Tour
4 km
1h40
29 audios
Text version
Nestled on the shores of glacial Lake Lucerne and framed by the dramatic peaks of the Central Alps, Lucerne draws you into a world of fantasy. Its storybook scenery offers a wealth of wonders to discover. Lucerne is Switzerland’s most photographed city, brimming with treasures, from grand buildings with beautifully painted façades, to Belle Époque hotels, medieval bridges with curious paintings, the country’s most beautiful church, and the best-preserved ramparts in the country. Quite the résumé! As you can imagine, Lucerne promises an escape full of emotion. Just an hour from Zurich and an hour and a half from Bern, it fits perfectly into any trip through the heart of the Swiss Alps. So let’s step into its historic centre… and let the stories begin.
You’re now standing in front Lucerne’s most famous monument, a site that draws over a million visitors each year: the Lion of Lucerne. Carved directly into the rock in the 1820s, this powerful sculpture was designed by Danish artist Read more
Before you stands the entrance to the Glacier Garden, a popular geological museum in Lucerne. If you’re travelling with the Swiss Travel Pass—which gives access to public transport and many activities across the country—then admission is Read more
Once you’ve passed through the city walls, you’ll arrive in front of Lucerne’s Christuskirche, dedicated to Jesus Christ. In Switzerland, the religious wars of the 16th century led to a division between Catholic and Protestant cantons. The Read more
The Musegg terraces offer a stunning view over the city, the lake, and the surrounding mountains, without the need to climb the ramparts. Take your time to enjoy this exceptional setting at your own pace. If you feel like staying around for Read more
As you arrive in front of St. Peter’s Chapel, you’ll face one of Lucerne’s most colourful landmarks: the Fritschibrunnen fountain. Built in 1918 to replace an older fountain, it’s dedicated to Fritschi, a legendary figure from Lucerne’s Read more
On your left, you’ll see one of Lucerne’s most remarkable buildings: the Zunfthaus zu Pfistern—the House of the Pfister Guild. In medieval times, guilds were professional associations that regulated trades, set standards, oversaw Read more
These steps take you to Kornmarkt Square, which means “Grain Market Square.” Since 1356, this has been the place where Lucerne’s residents came to buy and sell grain. Surrounded by historic buildings, it’s still one of Lucerne’s Read more
Sternenplatz may be small, but it’s an absolute must-see, and it won’t take you long to see why! One of the most striking features of Lucerne is its tradition of painted façades, with some of its most beautiful examples right here. Read more
Switzerland — or at least Lucerne — has a habit of naming streets after where they lead you. Naturally, Hirschenplatz Street has brought you to the lovely Hirschen Square. If you don’t speak German, Hirschen means “deer” — which Read more
You’ve now arrived at Weinmarkt, or Wine Market Square. As the name suggests, wine was once sold here… but long before that, this square was the site of Lucerne’s fish market until the 16th century. Thanks to its location on the lake, Read more
As you exit Weinmarkt Square, you’ll come face to face with a stunning painted façade, belonging to the Hotel des Balances. The fresco was painted in the style of Hans Holbein, a Renaissance artist best known for his portrait of Henry Read more
Welcome to Mühlenplatz — at 15,000 square metres, it’s the largest historic square in Lucerne. It was created towards the end of the Middle Ages, when several buildings were demolished to open up this space. Archaeological excavations Read more
The imposing Renaissance palace before you is one of Lucerne’s most iconic buildings. It was built in the 1550s, when most of the city’s houses were made of wood. The locals were understandably stunned by this luxurious stone Read more
You’re now standing before the famous Jesuit Church of Lucerne. Nestled along the Reuss River, it’s visible from many points around the city. It’s a defining feature of Lucerne’s skyline — and one of its most photographed sites. Read more
Before we cross the region’s most famous bridge, let me tell you about the iconic Water Tower next to it. Known in German as the “Wasserturm,” it’s often translated as “water tower”. Despite the name, it likely never served that Read more
The large white building you’re passing is the Lucerne Theatre. It’s the only multidisciplinary theatre in the region, running performances all year round. It even has its own resident companies! Here, you can watch a play, a dance Read more
Welcome to the heart of Lucerne’s story. You’re now crossing the iconic Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge. In the Middle Ages, Lucerne was a unique city, crossed by three wooden bridges that spanned the river at different points, Read more
You’ve now arrived at Rosengart Square, behind St. Peter’s Chapel. This is the oldest Catholic church in Lucerne, which gave its name to the bridge you just crossed. It’s difficult to pinpoint when the chapel was built, but we do know that in Read more
You may already know that Lucerne’s history is steeped in legends. The imposing Mount Pilatus, looming above the city, has sparked the imagination of locals for centuries. The origins of the mountain’s name remain unclear. It may Read more
Welcome to the Nationalquai promenade, a beautiful path that follows the shores of stunning Lake Lucerne. The lake is the star of the city, offering fresh air and a peaceful setting by the water’s edge. You can follow the lakeside path for Read more
You’re now standing in front of Lucerne’s main church, and the most significant Renaissance-era religious building in Switzerland. It’s named after Saint Leodegar, a 7th-century bishop from Burgundy who became a martyr after his Read more
One thing’s for sure — no trip is complete without tasting the local flavours. In Switzerland, this can sometimes be a challenge, as prices aren’t always budget-friendly. But don’t worry, here are a few tips for making the most of your Read more
You’re now at the entrance to the Musegg Wall. The name Musegg comes from an old German word, Musen, meaning “to keep watch.” Lucerne was founded around 1180, near a cluster of monasteries, and had its first defensive wall as Read more
You’re now in front of the famous Zytturm, or Clock Tower. Standing 31 metres tall, it’s instantly recognisable thanks to the mural of two giants holding up the clock face. The tower was built in 1442, but the clock it houses goes even Read more
Look up towards the hill across the river. From here, you have a perfect view of Château Gütsch, whose white façade beautifully contrasts with the surrounding forest. Its name means “hill” in Swiss German. This château looks like it’s Read more
Welcome to the famous Spreuer Bridge. It was built in the early 1400s to connect the old mills on this side of the river with the bakers’ district on the opposite bank. While most of the city lived on the right bank of the Reuss, bakers were Read more
The peculiar dam you're looking at may seem like a tangle of old wooden beams, but it’s Lucerne’s needle dam. These wooden beams—or needles—maintain the optimal water level of the lake. Lake Lucerne is fed by several sources, yet the Read more
Let me draw your attention to the beautiful 16th-century building on the corner, recognisable by the small stair tower built into its façade. This is the Alte Suidersche Apotheke, Lucerne’s oldest pharmacy, still operating to this day. Step Read more
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Take in the stunning scenery of Lucerne with a round-trip catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne
If you’re looking for a unique attraction in Lucerne, head over to the Bourbaki Panorama, created in 1889. Although the original structure is enclosed within a modern glass building, its historical significance remains intact. While panoramas were very popular in the 19th century, they’re becoming increasingly rare. They’re immense circular paintings, offering a full 360-degree panoramic view of a city or an event, immersing viewers into the heart of the action. Here in Lucerne, you can step back in time to experience the dramatic retreat of the
Design enthusiasts should visit Lucerne’s Culture and Congress Centre. Nestled on the lakeside, this multicultural building, created by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, blends seamlessly with its surroundings, offering a harmonious and modern architectural experience. The KKL houses several venues, notably a concert hall renowned worldwide for its exceptional acoustics.
When visiting a lakeside city, getting close to the water is a must to fully experience the surrounding nature. Lake Lucerne offers countless possibilities for enjoying its waters. Swimming in summer, various water sports, paragliding above, or cruising along its surface—you’ll be spoiled for choice ! Whether it’s a cruise, a sunset tour, a simple boat ride, or even chartering your own vessel—anything is possible here!
If you enjoy hiking and wish to explore every corner of the lake, you’re in luck: Lucerne offers access to one of Switzerland’s most famous hiking loops—the Swiss Path. This trail circles a southern arm of Lake Lucerne along 35 kilometers of picturesque paths. The trail starts at the Rütli meadow, where, according to legend, the oath establishing the very first Swiss Confederation was sworn in 1291. You can choose to hike part of it, or complete the full circuit over two or three days.
Fans of quirky tourism, here in Lucerne you can visit the Sonnenberg Tunnel—the largest nuclear shelter in the world! Built during the Cold War in response to the looming nuclear threat, Switzerland enacted a law in 1963 mandating the construction of nuclear shelters large enough to protect its entire population. The project to convert the motorway tunnel around Lucerne into a gigantic shelter was monumental. However, a full-scale test, conducted in front of the world’s media, turned out to be a complete fiasco, and the project was eventually abandoned in 2002. The impressive infrastructure, designed to accommodate 20,000 people, never served as an actual shelter, but you can visit it today by reservation, on a two-hour guided exploration of the facility. You’ll discover how engineers had envisioned organising life underground, waiting for the apocalypse above. This is a visit you’re unlikely to forget.
Lucerne is home to Switzerland’s most visited museum, dedicated to the fascinating world of transportation. Fun and interactive, it covers the history and evolution of transport and mobility, from the earliest boats and pioneering railways, to cable cars, road transport, aviation, and space exploration! The museum also features “Media World,” developed with Red Bull, which traces the evolution of media and offers immersive virtual reality experiences designed to deliver an adrenaline rush. You’ll also find a planetarium, and a cinema-theatre showcasing daily movies, documentaries, ballets, and operas. To round off your visit, don’t miss the Swiss Chocolate Adventure, a multimedia exhibition that tells the delicious story of Swiss chocolate. As you can tell, there’s plenty to explore at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne!
Ascending Mount Pilatus is no longer forbidden, the mountain is no longer considered cursed, and it’s been ages since anyone last spotted a dragon around here. So, there’s really no excuse not to discover the spectacular view from the top of this magnificent mountain. From Lucerne, you’ll need to reach the nearby village of Alpnachstad, either by train or by boat. There, you’ll board one of the world’s steepest and fastest cogwheel trains, which will carry you to the summit through enchanting alpine forests and flower-filled meadows. Breathtaking views await at the top, along with plenty of activities. Besides hiking trails, you can enjoy stargazing evenings, treetop adventure courses, summer tobogganing, yoga sessions, and even the opportunity to spend the night at the summit.
One of the must-see attractions around Lucerne for mountain lovers is the glacier walk at Mount Titlis. The adventure begins with a ride in the rotating cable car, which offers uninterrupted panoramic views as you ascend. At the summit, 3,020 metres above sea level, you’ll discover the Titlis Cliff Walk – the highest suspension bridge in Europe – along an artificial ice cave that leads you into the heart of the glacier. In summer, you can hop on the “Ice Flyer” chairlift, and in winter, enjoy the ski slopes. Just a heads-up: this excursion doesn’t come cheap !
Another alpine peak easily accessible from Lucerne is Mount Rigi. The classic day trip begins with either a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne or a train ride to the nearby towns of Vitznau or Arth-Goldau. From there, you’ll board a cogwheel train followed by a cable car to reach the summit of Mount Rigi. A panoramic view awaits at the top—stretching over the Swiss Alps, sparkling lakes, and surrounding valleys. Once there, you can choose to go hiking, enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or take in the peaceful surroundings. The return journey follows the same route back.
If there’s one mountain that offers a truly unique experience, it’s the Stanserhorn. The ascent to the top takes place in two stages. First, you’ll ride a charming vintage funicular from 1893, followed by a journey on the ultra-modern CabriO cable car—a double-decker cabin with an open-air rooftop deck offering panoramic views. A revolving restaurant awaits at the summit, where you can enjoy traditional Swiss dishes and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains. You can take a leisurely loop around the summit or venture onto more challenging trails that offer stunning views over the valley below. For those who believe in such things, the Stanserhorn is also considered a place of natural energy—a powerful site for spiritual recharge.
If you’re dreaming of a peaceful moment, why not spend an afternoon in the small village of Meggen, just a few kilometres from Lucerne? Easily accessible by public transport, it offers a tranquil escape that only Switzerland can provide. The view over Lake Lucerne is simply stunning, and from April to October, on Sundays, you can visit the 17th-century Meggenhorn Castle, nestled among vineyards. If charming lakeside villages are your thing, make sure to visit Bauen, Morschach, Seelisberg or Hergiswil as well.
Lucerne is a haven for seasoned hikers, nestled in the heart of the Alps. If you’re not sure where to start, the hike from Fronalpstock to Klingenstock is one of the most breathtaking in all of Switzerland. This panoramic 4.5 km trail follows the ridgeline between two peaks, offering stunning views over Central Switzerland’s alpine landscape, dotted with ten sparkling lakes. Along the way, you’ll pass the famous “Stairway to Heaven” – a scenic spot that promises the perfect photo opportunity.
Starting Point: Make your way to the car-free village of Stoos, accessible via the world’s steepest funicular from the town of Schwyz.
Option 1: One-way hike – take the chairlift from Stoos to Fronalpstock, then hike to Klingenstock and return to Stoos by chairlift. Operates daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Expect to pay around 22 CHF for the round trip.
Option 2: Full circuit from Stoos – a 13 km loop taking around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Level: Difficult, with approximately 900 metres of elevation gain.
Explore Lucerne and its wonders: Mount Titlis, the Swiss Museum of Transport, and an excursion to Mount Pilatus with a cable car ride and cogwheel train journey
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