Lake Lucerne lies at the geographical and spiritual heart of Switzerland. It’s the country’s most beautiful and dramatic body of water by far. At the lake’s western tip, Lucerne is a stunning city steeped in history and a natural gateway to Central Switzerland. Plan your trip to Lucerne with our guide to Lucerne, based on The Rough Guide to Switzerland, your travel guide for Switzerland.
Lake Lucerne — a highlight of our Lucerne travel guide © Benny Marty/Shutterstock
Boasting invigorating mountain views, lake cruises and a picturesque old quarter, Lucerne (in French and English, Luzern in German, Lucerna in Italian) has long been one of Europe’s most popular towns.
When Queen Victoria came for a long holiday in August 1868 (checking in under the pseudonym of the “Countess of Kent”), the town was already well known; these days five million admirers pass through annually.
The River Reuss splits the town, flowing rapidly out of the northwestern end of the lake. The pedestrian-only alleys of the Old Town occupy the northern bank, with the city walls ranged on the slopes above, as well as a small part of the southern bank.
Both banks are clustered with medieval squares, frescoed houses, ancient guildhalls and churches. Two surviving covered wooden bridges span the River Reuss, both formerly part of the city’s fortifications.
The famous wooden bridge and tower on the River Reuss in Lucerne © Swiss Tourism
The newer town, a classic continental grid of wide boulevards, spreads south, and is worth venturing into for its lively bars and restaurants, away from the tourist throngs of the river banks.
The Sammlung Rosengart, one of Switzerland’s finest art museums, lurks on the busy Pilatusstrasse, while the excellent Verkehrshaus – an entertaining complex devoted to transport – is just a short boat- or bus-ride away.
But Lucerne is no museum piece: the city’s large population of young people and the busy schedule of festivals and events provides cosmopolitan buzz.
Buzzy charm on the edge of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland © Shutterstock
Into slower, more sustainable travel? Discover why Lake Lucerne is the ultimate slow travel destination.
Lucerne's loveliness is also one of the reasons you voted Switzerland one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Watch the hazy blue tones of beautiful Lake Lucerne shift and change from the deck of an old-time steamer. The main loop hops across to the Verkehrshaus/Lido before cruising over to Weggis and Vitznau, for Mount Rigi, then on to Brunnen and lastly Flüelen.
Visiting for a special occasion? You could book a first-class cruise with gourmet lunch.
Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, backed by the peak of Pilatus © Shutterstock
A short stroll west Mühlenplatz along riverside St Karliquai from the Spreuerbrücke brings you to the Nölliturm, a fortified gate marking the southwestern extent of a lengthy stretch of the surviving fourteenth-century town walls, the Musegg. Pass through the gate and head right up the hill to gain access to the battlements and their impressive views.
Take a guided walking tour of Lucerne to uncover a host of Old Town highlights — sure to be a memorable highlight of your Lucerne vacation.
Just northeast of Löwenplatz is one of the highlights of Lucerne, the terribly sad Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument). This wounded beast – dubbed “the Dying Lion of Lucerne” – was hewn out of a cliff face in 1821 to commemorate the 700 Swiss mercenaries killed in Paris in 1792.
The Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) centres on a set of geological potholes and ridges, evidence that Lucerne was covered by glaciers twenty million years ago. Surrounding this are a hotchpotch of attractions, including a museum showcasing geological specimens, and a wonderfully archaic Mirror Maze.
The glorious Gletschergarten, Lucerne, Switzerland © Walkingmap/Shutterstock
Encased within a modern glass building, the Bourbaki Panorama is a giant 114m-by-10m circular mural depicting the French Eastern Army's retreat into Switzerland during the Franco-Prussian War. With a nice café, and a couple of cinemas, the whole building is now an appealing arts complex.
The grand structure of the Hofkirche sits on the site of the first monastery of Lucerne, which dated from the mid-eighth century and was dedicated to St Leodegar (St Leger).
Away from the crowds of the Old Town, the elegant Sammlung Rosengart gallery of modern art in central Lucerne boasts a phenomenal collection of works by Picasso and Klee. For culture vultures, this is a top Lucerne travel experience.
Any tour of Lucerne must begin with the fourteenth-century covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), the oldest road bridge in Europe, angled around the octagonal mid-river Wasserturm.
Lucerne's Kappelbrücke © Swiss Tourism
Just downstream of the Kapellbrücke, the Spreuerbrücke is, if anything, more atmospheric, thanks to its macabre “Dance of Death” roof panels.
The succession of images shows a grinning skeleton leading kings, gallant princes, lawmen, nuns, merchants, prostitutes, peasants and maidens alike to their inevitable fate.
The north bank of the Reuss is home to the Old Town’s most atmospheric cluster of medieval houses, with Mühlenplatz, Weinmarkt, Hirschenplatz and Kornmarkt forming a compact ensemble of cobbled, fountained squares ringed by colourful facades.
Modern commerce is definitely the motivating force of the place these days, though it takes little imagination to conjure up the Middle Ages in the narrow maze of streets, even with the welter of shoppers and familiar brand names.
The Old Town extends to the south bank of the Reuss. Facing Unter der Egg is the huge Jesuitenkirche, dominating the riverside with its twin onion-domed towers.
Completed in 1673, its interior is a frothy Rococo concoction of gilt stucco and marble. Among the profusion of frescoes is one on the ceiling that, intriguingly, depicts the church exterior as it was three hundred years ago.
Jesuitenkirche, Lucerne, Switzerland © F R M/Shutterstock
Accommodation covers the gamut from dorms to palaces, with a parade of grand hotels lined up along the northern lakefront.
Summer is especially busy, with room prices in many hotels rising by almost fifty percent. At the top end in particular, prices can be much lower off-season, with discounts for advance booking.
A per-person city tax is charged per night, but includes a pass for local buses.
Explore more places to stay in Lucerne.
Lucerne has a fine range of cafés and restaurants, which crowd the waterfront and the Old Town squares. A small amount of backstreet searching will turn up plenty of less touristy options, particularly in less-trod corners of the New Town, such as Helvetiaplatz.
Local specialities to keep an eye out for are led by the celebrated Luzerner Kügelipastete – spelled by many Old Town restaurant menus in dialect, along the lines of Luzerner Chügelipastete.
This stomach-lining dish is a glorified vol-au-vent, a large puff-pastry shell filled with a super-rich concoction of diced veal and mushrooms in a creamy sauce.
If you're into cheese and chocolate, don't miss a taking food-focused walking tour that combines learning about Lucerne's history with top Swiss tasting experiences.
Traditional Swiss cheese fondue © Shulevskyy Volodymyr/Shutterstock
Otherwise, fish is the thing, in endless varieties: you’ll see Forellen (trout), Egli (perch), Felchen (a kind of white fish) and Hecht (pike) on most menus.
Wash it all down either with a Kaffee fertig, a coffee laced with Schnapps, or a Kafi Luz, traditionally seen in Canton Lucerne outside the city but nowadays easy to find in the Old Town cafés.
Lake Lucerne as viewed from Inseli Park — home to a couple of top cafés and bars © Shutterstock
Lucerne’s nightlife scene is lively, with bars busy from Thurdays through to the weekend, with some packed-out after-work places just near the station.
There are some delightful lakeside summer-only options as well, and a good selection of live music venues and a few clubs.
Lucerne’s giant modern train station is on the south bank of the Reuss. A cluster of local bus stops are right outside the station, while the main Seebrücke takes traffic north over the Reuss alongside the Kapellbrücke.
All aboard — Lucerne's train station is ultra-modern © Shutterstock
If you’re driving, try to arrange parking with your hotel (who may have an arrangement with nearby car parks), or leave your vehicle in the suburbs: Lucerne has a fiendish one-way system.
Departures are from the quays outside the train station and in front of the KKL (Kongresszentrum Luzern); fewer boats run in winter months. Check out the details.
Also find information on how to get to Switzerland.
The craggy giant that rises just behind Lucerne is reached by riding the world's steepest cogwheel railway, or cable car. At the top station, you’ll find a couple of hotels and restaurants, a glass-walled panorama area, and the “dragon cave” tunneled-out walkway, with more dramatic views.
For a fun, family-friendly experience, book a trip on the Panorama Gondola.
Enjoy epic views from the peaks of Pilatus, Lucerne © Swiss Tourism
Magestic Rigi boasts gentle walking routes, wildflower meadows and stunning views from its 2000m peak, which you can reach by cog railway. A steep-scarped grassy ridge with several summits, it offers wonderful views south to the Alps.
With three peaks to pick from – including mighty Titlis – this end-of-the-road village is a great destination for hiking, summertime mountain-biking and winter skiing.
Short on time? No problem. A half-day trip to Mount Titlis offers breathtaking views from a revolving cable car, plus the opportunity to visit the Glacier Cave.
Scenic lakeside walking route that follows the edge of the Urnersee, passing sites central to Swiss history and the legends of William Tell.
Lake Lucerne as seen from the Swiss Path (Weg der Schweiz) © Dave Cutts/Shutterstock
Switzerland’s most famous Alpine pass divides northern Europe from the south. Inaugurated in 1991 as part of the 700th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the Swiss Confederation, this scenic trail circumnavigates the Urnersee to Brunnen.
If you're into the idea of exploring further afield, read up on the best outdoor experiences in Switzerland.
Intrepid female travellers might also want to explore women only outdoor activities in Switzerland — all created by and for women.
Feeling inspired by this Lucerne travel guide? The Rough Guide to Switzerland and our run-down of things not to miss in Switzerland will help you plan — think of them as your personal travel guide to Switzerland.
Not a fan of planning? You could book a hassle-free tailor-made trip to Switzerland, with customisable itineraries curated by local experts covering everything from unforgettable highlights of Switzerland, to touring the Grand Circle.
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