friendly atmosphere of the historic center while enjoying a coffee and a pastry as you wander through the city.
Walk to the lake
Next, head to the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, just a few minutes’ walk from downtown. Your stroll will first take you to Quai de Nogent, where La Dérivée ’s summer refreshment stand is set up. From June 5 to August 15, enjoy a varied cultural program featuring solar-powered boat rides, yoga, self-defense workshops, concerts, and dances from around the world, all designed to entertain the public. Continue your walk along the riverbanks to the small Iris Harbor, where pleasure boats are moored.
Continue on to the Yverdon-les-Bains Beach Campground, where campers can enjoy a spot that’s practically “right on the water.” Just past that, you’ll discover Y-Plage, the water sports center where you can rent pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or even sailing gear for a day on the water.
Finally, Yverdon Beach comes into view with its fine sand and well-maintained areas. It’s perfect for a picnic by the water or simply for spreading out a towel and enjoying the view of the lake and the Jura Mountains. In the summer, the beach transforms into a cosmopolitan spot where the various communities in the region gather for barbecues and days spent outdoors: with its festive vibe and the aroma of grilled food, there’s a particularly pleasant and friendly atmosphere around Yverdon’s beach.
🚌 And here’s some good news for 2026: the No. 606 bus will take you from the Yverdon-les-Bains train station to the beach in just a few minutes—and… for free!
A Nature Getaway in the Late Afternoon
To wrap up this first day, head to the Pro Natura Center in Champ-Pittet. Along the way, you’ll pass the impressive Clendy Menhirs, Switzerland’s most significant megalithic site. Located in the heart of the Grande Cariçaie Nature Reserve, the center offers magnificent trails for observing lake wildlife. Highly prized by wildlife photographers for its diverse bird species, this protected area invites you to truly “immerse yourself in nature.”
In the evening
For dinner, here are a few restaurant recommendations: Botanik for creative cuisine in a lush, green setting; Le Double R for its friendly atmosphere; Il Sogno for Italian flavors; or Café de la Promenade for a cozy spot.
Sunday: Culture and Heritage
Cultural Morning in Yverdon
Wake up at your own pace and set out to explore Yverdon’s cultural heritage. La Maison d’Ailleurs, Europe’s only museum dedicated to science fiction, will present the exhibition “Inside Peeters” in 2026, which explores the origins of comics through the work of this master of the 9th art. Just a stone’s throw away, the Château d’Yverdon is home to the Musée d’Yverdon et Région, where you can learn about local history and see a temporary exhibition from the Swiss Fashion Museum.
Field Trip to Grandson
And to end your stay on a high note, head to Grandson and its imposing castle overlooking Lake Neuchâtel. It’s about an hour’s pleasant walk along the lake (or a 10-minute drive or bus ride). Grandson Castle, which recently underwent renovations, is one of the largest castles in Switzerland. Its immersive tour through 1,000 years of history is well worth the visit, as is every stone and room in the fortress. The journey between Grandson and Yverdon-les-Bains holds some wonderful surprises; we invite you to follow Djamila’s itinerary as she shares her favorite spots between these two lakeside towns.