How to get to Lucerne City Center?
- By Train: When you arrive at Zurich Airport or one of the other Swiss Airports (Geneva or Basel), the easiest way to reach Lucerne City Center is by train. From Zurich Airport and Basel Airport you reach the City in about an hour. You have to change train at Zurich HB if you come from Zurich Airport. There are direct trains from Basel and Geneva to Lucerne. If you want to plan the trip in advance, visit the SBB website.
- By Car: If you travel by car, you best let your GPS navigate you to the “Bahnhofparking P3” which is located near the main station. The price for 6 hours is 16.50 CHF and 61.50 CHF/24 hours.
Discover Lucerne -Itinerary
In the description below you find information about all the showplaces on the way through Lucerne as shown on the itinerary.
What to do in Lucerne?
1. Lucerne Main Station
When you exit the Main Station of Lucerne make sure to have a look at the Torbogen. This magnificent Arch it the only part of the old railway station which survived a big fire.
The tourist office is situated at the west side of the Main Station.
Since all the attractions in Lucerne are located quiet close to eachother, most people will be able to get around on foot. A bus ticket is not necesserily needed.
↳Walk along the reuss river towards the Jesuitenkirche.
2. Jesuitenkriche
The Jesuit Church with its two towers is accessible for public almost all day long, except during services. A white and gold interior and the ceiling painting are defenitly worth a visit.
↳Just a few meters down the river you find the needle weir.
3. Nadelwehr (historical Needle Dam)
The Needle Dam was originally built between 1859 and 1861. But it is still in use, after a renovation in 2009 -2011. By adding or removing needles (wooden planks) the flow of the river and thereby the water level of the lake is regulated.
4. Spreuerbrücke (Chaff Bridge)
This bridge is one of three covered bridges of Lucerne. Two survived to this day. The Chaff Bridge was first built in 13th century and then after a severe flood rebuilt after 1566. This was the only bridge from which it was allowed to pour leaves of chaff into the river in the middle ages, hence it gets its name. While passing the bridge look up to marvel the paintings on the wooden panels.
↳In summer: After the bridge turn left and walk down the river until you reach the Nölliturm. A small round tower. Just behind it you find the musegg wall path. Be aware that the path starts with a steep section and a few stair and is therefore not suitable for people in wheelchairs. People traveling with strollers might need a helping hand. Walking behind the musegg wall is only half as fun as walking on it and enjoying the splendid view over city, lake and mountains. Four of its towers are accessible 1st of april-1st of november. Through the towers you access the wall.
↳In winter (2nd of november to 31st of march) : After you left the bridge go straight through the Löwengrabenstrasse which then merges into the Hertensteinstrasse and leads you on throgh the shopping area of the city to the Bourbaki Panorama.
5. Musegg-Mauer
The historical wall was built as fortification in the 13th century. Four of its nine tours can be entered and climbed from spring to automn. They grant access to the a path which leads in front of the wall and offert a splendid view over Lucerne, the lake and the Alps.
↳At the Schirmerturm take the stairs down to Museggstrasse, which leads you to the Bourbaki Panarama. If you are looking for some shopping go to the Mariahilfgasse and then turn into the Grabenstrasse and then follow Hertensteinstrasse.
6. Bourbaki Panorama
The 112m long and 10m high panorama was painted in 1881. The picture fills the entire upper level of the building. Installations in front of the painting give the viewer the feeling of being in the middle of the event. The panorama shows the internment of the Bourbaki army in Switzerland in 1871, shortly before the end of the Franco-Prussian War.
↳Just one minute walking distance down the Denkmalstrasse you reach the Löwendenkmal.
7. Löwendenkmal (Lion of Lucerne)
The world famous monument of the dying Lion was carved out of the rock. It commemorates the heroism oft Swiss soldiers who died during the French Revolution attempting to protect the Tuileries Palace in Paris. Since the Lion monument lies in a nice little parc it is also a suitable place for a little picnic.
“The saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.”
Mark Twain about the Dying Lion of Lucerne
8. Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden)
Lucerne was once buried under a thick glacier. The glacier mills still bear witness to this past today. The “Rock World” takes you through stone and time.
A wonderfully cool place in summer.
↳Walk towards the lake and follow The Schweizerhofquai until the Kapellplatz from where you reach the Kapellbrücke. If you feel like shopping take a detour trough the Hertensteinstrasse.
Option: Hofkirche
The Hof Church is on of the art-historically most valuable churches of the German early baroque period. The church with its impressively large organ is accessible for the public and offers guided tours.
Option: Verkehrshaus (Public Transportation Museum)
It is easiest to rech the Verkehrshaus by bus.
The Public Transportation Museum takes you on a journey trough the history of public transportation. Climb on historic trains, get into cable cars or even a submarine. Learn more about space travel and visit two original Swissair airplanes.
The Swiss Chocolate Adventure, a unique theme world, is a 20 minute trip through discovery, origin and production of chocolate.
Do not miss the 3D cinema and the Planetarium at Verkehrshaus.
Option: Seebad Luzern
Need to cool down on a warm summer day? Visit the Seebad, a public bath at the Matthias-Luchsinger-Platz.
9. Kapellbrücke
When hearing the name Lucerne, most people think about the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). Wooden panels with paintings about Swiss and Lucerne history adorn the bridge. The tower in the middle of the river is a souvenir shop nowadays but was once a part of the city fortifications.
↳Walk down Theaterstrasse.
10. Rosengart Collection
The impressive art collection with paintings from Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Wassily Kandinsky, Swiss painter Paul Klee, Joan Miró and many others once adorned the private residence of Angela Rosengart. In an old branch of the Swiss National Bank they are on display now for the public.
11. KKL Lucerne
The KKL building between the railway station and the lake houses restaurants, cafes, a concert hall ant the Arts Museum. In front of the building lies the Europaplatz with the Wagenbach Fountain and the ship pier.
Option: Boat Cruise
At the ship pier tickets for boat cruises are available all year long. Discover the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) which is surrounded by steep mountains from the water.
12. Inseli Parc
Tha parc on the lake offers a splendid view of the lake. In summer it is also a nice place to spend the last hours of the day and enjoy a drink at the outdoor bar.
Where to eat in Lucerne?
- Swiss Style Restaurant in Lucerne:
- Fine Dining: The Scala restaurant at the Art Deco Hotel Montana (Adligenswilerstrasse 22, 6006 Lucerne) is decorated with 15 GaultMillau-points. The Montana cuisine is inspired by the flavours of the regions of southern Switzerland, Italy, France and Greece.
- On a Budget: Savor delicious Pizza and Pasta at the Ristorante Einhorn. They serve meals for a reasonable price in the middle of the old town at Hertensteinstrasse 23, 6004 Lucerne.
- Vegetarian/ Vegan: The Karls Kraut at St.Karliquai 7, 6004 Lucerne is located on the banks of the River Reuss. The vegan, natural and healthy food takes you on a culinary journey.
Where to stay in Lucerne? Best Hotels for every budget.
- On a Budget: The Single Room at the Hotel Luzernerhof, Alpenstrasse 3, 6004 Lucerne is available from under 80.- CHF. The Hotel is located in the old town and in close proximity to Löwendenkmal and the lake.
- Elegant: The Boutique Hotel Schlüssel lies at the Franziskanerplatz 12, 6003 Lucerne. The charming hotel with only ten rooms does not only make your stay unforgettable, but also has an excellent restaurant.
- Luxury: At the Grand Hotel National Lucerne, guests feel the charm of the past and the liveliness of the present, combined with warm hospitality. The five-star city hotel on Lake Lucerne has 41 guest rooms and suites. The property also houses 22 residences, two ballrooms, conference rooms and a pool floor with a sauna.