Lucerne
The city, the lake, the mountains
Welcome to Lucerne, Switzerland – a stunning destination nestled amidst the majestic Swiss Alps. Known for its stunning scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture, Lucerne is a must-visit location for anyone looking to experience the best that Switzerland has to offer.
From the iconic Chapel Bridge to the historic Old Town, Lucerne boasts an abundance of sights and attractions that are sure to captivate visitors of all ages. Take a stroll along the picturesque waterfront promenade, explore the city’s impressive museums and galleries, or simply relax in one of the many quaint cafes and restaurants that dot the city.
Attractions
Chapel Bridge, Water Tower & Old Town
The iconic Chapel Bridge and Water Tower introduce visitors to Lucerne and lead them to its medieval Old Town. Lucerne’s Old Town, with its historical towers and buildings, lies between the City Hall and Chapel Bridge, along the river Reuss. It is a shopper’s paradise and also boasts of many cafes and restaurants.
Lion Monument & Glacier Garden
The famous carved stone Lion Monument is a popular tourist spot and pays tribute to the Swiss guardsmen who died during the French Revolution. Neighbouring the Lion Monument is the Glacier Garden, where visitors travel back in time and discover what Lucerne looked like when glaciers covered the land.
Swiss Museum of Transport
At the Swiss Museum of Transport, visitors can feel what it’s like to fly a flight simulator, experience the world of racing with vintage cars or even try the motorized exponents from Formula 1. Additionally, visitors can also explore specialized exhibits such as the Planetarium and Swiss Chocolate Adventure.
Lake Lucerne Cruise
A trip to Lucerne is not complete without a boat cruise experience. Whether on the modern MS Diamant, a romantic cruise at sunset or an antique paddle steamer – it’s a must! The cruises are a great way to explore the surrounding region. In summer, travellers can even enjoy an Indian dinner cruise.
Mt. Pilatus
Lucerne’s home mountain, Mt. Pilatus, is the ideal adventure mountain for the whole family. On the summit, there is a self-service and an a la carte restaurant, as well as two hotels where travellers can spend a night in the heart of the mountains. In the summer, along with amazing views, travellers can enjoy the rope park and Switzerland’s longest summer toboggan run, as well as explore the many hiking trails.
Stanserhorn
The Stanserhorn excursion offers a beautiful combination of a historical funicular along with the futuristic CabriO Aerial Cableway, a double-decker cableway with an open roof deck. The summit offers fantastic views of the region and many walking trails. The revolving restaurant“ Rondorama”, at the summit, is a must-visit.
For those seeking adventure, Lucerne is also an ideal location for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding. With easy access to some of the best ski resorts in Switzerland, Lucerne is the perfect destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
But Lucerne isn’t just about the great outdoors – it’s also a cultural hub that is home to a range of festivals and events throughout the year. From the Lucerne Festival of classical music to the Lucerne Blues Festival, there’s always something happening in this vibrant city.
Day Trips from Lucerne
Engelberg
The scenic village of Engelberg is a 45-minute train ride from Lucerne, and offers visitors numerous unforgettable experiences. The Benedictine Monastery in the village gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of the monks that still live there. The Monastery’s Show Cheese Factory lets visitors watch cheese being made, as well as participate in the process themselves! Over the years, Engelberg has become famous for being the starting point for the excursion to Mt. Titlis.
Mt. Titlis
The Mt. Titlis excursion (3062 m above sea level) is open year-round. The TITLIS Rotair, the world’s first revolving cable car, takes visitors up to the summit where they can enjoy activities such as the Titlis Cliff Walk (Europe’s highest suspension bridge), the Ice Flyer Chairlift and Glacier cave. In the summer, at Truebsee, visitors can experience activities like boating and ziplining. And in winter, they can indulge in snow activities like skiing and snow tubing at the Glacier park and snowXpar
Stoos
The journey from Lucerne to Stoos is 45 minutes by public transport. From Schwyz, visitors travel up to Stoos, on the world’s steepest funicular. The funicular’s cabins have been specially designed for the extreme 110 percent gradient, thereby making it a comfortable experience for passengers. On the top, visitors can get a spectacular view of the lake and the surrounding landscape. The many hotels and holiday apartments make it an ideal family destination
Insider Tips
With a number of budget to luxury brands on offer, Lucerne has every brand of watch visitors could wish to buy. Visitors can browse through more than two dozen boutiques, most of them located around Schwanenplatz.
Located in the heart of Old Town, the Stadtkeller is the ideal place where visitors can enjoy the typical Swiss ambience, delicious local cuisine and traditional folklore performances.
Located in Schwanenplatz, Bachmann is truly a ‘Land of Chocolate’ for visitors. This popular confectioner uses only natural ingredients to produce delectable handmade chocolates daily.
The Bürgenstock Resort is located atop a spectacular mountain ridge offering incomparable views. Reopened in 2017, it now comprises of four hotels, extensive wellness facilities and numerous dining options
Visitors can discover Lucerne aboard the old-style blue tourist trolley train which takes them to the highlights of the city. With comfortable seating and information via headphones, this tour is a wonderful experience.
So why wait? Start planning your dream trip to Lucerne today and discover all the wonders that Switzerland has to offer. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or culture, Lucerne has something for everyone.