JoachimKohlerBremen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Murten

Charming medieval lakeside town

Murten in Switzerland stands out as a small yet lively town with historic charm and modern comforts. Located near Lake Murten, it provides easy access to water activities like sailing or swimming during warmer months. The old town features well-preserved medieval walls and buildings that reflect centuries of history. Residents enjoy a relaxed pace of life while still having connections to nearby cities such as Bern for shopping and culture. Parks along the lake offer peaceful spots for walking, cycling or simply enjoying views over calm waters surrounded by green hills.

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Town in Switzerland

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 9.0

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	10

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4/5

Many locals in Murten speak English proficiently, especially those in the hospitality and tourism sectors, ensuring that English-speaking visitors can navigate the town comfortably.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Murten Summary

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Excellent for medieval charm and lakeside walks. Walk historic walls, explore arcaded streets, swim in the lake and relax in quiet cafés.

Place score

7.8

Best at:

Spotless

Cosy towns

Lakes

Walkable

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

💻 9

Digital Nomads

Switzerland – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type J Type C: Type J: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Swiss Franc (CHF) £1 ≈ CHF 1.10
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Switzerland is very cashless-friendly, with credit and debit cards widely accepted. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also increasingly common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Switzerland. Most service charges are included in bills. In restaurants, rounding up to the nearest 5 CHF or leaving 5-10% is common. Taxi drivers and hotel staff appreciate small tips for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed and socially acceptable in Switzerland, but being disruptive is frowned upon. Alcohol can be consumed in parks, trains, and outdoor events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated areas. Outdoor smoking is common.

Swiss National Day (August)	Expect celebrations, parades, and fireworks throughout the country.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events are common, with tourist areas being busier than usual.
Easter (March/April)	Many attractions are closed, but some areas offer special events and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Switzerland is famous for its natural beauty, well-organised transport, and multilingual culture. The Swiss Travel Pass is highly recommended for tourists.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Murten, Switzerland

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Lake boats and three-lakes cruises run mainly April to October

Fog often covers the lake and surrounding plain November to February

Don't miss

🧱 Walk along the well-preserved historic Rampart Walls
🏰 Visit Murten Castle and its scenic tower views
🏘️ Stroll through charming Old Town with colorful buildings
🌊 Relax by Lake Murten’s peaceful waterfront and parks
🔮 Explore the unique Ambra Minerals museum and shop

You've been here?

Why travel to Murten?

Murten's rich history is palpable as you stroll along its intact city walls – the only ones in Switzerland that can still be walked in their entirety. The town's bilingual nature, sitting at the crossroads of German and French cultures, adds a unique flair. Beyond its historical allure, Murten's lakeside location provides ample opportunities for water sports, leisurely promenades and breathtaking sunsets over the Jura Mountains.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Schloss Murten
2 The Old Town Flat
3 Ringmauer
4 Berntor
5 Stadtgraben
6 Deutsche Kirche

🎡Places for activities

1 Chemin du Port

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Mont-Vully
2 Caves du Château SA
3 Canal de la Broye
4 Salavaux Plage
5 Grosses Moos

🛍️Shopping

1 Aebersold
2 Fromagerie Reist de Lugnorre
3 Bilma Market

🎈Events

Murten Light Festival
Murten Classics Music Festival
Murtenlauf (Murten Run)
Solennität Murten (Traditional Festival)
Murten International Film Festival
SlowUp Lake Murten
Murten Music Festival
Vully Wine Festival
Murten Christmas Market
Murten Food Festival

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Knowledge before you go

Walk the medieval ramparts for rooftop and lake panoramas.
Murten is bilingual; you’ll hear French and German, so greetings like “bonjour” or “grüezi” fit.
The old town is compact and cobblestoned; wear comfortable shoes and explore mostly on foot.
In warm months, pair the walled town with Lake Murten – swim, promenade at sunset or take a short boat ride.

How to travel to Murten

Murten is well-connected by public transportation. Regular train services link Murten to major Swiss cities like Bern and Lausanne, making it easily accessible for travelers. Additionally, the town is served by regional bus lines and for those driving, it's conveniently located near major highways.

Access summary

From Bern Airport: train via Bern, usually about 45–70 minutes.
From Bern city: direct trains to Murten/Morat, around 30–40 minutes.
From Zurich or Geneva airports: intercity plus regional trains, typically 1.5–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Murten

Murten offers a range of accommodations, from charming boutique hotels nestled within historic buildings to cozy bed and breakfasts. Lakeside hotels provide scenic views and nearby campgrounds cater to those seeking a more rustic experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Schloss Muenchenwiler

8.4

Hotel de la Gare

7.2

Chez Elsa et Agou - chambre chez l'habitant (Homestay)

7.0

Hotel Murtenhof & Krone

Avenches Youth Hostel

9.1

Hotel Murten

7.9

SWISS HOTEL LA COURONNE

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Murten

Murten's compact size makes it ideal for exploration on foot. The old town's pedestrian-friendly streets allow visitors to immerse themselves in its historic ambiance. For destinations beyond the town center, local buses and bike rentals are available, providing convenient options to explore the surrounding countryside and lakeside areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+60 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 60% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CHF) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Fribourg, Switzerland - 14 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£88	£205	£552
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£75	£165
🍝 Food per day	£46	£114	£320
🚕 Transportation per day	£12	£15	£67

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£25
🍟 Fast food combo	£12.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£16
☕ Cappuccino	£4.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£41
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£17
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£100
🤧 Cold medication	£13
💇 Basic haircut	£32

Safety information overview

General safety

Murten is considered very safe for tourists, with low crime rates. Standard precautions, such as safeguarding personal belongings, are advisable.

Health & Medical

High-quality medical facilities are accessible in and around Murten. Travelers can expect excellent healthcare services if needed.

Accessibility

The town's historic architecture may present challenges for those with mobility issues. However, many areas are accessible and local services strive to accommodate all visitors.

Tap water

Tap water in Murten is safe to drink and of excellent quality. Public fountains providing potable water are also available throughout the town.