Located in the heart of Switzerland, the picturesque Swiss city of Lucerne is a must-visit destination for any traveller. Famed for its stunning lakeside location, charming old town, and stunning mountain views, Lucerne offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.
If you are planning a trip to this enchanting city, here is our mini guide to some of the top activities and things to do in Lucerne that you can enjoy during your stay. Many of these things to do in Lucerne are also FREE, perfect for those travelling to Switzerland on a budget. We also include a few paid tours throughout the post that you can consider booking in advance too.
We lastly also include our personal recommendations of places to sleep and eat while visiting Lucerne, based on our own travels to this beautiful Swiss city.
This is written by ourselves as expats living in Switzerland, based on our experience to the city of Lucerne. We live in Lugano in the South of Switzerland, but travel around exploring new places and sharing our opinions!
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer on our privacy page.
About Lucerne
Lucerne is situated in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and serves as the capital of the canton of Lucerne. The city is a lovely place to walk through the car-free cobblestone streets, past all the colourful buildings, and the historic landmarks dotted around the city.
The city is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, with the lake, mountains (such as Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi), and charming architecture creating a postcard-perfect setting for everyone who visits. The famously known Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, along with the Lion Monument, are iconic landmarks that contribute to Lucerne’s visual appeal, all visitable for you for free!
Lucerne also has a vibrant cultural scene with theaters, galleries, local Swiss events and music festivals. It’s a great place to visit regardless of your age, with many things happening throughout the year. More on this below!
Since Lucerne is located in quite a central location of Switzerland, it makes it a popular starting point for exploring other Swiss destinations. So if you are staying here for longer, you can visit many places around Switzerland with these day trips!
The Lucerne Flag
The Lucerne blue-and-white flag is dated back from 1386.
Shared by Martin Karner, the symbolism of the blue and white is somewhat lost in history. However a few explanations are provided about the design.
In most recent times, the blue could represent Lake Lucerne and the white to represent the local snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake – which matches the horizontal design. The flag could also represent the colours of the Virgin Mary. Whereas another explanation is that the Lucerne flag is taken from the coat of arms of the von Littau family.
We personally like the first one, representing the lake and mountains. What do you think?
How To Get To Lucerne Easiest?
Lucerne is easily reachable with a direct train from many Swiss locations, such as Zurich and Lugano. You can find all the connections within Switzerland with the SBB website or app, where you can easily plan in English your trip to the city of Lucerne.
Driving to Lucerne in Switzerland is also easy like the train, with the main highway passing around Lucerne for other cities, so easy to follow the signs in to the city too. There are lots of public parking garages within the city to choose from.
If needing to fly in to Switzerland first, the closest airport would be Zurich Airport and then taking the train down South to Lucerne. However you can also consider to fly to Milan Malpensa (Italy) and then take the train North instead. There is a direct train from Milan Malpensa to Lugano and Bellinzona, so you’d just have to change to one other train to get to Lucerne.
Things To Do In Lucerne
Shop IN The Old Town
Lucerne’s Old Town is filled with charming cobblestone streets, picturesque houses, and interesting shops and restaurants. Take a stroll through its narrow alleyways and you will stumble upon beautiful squares, boutique shops, and cozy cafes.
Local boutiques are hidden down every alleyway and you can find some lovely stores selling local items. We find that when you get a little ‘lost’ in a city, it’s the best way to discover something new. So don’t use google maps, take a wander and see what you can find!
Explore Chapel Bridge
Of course as you may know Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke in German) is one of the famous points to stop at when visiting. Together with the water tower, the iconic wooden bridge and tower are famous symbols of Lucerne. From a few angles you have a great views of the city and lake. With some friendly swans often bobbing around in the water.
The bridge is over 200 years old and offers breathtaking views of the Reuss River and the city. Built in the 14th century, it has undergone restoration and reconstruction over the years to this day.
The bridge is characterized by the distinctive tower in the middle of it, which is the Water Tower (Wasserturm). It stands in the middle of the river by purpose as it was once used as a prison and torture chamber.
You will find most, if not, all tourists walk over the bright and can get very busy. Our suggestion is to visit early one morning or late at night for a more unique experience. It’s also pretty at sunset for those who are photographers!
Walk The City Walls
In combination with walking the old town, you can also visit the Museggmauer. This is the medieval wall in Lucerne, which is one of the oldest in Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century. The Museggmauer stretches for about 870 meters and consists of nine towers, three of which are open to the public for us to experience ourselves.
The wall and towers were originally constructed for defensive purposes, protecting the city and its inhabitants. Over the years, the Museggmauer has undergone renovations and restorations to maintain its historical significance and structural integrity.
From the walls, even on a rainy day, you get a pretty view of the city of Lucerne.
During Spring time, just like our photos, you’ll start to spot the Magnolia trees at one point too. Very pretty!
Local Walking Tours
Lucerne Guided Walking Tour for 1.5 hours
History Walking Tour with Chocolate & Cheese Tastings
1-Hour Historical Tour with Night Watchman
Lion of Lucerne
The Lion Monument, also known as the Lion of Lucerne, is a famous sculpture in Lucerne that you can view while exploring the city. The monument is situated in a small park known as the Lion Monument Park (Löwendenkmal) near the Chapel Bridge.
The lion is carved into a sandstone rock face and depicts a dying lion pierced by a spear, so not the happiest statues you can see. It was designed by a Danish sculptor named Bertel Thorvaldsen and carved by Lukas Ahorn from 1820 onwards. It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred during the French Revolution in 1792 who were protecting the Tuileries Palace in Paris. The monument’s inscription reads “Helvetiorum Fidei ac Virtuti,” which translates to “To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss.”
The sculpture is particularly poignant, with the dying lion portrayed in a state of agony. The lion rests against a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the French monarchy. The monument is a powerful and somber tribute to the Swiss Guards who lost their lives, and it has become one of Lucerne’s most visited landmarks.
Visit A local Museum
If you are interested in science and technology, then the Swiss Museum of Transport is a must-visit attraction in Lucerne. The museum has a vast collection of exhibits (over 3,000!) ranging from trains, airplanes, and cars to space exploration and telecommunication. It also has a planetarium, a cinema, and a multimedia hall, making it a fun and educational experience for people of all ages.
Here is our full blogpost about our own experience: Visit The Swiss Transport Museum ‘Verkehrshaus’ In Lucerne
Other museums to consider in Lucerne for your visit include:
- Glacier Garden (Gletschergarten): Featuring a rock garden with glacial potholes and an exhibition on the history of Lucerne, including the Mirror Maze and the Alhambra Hall.
- Rosengart Collection: Houses a collection of works by Swiss artist Angelika Kauffmann and a significant collection of paintings by Pablo Picasso.
- Natural History Museum Lucerne (Natur-Museum Luzern): Focuses on the natural history of the region, including exhibits on geology, paleontology, and local flora and fauna.
- Kunstmuseum Luzern (Lucerne Art Museum): Showcases contemporary art and hosts temporary exhibitions, contributing to the city’s cultural scene.
If staying in Lucerne longer, check these amazing day trip locations from Lucerne that you can consider for seeing more of Switzerland!
CLICK HERE
Go Hiking!
Just like everywhere in Switzerland, there are trails and hiking routes everywhere, even in Lucerne. Lucerne is surrounded by a beautiful range of mountains with trails for all ages and hiking levels.
This really depends on how long you would be staying in Lucerne for, but we suggest that you use local apps such as Kamoot and SwissMobility to check local hiking routes. The Lucerne Tourism Office also can provide some lovely routes depending on your level of fitness and ability.
For those who like walking flat routes, we can suggest that you walk all the way along the whole promenade of Lucerne. It’s a beautiful stroll, especially on a sunny day next to the lake. You’ll be greeted by the ducks and swans along this route too. With the mountains in the distance making it very beautiful.
There are also walking tours in the city itself to discover the history and hidden gems of Lucerne!
Other Fun Activities
Lucerne: Tandem-Paragliding Flight
Culture & Congress Centre Behind the Scenes Tour
See Lucerne From The Water
For a relaxing day to learn more about Lucerne, take a boat tour of Lake Lucerne. The lake is surrounded by stunning alpine scenery, and a boat tour is a great way to take it all in. On the tour, you can also learn more about the area and city in general.
With crystal clear water and surrounded by majestic mountains, this lake is truly a sight to behold. You can choose from various boat tours that offer different routes and durations, giving you the opportunity to admire the city from different angles. Else to take a round trip is always a great idea when the sun is shining so that you can sit on top deck!
Suggested Boat Tours
Round-Trip Catamaran Cruise on Lake Lucerne
1-Hour Cruise on Panoramic Yacht
Lake Lucerne 1st Class Cruise with Gourmet Lunch
Join A Local Event
You can consider visiting the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre. This is a modern building that has a variety of cultural events, including concerts, theater performances, and exhibitions throughout the year.
There are also local events hosted for the public, such as the Christmas markets and Lilu Light Festival (which is mostly free). It’s worth checking the official Lucerne tourism website for all events happening during your visit. It’s best to check ahead for your specific dates, as you may need to book tickets in advance for specific events and shows.
Join A Swiss Chocolate Class
No trip to Lucerne (or in general Switzerland!) is complete without trying the local famous chocolate. In Lucerne, there are many chocolate shops and cafes where you can indulge in delicious handmade chocolates.
You can also take a chocolate-making workshop to learn more about the history and process of making Swiss chocolate. You can become a chocolatier in a 90-minute workshop in Lucerne with Max Chocolatier.
There is also a Swiss Chocolate Adventure Experience you can book in advance in Lucerne!
Head Up In The Sky To Mount Pilatus
Even though Mount Pilatus is a little way out of the city of Lucerne, it’s included in this list since many who visit Lucerne combine their visit with visiting the mountain. We also did this and it was an amazing trip!
You can take a scenic cogwheel train ride to the top of Mount Pilatus for panoramic views of the Alps and the city. There is a round trip ticket you can get, where you take the train up and then the gondola’s down. This is really great to do since you then see a bit of everything and the stunning panoramic views.
It is easily doable in a day, and during our visit we didn’t have much time ourselves and it only took us 5 hours in total.
Suggested Tours For Local Mountains Nearby
Self-Guided Round-Trip Train to Mount Pilatus
Mount Bürgenstock by Ferry and Funicular
Classic Rigi Round Trip with Boat, Rack Railway and Cable Car
Lucerne Christmas Market
If you’re visiting Lucerne during December, make sure to check out all the Christmas festivities. One place we recommend is eating, drinking and dancing at Rudolf’s Weihnacht market. It’s just a short 5 minutes walk from the Lucerne Train Station.
All information can be found here: The Lucerne Rudolf Weihnacht Christmas Market
Where to Stay In Lucerne
Based on our experience, we can recommend the following hotel:
AMERON Luzern Hotel Flora
Hotel Ameron in Lucerne is only 150 meters from the Chapel Bridge and 300 meters from the train station and Lake Lucerne. It’s super central making it perfect for a night or weekend stay to discover the city.
We love the modern vibe of the hotel, and have also stayed in the Ameron hotel chain in other countries such as in Frankfurt. Their buffet breakfast is the perfect start to the day, and after a long day of exploring, you can relax back in the lounge area or your comfy bed before sleeping.
For us this hotel was really nice to stay in, it was peaceful and we did not hear any noice from outside or other rooms. It was also very clean (as expected!) and we’d definitely recommend it to others.
Based on Booking – It’s rated with 9.6 for a stay by couples!
Unfortunately I do not have photos from our stay, but we did sleep well at both and would definitely recommend them based on what budget you have for visiting Lucerne.
Where To Eat In Lucerne
We love exploring Lucerne and have eating in many restaurants for our breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Below we share some of our favourites based on what you fancy!
Pacifico – Mexican restaurant
We loved this place, which was absolutely packed during the weekend, so we were glad to have reserved a table. I can personally recommend the fajitas, very fresh, favourable and delicious. I liked how you also had to make them with the wraps and veggies. Portion size was also good, and I was pretty full when I left!
Olivo
For a relaxing drink by the water, we can suggest a little stop at Olivo. We visited when it was warmer temperatures, so they had an outdoor terrace right next to the lake. From here you could enjoy a drink or two while watching the boats and people pass by.
Mirch Masala Restaurant
By far our favourite restaurant in Lucerne so far, a delicious Indian curry is something we would always enjoy. The Mirch Masala restaurant is located just a short walk from the old town centre. It was pretty empty when we arrived, and we choose to sit outside. However it wasn’t long until the chairs all filled up during our visit. For the dishes, there was plenty to choose from and the portion sizes were very large. The naan was super fresh and we loved the main dishes too. Definitely a place we’d return to!
Wirtshaus Taube Luzern
We had a delicious hotdog here, with all the right toppings and great flavour. We sat inside, which is a pretty small place in general. They didn’t have too much on the menu, focused mostly on Swiss cuisine, but they all sure looked good. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also really nice, felt quite homely and enjoyable to sit and relax while waiting for food here.
Food Tours In Lucerne
Swiss Zvieri Traditional Tasting Experience For The Foodies!
Chocolate Tasting with Lake Trip and City Tour
Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting
Summary
As you have seen, there is lots to see, do and explore in Lucerne. There are way more restaurants to try than from our list and I’m sure you can also find some lovely hotels as well. Our experiences and visits to Lucerne are always enjoyable, with each time trying a new event, restaurant, hotel and more.
Our last visit in combination with Mount Pilatus was very nice, which we also went to the cinema in the evening for a long day of fun. This was really nice and we hope to be back soon!
Leave a Reply