Lucerne is known as the gateway to central Switzerland and is the most populated city in the region. The city is famous for its medieval architecture, its location on the edge of Lake Lucerne, and the fact that it’s surrounded by snow-capped mountains. With all this beauty, there are so many incredible things to do in Lucerne.
The city itself is one of the most popular places in Switzerland; once you visit it’s easy to see why. With a beautiful old town, unique architecture, and scenic views, Lucerne is a must if you are planning a trip to the country.
This post is going to go through all the information you need to explore this beautiful city including how to get around the city, the tasty cuisine you need to try, and the best places to visit in Lucerne.
Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The top things to do in Lucerne
1. Walk Lucerne Old Town
The old town of Lucerne is incredibly picturesque and dates back to the 15th century. Located on the bank of the Reuss River, this beautiful part of the city showcases medieval architecture, as well as original 15th-century buildings.
One of the highlights of the old town is the old Town Hall (otherwise known as Altes Rathaus) which was built in the 1600s. The oldest church in Lucerne; St Peter’s Chapel is also located here and was built in 1178, although it has undergone restorations since.
During your stay in the city, make sure you wander around the old town’s cobbled streets, and timber-framed buildings to truly take in its charm. Visiting the old town is one of the top things to do in Lucerne and shouldn’t be missed!
Book a two-hour walking tour of Lucerne Old Town
2. Photograph Kapellbrücke
Kapellbrücke is one of the most photographed sights in all of Switzerland, and once you get to see its beauty for yourself; it’s not hard to understand why. Kapellbrücke (otherwise known as Chapel Bridge) sits across the Reuss River and is a unique wooden walkway that people can cross.
It is the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge, as it dates back to the 14th century. Although it was severely damaged by fire in 1933, the bridge has been rebuilt and restored and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Lucerne.
Sitting beside the bridge is the Wasserturm, which is a 13th-century water tower.
Book a two-hour walking tour of Lucerne Old Town
3. Visit the Lion of Lucerne
The Lion of Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks and is visited by millions each year. This mournful sculpture of a dying lion was created in 1821 to commemorate the Swiss guards killed during the French revolution.
The dying lion rests on top of a French broken shield, whilst behind him is an intact shield with the Swiss coat of arms.
The lion was famously visited by the American writer Mark Twain who commented that it was “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”
The statue is a popular spot in the city and is more locally known as Löwendenkmal.
Book a two-hour walking tour of Lucerne Old Town
4. See the Swiss Transport Museum
If you are looking for a unique experience, then visiting the Swiss Museum of Transport is a great activity in the city. The museum opened in 1959 and is the country’s most visited museum.
It is also one of the most extensive museums for mobility across Europe with exhibitions on rail transport, road transport, aviation, and water navigation.
However, that’s not all that’s located here. Aside from the transport exhibitions, there are other unique attractions including the Swiss Chocolate Adventure, Media World, the Planetarium, the film theater, and a large outdoor area with a lake and playing facilities.
Book your ticket to the Swiss Transport Museum here
5. Gorge on a Swiss Chocolate Experience
No trip to Switzerland is complete without sampling the country’s famous chocolate! Switzerland has been making chocolate for over 300 years and is considered some of the best in the world!
You can dive into any of the wonderful chocolate shops dotted around the city centre, or you can go on a “Swiss Chocolate Adventure” within the Transport Museum.
Book tickets to the Swiss Chocolate Adventure
6. Marvel at the Paintings on Spreuer Bridge
Another of Lucerne’s famous and ancient bridges, Spreuer Bridge is similar in design to the Kappelbrucke and was once one of three bridges crossing the Reuss. The third bridge, Hofbrücke, was destroyed in the 19th Century.
Spreuer Bridge initially connected the right bank of the Ruess to the mills that operated in the middle of the river. The bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1566 and rebuilt with the inclusion of a granary.
If you look up while navigating the bridge, you will notice paintings covering the triangular intersections. These 45 surviving paintings (there were 67 to start with) form a Totentanz or Dance Macabre (dance of the dead).
The paintings were created between 1616 and 1637 under the direction of Lucerne-borne artist Kaspar Meglinger.
Book a two-hour walking tour of Lucerne Old Town
7. Explore Majestic Lake Lucerne
Majestic Lake Lucerne is the fourth largest lake in Switzerland with a total area of 114 km² (44 sq mi) and a maximum depth of 214 m (702 ft). The lake is a unique shape and stretches on for 38km, so there is plenty to explore.
The view of the lake itself with its beautiful blue color, and surrounding alpine peaks is breathtaking. However, if you are wanting to get a bit more up close and personal, then you can choose to go on a boat trip or travel by paddle-wheel steamer in the summer months.
Take a One-Hour Panoramic Cruise on Lake Lucerne
8. Visit the Richard Wagner Museum
Between 186 and 1872 the German composer Richard Wagner lived at Tribschen Landhaus by Lake Lucerne. It was on the grand piano here that Wagner composed The Mastersingers of Nuremberg among other works.
The Landhaus is now a museum that is home to a collection of photographs, paintings, music scores and old letters. The prize piece of the collection is the aforementioned Erard grand piano.
The museum also houses contemporary exhibitions, and there is a pleasant cafe in the grounds, perfect in summer!
9. Climb the Musegg Wall
The Musegg Wall was built to defend the old town of Lucerne and was raised at the end of the 14th century. The wall is made up of nine tall towers in a row, which are all divided by a section of the old city wall.
Visiting Musegg Wall is one of the top things to do in Lucerne because the views are breathtaking. There are plenty of sections of the wall where people can walk along, to get an idea of what it would have been like back in the day.
Four of the towers along the Musegg Wall are accessible to tourists and can be climbed to see the surrounding views of the city and the lake. However, there is one special tower called Zytturm which is home to the oldest clock in the city. The clock dates back to 1535, and is permitted to chime a minute before the city’s other clocks in honor of its age.
10. Walk Around the Glacier Garden
Glacier Garden is home to a group of potholes that were formed during the last ice age over 20,000 years ago. It’s crazy to think that the city was once covered by glaciers, but it makes for an interesting attraction for tourists.
Even more astounding, are the fossils of shellfish found here from where Lucerne was the shore of a subtropical sea around 20 million years ago. With interesting exhibits, and a fish pond fed directly by the Gorner Glacier; this is a great family day out.
There is also a mirror maze located on the site, and an observation tower you can climb to get awesome views of the city.
11. Marvel at the Hofkirche
After Lucerne’s basilica got burnt down in the 17th century, the city decided to build a new one in the 1630s. Although some elements of the old church were kept like the preserved towers of the previous basilica, the new church’s architecture centered around late Renaissance style.
Today Hofkirche is considered to be the most important Renaissance church in Switzerland, and is a popular tourist attraction within the city. Not only is the church’s architecture beautiful, there are also tombs located around the church that are home to members of the Lucerne families.
Jesuit Church
Jesuit Church is a catholic church located along the Reuss River. It was the first large baroque church north of the Alps, and as you can imagine it’s architecture is intricate and stunning to say the least.
The Jesuits were invited by the city of Lucerne, as it was hoped they would help fight against the growing popularity of Protestantism.
Today however, the church is simply a beautiful spot in the city to visit. The second side chapel of the church is home to the original vestments of Brother Klaus who was a famous Swiss Patron, making this church a popular attraction.
12. Ride the Cogwheel Railway
The Cogwheel railway to Mount Pilatus (see below) is the steepest such railway in the world. The gradient reaches a staggering 48% as it climbs above the city and lake to its stop 2,073 metres (6,801 feet) up in the Swiss Alps.
Book a Round-Trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus
13. Ascend Mount Pilatus
Majestic Mount Pilatus is a picture-book mountain with several peaks that overlooks the city of Lucerne. Its highest point is named Tomlishorn and is an impressive 2,123 metres (6,965 feet) high. The views from the top are spectacular, making it one of the best places to visit in Lucerne.
The peak has the nickname “Dragon Mountain” after a medieval legend claimed that it was inhabited by special dragons who had healing powers.
You can choose to hike up to the top of Mount Pilatus which takes about 4 hours, or you can take the easy way – the handy Dragon Ride cable car. The top of the mountain can also be reached by gondola or cog railway, giving you a multitude of options.
Book a Round-Trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus
Day trips from Lucerne
Although there are plenty of things to do in the city to keep you busy, here are some of the cool Lucerne day trips from hiking to mountains and more.
14. Go Hiking at Giswilerstock
The small village of Giswil lies 30km south of Lucerne and is connected by a direct train line. The village sits on Lake Sarnen and offers plenty of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, cycling and more.
Nearby Giswilerstock is a 2,011 metre (6,600 ft) mountain overlooking the valley and lake. The mountain forms part of the Bergmandli Trail, a 12km round-trip hike starting and finishing in Morlialp.
Be sure to check out the Fluoalp Restaurant which sits next to the trail and specialises in traditional Swiss dairy.
15. Visit Mount Titlis (Engelberg-Titlis)
Engelberg-Titlis is an alpine town located 35km away from the city of Lucerne. It is the largest winter and summer holiday destination in Central Switzerland and offers a wide variety of activities for tourists. It is one of the top 10 ski resorts in the country, but in the summer it’s popular with hikers, climbers, and bikers instead.
Aside from the scenic views and snowsports, Engleberg is also famous for its Benedectine Monastery. The monastery is called Engelberg Abbey and was built in the 12th century, but what makes it special is that monks still live and work there today.
The best way to get to Engelberg is by direct train from Lucerne train station. The journey takes about 40 minutes, and you will encounter beautiful scenery on the way.
Book a Day-Trip to Mount Titlis from Lucerne
16. Jungfraujoch
The small settlement of Jungfraujoch is located about 80km from Lucerne and is known as “the top of Europe”. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the highest railroad station in Europe at a height of 3,454m.
However, you can go even higher if you choose to! The elevator takes you up to the summit of the Sphinx Observatory which sits at 3,573m. Whilst at the summit you have the chance to observe the breathtaking views and explore the Ice Palace.
The journey from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch is a long one and can take up to four hours. There are no direct trains, so you will have to take two trains, and then board a cog train that weaves up to Jungfraujoch. If the journey sounds too dubious for you, there are day trips that run to Jungfraujoch!
17. Mount Rigi
Riding the cog railway up to Mt Rigi is one of the best experiences in Switzerland. Mt Rigi sits at an elevation of 1,798m and the cog railway runs all the way up to the top from Vitznau on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
This journey was Europe’s first-ever cog railway, and you can still ride in some of the restored cars that date back to the beginning. Some of them date back to the 1920s! The views from the top stretch for miles and on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Black Forest in Germany.
Vitznau is located about 25km from Lucerne, and the best way to get there is by boat. That way you get to take the most scenic route and observe the surroundings from the lake.
Getting to Lucerne
The closest international airport to Lucerne is Zurich (ZRH). Direct trains to Lucerne leave from the airport every hour, and the journey takes roughly 70 minutes.
If you are traveling from Basel or Ticino, there are intercity domestic buses that run to Lucerne from these destinations.
However, Switzerland’s train system is extensive and incredibly reliable so that is the best way to reach the city. There is even a Eurostar service that travels from London to Lucerne, with only one changeover.
If you’re looking for other Swiss destinations, then be sure to check out this great Switzerland itinerary.
Getting Around Lucerne
There are various different ways to get around the city of Lucerne. You can explore on foot, take public transport, hire a bicycle or catch a taxi.
When it comes to taking public transport around the city, you have the option of a bus or train. You buy a ticket for a zone, rather than a day ticket and that covers both buses and trains. Lucerne is located in zone 10, and that’s all you’ll need as it includes all parts of the city.
If you don’t fancy taking public transport you can choose a licensed taxi, but they are very expensive. This isn’t the choice to make if you are traveling on a budget. However, Uber now operates in the city center making the journeys a lot cheaper.
The other option is to hire a bicycle which is a popular form of transport in Lucerne.
Swiss Travel Pass
A Swiss Travel Pass includes travel by train, bus and boat (including premium Panorama trains). It also includes unlimited public transport in Lucerne as well as 90 other cities in Switzerland.
The pass includes free admission in over 500 museums and mountain excursions. If you will be spending at least three days in the country and travelling to different cities then the Swiss Travel Pass is well worth getting.
Food in Lucerne
There are lots of different tasty authentic dishes to try in Lucerne. Here are just a few of the ones you need to try!
Lozärner Chögelipastetli – A simple meat dish featuring sausage meatballs and puff pastry vol-au-vents.
Swiss Fondue – This dish generally consists of a big pot of melted cheese, wine, and garlic that is used to dip bread, olives, and pickles into. It’s usually a communal pot so it’s a social dish, and forks are used to dip the food items.
Älplermagronen – This dish is a unique variation of macaroni cheese. It includes pasta, cream, cheese, potatoes, and onions. It is often also served with stewed apples, fried onion rings, and bacon.
Lucerne Weather
The climate in Lucerne varies throughout the year, but typically the summers are pleasant, and the winters are known for being very cold with plenty of rain.
The warmest month to visit Lucerne is in July, when temperatures have an average high of 24°C. The coldest month to visit is January with an average low temperature of -3°C.
Generally, the summer season lasts between June and September, with the cold season lasting from November to March.
The Best Time to Visit Lucerne
The most popular time to visit Lucerne is the summer peak season which starts towards the end of June and lasts until the middle of September. This is when temperatures are at their highest.
As temperatures don’t get really high in Lucerne, you will find exploring easy enough at any time of year. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, then early June and late September would be quieter.
The timing of your trip should also depend on the reason you are visiting. If you are heading to Lucerne because you want to hike the surrounding area, then a lot of the trails and mountains become impassable due to snow in the winter.
Is Lucerne Safe to Visit?
Switzerland is often considered to be the safest country in Europe, and the same goes for its cities.
The city of Lucerne is very safe for travelers, and the people here are also extremely friendly. Violent crime is very low, and the only thing to be mindful of is petty crimes like pickpocketing.
The main thing to be wary of is nature. If you are going on a day-hike from Lucerne it is important to be mindful of rockfalls, snowdrifts, and landslides. Altitude sickness can also be an issue for some people.
Accommodation in Lucerne
When it comes to choosing accommodation in Lucerne, you will be spoilt for choice. However, the accommodation here isn’t cheap. Here are some options for each budget, with the cheapest available being in the budget category.
Budget accommodation: Bettstatt-Neustadt (a double room with shared bathroom)
Mid-budget accommodation: Roesli Guest House (a double room with ensuite bathroom)
Luxury accommodation: Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern (a style double room with city view)
Check out these campsites in Switzerland if you like to live on the wild side!
Conclusion
Are you thinking of visiting Lucerne? The city is a beautiful part of Switzerland (and Europe for that matter) and is a popular hotspot for tourists. Go on a beautiful cable car ride, wander through the city’s old town or relax by the stunning Lake Lucerne.
Although the city is more expensive than many other European destinations, the accommodation quality, tourist attractions, and scenic views are totally worth it. With so many incredible things to do in Lucerne, this spot needs to be on your bucket list!
Book your Lucerne tour today!
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲