Cidade Turismo
Switzerland

Before you go

Your trip to Lucerna.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Lucerna – Lucerna Destination Lucerna and the mountains Capital

How to get there

  • Aeroporto de Zurique (ZRH) Zurique · 70 km
  • Luzern 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is about 70 km away; by train the trip takes about an hour, usually with a change in Zurich. Confirm before booking. From Zurich the train takes about 45 minutes; from Bern, about an hour; from Interlaken, about 1 hour 50 minutes via the Brünig Pass.

How many days

One day is enough for the historic centre, the bridges and the Lion. With two days, include Pilatus or Rigi. Three days allow for two mountains, the museums and a boat trip.

When to go

From June to September the days are long, boats have more departures and most mountain lifts tend to operate. April, May and October are quieter. In the European winter, from December to February, it is cold, days are short and mist over the lake is common.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The centre is explored on foot, and trains, boats and buses reach the surrounding mountains. Parking in the centre is difficult, and much of the Altstadt is closed to cars.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Lucerna
  1. Morning
    Bridges and Altstadt

    Cross the Kapellbrücke, look at the Wasserturm and stroll through the Kornmarkt, the Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz. Continue to the Spreuerbrücke.

  2. Afternoon
    Lion and Gletschergarten

    Visit the Löwendenkmal and the Gletschergarten. If you go from April to October, climb the towers of the Museggmauer.

  3. Late afternoon
    Boat trip

    Take a short boat trip around the bay from the Bahnhofquai and pass by the KKL on the return.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the Altstadt

    Dine in the squares of the Altstadt and return via the illuminated Kapellbrücke.

2 days in Lucerna

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Historic center

    Kapellbrücke, Jesuitenkirche, Altstadt and Spreuerbrücke.

  2. Afternoon
    Musegg, Lion and panorama

    Towers of the Museggmauer (April to October), Löwendenkmal, Gletschergarten and Bourbaki Panorama.

  3. Late afternoon
    Hofkirche and lakefront

    Visit the Hofkirche and walk along the Schweizerhofquai to the KKL.

  4. Evening
    Concert or dinner

    Attend a concert at the KKL, if there is one, or dine in the Altstadt.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Boat to Pilatus

    Take the boat to Alpnachstad and ride the cogwheel railway up (May to November).

  2. Afternoon
    Pilatus and descent

    Hike to the Esel, have lunch at the top and descend via the Dragon Ride and the gondola to Kriens.

  3. Late afternoon
    Rosengart

    Back in Lucerne, visit the Sammlung Rosengart, near the station.

  4. Evening
    Reuss riverbank

    Dine on the riverbank, near the Jesuitenkirche.

3 days in Lucerna

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Bridges and squares

    Kapellbrücke, Altstadt, Weinmarkt and Spreuerbrücke.

  2. Afternoon
    Museggmauer and Lion

    Towers of the Museggmauer, Löwendenkmal, Gletschergarten and Bourbaki Panorama.

  3. Late afternoon
    Hofkirche

    Hofkirche and a walk along the lakefront to the KKL.

  4. Evening
    Altstadt

    Dinner in the Altstadt.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Golden Round Trip

    Boat to Alpnachstad and cogwheel train to Pilatus.

  2. Afternoon
    Descent to Kriens

    Dragon Ride and gondola to Kriens; bus back to Lucerne.

  3. Late afternoon
    Art museum

    Sammlung Rosengart or Kunstmuseum, at the KKL.

  4. Evening
    Dinner near the station

    Dine near the lake, on the station side.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Boat to Vitznau and Rigi

    Boat to Vitznau and cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm.

  2. Afternoon
    Trail on the Rigi

    Hike to Rigi Staffel or Kaltbad and descend via Arth-Goldau or by the Weggis cable car.

  3. Late afternoon
    Museum of Transport

    If time allows, stop at the Verkehrshaus, on the lakeside, on the way back.

  4. Evening
    Farewell at the lake

    Walk along the quay and the Seebrücke at night.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Lucerne better than Zurich for tourists?

They are different cities. Lucerne is smaller, has the medieval centre by the lake and mountains less than an hour away; Zurich is larger, with more museums and urban life. Many travellers stay in Lucerne and do a day trip to Zurich.

Can you do Lucerne on foot?

Yes. From the station, the bridges, the Altstadt, the Lion and the Museggmauer are less than 20 minutes on foot. For the Verkehrshaus, take a bus, train or boat.

Which mountain to choose departing from Lucerne?

Pilatus has the 48% cogwheel railway and the boat and cable-car circuit; Rigi has views over the lakes and gentle trails. Stanserhorn has the open CabriO cable car, and Titlis, in Engelberg, has a glacier.

What to do in Lucerne on a rainy day?

Verkehrshaus, Sammlung Rosengart, Gletschergarten, Bourbaki Panorama and a covered boat trip on the lake.

What food to try in Lucerne?

The Luzerner Chügelipastete, a puff pastry filled with meat and mushrooms, and Swiss cheese dishes like fondue and raclette, as well as lake fish.

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