Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Lucerne, Switzerland

It is evident why Lucerne is a favorite among travelers. The city is situated beside Lake Lucerne, nestled within an uplifting mountainous environment. Both the lake and the mountains are accessible, whether one prefers a paddle steamer cruise or aims to tackle significant Alpine peaks such as Pilatus or Rigi.

Moreover, the city offers numerous activities, particularly in the historic area of the traffic-free Old Town, where medieval guildhalls showcase exquisite frescoes on their facades. Visitors will traverse medieval wooden bridges adorned with paintings in their ceiling vaults and ascend a series of formidable defensive towers. Noteworthy modern attractions include the moving Lion Monument, commemorating Louis XVI’s slain Swiss Guard, and a park encompassing glacial potholes formed during the last ice age.

Let us delve into the most remarkable experiences in Lucerne:

1. Mount Pilatus

While in Lucerne, it is impossible not to be captivated by this 2,128-meter mountain to the south.

The peak is rich in folklore and is known as “Dragon Mountain,” referring to a medieval legend that suggested it was inhabited by dragons possessing healing abilities.

A journey to the summit is always an adventure yet could hardly be more convenient.

During the summer months, a special circuit known as the Goldene Rundfahrt (Golden Tour) has been established, commencing with a paddle steamer departure from Lucerne.

Following disembarkation, guests will ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, featuring a maximum gradient of 48%. After reveling in the stunning landscape, one will board the newly introduced “Dragon Ride” aerial cableway, followed by a gondola ride back down.

2. Old Town

On the right bank of the Reuss River, allocate as much time as possible to explore Lucerne’s historical heart.

The area features a series of squares surrounded by tall, painted houses interconnected by cobblestone shopping streets.

Entirely free of vehicular traffic, this vibrant locale attracts numerous shoppers and tourists alike.

Weinmarkt serves as the essential starting point, framed by medieval guildhalls adorned with elaborate painted facades.

Not far along, Kornmarkt houses the Renaissance Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), constructed at the start of the 17th century, displaying charming arcades on its ground floor.

3. Lake Lucerne

Referred to as the “Lake of the Four Cantons,” Lake Lucerne is a breathtaking body of water with an irregular shape that beckons exploration.

The lake’s four arms extend at sharp angles, surrounded by majestic mountains.

Lucerne is positioned in the northwesternmost corner, from which visitors can access the Luzern Bahnhofquai to board one of five early-20th-century paddle steamers for cruises on the lake.

On land, Lucerne’s waterfront neighborhoods were redesigned in the 1880s to capitalize on the stunning landscapes.

The Nationalquai and Schweizerhofquai offer elegant, tree-lined promenades adorned with mansions, perfect for admiring the lake and Alpine peaks like Pilatus and Rigi.

4. Swiss Museum of Transport

The most-frequented museum in Switzerland offers much more than merely a collection of vehicles.

At the Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, situated by the water, visitors encounter a comprehensive world of transport.

The museum features trains, including Switzerland’s first diesel locomotive, 30 aircraft, and the remarkable Autotheater, where a collection of cars from various eras is displayed six-high on shelves as if they were toys.

However, the vehicles represent only one aspect of the narrative, as the museum also hosts a recently updated planetarium, Switzerland’s inaugural IMAX theatre, and an impressive 1:20,000 scale photo of the country from space alongside the new Swiss Chocolate Adventure, catering to chocolate enthusiasts.

5. Chapel Bridge

Traversing the Reuss River at an angle is the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge and a symbol of Lucerne.

This covered wooden bridge, constructed in the 14th century, extends diagonally for 200 meters.

The ceiling pediments contain triangular 17th-century paintings depicting events from Lucerne’s past.

Originally, there were 30 such paintings, but a fire in 1993 destroyed many of them. The 35-meter tower that completes this structure is anchored in the water and predates the bridge by approximately 30 years.

While climbing up is not permitted, it remains an admirable sight, featuring a souvenir shop on the ground floor.

6. Rosengart Collection

The art dealer Siegfried Rosengart mingled with modern artists during the early decades of the 20th century.

Together with his daughter Angela, he amassed one of Europe’s most valuable collections of modern art, featuring numerous works by luminaries such as Chagall, Monet, Matisse, Miró, Braque, and Fernand Léger.

However, it is the remarkable assortment of pieces by Picasso and Paul Klee that stands out, receiving heightened attention in this museum located in the previous National Bank structure.

This museum, inaugurated by Angela in 2002, showcases over 300 artworks at any given time.

7. The Lion Monument

Carved from a former sandstone quarry is a rock relief representing a dying lion.

The monument was sculpted by the Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen and completed in the early 1820s under the guidance of Lukas Ahorn.

This lion symbolizes the Swiss Guard, who were killed while attempting to defend Louis XVI at the Tuileries Palace on August 10, 1792, during the French Revolution.

Rich in symbolism, the lion reclines atop a shattered shield featuring the fleur-de-lis of French royalty, while behind it rests an intact shield bearing the Swiss coat of arms.

It is advisable to visit early in the day to avoid large crowds.

8. Glacier Garden

Adjacent to the Lion Monument lies a natural site that perplexed scientists upon its discovery in 1872. This area features a collection of potholes formed during the last ice age approximately 20,000 years ago.

Significantly older than these formations are the fossils of shellfish and palm fronds from when this location was situated along the shore of a subtropical sea about 20 million years ago.

These natural wonders are complemented by modern interactive exhibits, as well as an 18th-century relief model of Switzerland.

Additionally, visitors can attempt to navigate the Alhambra mirror maze, constructed with 90 mirrors dating back to 1896. From there, take the “Stone of Time” path leading to the observation tower, offering stunning views of Lucerne with Mount Pilatus in the backdrop.

9. Musegg Wall

As currently displayed, the city defenses of Lucerne were constructed at the end of the 14th century and safeguard the old town along the steep northern slope.

This remarkable sight features nine tall towers in succession, each separated by sections of the city wall.

Four of these towers are accessible, including the renowned Zytturm, which houses the oldest clock in Lucerne.

This clock, dating back to 1535, has the honor of chiming a minute before the other city clocks.

The remaining three towers are also worthy of a visit to survey the city and the lake.

10. Hofkirche

Lucerne’s medieval Romanesque basilica was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century.

Consequently, while the conflict continued in the 1630s, the city constructed this new church, which was among the few churches erected north of the Alps during this period.

The architecture is primarily in the late Renaissance style, with some elements retained from the original church, such as a pair of towers and additional medieval and Renaissance decorations within the interior.

On the north side of the nave, the polychrome Maria-End-Altar, salvaged from the fire, was crafted in the 1500s, depicting a dying Virgin Mary surrounded by the Apostles.

Noteworthy features from the 17th-century reconstruction include the black marble high altar and the intricately carved wooden choir stalls.

11. Richard Wagner Museum

In 1865, following a series of personal controversies, Richard Wagner was compelled by Ludwig II to leave Munich.

The king provided him with a manor house situated in lush lakeside parkland in Lucerne’s Tribschen district.

Wagner resided in this house for six years, during which he began composing Götterdämmerung and wrote Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.

The residence is now a museum dedicated to Wagner and his time in Lucerne.

The exhibit includes correspondence, musical manuscripts, furniture, paintings, and photographs, with the highlight being the Erard piano on which he composed his masterpieces.

12. Jesuit Church

This church was constructed a few decades after the Hofkirche, characterized by its striking Baroque style, serving as a bastion of the Counter-Reformation against Protestant cities such as Geneva and Zürich.

The Jesuit Church was designed by architects from Austria and Italy, consecrated in 1677, and finalized throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.

Inside, the elaborate stuccowork in the side chapels represents the earliest instance of the significant German Wessobrunner School.

The second side chapel is dedicated to the hermit and now saint, Brother Klaus, with his 15th-century vestments on display.

13. Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre

Where the Reuss flows from the lake, there is a stunning example of modern architecture.

The Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre, designed by Jean Nouvel, was constructed between 1995 and 2000, notable for its colossal flat roof that projects over the waterfront.

Below this impressive structure lies a complex dominated by a first-rate concert hall, featuring 1,800 seats with exceptional acoustics.

The Lucerne Art Museum is housed within as well, showcasing works from the Renaissance to contemporary times.

At any time, visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the casual World Café, which offers hearty stews in winter and ice cream during summer.

14. Reuss River Sights

Lucerne boasts a second medieval bridge located downstream, at the western corner of the Old Town.

The 15th-century Spreuer Bridge mimics the design of the Chapel Bridge, featuring a roof, truss design, and additional 17th-century paintings on its ceiling pediments.

Painted between 1616 and 1637, these depict a Danse Macabre, with each image accompanied by a description and details of their patrons.

Proceeding further downstream, visitors encounter the Nadelwehr (Needle Dam). The installation of this dam in 1852 effectively ended the river’s historical flood issues, maintaining the lake level.

This ingeniously uncomplicated system utilizes wooden planks (needles) that are added or removed to manage the flow of the Reuss.

15. Bourbaki Panorama

Close to the Lion Monument and Glacier Garden on Löwenplatz, this attraction, now nearly 140 years old, awaits visitors.

Swiss artist Édouard Castres painted a panorama illustrating a pivotal moment from the France-Prussian War in the early 1870s: In a snowy landscape, the defeated French army seeks refuge in Switzerland.

The painting, measuring 112 meters by 10, is displayed in a rotunda.

Castres, having served as a Red Cross volunteer during the conflict, drew on firsthand experiences for his artwork.

A small museum at the Bourbaki Panorama offers context regarding the painting and the associated war.