Things to do in Lucerne: must-see attractions

Visiting Lucerne

Lucerne is a city in central Switzerland, sitting right on the edge of Lake Lucerne. The Old Town is remarkably well preserved, featuring medieval defensive structures like the Museggmauer, an 870-metre (2,850-foot) rampart that once protected the city from invaders. As Lucerne's most iconic landmark, the Chapel Bridge, or Kapellbrücke, spans the Reuss river as a covered wooden footbridge decorated with 17th-century murals. Right in the middle of the span stands the Wasserturm, a 34-metre (112-foot) medieval water tower.

A charming city in the heart of Switzerland

Wander through the winding alleys of the Old Town and across its historic squares to take in Lucerne's architectural heritage. The Weinmarkt, for instance, is an elegant public square anchored by a fountain dating back to 1481. Right next door, the Hirschenplatz stands out for its richly decorated historic building facades, many of which enjoy protected status.

Cross the historic Dance of Death Bridge, known locally as the Spreuerbrücke, which also spans the Reuss to connect you to the southern bank. Here, you will find the striking Jesuit Church of Lucerne. You can also explore the Rosengart Collection, which exhibits notable works by masters like Picasso and Klee. Continue east toward the lakefront to see the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre, commonly called the KKL, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Jean Nouvel and completed in 1999. The concert hall inside was built with advanced acoustics, developed in collaboration with American acoustician Russell Johnson. This lakeshore area is also where you catch historic paddle steamers for lake cruises.

Reconnecting with the mountains around Lucerne

Surrounded by dramatic peaks, Lucerne serves as a gateway to Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. Both are reachable by cable car, offering scenic hiking trails and sweeping views over the city and the surrounding valley.

To dive into the glacial history that shaped the local geology, head over to the Glacier Garden.

Discovering Swiss history

Two nearby monuments highlight the humanistic values woven into the history of Switzerland. First is the Lion Monument, a sculpture carved directly into a sandstone cliff face to honor the Swiss Guards who died protecting King Louis XVI of France. Right nearby stands the Bourbaki Panorama, one of the few surviving circular panoramic paintings in the world, which depicts a dramatic episode from the Franco-Prussian War of the 19th century.

When to go

Both summer and winter offer great reasons to visit Lucerne. If your travel dates align, try to catch the Lucerne Festival, a major classical music event held during different seasons throughout the year.

Getting there

From North America you land at Zurich Airport, an hour away by direct train. Lucerne connects easily by train and bus to major Swiss cities. By car, the A4 motorway links Lucerne to Zurich in just fifty minutes.