Luzern : book your hotel

Surrounded by an impressive mountain panorama, Lucerne lies on Lake Lucerne. Get to know the gateway to central Switzerland before booking your perfect hotel.

At the foot of the Rigi and Pilatus mountains, the beautiful city is surrounded by an incredible mountain panorama of the Alps. Lucerne offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. How about a hike up the mountain slopes to paraglide back down? Maybe you'd prefer a relaxed pedal boat trip on Lake Lucerne? Let the unique activities in Lucerne make your holiday perfect. On leisurely days, there are many charming shops and cafés to explore in the winding streets of the Old Town. You can also marvel at Europe's oldest wooden bridge on a stroll around the area.

Lucerne is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with many attractions within walking distance. The iconic Chapel Bridge is admired by locals and visitors – it's easy to see why! Together with the water tower, the wooden bridge shapes Lucerne's cityscape. The bridge was built over 650 years ago and sadly burnt down in 1993. The Chapel Bridge was reconstructed true to the original just eight months later. Today, visitors can cross the river Reuss – as they did centuries ago – from the Lucerne Theatre, past the water tower to St. Peter's Chapel. Colourful flowers entwine themselves over the bridge railing when in bloom. Like the Chapel Bridge, the Spreuer Bridge is considered a hidden gem. Although it is less well-known, it's no less stunning than its counterpart.

One of Switzerland's most famous monuments is the Lion Monument, carved in stone. It commemorates the Swiss Guards killed in the Tuileries Storm in Paris in 1792, an event of the French Revolution. Mark Twain described the monument as the saddest and most moving piece of stone in the world. Not only can you experience nature in the middle of the city, but you also learn about history from the Middle Ages. Lucerne's top landmarks also include the Musegg Wall and its nine towers. Together with the Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower, the wall forms part of the cityscape of Lucerne. What once served as a defence is now a valuable habitat for animals and plants. The Musegg Wall also offers a beautiful view over the roofs of Lucerne!

The Middle Ages have left their mark on Lucerne in many ways, such as the Ritterscher Palace. This Renaissance palazzo was once the status symbol of a captain and is now the seat of the cantonal administration. Especially for art lovers and history buffs, the building ranks as one of the best sights in Lucerne.

Another listed Renaissance building is considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland: The Town Hall on the Kornmarkt. In the 16th century, the ground floor, the Kornhütte, served as a department store. Today, it's a space for exhibitions and concerts.

Since 1998, it has been impossible to imagine the riverside of the Reuss without one exceptional architectural masterpiece. The modern Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre is now the pride of many locals and an absolute highlight in Lucerne. The river flows right through the middle of this imposing building. The centrepiece is the concert hall, which is widely known for its fantastic acoustics.

Lake Lucerne is surrounded by mountains of the Alpine foothills, one of the top scenic things to do in Lucerne. It connects the four cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne, which were formerly called Waldstätten. The best way to explore Lake Lucerne is by the historical steamboat that sails around it daily. There are also fantastic opportunities for hiking around Lake Lucerne. Whether a leisurely stroll or a more challenging mountain tour, there's a suitable trail for everyone. Hop in a cable car up the mountain and start your hike from there. The world's first double-decker cable car operates 1,900 metres above sea level and – as the name suggests – has an open, accessible upper deck. Set off from the village of Stands up to the Stanserhorn mountain. From the top, enjoy an incredible mountain panorama and try to spot all ten lakes. The mountain top is also a perfect starting point for hikes of all difficulty levels. Do you love an adrenaline kick? Then soar free as a bird on a paragliding flight down the mountain, back to Lake Lucerne. Prefer something a little more relaxing? Spend the evening of romance under the stars and enjoy a candlelight dinner on the mountainside. The revolving rooftop restaurant Rondorama on the Stanserhorn is an excellent choice.

The Lucerne Festival is one of the world's leading classical music festivals, taking over the Old Town of Lucerne once a year. There are entrance fees for various stages, but many lesser-known musicians play for free during the festival. Free performances spring up in cafés and bars around Lucerne, so settle in with the locals and enjoy a couple of drinks while you listen. Technology enthusiasts should visit the Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz). See planes, trains, construction machinery, cars, ships and space travel all under one roof. Don't miss the submarine!

What could be better than exploring winding alleys while feasting through Lucerne? Be sure to stop by the Buchquartier. This trendy district offers many independent shops, bars and restaurants. Another unmissable area for foodies is Hirschmattt-Neustadt, home to even more of the best restaurants in Lucerne. The Swiss are famous for their chocolate, so prepare to sample plenty during your stay in Lucerne. Sweet specialities from Max Chocolatier are among the best in the city. Always wanted to try making chocolate? Max will show you how! Another lesser-known regional speciality is the Lucerne Chügelipastete. These round pastries are filled with meat, a traditional dish of the Lucerne carnival since the 18 th century. Pfistern Guildhall Restaurant is famous for its Swiss specialities in Lucerne. It's right on the river, with a view of the Chapel Bridge. Just as delicious as their Chügelipastete is the Swiss cheese fondue with Birewegge. The pastry, packed with dried fruit, is usually eaten with whipped cream but sometimes comes with cheese. Twice a week, a market sets up under the open arcades of the Kornhütte and along the Reuss river. Eat and drink local specialities at the many different stalls and enjoy the typical Swiss atmosphere.,