The city of Lucerne is a picturesque town located in the heart of Switzerland. Often referred to as the “Gateway to Central Switzerland,” Lucerne offers a beautiful lake, towering mountains, half-timbered homes, and a medieval charm. Walking through the town, the postcard-perfect views never get old. In this Lucerne Switzerland travel guide, I will share with you the 13 best things to do while visiting this lovely little town. You’ll discover the most famous landmarks to see, as well as fun activities the city has to offer!Â
Shopping / Wandering through Old Town: The Old Town of Lucerne has many great name brand stores, as well as boutiques. Be sure to account for at least a few hours to wander through the beautiful cobblestone streets, admire the murals, half-timbered houses and stop into a delicious cafe.
Mt. Pilatus Day Trip: This was our favorite activity we did in Lucerne and the day we remember the most! This can be made into a half day excursion or full day depending on how long you want to spend at the top of Mt. Pilatus. We opted for the ferry that takes you to the bottom of Mt. Pilatus, then hopped on the trolley, which takes you to the top. Mt. Pilatus is known for having the steepest railway track in the world! The line is 2.86 miles long and 6,800 feet high! At the top, there are several activities to do, as well as a restaurant to grab lunch or a coffee. I suggest the toboggan slides!
Spend time on the water: Lake Lucerne is the 4th largest lake in Switzerland and surrounded by mountains. They have several fun activities to do out on the water like motorboats, boat cruises, paddle boats and kayaking.
Lion of Lucerne:Â The Lion Monument is a rock relief that was built to commemorate the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris. It is one of the most famous sites to see while visiting Lucerne.Â
Glacier Garden: Located next to the Lion of Lucerne, you’ll find Glacier Garden. The Garden offers a museum, a maze of mirrors, beautiful nature, a cafe and souvenir shop. This is a great activity if you’re traveling as a family and have young kids.Â
Hofkirche: Be sure to walk up to Hofkirche during your time in Lucerne. It is an old beautiful church located right in the Old Town. The church sits at the top of a large staircase, making it very visual throughout the city. Hofkirche is open to the public to walk inside and also has a nice garden in the back.
Dine at Château Gütsch: If you’re looking to splurge one night on a fine dining restaurant, Lumiere’s is the place to go. Lumiere’s is the restaurant inside of Château Gütsch, which is a luxurious castle hotel that overlooks the city and Lake Lucerne. Sat on top of a hill, this restaurant and hotel is beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. A great way to escape the business of Old Town!
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Fondue House Luzern: What is more Swiss than enjoying fondue?! Located right on the Reuss River, with outdoor and indoor seating- this makes for a great midday break from all the walking around.Â
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Rauthaus Brewery & Waterfront Restaurants: Located in the Old Town and right next to the Old Chapel Bridge, this brewery is one of the most popular in Lucerne. A perfect spot by the water to enjoy a beer and pretzel after you’re finished exploring the town.
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Enjoy drinks at Montana Beach Club: A beautiful location to grab drinks and a snack. Montano Beach Club is located on the rooftop of Art Deco Hotel and offers unbelievable views.
Lucerne is a mid-size town with a population of 82,000 people. With many of the main highlights being in the Old Town, Lucerne can be seen in its entirety in 2-3 days. Located in the heart of Switzerland, this town makes for a perfect weekend trip, or a quick stop before heading to your next destination. I suggest planning for 1 day at Mt. Pilatus and 1 day to see the Old Town, enjoy drinks by the lake, and see the Lion of Lucerne. A third day will allow for more leisure time for shopping, spending time on a boat cruise or paddle boat, and enjoying drinks at the Art Deco Hotel (if you’re visiting in the summer).Â
Pros:Â
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-A walkable city.
-Feels very peaceful and calm here compared to larger / more touristy cities.
-The city has a toboggan slide, large mountains, and the steepest railway track in the world, making it unique and stand out amongst other towns.
Cons:Â
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-Switzerland has their own currency (the Swiss Francs) making it a very expensive country overall.Â
-Unless you’re staying at one of the luxury hotels up on the hill, accommodation in the Old Town can feel slim.Â
Lucerne has been one of my favorite cities we have visited! It was the perfect town to visit during a weekend in the summer. The town was very peaceful and calm, and we had a rather relaxing weekend. Sometimes traveling in Europe can feel like you need to see X,Y, and Z and check a bunch of things off your list while visiting. Whether you’re living in Europe and looking for a fun, relaxing weekend away or you’re visiting multiple cities in Switzerland, be sure to add Lucerne to your list!Â
Is your time in Lucerne coupled with a few other cities? Be sure to check out my complete list of European travel guides for anywhere else you may be headed! Cities include places like Vienna, Paris, Strasbourg, and so many more!Â
If you’re like me and need help keeping all of your travel plans and itinerary organized, be sure to check out my travel journal that I designed for just this reason! It’s how I plan every single trip and keep organized. It has everything you need from a packing list, a page for your accommodation info, travel itinerary, budgeting on your trip, journaling each day and more!Â
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