Lucerne. Elegant, sophisticated, in love with the mountains, but with the soul of a sailor. This is Lucerne, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland.
With the protective strength granted by its impressive Alpine setting and the delicacy of swans and sailboats gliding across Lake Lucerne, Lucerne knows it is envied by everyone, even by Interlaken. And it is no wonder it exudes such attraction, because this charming medieval city knows well how to seduce the traveler and dazzle them with its innate elegance.
What to see in Lucerne Switzerland
If you are thinking of traveling to Switzerland, I’ll tell you everything you have to see in Lucerne so you don’t miss any essentials. With one day, you could get an idea, but to make the most of it, leave more time in your schedule so you can also explore everything there is to see in the surroundings of Lucerne.
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The best experiences in Lucerne Do not leave Lucerne without living its most famous, unmissable experiences. Do book as early as you can, though, because they are in high demand (and no wonder) - Excursion to Mount Titlis Conquer the summit of eternal snows by cable car. - Excursion to the Jungfraujoch You cannot leave Switzerland without going up to this staggering place. Unmissable! - Visit Grindelwald and Interlaken This corner of the Bernese Oberland won me over.
From bridge to bridge
One after another, small and charming Lucerne hides delightful surprises in every corner. But, without a doubt, the most representative of all is Kapellbrücke, the Chapel Bridge and symbol of the city. This famous wooden covered bridge with its octagonal tower Wasserturm spans the two banks of the Reuss River connecting the new city with the old.
Admiring its flower-filled exterior, photographing it with swans as improvised models, and crossing it without haste is a must if you are traveling to Lucerne. Its interior holds a surprise with many paintings depicting the history of the city and the country.
The ‘disappointment’ comes when you discover that the original bridge, from the 14th century, was consumed by fire during an incident in 1933. Regardless, the restoration is exquisite and it is, without a doubt, one of the essentials to see in Lucerne.
If you follow the course of the Reuss River, the water belt of Lucerne, you will find Spreuerbrücke, another charming covered wooden bridge that was built in the 15th century as part of the defensive wall that protected the city.
Inside, you will also find artworks, though quite a bit more macabre than those of Kapellbrücke. They were painted by Kaspar Meglinger in the 17th century and are the reason some call it the ‘Dance of Death’ bridge.
Wander through the medieval heart of Lucerne
The waters of the Reuss River separate the center of Lucerne distinguishing the newer area from the old town. The latter holds another good catalog of attractions, such as the colorful façades painted with frescoes, authentic open-air museums. You can admire them as you hop from square to square, each more picturesque than the last, through cobbled alleys and under the protection of all kinds of medieval coats of arms.
Stop at the charming Weinmarkt square, the wine market square, where you can sit at its stone fountain from which the city’s patron saint, Saint Maurice, watches over visitors. Look up and contemplate at your leisure two of Lucerne’s most beautiful façades: the oldest pharmacy in Lucerne and the headquarters of the butchers’ guild, both from the 14th century.
Climb the Lucerne city wall and enjoy the views
Follow the medieval traces of the city to Museggmauer, the remains of the fortified walls that protected the old town. Now you can also walk along them for an 800-meter stroll and ascend, and even almost climb, several of its towers to scout the city from a bird’s eye view. The Luegisland tower cannot be accessed.
Feel like a watchman among its battlements and let yourself be surprised by features such as the machinery of the oldest clock in Lucerne. Access is free from 8 AM to 7 PM. It only opens after winter, between April 1st and November 1st. If you have vertigo or mobility issues, perhaps this visit to Lucerne is not for you.
The most moving sculpture
Lucerne’s good taste is also demonstrated in The Lion Monument, a giant wounded feline sculpted into a stone wall whose dying expression moves anyone who beholds it. That is what happened to the writer Mark Twain, who described this monument, created in memory of the Swiss Guard mercenaries fallen in the French Revolution, as “The most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world”.
Very close to the lion, you can visit a rather atypical museum, the Glacier Garden where you can contemplate the holes or giant’s kettles left in the earth by a glacier millions of years ago. A unique opportunity to learn about these ice giants and a curious place if you go to Switzerland with children.
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Checking out Lucerne’s churches
Along the banks of the Reuss River stands the unmistakable white facade of the Jesuit Church, Lucerne’s most famous temple. Its importance is primarily architectural, as it is the first Baroque-style religious building erected in all of Switzerland. Furthermore, its Rococo interior promises to pique your interest.
On the other side of the river, another very different church awaits you, also from the 17th century like the previous one, but equally attractive thanks to its Gothic towers whose pointed spires try to tickle the sky. They are the towers of the Catholic Church Hofkirche of St. Leodegar, considered Lucerne’s cathedral.
A touch of modernity
Cross to the other side of the river to discover another of Lucerne’s emblems, but this time from its recent history. This is KKL, the culture and convention center, located next to the lake in an impressive futuristic building designed by architect Jean Nouvel.
There you can enjoy works of art and concerts in what they say is the hall with the best acoustics in the world. From the outside, KKL represents a real disruption to the medieval appearance of Lucerne that you can see for yourself from the almost aerial panorama offered by the walls.
Next door, right across from the port where some of the steamboats that ply Lake Lucerne dock, is the busy train station with a glass roof designed by the Spaniard Santiago Calatrava.
- A good option to see much of what I’ve told you, but with the company of a guide who tells you about the history of the city and plenty of curiosities, is to take a free tour of Lucerne or, if you prefer, a private tour of Lucerne.
Sailing on Lake Lucerne
What to see in Lucerne? Well, the more time you have, the more possibilities the city offers you.
One of the most recommended activities to do in Lucerne is sailing on Lake Lucerne. You can do this, for example, on one of the nostalgic steamboats that depart from the pier. Relax and enjoy watching the city’s silhouette recede while you approach the mountains and play at counting the bucolic piers and little houses hidden among the trees on the lake’s shores.
And if you have time…
You can make room in your schedule for the famous transport museum on the outskirts of the city, or take a look at the gigantic and curious circular painting of the Bourbaki Panorama, which, with a striking realistic technique, shows a historic military moment.
If you are going to Lucerne with children... A fun activity to do with little ones is the guided e-bike tour of Lucerne. And if the children (and the grown-ups) have a sweet tooth, you cannot miss Swiss Chocolat Adventure, an original interactive attraction with a chocolate tasting included.
Map of Lucerne
To make it easier for you to locate all the places to see in Lucerne, here is a map of Lucerne with the main points of interest you have just discovered:
What to see near Lucerne
As I mentioned before, Lucerne is a small city that you can easily explore on foot and can be visited in one or two days. But for me, a visit to Lucerne wouldn’t be complete without exploring its surroundings, which are absolutely beautiful.
Conquer the summit of Mount Pilatus
Please, don’t leave Lucerne without going up Mount Pilatus, one of the two peaks, along with Rigi, that protect this Swiss city.
The journey to get there is a highly recommended excursion in itself. From Lucerne, a beautiful boat trip of just over an hour across the lake takes you to Alpnachstad station. There, you take the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which will take you to conquer the 2,132 meters of Mount Pilatus, with a gradient of up to 48%.
Once at the top, several breathtaking viewpoints and trails await you, whose views will depend on your luck with the weather (as you can see from the photos, I didn’t have much).
To return to Lucerne, you can do it the same way or return via Kriens on the Dragon Ride, a spectacular glass cable car that you can combine with a descent on an alpine slide. Quite an adventure in Lucerne that I really wanted to do.
I did the climb to Mount Pilatus in Lucerne on my own, but if you prefer to have everything organized so you don’t have to worry about transfers or buying tickets, the best option is to book the Mount Pilatus excursion. Doing it this way has many advantages, such as being accompanied by a guide and having a more complete experience: you will go up on the Dragon Ride and come down on the cogwheel train.
- Did you know you can sleep on the summit of Pilatus? If you want to celebrate something special or simply treat yourself, take a look at the Hotel Pilatus Kulm
Discover the bucolic views of Mount Rigi
Before leaving Lucerne, make room in your schedule for Mount Rigi because it is completely different from Pilatus.
The climb from Lucerne to its summit, on a peaceful cogwheel train departing from Vitznau, which you will reach by boat, is undoubtedly much more relaxed than that of Pilatus. But Rigi’s trump card to steal visitors from its rival is its very complete 360-degree views with stunning lakes, peaks, and forest at your feet.
- If you don’t want to overcomplicate things, you can book the excursion to Mount Rigi with a guide in Spanish.
Climb both with the Swiss Travel Pass
If Switzerland’s high prices hold you back when choosing which of these two excursions from Lucerne to do, definitely get the Swiss Travel Pass which includes both journeys, the Rigi and the Pilatus. This advantageous transport pass allows you to take trains, buses, boats, and even some of Switzerland’s most attractive scenic mountain ascents.
Many museums of interest and public transport to get around the main cities are also included. You can choose for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days, and the cheapest option starts at €245. Although it may seem expensive at first, do the math because you save a lot of money and time; it is truly worth it.
Where to stay in Lucerne
Accommodation in Switzerland is expensive, so if you want to stay in a hotel, get your credit card ready. In my case, I stayed through Airbnb in a very large and comfortable house for around €110 a night, which for Switzerland is a very low price. Mind you, it was not right in the center; it took just over 10 minutes by bus and less than 20 minutes walking to the famous Kapellbrücke bridge.
Here are two different accommodation options where to stay in Lucerne that are right in the center, have good reviews, and an outstanding value for money.
-My favorite: KoBi Boutique Studios Hirschenplatz It wins by far for its location, next to Lucerne’s most famous bridge; because it has a kitchen to save you quite a bit of money on meals; because its interior with wooden beams is very charming; and because it has very good reviews.
-Budget and central hotel Roesli Guesthouse If a room is enough for you, this hotel has a very good price for Lucerne. Also, in summer it has a swimming pool (in another building).
Where to eat in Lucerne
Eating in Switzerland is not cheap either, what can you do. You’ll have to rely on picnics often, but trying Lucerne’s gastronomy is part of the experience, so treat yourself!
I recommend eating on the riverbank with views of the Kapellbrücke bridge. There are many places to choose from, but the only one I tried and recommend wholeheartedly because it was a great choice is the restaurant Rathaus Brauerei, on the lively Unter der Egg, 2. If you like beers, here they are craft. The menu is very complete and its most famous dish is the Rathaus Güggel, a gourmet chicken, but I tried their sausages which were delicious and cheaper.
How to get to Lucerne
The nearest airport is Zurich from where you can take a train or a bus that will drop you in Lucerne in one hour.
If you want to save some money, I recommend looking for flights to Basel which are usually quite a bit cheaper. From there, you also have bus and train connections to Lucerne, and it will only take a bit more than half an hour longer than from Zurich.
More articles about Switzerland: -What to see in Lucerne -Swiss Travel Pass: how much it costs, how it works -Interlaken in 24 must-see spots -Lauterbrunnen, the valley of the 72 waterfalls -Bern: what to see in the Swiss capital
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