Located on the serene shores of Lake Lucerne and framed by the majestic peaks of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi, Lucerne is nothing short of a Swiss fairytale come to life. But is Lucerne worth visiting? Absolutely! This small city might be compact, but it’s packed with charm, history, and activities that capture the essence of Switzerland’s natural and cultural beauty. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an outdoor lover, or simply on the hunt for picture-perfect views, Lucerne has something for everyone.
In this guide, we’ll uncover the very best things to do in Lucerne, from wandering the quaint, cobbled streets of its enchanting Old Town to diving into hands-on exhibits at the Swiss Transport Museum—perfect for a rainy day. Ready to explore one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities? Let’s dive into Lucerne’s must-see sights and experiences that make it unforgettable.
1. The Old Town, with its square and town hall
Spend as much time as you can strolling through Lucerne’s old town on the right bank of the Reuss. The sequence of squares, surrounded by tall painted houses, are connected by cobblestone shopping alleys. The ancient center is completely traffic-free, making it accessible to crowds of shoppers and tourists.
The required starting point is Weinmarkt, surrounded by historic guild halls, some of which have beautifully painted facades. The Renaissance Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), constructed at the beginning of the 17th century and featuring magnificent arcades on the ground level, is located near the Kornmarkt. The oldest church in Lucerne, St. Peter’s chapel in the Kapellplatz is another thing to see. It was originally built in 1178 but was renovated to its current design in the 18th century. It’s a pleasure to meander through the Old Town, especially if you take some of the winding side lanes.
2. Chapel Bridge and Spreuer Bridge
Exploring the Chapel and Spreuer Bridges are two other stops that should be on your bucket list. The Chapel Bridge, known as “Kapellbrücke” in German, is a historic wooden footbridge that spans across the Reuss River and connects the medieval Old Town with the New Town. It passes by the impressive octagonal Water Tower, which was constructed around 1300 and which was part of the city’s defenses, but later also served a variety of other functions, including an archive, a treasure, and even a prison and torture chamber. Over 34 meters in height, this ancient monument is, however, seldom accessible to the public.
The Chapel Bridge, which is said to date back to 1365, is the oldest covered wooden bridge still standing in Europe. It’s best known for its distinctive triangular roof and the medieval paintings that adorn its interior. The paintings date from the 17th century and depict scenes from Swiss and local history, including the legend of William Tell, who is said to have shot an apple from his son’s head with a crossbow.
Unfortunately, in August 1993, two-thirds of the bridge, including many famous pictures, were destroyed during a fire. The bridge was, however, swiftly restored and reopened in April 1994. When you walk across the bridge you will see burned, blackened paintings on either end which mark the point where the restored parts begin.
Located slightly downstream of the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuer Bridge is not as popular as its “big sister”, but we think this covered wooden footbridge with ancient paintings under its roof is a landmark not to be missed. The Spreuer Bridge was completed in 1408 as a component of the city’s defenses. Between 1626 and 1635, Kaspar Meglinger added 67 paintings illustrating the “Dance of Death”, a popular theme during the Middle Ages.The bridge’s name comes from the word «Spreu», meaning chaff: the town’s flour mills were permitted to throw their waste into the Reuss river from this bridge.
3. Musegg Wall and its nine towers
The city defenses of Lucerne were built towards the end of the 14th century to protect the old town on the steep slope to the north. The sight of nine enormous towers lined up in a row and separated from one another by a section of the city wall is spectacular.
The wall, which is 870 meters long and has a height of 9 meters, was built of local sandstone and lime mortar. The town’s population was not only required to help physically built it – a special tax was levied as well
Four are reachable, including the famous Zytturm, which houses the city’s oldest clock.
This was made in 1535, and in recognition of its age, it is allowed to chime one minute earlier than the other clocks in Lucerne. To get a view of the city and lake, it is worthwhile to climb the other three towers.
Sections of the Musegg Wall between the Schirmer Tower and Wacht Tower, and the Männli, Wacht, Zyt and Schirmer Towers, are open to the public between 8 am and 7 pm from Good Friday (1 April at the latest) to and including 1 November.
When visiting the wall and its towers, a quick heads-up—there are some steep steps and a few tricky spots, so take care, especially if you’re exploring with kids. The best part? It’s completely free to visit! If you’d like to support the upkeep, though, there’s a donation box in the Schirmer Tower where you can contribute. Enjoy the views and explore safely!
3. Jesuit Church
While considering things to do in Lucerne, do not miss the Jesuit Church from your list. Notice the twin onion-domed towers of the Jesuit Church, which dominate the skyline, as they are situated on the southern bank of the River Reuss.
The church is the first significant church in Switzerland to be constructed in the Baroque style from 1666 to 1677. The Jesuits, who were asked by the city of Lucerne to create a college in 1573, erected the country’s first sizable Baroque church north of the Alps, modelled on the Church of the Gesù in Rome. Lucerne thought that the Counter-Reformation Jesuits would aid in fending off the influence of the expanding Protestantism.
The interior is stunning despite the exterior’s very simple appearance. The church, lavishly ornamented with white marble, has beautifully painted ceilings and elaborate imitation marble side altars. In terms of art, particularly worth noting are its frescoes, stucco work, and gilded ornamentation. Its highlight is the high altar, which is made of black marble and decorated with intricate sculptures. Thanks to its fine acoustic, the church serves also as a concert venue today.
5. Glacier Garden
Explore the hidden beauty of Lucerne at the Glacier Garden, a geological site, which was created during the last Ice Age 20000 years ago, when the landscape was still covered by vast glaciers, and which contains evidence of their presence in the form of glacial potholes, rock formations, and fossils.
A marquee roof has been erected to protect the natural monument from the damaging effects of weathering and air pollution. On the interactive Rock Adventure Trail, you can walk through the heart of the rock itself and learn about how Lucerne sandstone was formed on the primitive sea, and how it was transformed into a rock mass during the Ice Age.
Other attractions include the Glacier Garden featuring many alpine plants and ferns, an observation tower, a mirror maze dating from 1896, a multimedia show about the history of the Glacier Garden, and a museum with displays of fossils, minerals and the oldest mountain relief map in the world, created by Franz Ludwig Pfyffer in the 18th century.
Admission costs CHF 22 for adults and CHF 12 for kids between the age of to 16. It is also possible to purchase a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 5 children for CHF 59. Swiss Travel Pass holder can enter the Glacier Garden for free. Tell Pass holders get a 20% discount.
The Glacier Garden is open from 10 am to 6 pm (April 1 – October 31). From November 1 – March 31, it closes already at 5 pm. The Glacier Garden is in the centre of Lucerne. From Lucerne railway station and the Old Town it takes approximately 15 mintues to walk here. Alternatively you can take bus numbers 1,19, 22 or 23 to Löwenplatz.
6. Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz)
There is much more to Switzerland’s most popular museum than a collection of cars. The museum, which was built on the shores of Lake Lucerne between 1957 and 1959, is a self-made universe of transportation with a collection of more than 3,000 items that is presented on an area of over 20,000 square meters. In the museum you have the possibility to visit and explore five domains of transport: air travel, trains, cars, boats, and cable cars. It’s easy to spend a whole day here, as it is a very interactive exhibit.
Besides the vehicles, there is the country’s first IMAX theater, a freshly renovated planetarium that offers a 360-degree flight to the stars, a 1:20,000 scale image of Switzerland seen from space, a Swiss Chocolate Journey for chocolate lovers, the Media World, where cutting edge communication trends, such as virtual reality, can be explored, and the new “The Edge” experience, which allows you the climb the Matterhorn virtually.
A day pass to the Transport Museum costs CHF 62 for adults, CHF 46 for students under the age of 26, CHF 29 for kids between 6 and 16, and CHF 12 for children under the age of 6. Kids under the age of 6 that are accompanied by their parents, enter the museum for free. Swiss Travel Pass holders get a discount.
To avoid long queues, we recommend that you buy tickets online. With online ticket, you can enter the museum directly via the turnstile. Access works both with printed tickets and with your smartphone.
7. Lion Monument
With over a million visitors a year, the Lion Monument in Lucerne is one of the country’s most photographed tourist destinations. It’s only a stone’s throw away from the Glacier Garden, which we talked about earlier. The lion was carved into a former sandstone quarry wall from a design by Bertel Thorvaldsen. It honors the Swiss Guards who risked their lives defending Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution.
After being ejected from Versailles, the unfortunate royals were residing at the Tuileries Palace in Paris, where more than 1,000 Swiss Guardsmen kept an eye on Louis XVI and his family. The Swiss Guard battled under limited ammunition as revolutionaries attacked the Tuileries Palace, successfully allowing the royal family to flee but suffering a loss of about 700. The lion is perched atop a shield bearing the fleur-de-lis of French royalty that has been broken, and behind him is another shield bearing the Swiss coat of arms that is still intact. To avoid the crowds, come early in the day.
8. Lake Lucerne Cruise
If you’re looking to experience Lake Lucerne in classic Swiss style, hopping on a lake tour is the way to go! Regular cruises are offered on five charming historic paddle steamers and 15 sleek saloon motorboats, giving you a unique view of Lucerne’s breathtaking surroundings.
There’s something truly special about gliding across the water, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and taking in the sweeping Alpine views, including the iconic Mount Pilatus. You’ll even pass through postcard-perfect towns like Weggis and Gersau along the way.
The cruises come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s something for every schedule and style. You can go for a quick, one-hour round trip from Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock on the modern Bürgenstock catamaran or settle in for a leisurely three-hour journey all the way to Flüelen. If you’re in the mood for a bigger adventure, you can even combine a boat tour with a mountain excursion to nearby peaks like Rigi, Pilatus, or Stanserhorn.
Boat tickets are available online and from the ticket counters at the boat docks along the lake. You get a discount with a Swiss Half Fare Card and travel for free with the Swiss Travel or Tell Pass.
9. Swimming in Lake Lucerne during Summer
One of the city’s top attractions, Lake Lucerne, is loved by tourists in the summer. Nothing is more reviving than swimming in the lake or lazing around on its banks. When visiting Lucerne, you absolutely must take a stroll around the lake’s shoreline because there are so many wonderful locations to enjoy there.
There are excellent spots to take in breathtaking views of the mountain ranges surrounding the lake. A popular choice for many locals is the Lido by the Verkehrshaus. They have a 300-meter sandy beach, a huge playground, an outdoor pool with a play area for kids and a restaurant.
Another well-liked public pool is the Seebad, which is located between the Casino and the Hotel Palace. It was constructed in 1885 by the Lucerne architect Heinrich Victor von Segesser. In its history of well over 100 years, the wooden structure has been restored several times; its current appearance dates from 2010.
The Seebad is built on the lake so you can dip in the waters either in one of the two pools they have in the center of the building or take the steps leading out to the open lake. If you prefer river swimming, we suggest you try wading into the water of the Reuss at Kasernenplatz following the wooden bridges and the needle dam.
However, if swimming isn’t your thing, there are several fantastic lakefront eateries, outdoor cafes and bars where you can eat, drink, and take in the beauty of the lake.
10. Don’t miss the carnival in the winter!
The biggest yearly event in the city of Lucerne is the carnival. Over a full six days, people enjoy a variety of traditions, laugh, and celebrate. You will hear phrases like Big Bang, Fat Thursday, Brother Fritschi, and Monster Corso repeatedly during these chaotic days.
Fasnacht, the Swiss version of carnival, takes place as the streets are filled with revelers wearing fantastic masks and making obscenely loud music with trumpets, horns, and drums.
The February or March holiday is practically a way of life for many Luzerner, who prepare for it all year by making fresh, extravagant costumes and practicing their musical routines in several fasnacht-associations, guilds, or brass bands.
11. Explore Lucerne’s trendy neighborhoods
The trendy and hip Hirschmatt-Neustadt and Bruch neighborhoods are located on the southern side of the Chapel Bridge and have developed a lot over the last few years. A vibrant and colorful neighborhood, Hirschmatt comprises an array of small stores and boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cinemas, pubs, clubs, hotels, and apartments.
There is a weekly market (Saturdays from 7 to 10 o’clock) in the Helvetiagärtli and a flea market on Saturdays from May to October in Vogelgartli. A little west is the Bruch quarter, a former cattle market that has now turned into a hipster residential district. The environment is friendly and lively dotted with coffee shops, bars, and small stores selling locally made goods that you will love taking home.
How to get to Lucerne
If you arrive at Zurich Airport you can take a direct train from the airport to Lucerne. The journey takes roughly 70 minutes. The direct services run from 05:38am 11:38pm.
If you are staying in Zurich, there are direct trains to Lucerne from the main station which run every half an hour or so and take 40 to 50 minutes.
The earliest train to Lucerne train station is at 5:35 am and the last train is at 11:35pm and 00:08am.
Conclusion
Lucerne truly is a gem waiting to be explored, and we hope this list with the best things to do in Lucerne has sparked some inspiration for your adventure! From savoring local flavors to soaking up the scenic views, lounging on the beach, or diving into history, Lucerne has a little something to make every moment unforgettable. Here’s to an amazing trip filled with memories that will last a lifetime—happy travels in Lucerne!
