Searching for the best things to do in Lucerne to make your visit the best it can be? Keep reading for a list of the top 10 things you need to do in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities!
Lucerne is a small city in Switzerland known for its medieval architecture, surrounding snowcapped mountains, and views of Lake Lucerne. Sitting in the center of Switzerland is the perfect place to visit to experience the best of Swiss culture. It is also a really vibrant city with lots of people milling about, outdoor cafes, and much to explore. It is the ideal city that is not too big and not too small making it easy to see in just one day.
Discover the 10 best things to do in Lucerne and prepare to fall in love with the beauty of Switzerland.
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10 Best Things to do in Lucerne, Switzerland
Explore the Old Town
Lucerne’s old town is incredibly well preserved and exploring it is one of the top things to do in Lucerne. The old town holds an old-world charm with street after street of beauty to uncover. It is easily one of the prettiest old towns in Switzerland with its cobblestone streets and surprises around every corner.
The buildings in the old town all tell a different and unique story. They are decorated with unique designs and paintings that are wonderful to soak in. During the day you can explore the old towns streets in the vibrant atmosphere, while by night you can enjoy the more romantic feeling of the old town.
Walk Across Chapel Bridge
Within the old town, you cannot miss Chapel Bridge. This is Lucerne’s most iconic landmark and viewing it and walking across it is one of the top things to do in Lucerne. Seriously, no visit to this city is complete without it. It is simply a wooden footbridge that crosses river Reus and has become a staple to this city.
Chapel Bridge is not only an iconic structure in Lucerne but also has a long history of burning down and being rebuilt. It is also the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe! As one of Switzerland’s main tourist attractions, you cannot miss a visit here.
View the Lion Monument
The Lion Monument in Lucerne is a monument carved out of sandstone rock above a pond. It is located at the end of the medieval town and is a popular monument to visit in the city. The monument commemorates the 1792 massacre of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Visiting this monument is one of the best things to do in Lucerne that is not particularly fun, but showcases a different side of Swiss history and remembrance.
View Jesuit Church
Jesuit Church is a large Baroque church located in the heart of Lucerne. It stands tall and beautiful along the river and is a stand-out point in the city. As a major tourist attraction in Lucerne, a visit here is a must, if not only to just admire its exterior! It is also a concert hall that regularly hosts events to join in. From a religious point of view, this church is virtually irrelevant to locals.
Enjoy a Drink Along the River
The various bars and cafes that line river Reus makes not stopping for a drink impossible! This is the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer and wine while admiring the beauty of Lucerne. What makes Lucerne so special is that it’s not as fast-paced as other big cities such as Zurich and has a relaxed atmosphere that you can bathe in.
There is nothing more enjoyable than stopping at one of the restaurants and enjoying a drink and some food while you admire the sights of the city. A bonus is that from most of the River cafes you can see iconic landmarks such as Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church.
Venture to Hofkirche St. Leodegar
Hofkirche St. Leodegar is a lovely church just a short walk from Lucerne’s old town. This Roman Catholic Church stands tall and dominates the skyline. It is was built between 1633 to 1639 and is beautiful both on the inside and on the outside. Walking up the stairs to the church you will see the white stone exterior and inside the walls surrounding it, you will find a small cemetery.
The best thing about Hofkirche St. Leodegar is that it is not a super popular church so you can explore it and roam around with no other people! This is pretty rare in Switzerland so enjoy it.
Visit a Castle
Château Gütsch is a famous castle that sits atop a hill overlooking Lucerne. The Gütsch is a hill in Lucerne and the building began in this spot with The Gütsch Tower which was built in 1590. Since then this building has undergone renovations, ownership changes, fires and more – until it has become what it is today. A fairytale-like castle sitting atop the hills of Lucerne.
Over the hundreds of years, this Château has welcomed a plethora of guests including diplomats, kings, queens, celebrities and more, all of which want to enjoy the best of what Lucerne has to offer. Visiting here yourself to overlooking Lucerne and enjoy one of the most beautiful castles in Switzerland is easily one of the best things to do in Lucerne.
Walk Along Lake Lucerne
One of the best relaxing and local things to do in Lucerne is walking along the lake. Lake Lucerne is a stunning shade of blue and enjoying the water views with the Alps in the distance is the perfect way to enjoy Switzerland’s natural beauty. There is a long promenade that brings you all along the lake down a large path lined with trees. You will see many locals enjoying the sun, people out on boats and more.
Walking along the lake is less busy than walking around the city and can offer a welcome escape! Walking along Lake Lucerne is one of the best things to do in Lucerne on a warm, especially if you get a gelato before and enjoy it during the walk.
Boat on Lake Lucerne
Enjoying a day on a boat on Lake Lucerne is one of the best things to do in Lucerne. Seeing the city from the water and the mountains lining the lake is stunning. Renting a boat or joining a cruise is very popular where you can sail around on the bright blue water and enjoy some quintessential Swiss experiences. Below are some great tour options!
Go to the Summit of Mount Rigi
Mount Rigi is a mountain massif of the Swiss Alps located near Lucerne. It is almost completely surrounded by bodies of water- Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz – and offers some of the most beautiful views of Switzerland from above. You can hike to the top, take a cable car, or a little bit of both and enjoy an authentic Swiss mountain experience! Below are some tours and experiences to get you to the top of Mount Rigi.
Where to Stay in Lucerne
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Lucerne is a magical city. This list of the top 10 things to do in Lucerne is only the beginning! There is so much more to see and discover, most of which you will discover along the way.
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SSW
What a beautiful place! And chapel bridge looks amazing!
Lovely photos as always! I haven’t been to Lucerne (yet) but from the looks of this post, it looks so peaceful and a great mix of city and nature!
I remember when I was in Lucerne – it was wet and cold and pretty miserable. The weather made me stay indoors and spend loads of money on crystals!! Your photos are beautiful, I wish I saw Lucerne that way – next visit.
This is definitely one of my favorite european cities! and wowza, you really covered everything you need to do here! love visiting the castles and of course the lion statue!