Planning a holiday in Switzerland? Lucerne is one of the most visited cities in Switzerland, and for good reason. In this guide, Lucerne, Switzerland: 14 Best Things to Do and See, I’ll share the top sights and activities to help you make the most of your visit. The city is absolutely beautiful, and at the same time, it’s not yet overrun with tourists like other popular European cities. Let’s take a look at what to see and do in Lucerne, where to stay, and how to get around the city.
Where to Stay in Lucerne? Tips for the Best Hotels
One of the best-rated hotels in Lucerne, located right in the center, is Mandarin Oriental Palace, but be aware that it’s also more expensive. Switzerland is expensive overall.
If you’re on a budget, check out the hostel Capsule Hotel – Chapter Lucerne; a good middle ground is The Lubo.
Lucerne, Switzerland: 14 Best Things to Do and See
Let’s now take a look at everything you can see and experience in Lucerne. We’ll introduce you to the most beautiful sights, as well as other activities that the whole family will enjoy.
Chapel Bridge and Water Tower
The main attraction of the city and a place you should head to first thing in the morning to experience it without tourists is Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke). It is one of the oldest covered wooden bridges in Europe.
It was built in 1333 and features unique triangular roof paintings depicting scenes from Lucerne’s history. The Water Tower, part of the bridge, served various purposes, including a prison and a torture chamber.
Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal)
Mark Twain, who visited the monument in the 19th century, described it in his book A Tramp Abroad as “the most mournful and moving piece of rock in the world”.
This monument, known as the Lucerne Lion or also the Swiss Lion, was carved into sandstone rock in honor of more than 700 members of the Swiss Guard who fell defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution in 1792.
The sculpture was designed by the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and executed between 1820–1821 by Lukas Ahorn.
The impressive lion, measuring ten meters in length and six meters in height, lies wounded by a spear above a small pond. This placement not only adds to the sculpture’s dramatic effect but also protects the monument from tourists’ touches.
The Latin inscription above the sculpture “Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti” translates as “To the Loyalty and Bravery of the Swiss”, which underscores the heroic legacy of this monumental sculpture.
The Lion Monument is located about a kilometer from the famous Chapel Bridge.
Jesuit Church
You definitely shouldn’t miss the Jesuit Church in Lucerne, the first Baroque sacred building in Switzerland, whose construction began in 1666 and was completed in 1677!
This architectural gem, inspired by the Roman church Il Gesù, boasts magnificent Baroque and Rococo stucco work, an impressive altar, and unique acoustics, which has made it a popular venue for concerts. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or music, a visit to this church will be an unforgettable experience!
Weinmarkt
One of the most beautiful places we visited in Lucerne was definitely the Weinmarkt, or the Wine Market. It’s a historic square full of beautifully painted medieval houses, and in the center, you’ll find a lovely fountain.
Mount Pilatus
When you’re in Lucerne, definitely head to Mount Pilatus. Our tip: Book a trip from Lucerne via the GetYourGuide portal, including a panoramic train ride, a visit to Lake Lucerne, and a gondola (cable car) ride up Mount Pilatus.
Purchase a trip on GetYourGuide: “From Lucerne: Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus.” Why via GetYourGuide? You can easily cancel it online if the weather is bad.
Museggmauer
Museggmauer is a historic city wall in Lucerne. This massive wall, built in the 14th century, is one of the most important remnants of medieval city fortifications.
The Museggmauer stretches along the northern side of the old town and includes nine towers, four of which are accessible to the public. Both the wall and the towers are very well preserved and offer magnificent views of the city and the surrounding landscape, including Lake Lucerne and the Alpine peaks.
Promenade along the Reuss River
A beautiful promenade runs along the Reuss River (Rus in Czech), so if the weather permits, you definitely shouldn’t miss it; moreover, you’ll come across most of the most important sights there.
Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne, also known as Vierwaldstättersee, is quite large and absolutely beautiful. You can explore it by paddleboard, steamboat, or even yacht!
We stayed by the lake and only went to Lucerne for day trips, so we went paddleboarding every day. The views were absolutely breathtaking.
Spreuerbrücke
You definitely shouldn’t miss Spreuerbrücke, another beautiful wooden bridge in Lucerne, which you’ll find a bit further downstream on the Reuss River than the more famous Kapellbrücke.
Spreuerbrücke got its name because chaff from the city mills was thrown directly into the river from it. Although it is less known, it has magnificent paintings inside.
Few people know that it inspired the English amateur painter Constance Mary Hemsworth, so much so that she had a faithful copy of it built at her residence in Monk Fryston, England.
Verkehrshaus – Switzerland’s most Visited Museum
You might be surprised that the most visited museum in Switzerland is a transport museum (that’s why it’s a good idea to book your ticket in advance to avoid queues; you can do this via GetYourGuide, I’ll put the link directly to the entrance below – you can also cancel it anytime through this portal).
At the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, you can see historic steam and electric locomotives, including the modern Giruno EC250 train, a unique “Auto Theatre” with iconic cars such as the Lamborghini Miura P400.
If you’re a fan of Formula, you’ll be interested to know that there are also Formula 1 simulators and crash tests, but of course, you’ll also find models of ships and submarines there. You’ll even see a model of the International Space Station (ISS) or a rotating “Space Transformer” simulating movement in space.
The visit concludes with an interactive exhibition dedicated to shipping, space travel, and even chocolate production, which you probably wouldn’t expect in a transport museum.
Rathaus Am Kornmarkt
Along the Reuss River, you’ll also come across Lucerne’s town hall. What makes it so special? It was built between 1602 and 1606 and represents one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Switzerland.
It has a beautiful stone facade and a distinctive roof in the Italian Renaissance style, which will catch your eye without you even having to focus on it.
Originally, it served as the city’s administrative center and a marketplace; today, various city events are held there.
Schloss Meggenhorn
A tip for an excursion from Lucerne? Above the city, you’ll find the beautiful Schloss Meggenhorn, which was built between 1868 and 1870 in the style of a 16th-century French château and is surrounded by an extensive park with vineyards, gardens, and magnificent views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps.
Sammlung Rosengart (Art Collection)
If you love art, one of your stops should be the art collection Sammlung Rosengart, where you’ll find works by Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. The collection is located in a former bank.
Wochenmarkt Unter Der Egg
Do you like markets? Then you can definitely visit the one in Lucerne, which is held every Tuesday and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This market, considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland, stretches along both banks of the Reuss River – on the right bank near Rathausquai and Unter der Egg, and on the left bank at Jesuitenplatz and Bahnhofstrasse.
You can taste typical Swiss cheeses and pastries here!
Getting around the City
For tourists in Lucerne, the local train station is an ideal starting point. Right in the station building, you’ll find an information center where you can get maps and tips on what’s currently happening in the city.
If you stay in a hotel in Lucerne, you’ll receive a free Visitor Card Lucerne. This card is valid for up to fourteen days and provides free transportation by bus and train in Zone 10.
Most attractions can still be reached on foot; if not, you can use the bus and tram network. The main public transport lines stop at all key tourist attractions, such as the Chapel Bridge or the Lion Monument.
There are also extensive cycling paths, so if you’re not afraid to cycle around the city, you can rent a bike.
Free transportation also applies to the train connection to Kriens – the starting point for the cable car to Mount Pilatus.
FAQ
Where to park in Lucerne?
The ideal place to park is right in the center at Flora.
What to do with kids in Lucerne?
Head to the Transport Museum, where they have Formula 1 simulators.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
